Low-Power Silicon-Based Frequency Dividers: An Overview

Frequency divider circuits divide the frequency of an input signal by a specified ratio. They are critical components in analog, digital, and mixed-signal microelectronics. In power-constrained environments, such as cryogenic electronics or implanted biomedical devices, minimizing power consumption is crucial. This paper reviews operational principles, benefits, trade-offs, and circuit solutions of three main typologies of frequency divider: Current Mode Logic (CML), Injection-Locking (IL), and True Single-Phase Clock (TSPC). Distinct trade-offs between operation speed, power efficiency, complexity, and integration make each of them suitable for specific applications. Nevertheless, hybrid circuit solutions combining different typologies could potentially balance performance and energy efficiency. This paper thus also reports and discusses examples of hybrid frequency dividers. Examples of frequency dividers implemented in emerging technologies, such as the FinFETs CMOS, are addressed, as well. The purpose of this paper is to guide designers in selecting frequency divider solutions that best meet the design-specific requirements.