Counting Circuit Hold Control for Low-Power Latch Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The operating speed and power consumption of counting circuits in electronic devices, such as CMOS image sensors, become significant factors as the number of counting circuits increases, affecting overall performance, particularly in high-resolution applications.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device is designed with a control logic portion that generates hold control and counting clock signals to manage latch operations during counting and holding sections, utilizing division blocks with gating and inversion units to optimize clock signals and reduce power consumption by selectively stopping latch operations during counting sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If latch operations are continuously performed during counting sections, then data stability is improved, but power consumption increases and operating speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic latch operations that are enabled during holding sections and disabled during counting sections. The control logic portion generates control signals that periodically activate the latch circuits only when needed (during holding sections), rather than continuously operating them. This periodic activation reduces power consumption while maintaining data stability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically controls the operation state of latch circuits based on the current phase (counting or holding section). The control logic portion adjusts the enable/disable state of latch operations in real-time according to the operational phase, making the system adaptive and dynamic rather than static. This dynamic control optimizes both power consumption and data stability.
2Reliability
If latch operations are continuously performed during counting sections, then data stability is improved, but operating speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic latch operations that are enabled during holding sections and disabled during counting sections. The control logic portion generates control signals that periodically activate the latch circuits only when needed (during holding sections), rather than continuously operating them. This periodic activation reduces power consumption while maintaining data stability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically controls the operation state of latch circuits based on the current phase (counting or holding section). The control logic portion adjusts the enable/disable state of latch operations in real-time according to the operational phase, making the system adaptive and dynamic rather than static. This dynamic control optimizes both power consumption and data stability.
3Measurement precision
If the number of counting circuits is increased for high-resolution applications, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption and operating speed become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operation into distinct counting sections and holding sections, with the control logic portion managing different operational phases. By segmenting the latch operations to occur only during holding sections rather than continuously, the patent reduces overall power consumption while maintaining the necessary counting circuits for high-resolution applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic latch operations that are enabled during holding sections and disabled during counting sections. The control logic portion generates control signals that periodically activate the latch circuits only when needed (during holding sections), rather than continuously operating them. This periodic activation reduces power consumption while maintaining data stability when required.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a control logic portion suitable for generating a hold control signal based on a count enable signal, and a counting portion suitable for performing a counting operation while a latch operation stops during a counting section and performing the latch operation while the counting operation stops during a holding section based on the hold control signal and a counting clock signal.