D Type Input Patents (Class 327/218)
  • Patent number: 7501871
    Abstract: A latch circuit comprising, a differential input with a non-inverting input (D+) and an inverting input (D?). The latch further comprises a differential output with a non-inverting output (Q+) and an inverting output (Q?). One of the outputs (Q?) is coupled to one of the inputs input (D+) having an opposite polarity. The latch further comprises a control input for receiving a control signal (VcM) for determining a threshold for an input signal (In) such that if the input signal is at larger than the threshold the non-inverting output is in a HIGH logic state and in a LOW state if the input signal is smaller than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Tiberiu Sanduleanu, Eduard Ferdinand Stikvoort, Idrissa Cissé
  • Patent number: 7495493
    Abstract: Circuitry for latching receives an input signal and a control signal and provides an output signal. In one embodiment, the setup time (t(SL) and t(SH)) of the input signal with reference to the control signal is to the first edge of the control signal, the holding time (t(HL) and t(HH)) of the input signal with reference to the control signal is independent of the second edge of the control signal, and the output signal goes to a predetermined state in response to the second edge of the control signal. In one embodiment, the control signal may be a clock. The circuitry for latching may be used with static circuits and/or with dynamic circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Ravindraraj Ramaraju
  • Patent number: 7492201
    Abstract: A clocked level-sensitive scan design may have flip-flops designed to have data, scan-in, and output ports and to utilize two clock signals. Such a clocked level-sensitive scan flip-flop may be built utilizing two latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Randy J. Aksamit
  • Patent number: 7492202
    Abstract: To keep input capacitance and driving capability at respective data input and output terminals of a flip-flop circuit, the flip-flop includes: a master latch portion; a slave latch portion; and a data output selecting portion. The master latch portion includes a tri-state inverter, which is connected to the input terminal. The data output selecting portion is constituted by two pass gates and an inverter, which is connected to the output terminal. The input capacitance of the flip-flop circuit is determined by gate capacitances of transistors constituting the tri-state inverter connected to the input terminal. The driving capability of the flip-flop circuit is determined by the driving capability of the inverter connected to the output terminal. Accordingly, both the input capacitance and the driving capability are kept constant, irrespective of the state of a timing signal such as a clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Genichiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 7492203
    Abstract: In high-speed flip-flops and complex gates using the same, the flip-flop includes a first PMOS transistor and second and third NMOS transistors, which are serially connected between a power supply voltage and a ground voltage. Gates of the first PMOS transistor and the second NMOS transistor are connected to input data. A gate of the third NMOS transistor is connected to a clock pulse signal. A logic level of a first intermediate node between the first PMOS transistor and the second NMOS transistor is latched by a first latch. The flip-flop further includes a fourth PMOS transistor and fifth and sixth NMOS transistors, which are serially connected between a power supply voltage and a ground voltage. Gates of the fourth PMOS transistor and the fifth NMOS transistor are connected to the first intermediate node. A gate of the sixth NMOS transistor is connected to the clock pulse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-su Kim
  • Patent number: 7489174
    Abstract: A dynamic flip-flop circuit which outputs an output signal on which a digital data signal is reflected based on a clock, includes: a first control stage configured to output a signal having a level inverted from that of the digital data signal within a period within which the clock has a second level; a second control stage configured to output a signal of a first level within the period within which the clock has the second level and a signal of a level within another period within which the clock has the first level; a third control stage configured to output an output signal of the first level within a period within which the signal outputted from the second control stage has the second level; and a phase adjustment circuit configured to adjust the phase to produce a second clock and supply the second clock to the third control stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Yoshizawa
  • Publication number: 20090033394
    Abstract: A circuit is disclosed for retaining a signal value during a sleep mode while a portion of said circuit is powered down comprising: a clock signal input operable to receive a clock signal; at least one latch clocked by said clock signal; a data input, a data output and a forward data path therebetween, wherein a signal value is operable to be received at said data input, is clocked through said at least one latch and passes to said data output along said forward data path; at least one of said at least one latch comprises a retention latch operable to retain a signal value during said sleep mode, said retention latch not being located on said forward data path; and a tristateable device, said tristateable device being arranged between said forward data path and said retention latch and being operable to selectively isolate said retention latch from said forward data path in response to receipt of a first sleep signal; wherein in response to receipt of a second sleep signal, said second sleep signal being rece
