Self-timed thermally-aware circuits and methods of use thereof
US7411436B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 2006 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/00384
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for regulating gate delays of synchronous and asynchronous digital circuits. Thermally-sensitive circuits include, generally, temperature sensitive voltage sources outputting a voltage signal indicative of the temperature of the digital circuit, where the voltage signal reflects non-linear temperature sensitivity above a predetermined threshold temperature, and delay mechanisms receiving said temperature sensitive voltage signal(s) as input and being configured to automatically continuously modulate the speed of signal propagation through the circuit in response to said voltage signal, thereby causing circuit elements within the circuits to switch less frequently and consequently causing the circuit elements to generate less heat with increasing circuit temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.