Skew-Tolerant Circuit Design

2

Static Circuits

This chapter explores the design of systems with static CMOS logic and memory elements: flip-flops, transparent latches, and pulsed latches. Most students are taught that the purpose of memory elements is to retain state. The chapter begins by arguing that memory elements can be understood more easily if viewed as a way of enforcing sequencing. It then defines some terminology regarding confusing meanings of the words “static” and “dynamic.” The emphasis of the chapter is on comparing the operation of flip-flops, transparent latches, and pulsed latches. We look at how sequencing overhead, time borrowing, and hold time requirements ...