Patent · US Active

Multi-bit standard cells for consolidating transistors with selective sourcing

US9432003B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
1References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 5, 2014
Grant dateAug 30, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 13, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F30/30
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for designing a standard cell, e.g. a multi-bit flip-flop, can include identifying a first set of transistors. This first set functions to source power or ground to circuits of the standard cell. A second set of transistors can be determined and correlated. This second set forms at least part of the first set of transistors. Each correlated group in the second set of transistors receives identical signals, e.g. scan enable, reset, and/or set signals, and provides a same sourcing. A third set of transistors can then be created. This third set has fewer transistors than the second set. The second set of transistors can be deleted in the standard cell. The third set of transistors can be connected to the circuits of the standard cell. This method can significantly extend circuit consolidation to improve the area benefit of multi-bit standard cells.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.