Integrated circuit with pre-heating for reduced subthreshold leakage

A method comprising:

• providing a clock signal;
• storing a logic value in a storage element upon occurrence of a transition in the clock signal, the logic value produced at least in part by a first device configured to form an inversion layer at a first threshold voltage to allow the flow of electrical current through the first device;
• and
• setting a frequency of the clock signal to a first frequency if a temperature associated with the first device is determined to be below a particular temperature and to a second frequency if the temperature associated with the first device is determined to be above the particular temperature, wherein the first frequency is less than the second frequency.

A system comprising:

• a first device configured to form an inversion layer at a first threshold voltage to allow the flow of electrical current through the first device;
• a second device configured to form an inversion layer at a second threshold voltage to allow the flow of electrical current through the second device, wherein the second threshold voltage is less than the first threshold voltage;
• a sequential storage element configured to store a logic value, produced at least in part by the first device and the second device, upon occurrence of a transition in a clock signal;
• a voltage converter configured to provide a supply voltage to the first device;
• a pre-heating controller configured to set the supply voltage to a first voltage if a temperature associated with the first device is determined to be below a particular temperature and to a second voltage if the temperature associated with the first device is determined to be above the particular temperature, wherein the first voltage is greater than the second voltage.

A system comprising:

• a sequential logic block configured to process and provide output data, the sequential logic block including a first device configured to form an inversion layer at a first threshold voltage to allow the flow of electrical current through the first device;
• a heating block configured to pre-heat the sequential logic block;
• and
• a pre-heating controller configured to run the heating block and delay running the sequential logic block if a temperature associated with the sequential logic block is determined to be below a particular temperature, and to run the sequential logic block if the temperature associated with the sequential logic block is determined to be above the particular temperature.