Hybrid Pulse Latch Circuit for Wide Voltage and Frequency Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data storage circuits in processors face challenges in operating efficiently over a wide range of power supply voltage levels and frequencies, particularly in battery-powered devices, as they either consume excess power or perform poorly in reduced power modes, and designing circuits for wide operating ranges increases power consumption and circuit area.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid data storage circuit that operates as a pulse latch for high-frequency modes and switches to a master-slave flip-flop for reduced power modes, sharing circuitry to reduce additional circuitry and power consumption, while allowing operation across a broad range of conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data storage circuits are designed for high-frequency operation with narrow setup and hold times, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit dynamically switches between two operational modes (pulse latch mode and master-slave flip-flop mode) based on operating conditions. In high-frequency mode, the pulse latch configuration enables fast data capture with narrow setup and hold times. In reduced-power mode, the master-slave flip-flop configuration reduces power consumption while maintaining adequate functionality. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between productivity and energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit changes its operational parameters by switching between different latch configurations. The control signal modifies the circuit's behavior to adapt to different frequency and voltage conditions, allowing optimization of both speed and power consumption based on actual operating requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data storage circuits are designed to operate over a broad range of power supply voltage levels, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data storage circuit is designed to perform multiple functions through a single unified structure that can operate in both pulse latch mode and master-slave flip-flop mode. This multi-functional design allows the circuit to adapt to different voltage and frequency conditions without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each operating mode, thereby improving adaptability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit merges the pulse latch and master-slave flip-flop configurations into a single hybrid structure that shares common circuitry. By combining these two latch types and allowing them to share resources, the design achieves broad operating range capability without proportionally increasing circuit area.
3Use of energy by moving object
If data storage circuits operate in reduced power modes, then use of energy is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit dynamically adapts its operational mode based on power requirements. When power consumption needs to be reduced, the circuit switches to master-slave flip-flop mode which consumes less power. When high performance is needed, it switches to pulse latch mode for fast operation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a control circuit configured to selectively activate, based on an operating mode signal, either a local clock signal or a pulse signal. The apparatus further includes a data storage circuit that is coupled to a data signal, the local clock signal, and the pulse signal. The data storage circuit may be configured to sample the data signal using the local clock signal during a first operating mode, and to sample the data signal using the pulse signal during a second operating mode.