Clock distribution using MTJ sensing
US8779824B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K3/59
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Clock signals are distributed on a chip by applying an oscillating magnetic field to the chip. Local clock generation circuits including magnetic field sensors are distributed around the chip and are coupled to local clocked circuitry on the chip. The magnetic field sensors may include clock magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) in which a magnetic orientation of the free layer is free to rotate in the free layer plane in response to the applied magnetic field. The MTJ resistance alternates between a high resistance value and a low resistance value as the free layer magnetization rotates. Clock generation circuitry coupled to the clock MTJs senses voltage oscillations caused by the alternating resistance of the clock MTJs. The clock generation circuitry includes amplifiers, which convert the sensed voltage into local clock signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.