Flip-Flop Output Hysteresis for Lower Short-Circuit Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flip-flop circuits experience significant short-circuit currents, leading to power dissipation and timing delays, which are challenging to mitigate in high-performance electronic designs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a hysteresis subcircuit coupled to the output of a flip-flop subcircuit, which creates hysteresis between low-to-high and high-to-low transitions, thereby reducing short-circuit currents and improving timing delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional flip-flop circuits are used, then the circuit structure is simple, but significant short-circuit currents occur leading to power dissipation and timing delays
Solution Approach 1:
A hysteresis subcircuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the output and ground. This subcircuit includes a first transistor with source coupled to ground, drain coupled to the output, and gate coupled to an internal node. The hysteresis subcircuit acts as a mediator that controls current flow based on the transition state, reducing short-circuit currents during level transitions while maintaining circuit functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the electrical parameters of the flip-flop circuit by introducing hysteresis through the added transistor subcircuit. The hysteresis effect changes the voltage thresholds for level transitions, creating different effective thresholds for low-to-high and high-to-low transitions. This parameter change optimizes the timing characteristics and reduces power dissipation by controlling when current flows through the output stage.
2Loss of time
If conventional flip-flop circuits are used, then the circuit structure is simple, but timing delays are significant
Solution Approach 1:
The hysteresis subcircuit serves as an intermediary that actively manages the transition timing. By coupling the gate of the first transistor to an internal node and the drain to the output, the subcircuit creates hysteresis that accelerates level transitions. The hysteresis effect ensures rapid switching by creating positive feedback during transitions, thereby reducing timing delays without requiring complete redesign of the flip-flop core.
3Loss of energy
If hysteresis subcircuit is added, then short-circuit currents are reduced, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hysteresis functionality is extracted as a separate, dedicated subcircuit rather than being integrated into the existing flip-flop logic. This extracted subcircuit consists of a minimal number of components (primarily one transistor with specific couplings) that can be added to the output stage without disrupting the core flip-flop operation. The separation allows independent optimization of the hysteresis function while maintaining the simplicity of the original flip-flop design.
4Loss of energy
If hysteresis subcircuit is added, then power losses are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power reduction function is segmented into a dedicated hysteresis subcircuit that can be independently implemented and tested. This segmentation allows the hysteresis functionality to be added as a modular component to existing flip-flop designs, facilitating easier manufacturing integration. The subcircuit's simple structure (one transistor with defined couplings) makes it amenable to standard fabrication processes without requiring complex manufacturing changes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hysteresis subcircuit effectively reduces short-circuit currents and associated power losses, while also enhancing minimum timing delays, thus supporting power, performance, and area (PPA) targets in electronic design.
Implementation Method 1
a hysteresis subcircuit coupled to an output of the flip-flop subcircuit and controlled by an internal node of the flip-flop subcircuit, that creates a hysteresis between low-to-high transitions and high-to-low transitions of an output of the flip-flop subcircuit
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit may include (1) an external input, (2) an external output, (3) a flip-flop subcircuit including (A) a first sequential subcircuit for reading data-input signals from the external input, the first sequential subcircuit including a first internal input coupled to the external input and a first internal output and (B) a second sequential subcircuit for outputting data-output signals to the external output, the second sequential subcircuit including a second internal input coupled to the first internal output of the first sequential subcircuit and a second internal output coupled to the external output, and (4) a hysteresis subcircuit coupled to the external output and configured to reduce a short-circuit current of the circuit. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.