Two-Stage High-Speed Latch With Single-Clock Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern computing devices face power consumption and processing speed bottlenecks due to the large number of latches required for data storage, with existing latches like StrongArm being slow and Schinkel double-tail latches consuming high power.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage latch design with a differential stage and a regeneration stage, utilizing a single clock phase for all clock-controlled inputs, including a reset circuit that resets the latch storage to a high value, reducing power consumption and increasing speed by avoiding the need for an inverted clock signal and minimizing clock loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If existing latch designs like StrongArm are used, then device complexity is reduced, but speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch circuit is divided into two distinct stages: a differential input stage and a regeneration stage. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently - the differential stage for fast signal differentiation and the regeneration stage for rapid signal restoration, thereby increasing overall speed without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The latch uses periodic clock signals to control the timing of operations. The clock signal periodically enables the differential stage to sample inputs and the regeneration stage to restore outputs, creating a rhythmic operation pattern that optimizes speed while maintaining manageable circuit complexity through synchronized control
2Speed
If Schinkel double-tail latches are used, then speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the latch into differential and regeneration stages, power consumption is distributed across stages rather than concentrated. The differential stage consumes power only during sampling, while the regeneration stage consumes power during restoration, reducing peak power demand while maintaining high speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic clock control ensures that power-intensive operations occur only when needed, not continuously. The latch transitions between active sampling/restoration phases and idle states, reducing average power consumption while maintaining the speed benefits of the regeneration architecture
3Measurement precision
If multiple clock phases are used, then operation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single clock signal performs multiple functions: it controls the differential stage sampling, enables the regeneration stage operation, and coordinates the overall latch timing. This multi-functionality achieves precise synchronized operation without requiring separate clock phases or additional clock circuitry
Solution Approach 2:
The clock control functions for both the differential stage and regeneration stage are merged into a single clock signal pathway. This consolidation maintains precise timing coordination between stages while eliminating the complexity of generating and distributing multiple clock phases
4Reliability
If latch storage is not reset, then power consumption is reduced, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reset operation is performed periodically at appropriate moments in the clock cycle rather than continuously. This periodic resetting ensures reliable latch state management while minimizing power consumption by activating reset circuitry only when necessary to maintain proper operation
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment latch device includes a first stage having circuitry that receives a differential input and generates a clocked data signal according to a clock signal and the differential input, and a second stage connected to the first stage and having circuitry that generates differential outputs according to the clock signal and the clocked data signal. The second stage further has a reset circuit that resets a latch storage to a high value according to the clock signal.