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: ARM Limited
    Inventors: Marlin Frederick, JR., James David Shiffer, III
  • Patent number: 7479818
    Abstract: A sense amplifier flip flop including a differential input portion, a differential amplifying portion including a first inverter and a second inverter, and a bias voltage generating portion. The bias voltage generating portion is configured to generate body voltages for transistors of the first inverter and the second inverter so that an offset between electric currents flowing through the differential input portion can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Ho Park, Young-Soo Sohn
  • Patent number: 7456669
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a comparator for making a comparison between a logical value of an input signal and a logical value of an output signal and outputting a combination signal having a combination of the logical values; and a flip-flop circuit configured to maintain a state of the output signal with electric power for maintaining the state less than electric power for state transition of the output signal in the case where the combination of the logical values of the combination signal is a predetermined combination, and wherein the comparator outputs the combination signal having the predetermined combination to an input terminal portion in the case of determining that the input signal does not vary the state of the output signal based on a result of the comparison between the logical value of the input signal and the logical value of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Chen Kong Teh, Mototsugu Hamada
  • Patent number: 7453300
    Abstract: A multi-threshold voltage complementary metal oxide semiconductor (MTCMOS) flip-flop, a circuit including the MTCMOS flip-flop, and a method of forming the MTCMOS flip-flop are disclosed. The MTCMOS flip-flop breaks a leakage current path during a sleep mode to retain an output data signal. The MTCMOS flip-flop typically further uses a data feedback unit to retain the output data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyo-sig Won, Kwangok Jeong, Young-hwan Kim, Bong-hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 7446581
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first data holding section, a first pull-up circuit, a first pull-down circuit, a first feedback circuit, and a second feedback circuit. The first data holding section holds first output data. The first pull-up circuit takes in input data as a pull-up control signal and, when the pull-up control signal takes one value, pulls up the first output data. The first pull-down circuit takes in the input data as a pull-down control signal and, when the pull-down control signal takes the other value, pulls down the first output data. The first feedback circuit feeds back a first feedback signal corresponding to the first output data as the pull-up control signal to the first pull-up circuit. The second feedback circuit feeds back a second feedback signal corresponding to the first output data as the pull-down control signal to the first pull-down circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Chihiro Ishii, Toshikazu Sei
  • Patent number: 7443218
    Abstract: A low power consumption in a semiconductor integrated circuit device can be achieved by reducing a glitch power in a flip-flop. In a pulse-generator-incorporated auto-clock-gating flip-flop in which data latch is performed by using a pulsed clock, input data is latched based on an output of a dynamic XOR circuit, which is a comparator circuit, during a period when the pulsed clock is at a high level, and the dynamic XOR circuit is cut off during a period when the pulsed clock is at a low level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Masafumi Onouchi, Yusuke Kanno, Hiroyuki Mizuno, Yasuhisa Shimazaki, Tetsuya Yamada
  • Publication number: 20080258790
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for capturing data are disclosed. For example, some embodiments of the present invention provide differential jam latches. Such differential jam latches include a data input, a latch input, and an output. Further, such differential jam latches include a PMOS stage and an NMOS stage. The PMOS stage includes a first PMOS transistor, a second PMOS transistor, a third PMOS transistor and a fourth PMOS transistor. The gate of the first PMOS transistor and the gate of the second PMOS transistor are electrically coupled to an inverted version of the latch input. The gate of the third PMOS transistor is electrically coupled to the data input, and the gate of the fourth PMOS transistor is electrically coupled to an inverted version of the data input. The NMOS stage includes a first NMOS transistor, a second NMOS transistor, a third NMOS transistor and a fourth NMOS transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Charles M. Branch, Steven C. Bartling
  • Patent number: 7439775
