Integrated Clock-Gated Flip-Flop Without Redundant Inversions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flip-flop circuits in digital electronic systems consume significant power due to dynamic power consumption when clock signals transition, especially in large-scale implementations, as they often provide multiple inversions of the clock signal, which is not necessary and increases power usage.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electronic circuit design includes a clock gating circuit that provides only one inversion of the clock signal and uses a master-slave latch configuration with transistors arranged to minimize dynamic power consumption by only activating when the clock gater is in the enabled state, reducing power consumption by inhibiting clock signal propagation when disabled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flip-flop circuits provide multiple inversions of the clock signal, then the clock signal can be distributed to multiple consumers, but power consumption increases due to dynamic power usage during clock transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the clock signal inversion function from individual flip-flop circuits and consolidates it into a dedicated clock gating circuit. This clock gating circuit provides all necessary inversions centrally, allowing flip-flops to receive clock signals without performing their own inversions, thereby eliminating redundant inversion operations and reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to distribute clock signals to multiple consumers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the clock signal inversion functionality that was previously distributed across multiple flip-flop circuits into a single centralized clock gating circuit. This consolidation allows all clock signal inversions to be performed in one location, reducing the total number of inversion operations across the system and thereby reducing dynamic power consumption during clock transitions
2Use of energy by moving object
If clock gating circuits are disabled to reduce power consumption, then dynamic power usage decreases, but clock signal propagation is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic clock gating mechanism where the clock gating circuit can be selectively enabled or disabled based on operational requirements. When disabled, the circuit blocks clock signal propagation to conserve power during idle periods. When enabled, it restores full clock signal distribution. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt power consumption levels to actual operational needs, balancing energy savings with functional requirements
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic circuit is disclosed. A first flip-flop is coupled to receive a clock signal from clock gating circuit. The first flip-flop includes an input circuit having a data input, a master-slave latch, and an output circuit. Responsive to an edge of the clock signal, the master-slave latch may latch a logic value of a signal received on the data input. The output circuit is coupled to the master-slave latch, and provides a logic output signal corresponding to the logic value latched by the master-slave latch. The clock gating circuit may provide one or more inversions of the clock signal which it receives. The flip-flop provides no inversions of the clock signal.