Abstract: In particular embodiments, a charge pump includes a first input transistor operable to receive an up signal and in response to receiving the UP signal, transmit a corresponding output current from a positive power supply to an output node. The charge pump further includes a second input transistor operable to receive a down signal and in response to receiving the DN signal, transmit a second corresponding output current from a negative power supply to the output node. Additionally, the charge pump includes a first cascode transistor and a second cascode transistor positioned in a first current path between the first input transistor and the output node, and a third cascode transistor and a fourth cascode transistor positioned in a second current path between the second input transistor and the output node. The charge pump further includes a current mirror coupled to gates of the first, second, third, and fourth cascode transistors.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, an apparatus includes a first transistor connected at the gate to a first input signal voltage and a second transistor connected at the gate to a second input signal voltage. The apparatus further includes a deactivation element coupled to the transistors, the deactivation element being operable to deactivate the first and second transistors by selectively transmitting a deactivation current to a first terminal of the first transistor and a second terminal of the second transistor thereby raising a voltage on the first and second terminals to a value large enough to deactivate the first and second transistors. In particular embodiments, activating the first or second transistor transmits a signal from the apparatus and deactivating the first and second transistors prevents the signal from being transmitted from the apparatus.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, an apparatus includes a first transistor connected at the gate to a first input signal voltage and a second transistor connected at the gate to a second input signal voltage. The apparatus further includes a deactivation element coupled to the transistors, the deactivation element being operable to deactivate the first and second transistors by selectively transmitting a deactivation current to a first terminal of the first transistor and a second terminal of the second transistor thereby raising a voltage on the first and second terminals to a value large enough to deactivate the first and second transistors. In particular embodiments, activating the first or second transistor transmits a signal from the apparatus and deactivating the first and second transistors prevents the signal from being transmitted from the apparatus.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a charge pump includes a first input transistor operable to receive an up signal and in response to receiving the UP signal, transmit a corresponding output current from a positive power supply to an output node. The charge pump further includes a second input transistor operable to receive a down signal and in response to receiving the DN signal, transmit a second corresponding output current from a negative power supply to the output node. Additionally, the charge pump includes a first cascode transistor and a second cascode transistor positioned in a first current path between the first input transistor and the output node, and a third cascode transistor and a fourth cascode transistor positioned in a second current path between the second input transistor and the output node. The charge pump further includes a current mirror coupled to gates of the first, second, third, and fourth cascode transistors.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a data signal comprising a plurality of bits. The method further includes generating a clock signal. A plurality of samples is acquired from the data signal at a sampling rate determined by the clock signal and it is determined whether a transition point from a first bit in the plurality of bits to a second bit in the plurality of bits occurs within the plurality of samples. If it is determined that the transition point occurs within the plurality of samples, a state machine comprising a plurality of states transitions from a first state to a second state. If the second state indicates a non-zero amount of phase displacement between the clock signal and the data signal, the clock signal is adjusted to correlate with the data signal.

Abstract: Techniques, including a system and method, are disclosed for conditionally pre-charging a memory circuit, for example a flip-flop, and thus reducing power consumption. In an embodiment a method for reducing power consumption in a memory circuit, including, a pre-charged stage coupled to an evaluation stage by at least an internal node, is provided. The method includes setting an input of the pre-charged stage to a first high logic level. Next, responsive to the setting of the input, the internal node is set to a low logic level within a first transparency window. Then responsive to the setting of the internal node, the evaluation stage changes the output of the evaluation stage to a second high logic level within the first transparency window. Lastly, when the input remains at the first high-logic level, the internal node is maintained at the low logic level through at least a second transparency window.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques, including a system and method, for improving speed in a flip-flop, having a pre-charged stage coupled to an evaluation stage. In one exemplary embodiment delay is reduced by using a conditional rather than an unconditional keeper, where the conditional keeper has the function of a keeper only under certain conditions. In some embodiments there is a conditional keeper in either the pre-charged stage or the evaluation stage or both stages. Another embodiment provides for the combining of the evaluation stage with one or more external logic functions.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of electronic circuit design, and in particular to techniques for reducing hazards in a digital logic circuit, for example, a digital logic flip-flop circuit. In an embodiment of the present invention a method for reducing hazards in a flip-flop, including, a pre-charged stage coupled to an evaluation stage by at least an internal node, is provided. First, the pre-charged stage sets the internal node based on a data input. The evaluation stage is prevented from evaluating the internal node for a predetermined time period. After the predetermined time period, the internal node is evaluated by the evaluation stage to determine an output of the flip-flop.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques, including a system and method, for improving speed in a flip-flop, having a pre-charged stage coupled to an evaluation stage. In one exemplary embodiment delay is reduced by using a conditional rather than an unconditional keeper, where the conditional keeper has the function of a keeper only under certain conditions. In some embodiments there is a conditional keeper in either the pre-charged stage or the evaluation stage or both stages. Another embodiment provides for the combining of the evaluation stage with one or more external logic functions.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of electronic circuit design, and in particular to techniques for reducing hazards in a digital logic circuit, for example, a digital logic flip-flop circuit. In an embodiment of the present invention a method for reducing hazards in a flip-flop, including, a pre-charged stage coupled to an evaluation stage by at least an internal node, is provided. First, the pre-charged stage sets the internal node based on a data input. The evaluation stage is prevented from evaluating the internal node for a predetermined time period. After the predetermined time period, the internal node is evaluated by the evaluation stage to determine an output of the flip-flop.

Abstract: Techniques, including a system and method, are disclosed for conditionally pre-charging a memory circuit, for example a flip-flop, and thus reducing power consumption. In an embodiment a method for reducing power consumption in a memory circuit, including, a pre-charged stage coupled to an evaluation stage by at least an internal node, is provided. The method includes setting an input of the pre-charged stage to a first high logic level. Next, responsive to the setting of the input, the internal node is set to a low logic level within a first transparency window. Then responsive to the setting of the internal node, the evaluation stage changes the output of the evaluation stage to a second high logic level within the first transparency window. Lastly, when the input remains at the first high-logic level, the internal node is maintained at the low logic level through at least a second transparency window.