US5612892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and structure for improving power consumption on a component while maintaining high operating frequency
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1996-02-05
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Granted: 1997-03-18
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Expires: 2016-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A low power consumption component which operate at a high frequency is provided by separating out those critical signal paths which acquire a higher voltage to operate below a maximum propagation delay requirement and operating the remainder of the devices of the component at a lower power supply to minimize overall power consumption of the component.
Inventors
- 👤 Waleed Almulla
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 23:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/32; G06F30/327; H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/0008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for designing a low powered electrical component comprising signal paths of devices which operate at a supply voltage and operate at a determined operating frequency comprising the steps of: determining a maximum propagation delay requirement permissible on critical signal paths of devices of the component from the determined operating frequency; identifying those critical signal paths which do not meet the requirement determined at a determined lower power supply voltage; separating the critical signal paths which do not meet the requirement determined from the remainder of the signal paths; connecting devices in the critical signal paths which do not meet the requirement to a higher voltage power supply such that the signal paths meet the requirement determined; connecting the devices in the remainder of the signal paths to the lower voltage power supply; and transitioning signals propagating between devices which operate at the higher power voltage supply and the lower power voltage supply; wherein a component operates at the determined operating frequency while consuming the minimum amount of power.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for designing a low powered electrical component comprising signal paths of devices which operate at a supply voltage and operate at a determined operating frequency comprising the steps of: determining a maximum propagation delay requirement permissible on critical signal paths of devices of the component from the determined operating frequency; identifying those critical signal paths which do not meet the requirement determined at a determined lower power supply voltage; separating the critical signal paths which do not meet the requirement determined from the remainder of the signal paths; connecting devices in the critical signal paths which do not meet the requirement to a higher voltage power supply such that the signal paths meet the requirement determined; connecting the devices in the remainder of the signal paths to the lower voltage power supply; and transitioning signals propagating between devices which operate at the higher power voltage supply and the lower power voltage supply; wherein a component operates at the determined operating frequency while consuming the minimum amount of power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of transitioning comprises the step of adding level switches between the output of a device connected to the lower voltage power supply and the input of a device connected to the higher voltage power supply to convert the signal level from a low voltage level signal to a higher voltage level signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of transitioning comprises the step of inputting a high voltage level signal output by a device connected to the higher voltage power supply to a device connected to the low voltage power supply, said device connected to the low voltage supply outputting a low voltage level signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-17 | 2000-09-16 | 2001-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-17 | 2004-09-16 | 2005-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-17 | 2008-09-16 | 2009-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |