Multi-Voltage Latch Circuit Without Separate Level Shifters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits (ICs) face challenges in accommodating multiple power supply voltages, leading to inefficiencies in cross voltage domain operations, particularly in latching and pipelining, due to the need for additional level shifters that consume power and area and introduce delays.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multi-voltage domain (MVD) sequential element, such as a master latch circuit and a slave latch circuit, which operates with clock and data signals across different voltage domains without requiring additional level shifters, utilizing PMOS and NMOS transistors and feedback circuits controlled by the clock signal to generate output signals in a different voltage domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional level shifters are used for cross voltage domain operations, then voltage domain compatibility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the level shifting function with the sequential element (latch/flip-flop) itself, eliminating the need for separate level shifter circuits. The cross-voltage domain operation is achieved by integrating voltage domain adaptation directly into the master-slave latch structure, where the master latch operates at one voltage domain and the slave latch operates at another voltage domain, with direct coupling between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequential element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: data latching/holding and voltage domain conversion. The same circuit structure that provides sequential logic functionality also handles the voltage level translation, making the device universal for both operations without requiring additional dedicated circuits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional level shifters are used for cross voltage domain operations, then voltage domain compatibility is improved, but area usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The level shifting function is merged into the sequential element structure, eliminating separate level shifter circuits. The master latch and slave latch are directly coupled with different voltage domain operations, removing the need for additional level shifter components and reducing overall circuit area.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional level shifters are used for cross voltage domain operations, then voltage domain compatibility is improved, but delay in data path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The level shifting operation is merged into the clocked latch transition process itself. When the clock signal triggers the master latch to transfer data to the slave latch, the voltage domain conversion occurs simultaneously with the data transfer, eliminating separate level shifting delay stages.
4Use of energy by moving object
If separate level shifters are eliminated, then power consumption is reduced, but voltage domain adaptation capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sequential element is designed with multi-functionality, where the same circuit structure performs both sequential logic operations and voltage domain adaptation. The master latch operates at one voltage domain while the slave latch operates at another, and the clocked transfer mechanism simultaneously achieves both data transfer and voltage level conversion without requiring separate adaptation circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit includes a master latch circuit and a slave latch circuit. The master latch circuit is configured to receive an input data signal associated with an input data voltage domain and generate a first output data signal associated with an output data voltage domain different from the input data voltage domain. The slave latch circuit is configured to receive, from the master latch circuit, the first output data signal and generate a second output data associated with the output data voltage domain.