    Abstract: A sense amplifier-based flip-flop includes a first latch, a second latch, a floating reduction unit, an input signal applying unit, a ground switch and a delay reduction unit. The first latch outputs a signal to a first output terminal pair, and outputs an evaluation signal pair corresponding to an input single pair to the first output terminal pair. The second latch latches the evaluation signal pair and outputs the evaluation signal pair to a second output terminal pair. The floating reduction unit is controlled by signals of the first output terminal pair and is operationally connected between current passing nodes of the first latch to prevent the first output terminal pair from floating. The input signal applying unit is disposed between the current passing nodes and a ground terminal, and receives the input signal pair. The ground switch is disposed between the input signal applying unit and the ground terminal, and is controlled by the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Soo Sohn
  • Patent number: 7440534
    Abstract: A master latch (1) is formed from a static circuit, and a slave latch (2) is formed from a dynamic circuit. The number of circuit elements can be smaller as compared to a slave latch formed from a static circuit so that the size and area of a master-slave flip-flop can be reduced. Since the master latch is formed from a static circuit, data can be held stably during the standby time by setting the master latch in a data holding state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Morimura, Satoshi Shigematsu, Yukio Okazaki, Katsuyuki Machida
  • Patent number: 7425855
    Abstract: A method and latch circuits are provided for implementing enhanced noise immunity performance. Each latch circuit includes any L1 latch and an L2 latch coupled to the L1 latch. Data is first latched in the L1 latch during a first half clock cycle and then latched in the L2 latch during a second half clock cycle. A path opposite a latched data state is gated off in both the L1 latch and the L2 latch, where a path to a voltage supply rail is gated off with a latched low data state and a path to ground is gated off with a latched high data state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Jia Chen, Eugene James Nosowicz
  • Patent number: 7420403
    Abstract: A high-reliability, multi-threshold complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) latch circuit is presented that uses both low and high threshold inverters. The multi-threshold latch circuit includes: a low threshold forward clock inverter inverting an input-terminal logic state and applying the inverted logic state to an output-terminal logic state when a clock is in a first logic state; and a high threshold backward clock inverter forming a circular latch structure together with the forward clock inverter, and inverting an input-terminal logic state and applying the inverted logic state to an output logic state when the clock is in a second logic state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Yil Suk Yang, Jong Dae Kim, Tae Moon Roh, Dae Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7417470
    Abstract: Methods, systems and components for use with or as a phase frequency detector. The phase frequency detector stretches its output pulse, allowing the detector to operate in a more linear region. As part of the invention, a new configuration for a D type flip flop is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the D type flip flop triggers at both the rising and the falling edges of the reference input, allowing a lower frequency input to be used while having the advantages of a higher frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Kaben Wireless Silicon Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Riley
  • Patent number: 7417466
    Abstract: In a flip-flop circuit where latched complementary signals of first and second output terminals are inverted by complementary first and second input pulses, the conductivity of a first load transistor connected to the first output terminal is controlled by the signal from the second output terminal, and the conductivity of a second load transistor connected to the second output terminal is controlled by the signal from the first output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Akahori
  • Patent number: 7414449
    Abstract: A latch has a first mode in which the latch functions as a dynamic latch and a second mode in which the latch functions as a static latch. The latch has a feedback circuit that in turn has two parallel switchable loads. The first load is responsive to a data input signal of the latch in the first mode and disabled in the second mode. The second load is responsive to a clock signal in the second mode and disabled in the first mode. The switchable loads being in parallel provides for the ability to select the feedback that is better for the particular mode of operation. The first and second switchable loads can be optimized for the particular mode of operation that will use it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Russell, Jingfang Hao
  • Patent number: 7411432
    Abstract: An integrated circuit of an embodiment may comprise synchronous logic, combinational logic, and clock circuitry to clock the synchronous logic through various states dependent on the combinational logic. The synchronous logic may comprise a plurality of master-slave registers. The combinational logic is configured to drive data inputs of the synchronous logic dependent on states established by the master-slave registers. The clock circuitry is configured to clock the master portion of the master-slave registers with a lag rendering of a clock signal and to clock the slave portion of the registers with a lead rendering of the clock signal. In a particular example, the circuitry may define a frequency divider of a complementary CMOS realization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Xiang Zhu
