Pre-Charged Slave Latch With Parallel Previous State Memory

High speed computer systems often utilize burst mode clocked static random access memories (SRAMs) as secondary data cache memory. A burst mode SRAM is a synchronous SRAM device which has a burst mode and is therefore used as an integral component in cache memory systems such as the Intel 486 or the Motorola family of microprocessors. The burst SRAM device has a burst counter which controls the burst of data produced by the burst mode. The burst mode address sequence of a burst SRAM device is advantageous for fast cache-fill operations. At each clock cycle, the cache memory chip must decide, based on the current state of the control inputs, whether to initiate a burst count address based on the internal address state of the previous clock state or to load in the current external address presented at the memory chip address inputs. In addition to burst SRAM technology, there are many other applications where it is necessary to retain old data and therefore be able to know what a previous state of data was. For instance, any number of logic applications which employ decision trees commonly make a decision or take a branch of a decision tree based upon the logic state of old data.

In high speed clocked memory design, the overall memory access delay is often enhanced by using pre-charged data path techniques that increase effective gate fanout in the implementation of the address decode path and also minimize access delays thereby increasing the speed of the memory device. This approach requires that the address decode path be reset (or pre-charged) to a given logic state, usually inactive, prior to the address decode path master clock strobe. Address inputs to the precharged address decode path must also be valid prior to the active strobe. When the decode path strobe goes active, the input data (or address) is allowed to enter the precharged decode path and ripple through to the output stage. When the decode path strobe goes inactive, the data or address is usually latched in the output stage and the decode path is once more pre-charged to the inactive state.

While the pre-charged data path techniques have been successfully used for high speed clocked memory design, they have never been employed in applications where it is necessary to retain old data in order to know the previous state of the data, such as is the case with burst SRAM technology. Burst SRAM memory design present difficulties in using pre-charged data path techniques because of the special considerations attendant with the necessity of having the previous burst sequence state available and selectable if so required by the burst SRAM control input signals. Thus, the advantages of the pre-charged data path techniques such as increased gate fanout in the address decode path and increased memory access have to date not been available on burst SRAM memories. There is an unmet need in the art to be able to effectively use pre-charged decode path techniques in technologies where it is necessary to retain old data for possible future use, such as clocked burst SRAM technology.

It would be advantageous in the art to be able to use pre-charged data path techniques in applications where it is necessary to retain old data for possible future use.

It would further be advantageous in the art to be able to use pre-charged data path techniques in burst SRAM technology applications.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a method and structure for using pre-charged data path techniques in those applications where it is necessary to retain the previous state of data is presented. In the preferred embodiment, a Pre-Charged Slave Latch with Parallel Previous State Memory circuit of a burst SRAM employs a parallel memory element configuration. In conjunction with this parallel memory element configuration, three stages are disclosed to implement a pre-charged data path technique for a burst SRAM memory. First, external data is loaded into the Pre-Charged Slave Latch with Parallel Previous State Memory circuit. Next, during a burst address sequence state of the Burst SRAM, the previous address state is allowed to propagate through the address decode path of the burst SRAM. Finally, the output signal of the Pre-Charged Slave Latch with Parallel Previous State Memory is precharged to an inactive state in parallel with other circuit elements of the pre-charged address decode path. Thus, the advantages of pre-charged data path techniques such as increased gate fanout in the address decode path and increased memory access which results in faster speed may be enjoyed in conjunction with burst SRAM memories and other applications where it is necessary to retain a previous state of data.

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a Pre-Charged Slave Latch with Parallel Previous State Memory circuit, according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram of data and clock timing, according to the present invention.

The present invention presents a method and structure for using pre-charged data path techniques in those applications where it is necessary to retain the previous state of data. Pre-charged data path techniques may be successfully used in burst SRAM memory design, for example, by taking into account the special considerations attendant with the necessity of having the previous burst sequence state available and selectable if so required by the burst SRAM control input signals. Additionally, the present invention may be used in the many applications where decision trees, for instance, are employed to make a decision or take a branch of a decision tree based upon the logic state of old data. Thus, the advantages of pre-charged data path techniques such as increased gate fanout in the address decode path and increased memory access which results in faster speed may be enjoyed in conjunction with burst SRAM memories and other applications where it is necessary to retain a previous state of data.

Applying the present invention to a clocked burst SRAM provides a preferred embodiment of the present invention; however, it is understood that the present invention may additionally in any variety of applications where it is desirable to retain a previous state of data and where pre-charged data path techniques are to be used. To effectively use the pre-charged decode path technique in a clocked burst SRAM, it is necessary to devise a technique using a method and structure that will allow the previous burst sequence state to be available and selectable if so required by the state of control inputs of the burst SRAM. A circuit technique that will accomplish this utilizes a parallel memory element configuration.

