Clock Gating Circuit for Latch Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly in latches which dissipate more power when in a transparent state and are not efficiently managed in large-scale designs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of clock gating circuits that determine and apply conditions to ensure latches are transparent only when needed, using observability-don't-care and stability conditions to prevent unnecessary clocking, thereby reducing dynamic power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If latches are kept transparent to allow data flow propagation, then circuit speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using clock gating to enable latches only during specific clock cycles when data propagation is needed. The clock signal is periodically gated based on control signals, allowing latches to be transparent only when necessary for data flow, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining circuit speed when required.
2Use of energy by moving object
If clock gating circuits are added to control latch transparency, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clock gating control logic with the existing latch structure by integrating control signal generation within the latch circuit itself. The clock gating functionality is combined with the latch transparency control, reducing the need for separate complex gating circuits while achieving power reduction through controlled transparency.
3Reliability
If latches are activated frequently to ensure data integrity, then reliability is improved, but dynamic power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where control signals monitor the state of data inputs and outputs to determine when latch activation is necessary. The clock gating control logic uses feedback from circuit state monitoring to activate latches only when data integrity requires it, rather than continuous activation, thereby reducing dynamic power consumption while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An example circuit includes: a first clock gating circuit coupled between a first latch and a second latch and configured to provide a first gated clock signal based at least in part on an input clock signal. The first latch is configured to be activated in response to the first gated clock signal being at a first logic level to pass a data input. The second latch is configured to be activated in response to the input clock signal being at a second logic level to pass a first selection signal.