  • Patent number: 7408393
    Abstract: A master-slave flip-flop comprises master and slave latches, with the data output of the master latch connected to the data input of the slave latch. The latches receive clock signals CKM and CKS at their respective clock inputs; each latch is transparent when its clock signal is in a first state and latches a signal applied to its input when its clock signal is in a second state. A clock buffer receives an input clock CKin and generates nominally complementary clock signals CKM and CKS such that one latch is latched while the other is transparent. The clock buffer is arranged to skew CKS with respect to CKM such that the slave latch is made transparent earlier than it would without the skew, making the minimum delay (tpd) between the toggling of CKin and a resulting change at the slave latch's output less than it would otherwise be.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Inphi Corporation
    Inventors: Dhruv Jain, Gopal Raghavan, Jeffrey C. Yen, Carl W. Pobanz
  • Publication number: 20080180139
    Abstract: A CMOS rail-to-rail differential latch is provided in which a plurality of cross-coupled devices pull first and second nodes of the latch to opposite rail-to-rail voltages. Desirably, first and second output isolating elements have inputs coupled to the first and second nodes, the output isolating elements being operable to output versions of the opposite rail-to-rail voltages as a true and a complementary output of the latch. In this way, the true output has a rising edge occurring simultaneously with a falling edge of the complementary output. The complementary output has a rising edge occurring simultaneously with a falling edge of the true output. First and second input isolating elements of the latch have outputs coupled to the first and second nodes, the first and second input isolating elements being operable to apply versions of input signals to the first and second nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph Natonio, Steven J. Zier
  • Patent number: 7405606
    Abstract: A D flip-flop with a reduced power product or reduced clock line capacitance is disclosed. The flip-flop includes a half-static slave stage or a master stage with clock gating by the input and output. The half-static slave stage an output inverter and a feedback element consisting of a single switching transistor having a gate connected to the output of the flip-flop and the input of the inverter as its load. The clock gating circuit, which may comprise an XNOR gate, reduces the frequency of switching events by permitting clock pulses to pass into the master or slave stage only when the input and output of the flip-flop are at the same logical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 27 LLC
    Inventors: Chi Wah Kok, Yee Ching Tam
  • Patent number: 7405605
    Abstract: Data storage circuits and components of such circuits constructed using nanotube switching elements. The storage circuits may be stand-alone devices or cells incorporated into other devices or circuits. The data storage circuits include or can be used in latches, master-slave flip-flops, digital logic circuits, memory devices and other circuits. In one aspect of the invention, a master-slave flip-flop is constructed using one or more nanotube switching element-based storage devices. The master storage element or the slave storage element or both may be constructed using nanotube switching elements, for example, using two nanotube switching element-based inverters. The storage elements may be volatile or non-volatile. An equilibration device is provided for protecting the stored data from fluctuations on the inputs. Input buffers and output buffers for data storage circuits of the invention may also be constructed using nanotube switching elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventor: Claude L. Bertin
  • Publication number: 20080158035
    Abstract: A first Delayed Flip Flop includes a first D input terminal, a first clock input terminal, a first output terminal outputting a signal inputted to the first D input terminal based on the clock signal, and a first inversion output terminal inverting and outputting the signal inputted to the first D input terminal and outputting the signal to the first D input terminal as a feedback. A second Delayed Flip Flop includes a second D input terminal receiving the output from the first output terminal of the first Delayed Flip Flop, a second clock input terminal, and a second output terminal outputting the signal inputted to the second D input terminal as a first output based on the clock signal. A third Delayed Flip Flop includes a third D input terminal receiving the output from the first inversion output terminal of the first Delayed Flip Flop, a third clock input terminal, and a third output terminal outputting the signal inputted to the third D input terminal as a second output based on the clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Makabe, Ikuo Hidaka, Koji Oka, Toshiaki Ozeki
  • Publication number: 20080150602
