IP Library Granted Patent US 9,722,605
Granted Patent B2
US 9,722,605 · App. 15/137,424 · Granted Aug 1, 2017

Low leakage and data retention circuitry

Inventors: Barry A. Hoberman (Cupertino, CA); Daniel L. Hillman (San Jose, CA); William G. Walker (Saratoga, CA); John M. Callahan (San Ramon, CA); Michael A. Zampaglione (San Jose, CA); Andrew Cole (Sunnyvale, CA)
Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.
H03K19/0016G11C5/14G11C5/144G11C5/148H02M3/07H03K3/0372H03K3/356086H03K3/356113H03K5/14H03K17/102H03K19/00315
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,722,605
App. No.
15/137,424
Granted
Aug 1, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An integrated circuit includes first circuitry and sleep transistor circuitry. The first circuitry receives input signals and processes the input signals. The first circuitry also retains data in a sleep state that has low leakage. The sleep transistor circuitry is coupled to the first circuitry and receives a sleep signal that has a negative voltage. The sleep circuitry reduces power consumption of the first circuitry in the sleep state to have low leakage based on the sleep signal while retaining the data in the first circuitry.

Claims (29)

1. A system for controlling power consumption within an integrated circuit, the system comprising:

a power island including a first circuit, the first circuit configured to:

receive input signals,

receive a hold signal,

process the input signals, and

retain data during a sleep state having low leakage based on the hold signal;

a sleep circuitry coupled to the first circuit, the sleep transistor configured to:

receive a voltage sleep signal, and

reduce power consumption of the first circuit during the sleep state, the first circuit having low leakage based on the sleep signal while concurrently retaining the data; and

a source follower circuitry in parallel with said sleep circuitry, the source follower circuitry configured to provide a moderate impedance while the sleep circuitry is in a sleep mode and reduce leakage in the first circuit by reducing the voltage across the first circuit.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the voltage sleep signal is a variable voltage.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the variable voltage is an optimum voltage.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the optimum voltage is dependent upon a process variation and a temperature variation.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power island is for one of a memory function, a logic function and third party intellectual property.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the voltage sleep signal is outside the range of logic levels.

7. A method for controlling power consumption within an integrated circuit, the method comprising:

receiving, at a first circuit of a power island, input signals;

receiving, at the first circuit, a hold signal;

process, at the first circuit, the input signals;

retain data, at the first circuit, during a sleep state having low leakage based on the hold signal;

receiving, at a sleep circuitry coupled to the first circuit, a voltage sleep signal;

reducing, at the sleep circuitry, power consumption of the first circuit during the sleep state, the first circuit having low leakage based on the sleep signal while concurrently retaining the data;

providing, by a source follower circuitry that is in parallel with said sleep circuitry, a moderate impedance while the sleep circuitry is in a sleep mode; and

reducing the voltage across the first circuit to reduce leakage in the first circuit.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the voltage sleep signal is a variable voltage.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the variable voltage is an optimum voltage.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the optimum voltage is dependent upon a process variation and a temperature variation.

11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the power island is for one of a memory function, a logic function and third party intellectual property.

12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the voltage sleep signal is outside the range of logic levels.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 16, 2021
From: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
To: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Reel/Frame 056602/0990 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2020
From: CPPIB CREDIT INVESTMENTS INC.
To: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 054279/0198 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED U.S. PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (FOR NON-U.S. GRANTORS) Recorded Aug 22, 2018
From: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
To: CPPIB CREDIT INVESTMENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 046900/0136 →
Continuity (11)
Continuation 14480143 · Sep 8, 2014
Continuation 13569613 · Aug 8, 2012
Continuation 13074291 · Mar 29, 2011
Continuation 12542352 · Aug 17, 2009
Continuation 12284311 · Sep 19, 2008
Continuation 11998725 · Nov 30, 2007
Continuation 11732181 · Apr 2, 2007
Division 11041687 · Jan 20, 2005
Provisional Application 60586565 · Jul 9, 2004
Provisional Application 60546574 · Feb 19, 2004
Related Publication 20160315615A1 · Oct 27, 2016