Modular Flip-Flop Cell Layout for Shared Clock Multi-Bit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic design automation (EDA) tools face challenges in efficiently designing and optimizing multi-bit flip-flops with shared clock signals, leading to inflexible and costly multi-bit flip-flop cell designs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of single-bit flip-flops with shared clock signals, allowing for modular assembly into multi-bit flip-flops, utilizing a standard cell library, enables the creation of a physical integrated circuit layout, which allows for the integration of a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multi-bit flip-flops are designed as complete units in standard cell libraries, then verification and manufacturing are simplified, but design flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments multi-bit flip-flops into individual single-bit flip-flop cells, each independently verifiable and manufacturable. These segmented cells can then be selectively combined to create various multi-bit configurations, providing both verification efficiency through standardization and design flexibility through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal single-bit flip-flop cell designs that can serve multiple functions when combined differently. A single standardized cell type can be replicated and interconnected to form flip-flops of various bit widths and configurations, making the cell library more versatile without requiring separate verification for each multi-bit variant.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different multi-bit flip-flop designs are created to meet various functional specifications, then adaptability increases, but device complexity and verification burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating numerous complete multi-bit flip-flop designs, the patent segments them into standardized single-bit cells. This segmentation allows the same small set of cell designs to be reused across multiple multi-bit configurations, reducing overall library complexity while maintaining functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where standardized single-bit flip-flop cells are nested within larger multi-bit flip-flop configurations. This hierarchical nesting allows complex multi-bit functions to be built from simpler, verified building blocks, reducing the need to verify each complete multi-bit design separately.
3Productivity
If single-bit flip-flops with shared clock signals are used as building blocks, then design efficiency improves, but clock signal distribution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the clock distribution function into individual clock input terminals on each single-bit flip-flop cell. This segmentation allows each cell to independently receive and synchronize to the clock signal, simplifying the overall clock distribution architecture compared to requiring centralized clock management for multi-bit flip-flops.
Solution Approach 2:
Each single-bit flip-flop cell is designed to be self-sufficient with its own clock input terminal, allowing it to independently synchronize its operations. This self-service approach to clocking eliminates the need for complex external clock distribution logic and simplifies the integration of multiple flip-flops into multi-bit configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of circuit elements in or on the substrate. The circuit elements are defined by standard layout cells selected from a cell library. The circuit elements including a plurality of flip-flops. Each flip-flop has a data input terminal, a data output terminal, a clock input terminal, and a clock output terminal. A first one of the flip-flops directly abuts a second flip-flop such that the clock output terminal of the first flip-flop electrically connects with the clock input terminal of the second flip-flop.