Apple Inc.

Alexander E Runas

Edward Martin McCombs, Jr

Daniel C Chow

Kenneth W Jones

Stephen C Horne

A memory includes a wordline driver having reduced leakage. The memory includes a storage array coupled to a first voltage supply, and a number of wordline driver units each including a driver inverter. During a low power mode, the voltage of the voltage supply coupled to the wordline circuit is reduced or removed, while the voltage of the voltage supply coupled to the storage array is kept at least at a retention voltage. In addition a p-type transistor is coupled between the array voltage supply and an input to the wordline driver inverter, thereby keeping the output of the wordline driver inverter at a low logic level to prevent inadvertent wordline firing.

Memory including a reduced leakage wordline driver

A memory includes an I/O unit that is shared between multiple storage arrays. The shared I/O unit provides output data from the arrays. The memory includes an isolation unit connected between each storage array and the shared I/O unit. In addition, each of the storage arrays and the shared I/O unit may be connected to a separate switched voltage domain through for example, power gating circuits. If one or more of the storage arrays is placed in retention or low-voltage mode, the isolation units that are coupled to the affected storage arrays may be configured to isolate the bitlines of those storage arrays from the shared I/O data paths.

Memory having isolation units for isolating storage arrays from a shared I/O during retention mode operation

A memory includes a shared I/O unit that is shared between multiple storage arrays provides output data from the arrays. The shared I/O includes an output latch with an integrated output clamp. The I/O unit may be configured to provide output data from the storage arrays via data output signal paths. The I/O unit includes an output latch configured to force a valid logic level on the data output signal paths in response to a power down condition.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Alexander E Runas