Low-Voltage SOI CMOS VLSI Devices and Circuits

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Introduction

SOI CMOS VLSI technology has become a major technology for integrating VLSI systems. This technology is especially suitable for integrating low-power VLSI systems using a low-supply voltage. In this chapter, the evolution of CMOS VLSI is described, followed by comparison of SOI and bulk CMOS VLSI. Then, the trends on low-power VLSI using a low-voltage power supply are described. Finally, the objectives of this book are highlighted.

1.1 EVOLUTION OF CMOS VLSI

Along with progress in the CMOS processing technology, CMOS devices have been scaled down continuously, which triggered advances in the VLSI circuit design techniques. By using advanced CMOS VLSI technology, high-performance computer system chips using advanced architectures such as reduced instruction set computing (RISC) and sever-client system connections have been integrated as a result of the computer evolution, as shown in Fig. 1.1 [1], Based on the VLSI CPU chips using the advanced architectures, high-performance, low-price, low-power desktop, laptop, and hand-held computers have been derived for use in the information-related systems. Along with the shrinkage of the CMOS devices, the corresponding power consumption has also been decreased– low-power has been a requirement for today's VLSI systems. In addition, the price of computer and communication (C&C) related VLSI systems has been dropping dramatically. ...