Latch Circuit Topology for Buffer-Free Inverted Clock Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flip-flop circuits in digital electronic circuits face challenges in reducing power consumption, especially when not in operation, due to unnecessary power consumption in clock buffers, which affects high-performance microprocessor operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a latch circuit and flip-flop circuit that internally generate an inverted clock signal without a clock buffer, reducing power consumption by eliminating the need for a clock buffer and optimizing transistor connections to minimize power usage during idle periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a clock buffer is used to generate inverted clock signal, then the logic clocking speed is improved, but the power consumption increases unnecessarily when flip-flop is not operated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the clock buffer component from the flip-flop circuit. Instead of using a separate clock buffer to generate the inverted clock signal, the circuit generates the inverted clock signal internally through transistor-based logic operations, thereby removing the source of unnecessary power consumption while maintaining the required clocking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the clock signal generation multi-functional by using the same transistor network to both process data signals and generate the inverted clock signal. The first through fourth transistors serve dual purposes: they participate in the data latching operation and simultaneously generate the inverted clock signal at node N2, eliminating the need for dedicated clock buffer circuits.
2Use of energy by moving object
If clock buffer is eliminated to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but the ability to generate inverted clock signal must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The flip-flop circuit serves itself by generating the inverted clock signal internally without external assistance. The transistor network (first through fourth transistors) automatically produces the inverted clock signal at node N2 based on the clock signal input and data signal state, making the circuit self-sufficient and eliminating dependence on separate clock buffer components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses node N2 as an intermediary point where the inverted clock signal is generated. This node serves as a mediator between the clock signal input and the various circuit stages that require the inverted clock signal, allowing reliable signal distribution without requiring a dedicated clock buffer.
3Use of energy by moving object
If transistor connections are optimized to minimize power usage, then power consumption during idle periods is reduced, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clock signal generation function with the data latching function by combining them into a single transistor network. The first through fourth transistors simultaneously perform data signal processing and inverted clock signal generation, reducing overall circuit complexity compared to having separate dedicated circuits for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different operational characteristics to different parts of the transistor network. The first and second transistors handle data signal paths while the third and fourth transistors are specifically configured for clock signal processing and inverted signal generation at node N2, allowing each component to be optimized for its local function while contributing to overall power efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A master latch circuit, including a first p-type transistor, a first n-type transistor, and a second n-type transistor connected in series; a first node connected to the first p-type transistor and the first n-type transistor, and a NAND circuit configured to receive a signal of the first node and a clock signal and output a result of a NAND operation to a second node, wherein a gate of the first p-type transistor is connected to the second node.