Asynchronous Circuit Conversion Through Flip-Flop Loop Simplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In synchronous circuits, identifying flip-flop circuits preceding and subsequent to a combinational circuit is challenging due to self-feedback loops and strongly coupled components.
Innovation Solution
A processing method that involves identifying flip-flop circuits with self-feedback loops, deleting feedback paths, replacing strongly coupled flip-flop circuits with a dummy flip-flop circuit, and performing iterative searches to identify flip-flop circuits coupled to the input and output sides of combinational circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods are used to identify flip-flop circuits in synchronous circuits, then the identification process becomes complex and inaccurate, but the circuit structure remains unchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronous circuit is segmented by identifying and isolating self-feedback loops in flip-flop circuits. The feedback path is deleted to create distinct input and output sides of combinational circuits, making identification easier and more accurate.
Solution Approach 2:
Before performing the main identification task, the method preliminarily identifies and processes self-feedback loops by deleting their feedback paths. This preliminary action simplifies the circuit structure, enabling more accurate subsequent identification of flip-flop circuits.
2Ease of operation
If feedback paths in self-feedback loops are retained, then the original circuit functionality is preserved, but identification of preceding and subsequent flip-flop circuits becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback path from the self-feedback loop is extracted and removed from the circuit. This extraction eliminates the interference caused by the feedback loop, allowing clear identification of flip-flop circuits while the dummy flip-flop preserves the necessary functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A dummy flip-flop circuit is introduced as an intermediary element to replace the removed feedback path. This intermediary maintains the circuit's structural integrity and functionality while enabling accurate identification of preceding and subsequent flip-flop circuits.
3Device complexity
If strongly coupled flip-flop circuits are not replaced, then the original circuit structure is maintained, but the identification process becomes increasingly complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple strongly coupled flip-flop circuits are merged and replaced with a single dummy flip-flop circuit. This merging reduces the number of elements to be identified while preserving the coupled relationship, improving identification precision without losing structural information.
Solution Approach 2:
A dummy flip-flop circuit serves as a simplified copy or representation of the strongly coupled flip-flop circuits. This copy maintains the essential functional characteristics while reducing complexity, enabling more precise identification of circuit relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
A processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: causing a computer to perform first processing for identifying one or a plurality of flip-flop circuits each forming a self-feedback loop from among a plurality of flip-flop circuits in a synchronous circuit, deleting a feedback path in the self-feedback loop, identifying two or more flip-flop circuits forming strongly coupled components from among the one or plurality of flip-flop circuits, and replacing the two or more flip-flop circuits forming the strongly coupled components with one dummy flip-flop circuit; and causing the computer to perform second processing for identifying first one or more flip-flop circuits coupled to input side of a combinational circuit and second one or more flip-flop circuits coupled to output side of the combinational circuit.