NMOS Flip-Flop Architecture for Low-Swing Clock Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flip-flops cannot directly receive low swing clock signals, requiring additional level shifters that increase manufacturing costs, as PMOS transistors cannot be completely turned off by low voltage clock signals, leading to inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
Design of a flip-flop comprising NMOS transistors and latch circuits that can operate with low swing clock signals without the need for low-to-high level shifters, using inverted low swing clock signals to control data signal passage and inversion, allowing normal operation with reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional flip-flops use PMOS transistors controlled by low swing clock signals, then the circuit structure is simple, but the PMOS transistors cannot be completely turned off leading to operational failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transistor type from PMOS to NMOS and modifies the control signal parameters by applying inverted clock signals. NMOS transistors respond better to low swing voltages, and the inversion ensures proper switching thresholds are met, allowing reliable operation with low swing clock signals without requiring complex level shifting circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies inversion to the clock signals before they reach the NMOS transistor gates. This inversion transforms the low swing clock signal into a form that properly controls the NMOS switching behavior, ensuring complete turn-off during the required phases and enabling reliable flip-flop operation with low swing clock inputs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If low-to-high level shifters are added to enable low swing clock signals, then the flip-flop can operate with low swing signals, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the low-to-high level shifter component from the conventional flip-flop structure. By redesigning the flip-flop to use NMOS transistors with inverted clock signal control, the circuit can directly accept low swing clock signals without requiring the additional level shifting stage, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and component count.
3Use of energy by moving object
If low swing clock signals are used, then power consumption is reduced, but conventional flip-flops cannot process them properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transistor technology from PMOS to NMOS and modifies the clock signal control parameters through inversion. These parameter changes enable the flip-flop to properly process low swing clock signals while maintaining the low power consumption benefits, as NMOS transistors have better threshold characteristics for low voltage operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a flip-flop. In one embodiment, the flip-flop receives a low swing clock signal, and comprises a first NMOS transistor, a first latch circuit, a second NMOS transistor, and a second latch circuit. The low swing clock signal is inverted to obtain an inverted low swing clock signal. The first NMOS transistor is coupled between a receiving node and a first node, and has a gate coupled to the inverted low swing clock signal. The first latch circuit is coupled between the first node and a second node. The second NMOS transistor is coupled between the second node and a third node. The second latch circuit is coupled between the third node and a fourth node, and generates an output signal on the fourth node.