Semiconductor Memory Data Alignment Circuit Pipeline Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor memory apparatuses face challenges in achieving high-speed operation due to the limitations of their data alignment circuits, which are restricted by the configuration of combinational logic circuits and high-frequency clock signals, making it difficult to generate control signals quickly enough for high-speed data alignment.
Innovation Solution
The proposed data alignment circuit includes a controller that generates multiple control signal groups by dividing a clock signal and latching addresses at different intervals, along with alignment units that perform 2:1 multiplexing operations to align parallel data into serial data, allowing for flexible alignment based on an alignment type signal, thereby enabling high-speed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a combinational logic circuit is used to generate control signals in a data alignment circuit, then the circuit can perform data alignment operations, but the operation speed is limited due to the signal path passing through multiple transistors (7 to 11 transistors) which restricts the operable time within a clock cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The control signal generation process is divided into multiple sequential stages using pipeline registers. Instead of using a single combinational logic circuit that processes all address bits and generates all control signals in one step (passing through 7-11 transistors), the circuit is segmented into multiple smaller logic blocks separated by registers. Each block processes a portion of the control signal generation, allowing parallel processing and reducing the critical path delay within each clock cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
Address bits are latched into pipeline registers in advance of the control signal generation process. The first address bits are captured in a first pipeline register, and subsequent address bits are captured in second pipeline registers at predetermined timings. This preliminary latching allows the combinational logic circuits to operate on already-captured data, enabling high-speed parallel processing without waiting for sequential signal propagation through multiple transistor stages.
2Productivity
If the clock signal frequency is increased to achieve higher operation speed, then the data transmission rate improves, but the combinational logic circuit cannot complete its operations within the reduced clock cycle time
Solution Approach 1:
The data alignment circuit operates in a periodic pipeline manner where address bits are latched and processed in sequential clock cycles. The first address bits are latched in the first clock cycle, second address bits are latched in subsequent clock cycles, and control signals are generated periodically based on these latched values. This periodic pipeline operation allows the circuit to maintain high throughput by continuously processing data in regular intervals, effectively utilizing the high-frequency clock signal without requiring the combinational logic to complete all operations within a single cycle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a simple data alignment circuit is used, then the circuit design is simplified, but it cannot support flexible alignment types and multiple data types required for high-speed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The data alignment circuit incorporates dynamic control capabilities where the alignment type can be changed based on operational requirements. Pipeline registers and control logic work together to dynamically adjust the latching timing and control signal generation based on the selected alignment type (e.g., byte alignment, word alignment). This dynamic adaptability allows a single circuit design to support multiple alignment types and data formats without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each type, achieving versatility without proportional increases in complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A data alignment circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus for receiving and aligning parallel data group includes a first control unit, a second control unit, a first alignment unit and a second alignment unit. The first alignment unit generates a first control signal group in response to an address group, a clock signal, and a latency signal. The second control unit generates a second control signal group in response to the address group, the clock signal, and the latency signal. The first alignment unit aligns the parallel data group as a first serial data group in response to the first control signal group. The second alignment unit aligns the parallel data group as a second serial data group in response to the second control signal group.