A low-power CMOS programmable frequency divider with novel retiming scheme

We propose a novel pulse-swallow programmable frequency divider with a D flip-flop for retiming. The proposed scheme reduces the critical delay path of the modulus control (MC) signal extending the MC timing margin. This enables the high-speed operation of the divider. Moreover, unlike the conventional retiming structure, the MC signal is set and reset by a single signal triggered reset circuitry to eliminate the unwanted division ratio offset and the possible malfunction of set-reset (SR) latch. Simulation results show that the proposed divider designed in 130-nm CMOS technology consumes 53μW at 1-GHz operation frequency from a 0.7-V supply voltage. The proposed divider achieves the lowest power consumption among the previously reported dividers at GHz operations.