Clocked charge domain logic
AssigneeChaologix, Inc.
InventorsDaniel F. Yannette, Brent Arnold Myers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Advantageous digital logic cells and methods of powering logic blocks using the same are provided. A digital logic cell can include a charge storage device, a logic block, and connections to a power supply. The charge storage device may be a capacitor. The capacitor or other charge storage device can be disconnected from the logic block and a power supply to discharge the capacitor, and then connected to the power supply, via the power supply connections, to charge the capacitor. The capacitor can be disconnected from a ground connection of the power supply while the capacitor is discharged. After being charged via the power supply, the capacitor can also be disconnected from the power supply (including ground) and connected to the logic block to power the logic block.
Claims24
A secure digital logic cell, comprising:
- a logic cell;
- a charge storage device for providing power to the logic cell during logic operations, the charge storage device being controllably connected to a power supply during a charging operation and the logic cell during a logic operation, wherein during the logic operation, the charge storage device is not connected to a power and ground connection of the power supply;
- a first switch for discharging the charge storage device;
- a second switch for connecting and disconnecting the charge storage device to the power connection of the power supply;
- a third switch for connecting and disconnecting the charge storage device to the ground connection of the power supply;
- a fourth switch for connecting and disconnecting the charge storage device to a power connection of the logic cell;
- and
- a fifth switch for connecting and disconnecting the charge storage device to a ground connection of the logic cell.
A method of powering a logic block of a digital logic cell, wherein the digital logic cell comprises the logic block and a charge storage device, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- (a) disconnecting the charge storage device from the logic block and power and ground connections of the power supply;
- (b) connecting the charge storage device to the power supply;
- (c) disconnecting the charge storage device from the power supply, including disconnecting the charge storage device from the ground connection of the power supply;
- and
- (d) connecting the charge storage device to the logic block for providing power to the logic block.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.