Flip-Flop Majority Switching for Low-Power Data Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In semiconductor devices like CPUs, increasing the number of registers in a majority circuit such as TMR enhances data reliability but leads to higher power consumption. Additionally, the effectiveness of such circuits is difficult to confirm in environments with low-intensity radioactive rays.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device structure that includes a first flip-flop, a second flip-flop, a third flip-flop, a majority circuit, and a switching circuit. The switching circuit selects between output data from the first flip-flop and data determined by majority decision making in the majority circuit, based on an error detection signal. This allows for the inhibition of power consumption increases and the optional execution of the majority circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of registers in a majority circuit is increased to enhance data reliability, then data reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between single register operation and majority circuit operation based on error detection signals. The switching circuit selectively activates either the first register or the majority circuit comprising three registers, allowing the system to adapt its redundancy level to actual error conditions rather than operating in a fixed high-power state
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of register quantity from a fixed value to a variable state. By controlling the switching circuit with error detection signals, the number of active registers dynamically changes between one register (normal operation) and three registers (error correction mode), optimizing the balance between reliability and power consumption
2Reliability
If a majority circuit is always operated to ensure data reliability, then data reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and effectiveness is difficult to confirm in low-radiation environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between single register operation and majority circuit operation based on error detection signals. The switching circuit selectively activates either the first register or the majority circuit comprising three registers, allowing the system to adapt its redundancy level to actual error conditions rather than operating in a fixed high-power state
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs error detection signals as feedback to control the switching circuit. When errors are detected (indicating high radiation environment), the system automatically switches to majority circuit mode. When no errors are detected (low radiation environment), it returns to single register mode, allowing verification of majority circuit effectiveness under controlled conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A novel semiconductor device or the like is provided. The semiconductor device that includes a first flip-flop having a function of retaining input data in response to a clock signal and outputting first output data based on the input data; a second flip-flop having a function of retaining the input data in response to the clock signal and outputting second output data based on the input data; a third flip-flop having a function of retaining the input data in response to the clock signal and outputting third output data based on the input data; a majority circuit to which the first output data to the third output data are input and having a function of determining the most common logical value in the first output data to the third output data by majority decision making and outputting data of the determined logical value as fourth output data; and a switching circuit to which the first output data and the fourth output data are input and having a function of outputting output data based on the first output data or the fourth output data in response to a switching signal.