Flip-Flop Latch Pre-Charge Circuit for Low-Latency Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor flip-flops face limitations in high-speed operation due to data-to-output latency and high power consumption, particularly in master-slave flip-flop designs.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor circuit design that includes a first circuit to determine voltage levels based on input data and clock signals, a second circuit to pre-charge the latch input node, a third circuit to pull down the latch input node, and a control circuit to manage these operations, utilizing transistors to optimize voltage levels and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a master-slave flip-flop is used, then the area and power consumption are reduced, but the data-to-output latency increases limiting high-speed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The flip-flop is divided into a master latch and a slave latch that operate in different phases. The master latch captures data during the first phase while the slave latch holds the previous output, and then they swap roles in the second phase. This segmentation allows continuous operation without waiting for the complete master-slave cycle, reducing data-to-output latency while maintaining low power consumption through phased switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit performs preliminary charging of internal nodes during the first phase before the actual data transfer occurs in the second phase. By pre-charging the slave latch input node and preparing internal capacitances in advance, the circuit reduces the switching time and power consumption during the critical data transfer phase, enabling faster operation without proportionally increasing power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If transistors are added to optimize voltage levels and reduce switching power, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit merges the functions of voltage level optimization and switching control into a unified transistor network that operates during the first phase. By combining pre-charge transistors, pull-down transistors, and feedback control transistors into an integrated structure, the circuit achieves voltage level optimization without proportionally increasing complexity. The merged structure shares common transistors and control signals across multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback node and its associated transistors serve multiple functions: they control the voltage level of the latch input node, provide feedback for the master latch operation, and enable the switching between phases. By making these elements multi-functional, the circuit reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective voltage level control and low switching power.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a semiconductor circuit which includes a first circuit configured to determine a voltage level of a feedback node based on a voltage level of input data, a voltage level of a latch input node, and a voltage level of a clock signal, a second circuit configured to pre-charge the latch input node based on the voltage level of the clock signal, a third circuit configured to pull down the latch input node based on the voltage level of the feedback node and the voltage level of the clock signal, a latch configured to output output data based on the voltage level of the clock signal and the voltage level of the latch input node, and a control circuit included in at least one of the first to third circuits and the latch and configured to receive the control signal.