Multiple circuit blocks with interblock control and power conservation
View Patent ↗A semiconductor integrated circuit is provided including a plurality of circuit blocks and adapted to cut off the supply of power source voltage to any one of the circuit blocks. The integrated circuit includes an interblock interface circuit provided on a signal path from the elected circuit block to other circuit blocks, wherein a single output of the interblock interface circuit is branched out to other circuit blocks. The interblock interface circuit includes a signal gate for preventing signal transmission to other circuit blocks and includes a storage unit for storing a signal right before the power cut.
1. A data processor built in a single semiconductor chip, comprising:
a first means for including a CPU;
a second means for including an I/O unit which inputs or outputs a plurality of signals to or from outside of said data processor;
a first voltage line coupled to said first means;
a second voltage line coupled to said second means; and
a control means,
wherein said first means is supplied with a first operational voltage from said first voltage line in an active mode, is not supplied with said first operational voltage in a standby mode,
wherein said first means couples to said second means via a data signal line and a switching unit,
wherein said control means controls said switching unit to turn on in said active mode, and controls said switching unit to turn off in said standby mode, and
wherein said data processor further comprises a memory which is arrayed between said switching unit and said second means.
2. The data processor according to claim 1 ,
wherein said memory is provided a data signal via said data signal line in said active mode, and holds said data signal provided in said active mode, in said standby mode.
3. The data processor according to claim 1 ,
wherein said first means couples to said first voltage line via a voltage switch unit, and
wherein said control means controls said voltage switch unit to turn on in said active mode, and controls said voltage switch unit to turn off in said standby mode.
4. The data processor according to claim 1 ,
wherein said first means couples to said first voltage line via a voltage switch unit,
wherein said second voltage line provides a voltage higher than said first voltage line, and
wherein said control means controls said voltage switch unit to turn on in said active mode, and controls said voltage switch unit to turn off in said standby mode.
5. The data processor according to claim 1 ,
wherein said second means is supplied with a second operational voltage in said active mode and standby mode.
6. The data processor according to claim 1 ,
wherein said CPU executes a plurality of instructions from said memory, and
wherein said second means includes a timer means which is accessed by said CPU.