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a latch having a node to receive input information, and a first pseudo-inverter with a first input node, a second input node, and an output node to generate output information based on information at the first and second input nodes. The latch may have a feedback circuit to generate feedback information based on at least the output information. The latch may also have a select circuit to selectively transfer the input information and the feedback information to the first and second input nodes. Other embodiments including additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Balkaran Gill, Norbert Roland Seifert
  • Patent number: 7391249
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-threshold complementary metal oxide semiconductor (MTCMOS) latch circuit including: a data inverting circuit for inverting and outputting input data under the control of a sleep control signal; a transmission gate for transferring the data signal output from the data inverting circuit under the control of a clock control signal; a signal control circuit for outputting the data signal output from the transmission gate under the control of a reset control signal and the sleep control signal; and a feedback circuit for feeding back the signal output from the signal control circuit and preserving the data in a sleep mode. The MTCMOS latch circuit can minimize power consumption caused by a leakage current due to elements scaled down to nano scale and also contribute to high-speed operation of a logic circuit by using an element having a low threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Dae Woo Lee, Yil Suk Yang, Gyu Hyun Kim, Soon Il Yeo, Jong Dae Kim
  • Publication number: 20080136483
    Abstract: A latch circuit (1) comprising, a differential input with an inverting input (D+) and a non-inverting input (D?). The latch further comprises a differential output with an inverting output (Q+) and a non-inverting output (Q?). One of the outputs (Q?) is coupled to one of the inputs input (D+) having an opposite polarity. The latch further comprises a control input for receiving a control signal (VCM) for determining a threshold for an input signal (In) such that if the input signal is at larger than the threshold the non-inverting output in a HIGH logic state and in a LOW state if the input signal is smaller than the threshold, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Tiberiu Sanduleanu, Eduard Ferdinand Stikvoort, Idrissa Cisse
  • Patent number: 7378890
    Abstract: Several latch circuits including a NAND gate stage and combinations of clocked inverter stages and inverter stages are described. A programmable frequency divider including homologue frequency divider circuits using the latch circuits is also described. Also described is a circuit included in the homologue frequency divides and a method for correcting the duty cycle of clock signals generated by the homologue frequency dividers to 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Austin, Ram Kelkar, Pradeep Thiagarajan
  • Publication number: 20080116953
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Akio Hirata, Hiroyuki Shinbo
  • Patent number: 7375567
    Abstract: A digital storage element comprising a master transparent latch that receives functional data from a data input port and scan data from a scan input port and comprises a master feedback loop with a first transistor coupled to the master feedback loop. The first transistor also is coupled to electrical ground. The digital storage element also comprises a slave transparent latch coupled to the master transparent latch, the slave transparent latch comprising dedicated functional data and scan data output ports, a slave feedback loop and a second transistor coupled to the slave feedback loop. The second transistor is coupled to electrical ground. When a clock signal is in a first state, the first single transistor is activated to preset the digital storage element. When the clock signal is in a second state, the second single transistor is activated to preset the digital storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles M. Branch, Steven C. Bartling
  • Patent number: 7375568
    Abstract: In the present invention, a logic circuit is provided therein with a current supply control circuit for controlling the amount of current supplied to a differential circuit. This current supply control circuit comprises a bypass path for bypassing the current around the differential circuit, a switching transistor interposed in the bypass path for opening/closing the bypass path in accordance with the signal level of a clock signal applied thereto from the outside, and a current amount control transistor for controlling the amount of current supplied to the differential circuit. The current amount control transistor adjusts the amount of current in accordance with the signal level of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Amamiya
  • Publication number: 20080100363
    Abstract: A storage device and methods thereof are disclosed. The device includes a clock control module and a latch. During normal operation, the clock control module provides a periodic clock signal to a clock input of the latch, allowing the latch to operate normally. In a low power mode of operation, the clock control module provides a constant signal to the clock input of the latch so that the latch retains stored data during the low power mode of operation. The storage device can also include a power control module that provides a first power level to the latch in the normal mode of operation and a second power level during the second mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Ravindraraj Ramaraju, David R. Bearden
