Clock-Gated Register File With Partial Overwrite Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional register files in electronic systems, such as computer systems, are sub-optimal in terms of power efficiency and area due to their implementation in byte-enabled flip-flop registers, which do not effectively manage power consumption during write operations.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit design that includes a register with a data input generation circuit and a clock-gating circuit, allowing for partial overwrite of data units using a logically controlled gated clock signal, reducing power consumption and silicon area by enabling transitions only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional byte-enabled flip-flop registers are used for register files, then partial register write configuration with byte resolution access is achieved, but power efficiency and area are sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The register is divided into multiple independently clocked segments or blocks. Each segment can be selectively clocked based on whether it needs to be updated, allowing partial write operations without clocking the entire register. This segmentation enables byte-resolution or word-resolution selective writing while reducing switching power consumption in segments that don't need updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock signal to the register is made dynamic through clock gating control. Instead of a static continuous clock, the clock signal is dynamically enabled or disabled for different register segments based on write operation requirements. This dynamic clocking reduces switching activity and power consumption in segments that remain unchanged during partial write operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional byte-enabled flip-flop registers are used for register files, then partial register write configuration with byte resolution access is achieved, but area usage is sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple register segments that share common control logic and clock gating mechanisms are merged into a unified register file structure. By combining segments with similar access patterns under shared control logic, the overall area is reduced compared to implementing each byte-enabled flip-flop independently with full control logic for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The register file is designed with universal control logic that can handle different write granularities (byte, word, or partial writes) through a unified architecture. This multi-functional control logic eliminates the need for separate control paths for different write sizes, reducing area overhead while maintaining adaptability for various write configurations.
3Use of energy by moving object
If clock-gating circuit is used to selectively enable transitions, then switching power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Clock gating control logic acts as an intermediary between the main control unit and the register segments. This intermediary layer generates enable signals for clock gating based on write operation parameters, allowing complex power management functionality to be added without directly complicating the core register structure. The control logic mediates between simple register elements and power efficiency requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure provide an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a register configured to store multiple data units, a data input generation circuit configured to combine input data for at least partially overwriting the register with the stored multiple data units to generate combined input data, and a clock-gating circuit configured to provide to the register a logically controlled gated clock signal having selectively enabled transitions. The register is overwritten with the combined input data in response to the selectively enabled transitions in the gated clock signal.