Retention Register Circuit With Balloon Latch Power Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional registers face challenges in data retention when the power source is turned off, leading to high power consumption and data loss, as all latches are supplied by the same power source.
Innovation Solution
A register design incorporating a master-slave flip-flop supplied by a first power voltage and a balloon latch supplied by a second independent power voltage, with a level shifter for voltage conversion, allowing data to be temporarily retained in the balloon latch when the first power voltage is disabled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all latches are supplied by the same power source, then the register structure is simple, but data cannot be retained when the power source is turned off
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent power sources: a first power source for the master-slave flip-flop and a second power source for the balloon latch. This segmentation allows the balloon latch to retain data independently when the first power source is turned off, resolving the contradiction between data retention capability and power supply structure complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the power source is turned off to reduce power consumption, then energy usage decreases, but the register cannot retain data
Solution Approach 1:
The data retention function is extracted from the master-slave flip-flop and transferred to the balloon latch, which is powered by an independent second power source. This extraction allows the main power source to be turned off for energy saving while the balloon latch continues to retain data using its separate power supply.
3Reliability
If a second independent power voltage is introduced for the balloon latch, then data retention is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A level shifter is introduced as an intermediary component to interface between the first power voltage domain and the second power voltage domain. This mediator enables voltage conversion and signal level adaptation, allowing the two independently powered components to communicate while maintaining their separate power domains for data retention capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A register with data retention includes a master-slave flip-flop, a balloon latch, and a level shifter. The master-slave flip-flop is supplied by a first power voltage. The balloon latch is supplied by a second power voltage. The second power voltage is independent of the first power voltage. The level shifter provides a voltage conversion between the master-slave flip-flop and the balloon latch. A data is stored in the master-slave flip-flop. When the first power voltage is disabled, the balloon latch is configured to temporarily retain the data.