  • Publication number: 20080084235
    Abstract: A latch has a first mode in which the latch functions as a dynamic latch and a second mode in which the latch functions as a static latch. The latch has a feedback circuit that in turn has two parallel switchable loads. The first load is responsive to a data input signal of the latch in the first mode and disabled in the second mode. The second load is responsive to a clock signal in the second mode and disabled in the first mode. The switchable loads being in parallel provides for the ability to select the feedback that is better for the particular mode of operation. The first and second switchable loads can be optimized for the particular mode of operation that will use it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Andrew C. Russell, Jingfang Hao
  • Patent number: 7345519
    Abstract: A scan flip-flop circuit including an input section employing a dynamic circuit and an output section employing a static circuit, capable of latching in data within a period of a pulse width that is shorter than the clock cycle, wherein only three N-type transistors are connected in series in the input section employing a dynamic circuit. A data signal is input directly to one of the three N-type transistors. On the other hand, a test input signal is input to an AND/OR inverter circuit. The AND/OR inverter circuit receives, as a control signal, the potential of the node obtained as the clock signal passes through two inverter circuits. Therefore, there is required only a short hold time for the test input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Hirata
  • Patent number: 7345518
    Abstract: A digital storage element comprises a master transparent latch that receives functional data from a data input port and scan data from a scan input port and a slave transparent latch coupled to the master transparent latch. The slave transparent latch comprises dedicated functional data and scan data output ports. The master and slave transparent latches have opposite transparent polarities when in a functional mode and have the same polarities (e.g., positive level sense) when in a scan mode. The transparent polarity of a transparent latch defines the state of a clock to that latch for which the transparent latch is transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles M. Branch, Steven C. Bartling, Dharin N. Shah, James R. Hochschild
  • Patent number: 7342429
    Abstract: Several latch circuits including a NAND gate stage and combinations of clocked inverter stages and inverter stages are described. A programmable frequency divider including homologue frequency divider circuits using the latch circuits is also described. Also described is a circuit included in the homologue frequency divides and a method for correcting the duty cycle of clock signals generated by the homologue frequency dividers to 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Austin, Ram Kelkar, Pradeep Thiagarajan
  • Publication number: 20080054975
    Abstract: Circuitry for latching receives an input signal and a control signal and provides an output signal. In one embodiment, the setup time (t(SL) and t(SH)) of the input signal with reference to the control signal is to the first edge of the control signal, the holding time (t(HL) and t(HH)) of the input signal with reference to the control signal is independent of the second edge of the control signal, and the output signal goes to a predetermined state in response to the second edge of the control signal. In one embodiment, the control signal may be a clock. The circuitry for latching may be used with static circuits and/or with dynamic circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Ravindraraj Ramaraju
  • Publication number: 20080042713
    Abstract: A circuit includes an input stage, an output stage, and a delay stage. The input stage is operative to receive a clock signal and a first and second input signal. The output stage is operative to receive the clock signal. The output stage is also operative to generate a first and second output signal based on the clock signal and the first and second input signals. The delay stage is operatively coupled to the input and output stages. The delay stage includes a first and second branch. The second branch includes at least one more delay element than the first branch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: ATI Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Rubil Ahmadi
  • Publication number: 20080042714
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first latch of a data transmitting source and a second latch of a data receiving destination. The second latch includes: a delay element that delays an input signal transmitted from the first latch; and a path switching circuit that changes over a signal input path in such a way that at time of a usual operation, the input signal is taken through bypassing the delay element and at time of a test operation, the input signal is taken via the delay element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Takashi Otake, Akihiko Konmoto
  • Patent number: 7332949
