larger-than-vdd forward body bias in sub-0.5v nanoscale cmos
This paper examines the effectiveness of larger-than-V dd forward body bias (FBB) in nanoscale bulk CMOS circuits where V dd is expected to scale below 0.5V. Equal-to and larger-than V dd FBB schemes offer unique advantages over conventional FBB such as simple design overhead and reverse body bias capability respectively. Compared to zero body bias, they improve process-variation immunity and achieve 71\% and 78\% standby leakage savings at iso performance and iso active power at room temperature. We also suggest a novel temperature-adaptive body bias scheme to control active leakage and achieve 22\% and 40\% active power savings at higher temperatures.
forward body bias sub-threshold leakage junction leakage process variations