Old logic, new speed

Electronics Technology

14 November 2007 Electronics Technology

Potato Semiconductor, an IC design company focusing on the high speed CMOS I/O field, successfully applied its innovative technology to 74-series logic ICs, claiming running speeds of five to seven times faster than existing 74-series ICs.

74-series ICs occupy a very important role in the semiconductor industry. Their circuitry is the basis of all logic ICs and represents the first standardised IC series in electrical engineering. These types have been widely used in appliances, computers and many other electric and electronic products for over 40 years, a popularity that continues today. However, there has been no performance breakthrough for decades because of inherent noise problems.

Potato claimed to solve this problem, meaning that noise generated from high frequency operating environments can be effectively eliminated and the performance of ICs can be dramatically enhanced. Richard Kao, the CEO of Potato Semi, stated that while 74 series ICs are basic and standard IC products and all main IC manufacturers have this product line, until now, none of them has been able to make technical breakthroughs in performance. After careful and thorough research Kao finally determined what he believed to be the root cause of noise in these types of logic circuits and as a result decided to abandon primitive IC design algorithms, deciding instead to develop a completely new theory, ushering in a new IC design algorithm.

In TTL/CMOS technology, high frequency amounts to high noise levels. By eliminating noise, an IC's performance can reach the upper limit of its manufacturing process. Using 0,35 μm CMOS as an example, the operating frequency of ICs based on old design algorithms is about 150 MHz, while Potato's patented technology delivers devices that perform at speeds greater than 1 GHz, which is the upper limit of the 0,35 μm CMOS process.

All of Potato's products are pin-to-pin compatible with competitive products, so designers can easily integrate them into system boards without modifying layout.

For more information visit www.potatosemi.com

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Old logic, new speed

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