MTJ State Retention Latch Without Always-On Power Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for power-saving in electronic devices, such as mobile devices, face challenges due to current leakage across semiconductor devices that cannot fully shut down, leading to battery drain and increased manufacturing complexity from requiring additional power rails and higher threshold voltage components.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures in latches allows for magnetic retention of state information, eliminating the need for an always-on power source and reducing complexity by using a single power supply, as the state is maintained magnetically even when power is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If latches and flip-flops are used to maintain state information during power-down, then state retention is achieved, but power consumption increases due to current leakage and the need for always-on power rails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electronic latch/flip-flop system that requires continuous power with a magnetic memory system. The magnetic memory uses magnetic field orientation to store state information, eliminating the need for continuous electrical power to maintain state. This substitution of electronic storage with magnetic storage resolves the contradiction by achieving state retention without the ongoing power consumption associated with traditional electronic memory elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental storage mechanism from electrical state (requiring continuous power) to magnetic state (maintaining without power). By changing the physical parameter used for state storage from voltage/electrical charge to magnetic orientation, the system achieves state retention while eliminating the need for always-on power rails and reducing current leakage issues.
2Reliability
If a second power rail is provided to maintain power to latches during power-down, then state information is preserved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for a second power rail by replacing the electronic latch system with magnetic memory. The magnetic memory inherently maintains state without requiring additional power delivery infrastructure, thus simplifying the power rail architecture from a single power rail system to a simpler configuration without complex power distribution networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the state retention function from the power-consuming electronic latch system and implements it through magnetic memory that does not require continuous power. By removing the dependency on always-on power rails for state maintenance, the design eliminates the need for complex multi-power-rail architecture and reduces overall device complexity.
3Loss of energy
If higher threshold voltage components are used to reduce current leakage, then power savings are achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the approach of using higher threshold voltage components to reduce leakage with a fundamental system replacement. Instead of modifying transistor characteristics to achieve lower leakage, the system uses magnetic memory that inherently maintains state without requiring continuous power, thereby eliminating the manufacturing complexity associated with implementing and managing multiple power rails and specialized high-threshold components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces power consumption and manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for a second power rail and higher voltage components, while maintaining state information without power, thus enhancing battery life and simplifying semiconductor chip fabrication.
Implementation Method 1
The latches include an MTJ structure and logic circuitry arranged to produce a selective state in the MTJ structure. Because the selective state is maintained magnetically, the state of the latch or electronic circuit can be maintained even while power is removed from the electronic device.
Data Source
AI summary
Electronic circuits use latches including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure and logic circuitry arranged to produce a selective state in the MTJ structure. Because the selective state is maintained magnetically, the state of the latch or electronic circuit can be maintained even while power is removed from the electronic device.