Adaptive Flip-Flop Timing Control for PVT Delay Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits face challenges in predicting and controlling setup and propagation delays due to process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) factors, leading to suboptimal performance and increased power consumption when designed for worst-case scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A flip-flop design with a setup and delay control (SDC) input that receives a signal from a PVT detector to adjust its operation, reducing delays and power consumption based on sensed conditions, using conductive paths that are selectively enabled or disabled to optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If circuits are designed to operate in worst-case scenarios to account for PVT factors, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and operating frequency becomes unnecessarily high
Solution Approach 1:
The flip-flop employs dynamic delay adjustment through conductive paths that can be selectively enabled or disabled based on real-time delay conditions. The delay adjustment mechanism changes the effective delay of the flip-flop from a fixed parameter to a dynamic one that adapts to operating conditions, allowing the circuit to operate at optimal frequency rather than being constrained by worst-case scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the delay parameter of the flip-flop from a fixed value to an adjustable value. By modifying the delay parameter dynamically based on actual operating conditions (rather than designing for worst-case delay), the circuit can operate more efficiently with lower power consumption while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If circuits are designed to operate in worst-case scenarios to account for PVT factors, then reliability is improved, but operating frequency becomes unnecessarily high
Solution Approach 1:
The flip-flop employs dynamic delay adjustment through conductive paths that can be selectively enabled or disabled based on real-time delay conditions. The delay adjustment mechanism changes the effective delay of the flip-flop from a fixed parameter to a dynamic one that adapts to operating conditions, allowing the circuit to operate at optimal frequency rather than being constrained by worst-case scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit includes a delay detection mechanism that automatically detects when delay exceeds a threshold and triggers adjustment of the conductive paths to reduce delay. This self-service capability allows the circuit to autonomously optimize its operating frequency based on actual conditions without external intervention, improving productivity efficiency.
3Device complexity
If fixed delay flip-flops are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to PVT changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flip-flop employs dynamic delay adjustment through conductive paths that can be selectively enabled or disabled based on real-time delay conditions. The delay adjustment mechanism changes the effective delay of the flip-flop from a fixed parameter to a dynamic one that adapts to operating conditions, allowing the circuit to operate at optimal frequency rather than being constrained by worst-case scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a flip-flop including an input configured to receive a setup time and delay control (SDC) signal, and an output buffer including first and second conductive paths. The second conductive path is non-conductive when the SDC signal has a first value at the input and is conductive when the SDC signal has a second value at the input. The apparatus includes a propagation delay sensor configured to estimate a propagation delay of the flip-flop, and, when the estimated propagation delay exceeds a threshold, supply the SDC signal having the second value to the input of the flip-flop.