Data Retention Cell Using Clock-Gating Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data retention cells in power-saving mode face challenges in preserving data signals due to the need for extra balloon latch units and complex controlling and timing requirements for transitions between power-saving and power-active modes.
Innovation Solution
A data retention cell utilizing a master-slave flip-flop with an input control circuit that includes a delay unit, powered slave latch unit, and virtual power for the master latch unit, employing clock-gating and feedback mechanisms to retain data signals without an extra balloon latch, simplifying the transition between power modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional data retention cell uses a balloon latch unit to preserve data in power-saving mode, then data preservation is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to extra latch units and complicated controlling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the balloon latch unit from the data retention cell, eliminating the extra latch unit and its associated complex controlling mechanisms while maintaining data preservation functionality through an alternative embodiment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the slave latch unit universal by enabling it to perform both normal flip-flop operation and data retention functions, eliminating the need for a separate balloon latch unit dedicated solely to data preservation in power-saving mode
2Reliability
If a conventional data retention cell uses a balloon latch unit with complex controlling mechanisms, then data preservation is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complicated timing requirements for mode transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the balloon latch unit and its complicated controlling and timing mechanisms, simplifying the operation of mode transitions while maintaining data preservation through the modified slave latch unit configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the complex controlling mechanisms of the balloon latch unit and recovers the data preservation functionality through a simplified configuration using the existing slave latch unit, reducing operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
For retaining an output data signal of a data retention cell in a power-saving mode, a slave latch unit of the data retention cell is powered with a real power for preserving the output data signal. The output data signal is furnished backward to an input control circuit of the data retention cell. The data signal furnished to a master latch unit of the data retention cell is controlled to switch between an input data signal and the output data signal by the input control circuit in response to a retention signal. The switching of the data signal for refreshing the master latch unit is delayed by a delay unit of the input control circuit, which functions to make sure that the data-preserving process is properly operated on any transition from the power-saving mode to a power-active mode.