Skewed Clock Master-Slave Latch for Better Timing Margin
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Master-slave latches in semiconductor devices face timing margin issues due to the use of a common clock, which can be resolved by injecting additional time delay using buffers, but this approach is not optimal for ensuring accurate and stable output signals.
Innovation Solution
A skewed clock circuit generates individual clock signals for the master and slave latches, allowing for independent control of delays and reducing the overall setup time by altering the timing of clock edges, thereby improving the accuracy and stability of output signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common clock is used for master and slave latches, then the device complexity is reduced, but timing margin issues occur and setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common clock signal is segmented into separate clock signals for the master latch and slave latch. The skewed clock circuit divides the single clock input into multiple independent clock outputs, each with adjustable delay, allowing independent timing control for each latch stage while maintaining overall system coherence
Solution Approach 2:
The clock delays for master and slave latches are made dynamically adjustable through the skewed clock circuit. By varying the delay parameters in the skewed clock circuit, the timing margins can be optimized for different operating conditions, making the system adaptable rather than fixed
2Reliability
If buffers are added to inject time delay, then timing margin issues are resolved, but device complexity and area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clock delay functionality is merged with the existing skewed clock circuit rather than adding separate buffer circuits. The skewed clock circuit integrates delay adjustment for both master and slave latches in a single unified structure, reducing overall device complexity while achieving the required timing margins
Solution Approach 2:
The skewed clock circuit serves multiple functions: it generates separate clock signals for master and slave latches, provides independent delay adjustment for each latch, and optimizes timing margins. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated buffer circuits and reduces overall device complexity
3Loss of time
If skewed clock signals are generated independently, then setup time is reduced and timing margin is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The skewed clock circuit changes the timing parameters of the clock signals by introducing adjustable delays for master and slave latches. By modifying the delay parameters in the skewed clock circuit, the setup time is reduced and timing margins are improved while maintaining a relatively simple circuit structure
Data Source
AI summary
Circuits, systems, and methods are described herein for generating master clock signals and slave clock signals for controlling a flip-flop having a master latch and a slave latch. A circuit includes a master latch configured to latch an input data signal and to output a data latch signal based on a master clock signal. The circuit also includes a slave latch coupled to the master latch and configured to generate an output data signal based on a slave latch clock signal and the data latch signal. Additionally, the circuit includes a skewed clock circuit coupled to the master latch and the slave latch. The skewed clock circuit is configured to receive a clock signal and generate the master clock signal and the slave clock signal based on the clock signal. The master clock signal and the slave clock signal are independent clock signals whose timing is skewed relative to one another by the skewed clock circuit.