Abstract:
A layout architecture for voltage level shifters is provided. The architecture includes features of voltage level shifter cells and arrangements of the voltage level shifter cells within integrated circuits. The architecture can be used, for example, in CMOS system-on-a-chip integrated circuits implemented using metal-programmable standard cells. The architecture is also scalable for interfaces having different numbers of signals. The architecture can provide reduced area and improved performance.
Abstract:
A particular method includes receiving a retention signal. In response to receiving the retention signal, the method includes retaining state information in a non-volatile stage of a retention register and reducing power to a volatile stage of the retention register. The non-volatile stage may be powered by an external voltage source. The volatile stage may be powered by an internal voltage source.
Abstract:
A particular method includes receiving a retention signal. In response to receiving the retention signal, the method includes retaining state information in a non-volatile stage of a retention register and reducing power to a volatile stage of the retention register. The non-volatile stage may be powered by an external voltage source. The volatile stage may be powered by an internal voltage source.
Abstract:
In certain aspects, an apparatus includes a first plurality of power switch devices. Each of the first plurality of power switch devices includes a delay line having a programmable time delay, and a power switch coupled between a supply rail and a circuit block, wherein the power switch has a control input coupled to the delay line. The apparatus also includes a switch manager configured to program the time delays of the delay lines in the first plurality of power switch devices based on a number of active circuit blocks in a system.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed with clock glitch prevention for a retention operational mode. In an example aspect, the IC includes a clock signal source that generates a source value for a clock signal, which is distributed by a clock tree along a downstream direction. The IC further includes a deviant clock signal generator, a clock signal controller, and a retention storage device. The deviant clock signal generator is disposed along the clock tree downstream from the clock signal source and generates a deviant value for the clock signal. The clock signal controller prevents downstream propagation of the deviant value of the clock signal responsive to a retention signal. The retention storage device is disposed downstream from the clock signal controller. The retention storage device processes data responsive to the clock signal and retains a data value during a power collapse event responsive to the retention signal.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a voltage level shifter includes a first NOR gate having a first input configured to receive a first input signal in a first power domain, a second input configured to receive an enable signal in a second power domain, a third input, and an output. The voltage level shifter also includes a second NOR gate having a first input configured to receive a second input signal in the first power domain, a second input configured to receive the enable signal in the second power domain, a third input coupled to the output of the first NOR gate, and an output coupled to the third input of the first NOR gate. The first and second NOR gates are powered by a supply voltage of the second power domain.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for powering up circuits are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for power up comprises comparing a voltage of a first supply rail with a voltage of a second supply rail, and determining whether the voltage of the first supply rail is within a predetermined amount of the voltage of the second supply rail for at least a predetermined period of time based on the comparison. The method also comprises initiating switching of a plurality of switches coupled between the first and second supply rails upon a determination that the voltage of the first supply rail is within the predetermined amount of the voltage of the second supply rail for at least the predetermined period of time.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed herein for power management through power rail multiplexing. In an example aspect, an IC includes a first power rail, a second power rail, and a load power rail. The IC also includes a first set of transistors including first transistors that are coupled to the first power rail and a second set of transistors including second transistors that are coupled to the second power rail. The IC further includes power-multiplexer circuitry that is configured to switch access to power for the load power rail from the first power rail to the second power rail by sequentially turning off the first transistors of the first set of transistors and then sequentially turning on the second transistors of the second set of transistors.
Abstract:
A latch-based memory includes a plurality of slave latches arranged in rows and columns. Each column of slave latches receives a latched data signal from a corresponding master latch. Each row includes a clock gating circuit and a corresponding reset circuit. If a row is active for a write operation, the active row's clock gating circuit passes a write clock to the active row's slave latches. Conversely, the clock gating circuit for an inactive row gates the write clock to the inactive row's slave latches by passing a held version of the write clock in a first clock state to the inactive row's slave latches. While a reset signal is asserted, each reset circuit gates the write clock by passing the held version of the write clock in the first clock state to the slave latches in the reset circuit's row.
Abstract:
Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to methods and apparatus for configuring a multiply-accumulate (MAC) block in an artificial neural network. A method generally includes receiving, at a neural processing unit comprising one or more logic elements, at least one input associated with a use-case of the neural processing unit; obtaining a set of weights associated with the at least one input; selecting a precision for the set of weights; modifying the set of weights based on the selected precision; and generating an output based, at least in part, on the at least one input, the modified set of weights, and an activation function.