Patent · US Active

Unified retention flip-flop architecture and control

US9665160B1 · kind B1 · utility

7Cited by
3References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 17, 2016
Grant dateMay 30, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 17, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02D10/00
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed having a unified control scheme and a unifying architecture for different types of retention flip-flops (RFFs). In an example aspect, an IC includes a constant power rail to provide power during a power collapse period and a collapsible power rail to cease providing power during the power collapse period. The IC also includes a positive-edge-triggered (PET) RFF and a negative-edge-triggered (NET) RFF. The PET RFF includes a master portion and a slave portion, with the slave portion coupled to the constant power rail and the master portion coupled to the collapsible power rail. The NET RFF includes master and slave portions, with the master portion coupled to the constant power rail and the slave portion coupled to the collapsible power rail. In another example aspect, a control signal based on a clock and a retention signal may be routed to both RFFs.

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