Microcontroller Latch Architecture for Area-Efficient Data Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional latch architectures for microcontrollers result in significant area occupation and reduced data transfer speed, especially when handling large amounts of data.
Innovation Solution
A latch architecture that includes an input circuit, a combinational network, multiple latches, AND gates, and a decoder, optimized to reduce area occupation and enhance data transfer speed by using a gated SR-latch instead of a D-latch, allowing memory retention without additional feedback logic, and synchronizing latches with clock signal edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional latch architectures are used, then data transfer functionality is achieved, but area occupation increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The latch architecture is divided into multiple independent latch units (first latch, second latch, third latch, fourth latch) that can operate independently. Each latch handles specific data paths, allowing parallel operation and reducing the need for additional feedback logic in each unit, thereby reducing overall area occupation while maintaining data transfer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch architecture uses a universal structure where multiple latches share common control signals (clock signal, reset signal) and control logic. The first through fourth latches all respond to the same control mechanisms, allowing the system to handle multiple data transfer paths using a standardized approach, reducing redundant logic and area occupation.
2Speed
If conventional latch architectures are used, then data transfer is achieved, but transfer speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The architecture includes a control logic unit that pre-processes control signals before they reach the latch units. The control logic generates enable signals and control inputs in advance, allowing latches to be ready for data capture at the optimal moment, thereby increasing transfer speed without adding significant area.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch architecture maintains continuous operation by using overlapping clock phases and continuous control signal generation. While one latch is capturing data, others are holding or transferring, ensuring continuous data flow without idle periods, thus improving transfer speed efficiently.
3Reliability
If additional feedback logic is added for memory retention, then memory retention is achieved, but area occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The architecture implements controlled feedback through the control logic unit that monitors the state of latches and generates appropriate control signals. Instead of direct feedback loops in each latch, the centralized control logic provides state information and generates retention control signals, achieving memory retention with reduced area occupation.
4Quantity of substance
If more latches are added to handle large data amounts, then data transfer capacity increases, but area occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple latch units are merged under a single control logic unit that manages all latches simultaneously. The control logic generates control signals that affect multiple latches in coordinated fashion, allowing the system to handle large data amounts through parallel latch operation without proportionally increasing control logic area.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a latch architecture comprising an input circuit receiving input data and; a combinational network providing first intermediate data, first intermediate control signal and second intermediate control signal, based on latched input data from the input circuit; one or more first latches providing latched first intermediate data; a second latch providing a latched first intermediate control signal; a third latch providing a latched second intermediate control signal; and at least one fourth latch providing the output data; a decoder connected to the first latch and receiving the latched first intermediate data and providing second intermediate data. The at least one fourth latch receives input signals modified based on the latched first intermediate control signal, the latched second intermediate control signal and the second intermediate data. The first to third latches operate at an inverted clock signal and the at least one fourth latch operates at a non-inverted clock signal.