Multi-Bit Storage Clock Gating Using State-Change Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated circuits face high power consumption when providing periodic clock signals to multiple storage circuits at high frequencies, leading to significant capacitive load and power inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multi-bit storage system that includes a prediction circuit to determine whether output bits will change state, generating a trigger enable signal to dynamically or adaptively provide a clock signal only when necessary, thereby reducing frequent toggling and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If periodic clock signals are provided to multiple storage circuits at high frequencies, then data update speed is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The prediction circuit performs preliminary analysis of input data changes before the clock signal is generated. By predicting whether output bits will change based on current input states, the system prepares advance information that enables selective clock signal generation, avoiding unnecessary high-frequency clocking when no state changes are expected.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock signal frequency is made dynamic rather than fixed. The clock gating circuit adjusts the clock signal generation based on real-time predictions from the prediction circuit, enabling the system to operate at high frequency only when necessary for data updates, and reduce or eliminate clock signals when no changes are needed, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and power consumption.
2Reliability
If clock signals are provided continuously to all storage circuits, then reliability of data storage is improved, but capacitive load increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying the same clock signal uniformly to all storage circuits, the system applies clock signals selectively based on local conditions. The prediction circuit analyzes each storage circuit's input data locally, and the clock gating circuit generates clock signals only for specific storage circuits that require updates, thereby reducing overall capacitive load while maintaining reliability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The prediction circuit performs preliminary determination of which storage circuits will require clock signals. By analyzing input data changes in advance, the system identifies exactly which storage circuits need updates, enabling targeted clock signal generation that reduces capacitive load on circuits that don't require updates while ensuring reliability for those that do.
3Stability of the object's composition
If frequent clock signal toggling occurs, then data synchronization is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prediction circuit performs preliminary analysis of whether data changes will occur before clock signal toggling. By predicting future state changes based on current input conditions, the system can schedule or eliminate clock signal toggles in advance, maintaining data synchronization only when necessary and reducing power consumption from unnecessary toggling.
Solution Approach 2:
The clock signal toggling frequency is made dynamic based on actual data change requirements. The clock gating circuit adjusts toggling behavior in real-time according to prediction circuit output, enabling the system to maintain data synchronization through selective toggling rather than continuous frequent toggling, thus reducing power consumption while preserving synchronization stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are embodiments related to a power efficient multi-bit storage system. In one configuration, the multi-bit storage system includes a first storage circuit, a second storage circuit, a prediction circuit, and a clock gating circuit. In one aspect, the first storage circuit updates a first output bit according to a first input bit, in response to a trigger signal, and the second storage circuit updates a second output bit according to a second input bit, in response to the trigger signal. In one aspect, the prediction circuit generates a trigger enable signal indicating whether at least one of the first output bit or the second output bit is predicted to change a state. In one aspect, the clock gating circuit generates the trigger signal based on the trigger enable signal.