Asynchronous Circuit Design

Specialized coverage of asynchronous circuit design for students and practitioners

The field of asynchronous circuit design is growing rapidly in commercial importance as practitioners take advantage of its benefits in terms of power consumption and speed. Whereas existing books on the subject tend to concentrate on modeling, this volume provides balanced coverage of all modern asynchronous design methods. No other available book offers such specialized and much-needed information.

The author begins with a straightforward overview of the subject before introducing the concept of asynchronous communication and describing a methodology for specifying asynchronous designs using VHDL. Asynchronous Circuit Design also features:

* Asynchronous protocols

* Graphical representations used for asynchronous design

* Huffman style synthesis/fundamental-mode design

* Muller style synthesis/speed-independent design

* Techniques for timing analysis and optimization

* Methods for verification of asynchronous circuits

* Asynchronous applications

* Further support material available for download from the Wiley ftp site

References to further self-study material and exercises that test student knowledge are included. Appendixes cover basic set theory and logic and provide VHDL packages for standard simulators. Accessible for both advanced undergraduate and graduate students in electrical engineering courses, practicing designers, and developers in the industry, Asynchronous Circuit Design is the most up-to-date and focused resource in the field.

This volume claims to be the first new textbook on this topic since Stephen Unger's 1969 classic. After defining asynchronous circuits and explaining their advantages with an accessible example, Meyers (electrical engineering, U. of Utah-Salt Lake City) introduces the design challenges still inhibiting such circuit usage, problem specification, asynchronous communication channels and protocols, graphical representations, types of circuits, verification, and applications. Includes chapter problems, pithy quotes, appended material on VHDL packages, a brief review of some of the basic concepts of set theory, and 425 references. A glossary would be helpful.
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

With asynchronous circuit design becoming a powerful tool in the development of new digital systems, circuit designers are expected to have asynchronous design skills and be able to leverage them to reduce power consumption and increase system speed. This book walks readers through all of the different methodologies of asynchronous circuit design, emphasizing practical techniques and real-world applications instead of theoretical simulation. The only guide of its kind, it also features an ftp site complete with support materials.

Market: Electrical Engineers, Computer Scientists, Device Designers, and Developers in industry.

An Instructor Support FTP site is available from the Wiley editorial department.

Ein Überblick über Verfahren zum Design asynchroner Schaltkreise, geschrieben in stark praxisorientiertem Stil. Ein Nachschlagewerk insbesondere für Ingenieure. Der Schwerpunkt liegt auf Anwendungsbeispielen. Vom ftp-Server lässt sich zusätzliches Material abrufen.

CHRIS J. MYERS received his PhD from Stanford University. He is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

Communication Channels.

Communication Protocols.

Graphical Representations.

Huffman Circuits.

Muller Circuits.

Timed Circuits.

Verification.

Applications.

Appendix A: VHDL Packages.

Appendix B: Sets and Relations.

References.

Index.