Pipe Latch Circuit for High-Frequency Pipelining in Less Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
As clock signal frequencies increase in computer systems, semiconductor apparatuses face higher latencies, leading to a greater burden for pipelining operations, which can be alleviated by more pipe latches, but this increases circuit size, conflicting with the goal of reducing circuit size while maintaining efficient pipelining operations.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor apparatus with a pipe latch and pipe circuit configuration that includes a first latch unit, a second latch unit, and an output unit, along with a pipe control signal generation circuit to manage input and output control signals, allowing for efficient pipelining operations without increasing circuit size by sequentially storing and outputting input signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of pipe latches is increased to handle higher data volumes and reduce latency, then the pipelining capability is improved, but the circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pipe latch functions into a single integrated pipe latch structure that can sequentially store and output multiple input signals. The first latch unit, second latch unit, and output unit are combined in one circuit block, allowing the pipe latch to handle multiple data streams without requiring proportionally more separate latch circuits, thus improving productivity while controlling circuit size.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe latch employs dynamic control signal generation where the pipe control signal generation circuit dynamically generates first input control signals, second input control signals, and output control signals based on command signals and clock signals. This dynamic control allows the same hardware structure to adaptively handle varying data volumes and timing requirements, enhancing pipelining capability without requiring additional fixed circuitry for each scenario.
2Speed
If the clock signal frequency is increased to improve processing speed, then the operating speed is improved, but the latency of the semiconductor apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pipelining process into multiple stages using separate latch units and control signal generations. The first latch unit handles initial signal storage, the second latch unit handles intermediate storage, and the output unit handles final output. This segmentation allows each stage to operate independently at high clock frequencies while maintaining overall low latency through parallel processing of multiple input signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe control signal generation circuit generates control signals in advance based on command signals and clock signals, preparing the latch units for upcoming data storage operations. This preliminary action ensures that control signals are ready before data arrives, enabling the circuit to maintain high operating speeds without waiting for signal synchronization, thus reducing latency.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor apparatus including a pipe latch is provided. The pipe latch includes a first latch unit, a second latch unit and an output unit. The first latch unit configured to store an input signal into a first latch node based on a first input control signal. The second latch unit configured to store the signal stored in the first latch node into a second latch node based on a second input control signal. The output unit configured to output the signal stored in the second latch node as output signal based on an output control signal.