Embedded-Logic Level-Shifting Latch for Timing Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing integrated circuits with latch circuits poses challenges in achieving timing closure due to signal voltage domain differences, leading to complex timing parameters and undesirable trade-offs in power, performance, and area considerations.
Innovation Solution
A level-shifting set-reset (S-R) latch with embedded logic, featuring a latching element with pull-up and pull-down input blocks and feedback blocks that implement complementary logic functions, ensuring no direct circuit path from power to ground is created, allowing for concurrent operation without additional level-shifting elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If voltage level shifting circuits are added to handle signals at different voltages, then the latch circuit can operate across multiple voltage domains, but the circuit area and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the level-shifting functionality with the latch circuit by integrating pull-up and pull-down blocks directly into the latch structure. These blocks perform both voltage level adaptation and latching operations simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate level-shifting circuits and reducing overall circuit area.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull-up and pull-down blocks serve multiple functions: they act as level shifters for signals from different voltage domains, provide feedback control, and enable the latching operation. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed and simplifies the circuit architecture.
2Reliability
If additional circuits are added to control relative timing of signals, then timing closure can be achieved, but the device complexity and area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback blocks that monitor the output of the latching element and control the pull-up and pull-down blocks accordingly. This feedback mechanism automatically adjusts the timing of signal transitions, ensuring proper timing closure without requiring external timing control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch circuit is self-regulating through its internal feedback mechanism. The feedback blocks automatically control the pull-up and pull-down operations based on the latch output state, eliminating the need for external timing control logic and reducing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If the latch circuit is designed with simpler timing parameters, then timing closure becomes easier, but performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the pull-up and pull-down blocks through feedback mechanisms that adapt to the real-time state of the latch. This dynamic operation simplifies timing parameters by allowing the circuit to self-adjust, while maintaining high performance through optimized signal transition control.
Data Source
AI summary
In certain aspects of the disclosure, an apparatus comprises a latching element having a data input, a first feedback input, a second feedback input, and an output. A pull-up input block is coupled to the data input and has at least a first pull-up input, and a pull-down input block is also coupled to the data input and has at least a first pull-down input. A feedback pull-down block implementing a logic function complementary to the pull-up input block is coupled to a feedback pull-down control device and responsive to the first pull-up input, and a feedback pull-up block implementing a logic function complementary to the pull-down input block is coupled to a feedback pull-up control device and responsive to the first pull-down input. The pull-up input block and pull-down input block are guaranteed not to be enabled concurrently.