Computer-aided design tools and memory element power supply circuitry for selectively overdriving circuit blocks
US8072237B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/17784
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Integrated circuits are provided with circuitry such as multiplexers that can be selectively configured to route different adjustable power supply voltages to different circuit blocks on the integrated circuits. The circuit blocks may contain memory elements that are powered by the power supply voltages and that provide corresponding static output control signals at magnitudes that are determined by the power supply voltages. The control signals from the memory elements may be applied to the gates of transistors in the circuit blocks. Logic on an integrated circuit may be powered at a given power supply voltage level. The memory elements may provide their output signals at overdrive voltage levels that are elevated with respect to the given power supply voltage level. Memory elements associated with circuit blocks that contain critical paths can be overdriven at voltages that are larger than memory elements associated with circuit blocks that contain noncritical paths.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.