Integrated circuit with multiple power domains

Details Integrated circuit with multiple power domains Integrated circuit with multiple power domains

2007-10-09

2007-10-09

Tran, Anh Q. (Department: 2819)

Electronic digital logic circuitry

Signal sensitivity or transmission integrity

Signal level or switching threshold stabilization

C326S112000, C326S119000

Reexamination Certificate

active

11052636

ABSTRACT:
An integrated circuit having two or more power domains that include load circuits in different portions of the integrated circuit is disclosed. In order to conserve power, the circuits in one of the power domains are shut down by disconnecting the power source serving that domain. The load circuits in each power domain are buffered from the load circuits in other power domains by buffer cells. The buffer cells reduce leakage currents in the power domain that is shut down, by restricting data signals from the “live” power domain from reaching the shut-down power domain, and further by providing predetermined voltage signals to the load circuits in the shut-down power domain that are selected to minimize leakage currents in the inactive load circuits. The invention further provides a corresponding method for reducing power consumption in an integrated circuit having at least two power domains separated by a buffer cell.

REFERENCES:
patent: 5675808 (1997-10-01), Gulick et al.
patent: 6515513 (2003-02-01), Ye et al.
patent: 6744301 (2004-06-01), Tschanz et al.
patent: 6765414 (2004-07-01), Keshavarzi et al.
patent: 6882175 (2005-04-01), Motegi et al.
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