Master-Slave Flip-Flop Circuit for Low Power and Speed Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flip-flops designed for low power consumption often experience a significant reduction in operating speed, which is undesirable for integrated circuits that rely on flip-flop speed for processing digital signals.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a flip-flop design that includes a master latch and a slave latch, where the master latch generates complementary data signals and a latch signal based on a clock signal, data input signal, and inverted data input signal, allowing the slave latch to latch the input signal with minimal reduction in operating speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a flip-flop is designed for low power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but operating speed is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flip-flop is divided into two separate latches: a master latch and a slave latch. Each latch operates independently with its own transistor set, allowing the circuit to process data in stages rather than all at once. This segmentation enables low power consumption during idle periods while maintaining operational capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The master latch and slave latch operate in alternating periodic cycles controlled by clock signals. During one phase, the master latch captures data while the slave latch holds previous data; during the next phase, roles reverse. This periodic operation allows the circuit to consume minimal power during stable states while achieving required speed during active transitions.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If a flip-flop is designed for low power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but signal processing capability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the flip-flop into master and slave latches with separate transistor sets, the circuit maintains full signal processing capability through coordinated operation. Each latch can independently process signals during its active phase, ensuring no degradation in overall processing capability despite lower power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The master and slave latches operate in continuous alternating cycles, ensuring that signal processing capability is always available. While one latch is capturing or holding data, the other is preparing or maintaining output, providing continuous useful action without interruption or degradation of processing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A flip-flop is provided. The flip-flop includes: a master latch; and a slave latch. The master latch includes: a first circuit configured to, based on a clock signal, a data input signal, and a first data signal, generate a second data signal complementary to the data input signal; a second circuit configured to, based on the clock signal, an inverted data input signal, and the second data signal, generate the first data signal complementary to the inverted data input signal; and a third circuit configured to generate a latch signal based on the clock signal, an input of the slave latch, and the second data signal. The slave latch is configured to latch the input of the slave latch based on the clock signal and the latch signal.