Apparatus for receiving/transmitting signals in an input/output pad buffer cell
US6151257A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/00323
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electronic circuit die is presented including a plurality of first and second input/output (I/O) pad buffer cells. The first I/O pad buffer cells include at least a latch for latching data signals received at a pad in the cell. Adjacent ones of these first I/O pad buffer cells are conductively coupled together using conductive trace pins. The second I/O pad buffer cells include a pad that receives clocking signal which are supplied to the latches of the first I/O pad buffer cells. Accordingly, data signals received at the pads of the die are latched in the pad as opposed to the core logic of the die. One benefit of providing the latching of data signals in the pad is that conductive traces between the latches and the core logic need not be precisely matched, thus reducing cost. Also, the first I/O pad buffer cells can be similarly constructed, thus reducing the complexity and cost of manufacture for the die.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.