Scanning the Technology : Applications of Asynchronous

| A comparison with synchronous circuits suggests four opportunities for the application of asynchronous circuits: high performance, low power, improved noise and EMC properties, and a natural match with heterogeneous system timing. In this overview article each opportunity is reviewed in some detail, illustrated by examples, compared with synchronous alternatives, and accompanied by numerous pointers to the literature. Conditions for applying asynchronous circuit technology, such as the existence and availability of CAD tools, circuit libraries, and eeective test approaches, are discussed brieey. Asynchronous circuits do ooer advantages for many applications, and their design methods and tools are now starting to become mature.