Clocked Logic Gate Flip-Flop Circuit for Low Data Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-speed flip-flops and clock gating circuits based on D latches suffer from data-to-output latency issues, limiting their application in high-speed chip designs due to slow data propagation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor circuit design incorporating multiple logic gates that perform specific logical operations using NAND and NOR operations to generate feedback signals, enabling efficient clock gating and data propagation, with optional inclusion of latches for flip-flop functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If D latch-based flip-flops and clock gating circuits are used, then area occupation is small and power consumption is low, but data-to-output latency is too slow for high-speed applications
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is divided into multiple logic gates (first logic gate, second logic gate, third logic gate in various embodiments) that perform specific logical operations in sequence. This segmentation allows each gate to be optimized for speed while maintaining overall circuit functionality, resolving the contradiction between speed and complexity by distributing the computational load across specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the logical operation parameters by using specific combinations of NAND and NOR operations in the logic gates. This parameter optimization enables faster data propagation through the circuit while maintaining the required logical functionality, thereby improving data-to-output latency without excessive complexity increase.
2Speed
If existing D latch-based designs are used, then power consumption is relatively low, but data propagation speed is too slow for high-speed chip operation
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit employs dynamic logic gate designs where the operational state of each gate changes based on the clock signal and input data. This dynamic operation allows the circuit to achieve high-speed data propagation during active periods while potentially reducing power consumption during idle or stable states, resolving the speed-power tradeoff.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism and clocked operation ensure continuous useful action through the circuit, maintaining optimal signal levels and reducing the need for repeated signal regeneration. This continuity improves data propagation speed while minimizing unnecessary power consumption from redundant operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor circuit includes a first logic gate that receives inputs of a first input signal, a clock signal and a feedback signal and performs a first logical operation to output a first output signal. A second logic gate that receives inputs of the first output signal of the first logic gate, the clock signal, and an inverted output signal of the first input signal and performs a second logical operation to output the feedback signal.