Embedded-Logic Multi-Bit Memory Cells With Fewer Slave Latches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual design of complex integrated circuits is time-consuming and inefficient due to the large number of components and design information required, and existing EDA tools often result in conservative, less time and power-efficient designs.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a circuit design engine that includes a standard cell with embedded logic, such as multi-bit flip flops and latches, and optimizing the design by replacing slave latches with fewer latches at downstream nodes, facilitated by a circuit analysis and modification engine and synthesizer to improve performance, power, and area efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual design methods are used for complex integrated circuits, then design flexibility and control are maintained, but design time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The design system is segmented into multiple specialized engines: circuit analysis engine, circuit modification engine, and synthesizer. Each engine handles specific aspects of the design process, allowing parallel processing and reducing overall design time while maintaining comprehensive control over the complex circuit design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate data structures and representation layers between manual design input and final circuit implementation. These intermediaries automate routine design tasks and transformations, reducing the burden on manual design while preserving design intent and flexibility.
2Productivity
If conventional EDA tools are used, then design automation is achieved, but designs become conservative and less time-efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit modification engine implements iterative feedback loops where design decisions are continuously evaluated and refined. The system analyzes circuit performance, identifies optimization opportunities, and automatically applies modifications, creating a closed-loop design process that improves time-efficiency while maintaining high-quality automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic design optimization where the circuit configuration can be automatically adjusted based on performance metrics and design goals. This dynamic approach allows the system to escape conservative design patterns and explore more efficient design spaces that static conventional tools cannot reach.
3Reliability
If more components are used in the circuit design, then functionality and reliability are improved, but power leakage and area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The synthesizer automatically adjusts circuit parameters such as transistor sizing, threshold voltages, and operating points to optimize the trade-off between reliability and power consumption. By dynamically changing these parameters, the system achieves reliable circuit operation with minimized power leakage, avoiding the need for excessive components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local optimization techniques where specific circuit regions are targeted for power optimization based on their functional requirements. Critical paths maintain higher reliability with adequate components, while non-critical regions use minimized component counts to reduce power leakage, creating a heterogeneous design that balances reliability and power efficiency locally.
4Speed
If traditional latch configurations are used, then design simplicity is maintained, but circuit speed and performance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit modification engine performs preliminary optimization of latch configurations before final circuit synthesis. It pre-identifies and applies optimal latch structures and timing configurations that are tailored to specific circuit requirements, enabling higher circuit speeds without requiring manual exploration of complex latch design spaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method are provided that include a standard cell with multiple input and output storage elements, such as flip flops, latches, etc., with some combination logic interconnected between them. In embodiments, the slave latches on input flip flops are replaced with a fewer number latches at a downstream node(s) of the combination logic resulting in improved performance, area and power, while maintaining functionality at the interface pins of the standard cell. The process of inferring such a standard cell from a behavioral description, such as RTL, of a design or remapping equivalent sub-circuits from a netlist to such a standard cell is also described.