Data Synchronization Circuit With Sample Masking for Metastability

The patent introduces a delay element as an intermediary component between the first and second flip-flops. This delay element mediates the signal transmission, allowing the first flip-flop to be reset before the second flip-flop latches erroneous data during metastable transitions. The delay element acts as a buffer that prevents the propagation of metastability effects without requiring multiple serial flip-flops, thereby reducing power consumption and signal loading while maintaining reliability.

The delay element serves as a simplifying intermediary that replaces the need for complex serial chaining of multiple flip-flops. By inserting this single delay element strategically in the signal path, the patent achieves metastability mitigation with a simpler device architecture. The delay element breaks the direct connection between flip-flops, preventing cascade failures without requiring additional flip-flop stages, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

The delay element is designed to provide just enough delay to prevent metastability propagation without introducing excessive signal delay. By carefully controlling the delay amount, the patent achieves reliable metastability mitigation while minimizing the impact on signal timing. This selective delay approach is more efficient than serial chaining multiple flip-flops, each contributing to cumulative signal delay, thus improving reliability without excessive time loss.