Multi-Bit Flip-Flop Layout With Local Drive-Strength Upsizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for designing multi-bit flip-flops in semiconductor circuits result in unnecessary empty space, increased power consumption, and reduced chip density due to uniform increases in transistor width across all rows, despite the need for varying drive strengths in specific flip-flops.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor circuit design that includes flip-flops with variable length circuits and fixed length circuits, where specific flip-flops have enhanced drive strength through upsizing circuit patterns, and cell boundaries are aligned or misaligned to optimize layout without unnecessary empty space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If uniform width increase is applied across all rows in multi-bit flip-flop design, then drive strength is improved, but area occupied increases and chip density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the width of variable length circuits across different rows. Specifically, the first row has a different circuit width compared to the second and third rows, allowing each row to have optimized drive strength according to its specific requirements rather than applying uniform width increase across all rows. This resolves the contradiction by enhancing drive strength only where needed while minimizing area occupation.
2Power
If uniform width increase is applied across all rows in multi-bit flip-flop design, then drive strength is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying width increase only to specific rows that require enhanced drive strength. The first row has a different width configuration compared to other rows, ensuring that power consumption is optimized by avoiding unnecessary width increases in rows that do not require additional drive strength, thus resolving the contradiction between drive strength improvement and power consumption reduction.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed cell boundary alignment is used in multi-bit flip-flop layout, then layout simplicity is maintained, but empty space is created and chip density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally misaligning the cell boundaries of different rows. The first row has a different cell boundary position compared to the second and third rows, creating an asymmetric layout that eliminates empty spaces. This resolves the contradiction by accepting increased layout complexity as a trade-off for achieving higher chip density through optimized space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor circuit including a first flip-flop configured to extend along a first direction and a second flip-flop configured to extend parallel to the first flip-flop along the first direction, the first flip-flop including a first fixed length circuit including one of input/output pins of the first flip-flop and a first variable length circuit including another of the input/output pins of the first flip-flop, the second flip-flop including a second fixed length circuit including one of input/output pins of the second flip-flop and a second variable length circuit including the other of the input/output pins of the second flip-flop, and a second length of the second variable length circuit in the first direction is configured to be longer by a predetermined first length than a first length of the first variable length circuit in the first direction.