Power Distribution Networks with On-Chip Decoupling Capacitors

Decoupling capacitors are often utilized to mitigate power distribution noise, maintaining the impedance of a power distribution system below the target specifications in the range of operating frequencies.

This book presents power distribution grids with on-chip decoupling capacitors and discusses the design of decoupling capacitors for power distribution networks with multiple supply voltages. To be effective, on-chip decoupling capacitors should be located inside the effective radius. This book develops a design methodology for placing on-chip decoupling capacitors in this manner and presents two criteria to estimate the minimum required on-chip decoupling capacitance. Techniques and algorithms for the computer-aided design and analysis of on-chip power distribution networks are also described; however, the emphasis of the book is on developing circuit intuition and understanding the principles that govern the design and operation of power distribution systems.