Toggle Flip-Flop Circuit Layout for Reliable Low-Area Counters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flip-flops in integrated circuits face challenges in achieving high reliability and reduced area, which affects the performance and size of these circuits.
Innovation Solution
A toggle flip-flop design is proposed, which includes an inverter, first, second, and third circuits to generate output signals based on an input clock, allowing for toggling behavior. This design utilizes n-channel field effect transistors (NFETs) to manage data signals and latch signals efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flip-flop structures are used, then the circuit can perform basic latching function, but the area occupied by flip-flops is large and reliability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The flip-flop is divided into multiple functional circuits: a first circuit generating second data signal, a second circuit generating latch signal, and a third circuit generating first data signal. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized independently, reducing overall area while maintaining reliability through specialized function distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the clock signal and latch signal paths through the third circuit, which generates the first data signal using both the clock signal and latch signal. This merging reduces the number of separate signal paths and transistors needed, thereby reducing area while improving reliability through consolidated signal handling.
2Reliability
If more circuits are added to improve reliability, then the flip-flop performance improves, but the area occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third circuit serves multiple functions: it generates the first data signal using the clock signal and latch signal, and also pulls down the first data signal independently. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The third circuit autonomously manages the first data signal by both generating it and pulling it down when needed, using the clock signal and latch signal. This self-service capability reduces the need for additional control circuits, maintaining simplicity while enhancing reliability through integrated functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A flip-flop configured to generate an output toggling according to an input clock includes an inverter configured to generate the output by inverting a first data signal, a first circuit configured to generate a second data signal based on an input clock and a latch signal, a second circuit configured to generate the latch signal based on the input clock and the second data signal, and a third circuit configured to generate the first data signal using the input clock, the second data signal, and the latch signal, wherein the third circuit is further configured to pull down the first data signal, independently of the second data signal, using the input clock and the latch signal.