Creating Clock Enables - 2023.2 English

UltraFast Design Methodology Guide for FPGAs and SoCs (UG949)

Document ID
UG949
Release Date
2023-11-29
Version
2023.2 English

Clock enables are created when an incomplete conditional statement is coded into a synchronous block. A clock enable is inferred to retain the last value when the prior conditions are not met. When this is the desired functionality, it is valid to code in this manner. However, in some cases when the prior conditional values are not met, the output is a don't care. In that case, AMD recommends closing off the conditional (that is, use an else clause), with a defined constant (that is, assign the signal to a one or a zero).

In most implementations, this does not result in added logic, and avoids the need for a clock enable. The exception to this rule is in the case of a large bus when inferring a clock enable in which the value is held can help in power reduction. The basic premise is that when small numbers of registers are inferred, a clock enable can be detrimental because it increases control set count. However, in larger groups, it can become more beneficial and is recommended.