Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises generating computer executable code as one or more code portions; detecting a number of processing operations required to reach one or more predetermined stages in execution of each code portion; and associating with each code portion one or more progress indicators, each representing a respective execution stage of the one or more predetermined stages within execution of that code portion. The code portions are executed by a processor powered by an unpredictable power source. When the processor detects an energy condition indicating that no more than a reserve quantity of electrical energy is available, the progress indicators are used to determine whether or not to perform a checkpoint.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide a voltage monitoring circuit for low power minimum-energy sensor nodes. The circuit comprises sensing circuitry to sense a monitored signal having a plurality of operating signal states; a first comparator having a first input for receiving an upper threshold signal; and a second comparator having a first input for receiving a lower threshold signal, the upper and lower threshold signals defining a range which includes at least one signal state of the plurality of operating states of the monitored signal, wherein the first and second comparators have a bias input for receiving a bias configuration setting, the bias configuration setting being selectable according to an operating signal state of the monitored signal.

Abstract: A single-phase flip-flop comprising: a master latch comprising: a first circuit to generate a master latch signal in response to a first master logic operation on a flip flop input signal and a first clock signal, and a second circuit to generate a master output signal in response to a second master logic operation on the first clock signal and master latch signal; a slave latch comprising: a third circuit to generate a slave output signal in response to a first slave logic operation on the first clock signal and one of the master output signal and an inverted slave output signal; and wherein the master latch is configured to capture the flip-flop input signal during a first portion of the first clock signal and the slave latch is configured to capture the master output signal during a second portion of the first clock signal.

Abstract: A single-phase flip-flop comprising: a master latch comprising: a first circuit to generate a master latch signal in response to a first master logic operation on a flip flop input signal and a first clock signal, and a second circuit to generate a master output signal in response to a second master logic operation on the first clock signal and master latch signal; a slave latch comprising: a third circuit to generate a slave output signal in response to a first slave logic operation on the first clock signal and one of the master output signal and an inverted slave output signal; and wherein the master latch is configured to capture the flip-flop input signal during a first portion of the first clock signal and the slave latch is configured to capture the master output signal during a second portion of the first clock signal.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide a voltage monitoring circuit for low power minimum-energy sensor nodes. The circuit comprises sensing circuitry to sense a monitored signal having a plurality of operating signal states; a first comparator having a first input for receiving an upper threshold signal; and a second comparator having a first input for receiving a lower threshold signal, the upper and lower threshold signals defining a range which includes at least one signal state of the plurality of operating states of the monitored signal, wherein the first and second comparators have a bias input for receiving a bias configuration setting, the bias configuration setting being selectable according to an operating signal state of the monitored signal.

Abstract: A single-phase flip-flop comprising: a master latch comprising: a first circuit to generate a master latch signal in response to a first master logic operation on a flip flop input signal and a first clock signal, and a second circuit to generate a master output signal in response to a second master logic operation on the first clock signal and master latch signal; a slave latch comprising: a third circuit to generate a slave output signal in response to a first slave logic operation on the first clock signal and one of the master output signal and an inverted slave output signal; and wherein the master latch is configured to capture the flip-flop input signal during a first portion of the first clock signal and the slave latch is configured to capture the master output signal during a second portion of the first clock signal.

Abstract: A single-phase flip-flop comprising: a master latch comprising: a first circuit to generate a master latch signal in response to a first master logic operation on a flip flop input signal and a first clock signal, and a second circuit to generate a master output signal in response to a second master logic operation on the first clock signal and master latch signal; a slave latch comprising: a third circuit to generate a slave output signal in response to a first slave logic operation on the first clock signal and one of the master output signal and an inverted slave output signal; and wherein the master latch is configured to capture the flip-flop input signal during a first portion of the first clock signal and the slave latch is configured to capture the master output signal during a second portion of the first clock signal.