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-threshold CMOS (MTCMOS) flip-flop for latching a data input signal in response to a clock signal and converting the latched signal to a data output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-Su Kim
  • Patent number: 7327169
    Abstract: A threshold voltage of a transistor is fluctuated because of fluctuation in film thickness of a gate insulating film or in gate length and gate width caused by differences of used substrates or manufacturing steps. In order to solve the problem, according to the present invention, there is provided a clocked inverter including a first transistor and a second transistor connected in series, and a compensation circuit including a third transistor and a fourth transistor connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Osame, Aya Anzai
  • Publication number: 20080007312
    Abstract: The present invention includes a radiation hardened sequential circuit, such as a bistable circuit, flip-flop or other suitable design that presents substantial immunity to ionizing radiation while simultaneously maintaining a low operating voltage. In one embodiment, the circuit includes a plurality of logic elements that operate on relatively low voltage, and a master and slave latches each having storage elements that operate on a relatively high voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: LAWRENCE T. CLARK, JOHN K. McIVER
  • Publication number: 20070290734
    Abstract: In a clear period, transistors NT38 and PT38 turn on and state retention nodes HQ and H/Q are cleared to an L level and an H level, respectively. In this clear period, a transistor NT21 is off. Consequently, a precharge node PS maintains itself at an H level. Thus, transistors PT31 and NT32 are off, thereby preventing a short circuit from occurring in a clear period. A short circuit is also prevented from occurring in a preset period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Chen Kong TEH
  • Patent number: 7301373
    Abstract: A flip-flop circuit includes a differential stage coupled to a latch stage. The differential stage comprises cross-coupled dynamic logic and only provides a single output to the latch stage. During an evaluation phase, the state of a data input signal is sensed. Depending upon the state of the data input signal, either an output side or reference side of the differential stage is discharged. Also, during the evaluation phase, the latch stage write port is enabled while feedback is disabled, and the flip flop thereby samples and stores an output signal from the output side of the differential stage. Upon initiation of the next precharge phase, the latch stage write port is disabled and feedback is enabled, thereby retaining its present state. Only a single side of the differential stage is used to drive the latch stage and the differential stage may be implemented in an asymmetric fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel William Bailey, Hariharan Kalyanaraman
  • Patent number: 7301381
    Abstract: A clocked state circuit can include a transmission gate configured to clock an output of a master terminal to an input of a slave terminal responsive to a clock signal or a delayed clock signal coupled to the transmission gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-chul Rhee, Sung-we Cho
  • Patent number: 7301382
    Abstract: The data latch circuit of the invention includes a means for short-circuiting an input terminal and an output terminal of an inverter and by connecting the input terminal to one electrode of a capacitor and sampling a data signal or a reference potential to the other electrode of the capacitor, an accurate operation can be obtained without being influenced by variations in the TFT characteristics even when the amplitude of an input signal is small relatively to the width of a power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Osame, Aya Anzai
  • Publication number: 20070268055
    Abstract: A programmable phase frequency divider for space applications is implemented in CMOS technology, and consists of three radiation hardened D-type flip flops and combinational logic circuits to provide the feedback controls that allow programmable frequency division ratios from 1 to 8. The radiation hardened D-type flip flop circuits are designed to keep on running properly at GHz frequencies even after a single event upset (SEU) hit. The novel D-type flip flop circuits each have two pairs of complementary inputs and outputs to mitigate SEU's. The combinational logic circuits are designed to utilize the complementary outputs in such a way that only one of the four dual complementary inputs to any D-type flip flop gets flipped at most after an SEU hit. Therefore, a radiation hardened programmable phase frequency divider that is immune to SEU's is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: William Yeh-Yung Mo
  • Publication number: 20070268056
    Abstract: A latch circuit has: a data input unit to which an input data is input; and a data retention unit including a node connected to the data input unit. The data input unit transmits a data depending on the input data to the node, when both of a first clock signal and a second clock signal that are driven independently from each other are at a first level. The data retention unit holds a data at the node, when at least one of the first clock signal and the second clock signal is at a second level that is an inverted level of the first level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki Nakamura