Dual-Port Slave Latch Flip-Flop for External Data Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-volatile logic circuits face challenges in updating sequential elements like flip-flops from external sources without significantly slowing down operations, especially in portable devices that require efficient power management and data retention.
Innovation Solution
A flip-flop circuit design incorporating a 2-input multiplexer, master latch, transfer gate, and dual-port slave latch with a tri-state inverter, allowing for external data insertion without affecting the critical timing path, enabling seamless operation and data retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-volatile logic circuits are implemented to allow updating of sequential elements from external sources, then data retention capability is improved, but operation speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flip-flop is divided into two independent latches: a master latch for normal sequential operations and a slave latch for external data updates. This segmentation allows each latch to operate independently, so external updates to the slave latch do not interfere with the timing-critical master latch path, thus maintaining high operation speed while enabling data retention from external sources.
Solution Approach 2:
A dual-port slave latch acts as an intermediary between external non-volatile memory sources and the main flip-flop circuit. This intermediate structure buffers external update operations, allowing data to be loaded from external sources without directly impacting the critical timing path of the main sequential element, thereby preserving operation speed while enabling external data updates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external data insertion is enabled in flip-flops, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slave latch is designed with dual functionality: it can receive data from external non-volatile memory sources and also accept data from the master latch during normal operation. This merging of functions into a single structure enables external data insertion capability without requiring completely separate circuitry, thus improving adaptability while controlling the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The slave latch is designed as a universal structure that can serve multiple purposes: storing data from external non-volatile memory, receiving data from the master latch during normal flip-flop operation, and maintaining data retention capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby improving adaptability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment of the invention, a flip-flop circuit contains a 2-input multiplexer, a master latch, a transfer gate and a slave latch. The scan enable control signals SE and SEN of the multiplexer determine whether data or scan data is input to the master latch. Clock signals CKT and CLKZ and retention control signals RET and RETN determine when the master latch is latched. The slave latch is configured to receive the output of the master latch, a second data bit D2, the clock signals CKT and CLN, the retain control signals RET and RETN, the slave control signals SS and SSN. The signals CKT, CLKZ, RET, RETN, SS, SSN and PREN determine whether the output of the master latch or the second data bit D2 is latched in the slave latch. Control signals RET and RETN determine when data is stored in the slave latch during retention mode.