SWITCHING CODES FOR DELTA-I NOISE-REDUCTION

In this paper, we address the off-chip driver delta-I or switching noi se problem. We propose a novel approach based on switching codes to re duce this noise. These codes are designed to lower the number of drive rs which switch in any given system cycle. A formal theoretic framewor k for switching codes is developed which provides an upper bound on th e number of switching drivers as a function of bit width of the data b us and number of redundant switch bits. Switching codes with error det ecting and error correcting capabilities are also presented. Switching codes also reduce the average switching activity and power consumed b y the off-chip drivers.