Circuits for and methods of controlling power within an integrated circuit

A circuit for controlling power within an integrated circuit, the circuit comprising:

• a plurality of circuit blocks;
• a plurality of control signals including a global control signal that is routed within the integrated circuit;
• and
• a plurality of power control blocks, wherein each power control block is coupled to a corresponding circuit block of the plurality of circuit bocks and has a selection circuit having a first input configured to receive the global control signal, a second input configured to receive a second control signal of the plurality of control signals, and a third input configured to receive a power control signal;
• wherein variable delay in the routing of a reference voltage to the plurality of circuit blocks enables a staggered power-up of the plurality of circuit blocks when the global control signal is selected by the selection circuits of the power control blocks;
• and
• wherein the power control signal enables, for each circuit block, a selection of the global control signal or the second control signal to enable an operating mode of the circuit block.

A method of controlling power within an integrated circuit, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of circuit blocks;
• routing a global control signal within the integrated circuit;
• coupling each circuit block of the plurality of circuit blocks to a corresponding power control block of a plurality of power control blocks,
• coupling, for each power control block of the plurality of circuit blocks, a reference voltage to a first input of the power control block;
• coupling, for each power control block, the global control signal to a second input of the power control block;
• implementing, for each power control block, a selection circuit having a first input configured to receive the global control signal, a second input configured to receive a second control signal, and a third input configured to receive a power control signal, wherein the power control signal enables, for each circuit block, a selection of the global control signal or the second control signal to enable an operating mode of the circuit block;
• and
• coupling, for each circuit block of the plurality of circuit blocks, the reference voltage to the corresponding circuit block in response to a selection of the global control signal.