Referring to FIG. 1, a Pre-Charged Slave Latch with Parallel Previous State Memory circuit 10 which has a parallel memory element configuration is shown. The data and strobe clock timing for this circuit is shown in FIG. 2. The circuit 10 of FIG. 1 is comprised of the following logic elements: pass gates 24, 26, 28 and 41, pull-up transistors 30 and 32, and inverters 34, 36, 38, and 40. Circuitry 10 is supplied with Pre-Charge Clock signal 12 (an active low signal), Clock signal 16 and Clock bar signal 14, Pre-Decoded input signal 18, and Advance Clock signal 22 and Advance Clock bar signal 20. Clock signal 16 and Clock bar signal 14 control pass gates 24, 26, and 28. Pass gate 24 is presented with Pre-Decoded input signal 18 and, when allowed by Clock signal 16 and Clock bar signal 14, pass gate 24 passes through Pre-Decoded input signal 18 as an output signal which is presented to inverter 34 where it is inverted to render Output signal 42. The gate of pull-up transistor 30 is presented with Pre-Charge Clock signal 12 and pull-up transistor 30 is connected to power supply Vcc through a source/drain as shown; a source/drain of transistor 32 is also connected to power supply Vcc. Node 1 is defined as the electrical connection of the output signal of pass gate 24, the input signal of inverter 34, a source/drain of transistor 30, a source/drain of transistor 32, and the output signal of pass gate 41.

Clock signal 16 and Clock bar signal 14 control pass gate 26 which is provided with Pre-Decoded input signal 18. The output signal of pass gate 26 is provided to inverter 36. A feedback loop of inverter 36 is provided by inverter 38 and pass gate 28. The output signal of inverter 40 defines Node 2. Advance Clock signal 22 and Advance Clock bar signal 20 control pass gate 41 which passes through the signal at Node 2 when permitted to do so by Advance Clock signal 22 and Advance Clock bar signal 20. Advance Clock signal 22 and Advance Clock bar signal 20 advance the burst counts produced by the Burst SRAM. The output signal of pass gate 41, together with the output signal of pass gate 24, define an input signal to inverter 34 which in turn produces Output signal 42.

Utilizing the circuit 10 of FIG. 1, the present invention goes through three stages to implement a pre-charged data path technique. First, external data is loaded into circuit 10 of FIG. 1. Next, during a burst address sequence state of the Burst SRAM, the previous address state is allowed to propagate through the address decode path of FIG. 1. Finally, the Output signal 42 of FIG. 1 is pre-charged to an inactive state in parallel with other circuit elements of the pre-charged address decode path. Each of these stages will now be discussed in more detail.

First, as mentioned previously, external loading takes place. During external (or base address) loading, Clock signal 16 is a high logic level, Clock bar signal 14 is a low logic level and the Pre-Decoded input signal 18 is allowed to ripple through pass gate 24 and inverter 34 to Output signal 42. At the same time, pass gate 26 is also opened to store the data state of the Pre-Decoded input signal 18 in the static latch composed of pass gate 28 and inverters 36, 38, and 40. Note that all other clocks, Pre-charge Clock signal 12, Advance Clock signal 20 and Advance Clock bar signal 22, are inactive during this period.

Next, during a burst address sequence state of the burst SRAM, Clock signal 16 and Clock bar signal 14 remain inactive while Advance Clock signal 22 goes to a high logic level and Advance Clock bar signal 20 goes to a low logic level in order to allow the previous address state of Pre-Decode input signal 18 to propagate through the address decode path to Output signal 42. Finally, after Clock signal 16 and Clock bar signal 14, or Advance Clock signal 20 and Advance Clock bar signal 22, become inactive but prior to the next machine state, Pre-Charge clock signal 12 resets (or precharges) both Node 1 and Output signal 42 to an inactive state in parallel with the other circuit elements of the pre-charged address decode path.

Referring to FIG. 2, a timing diagram clearly shows these three stages and the impact on the following signals and nodes: Pre-Decoded signal 18, Clock signal 16, Clock bar signal 14, Node 1, Node 2, Output signal 42, Pre-Charge Clock signal 12, Advance Clock signal 22, and Advance Clock bar signal 20.

The present invention presents a parallel memory element configuration capable of using pre-charged data path techniques for those applications where it is necessary to retain previous data. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, external data is loaded into a burst SRAM parallel memory element represented by circuit 10 of FIG. 1. Next, during a burst address sequence state of the Burst SRAM, the previous address state is allowed to propagate through the address decode path of FIG. 1. Finally, the Output signal 42 of FIG. 1 is pre-charged to an inactive state in parallel with other circuit elements of the pre-charged address decode path. Thus, precharged data path techniques may be successfully used in burst SRAM memory design, for example, by taking into account the special considerations attendant with the necessity of having the previous burst sequence state available and selectable if so required by the burst SRAM control input signals. Additionally, the present invention may be used in the many applications where decision trees, for instance, are employed to make a decision or take a branch of a decision tree based upon the logic state of old data. Thus, the advantages of pre-charged data path techniques such as increased gate fanout in the address decode path and increased memory access which results in faster speed may be enjoyed in conjunction with burst SRAM memories and other applications where it is necessary to retain a previous state of data.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.