Programmable hold-off for integrated circuit i/o pins

Abstract

A programmable hold-off circuit for an integrated circuit for selectively providing hold-off for outputs of the integrated circuit. The programmable hold-off circuit includes a hold-off latch for receiving an output signal from the interior logic of the integrated circuit, and for providing a hold-off latch output, an output buffer responsive to hold-off latch output for providing a buffered output, a hold-off control circuit responsive to a hold clock for controlling the hold-off latch to be continuously transparent when the hold-off control circuit is programmed for no hold-off, and for controlling the hold-off latch pursuant to the hold clock when the hold-off control circuit is programmed for hold-off. The hold-off control circuit is programmed, for example, pursuant to a boundary scan flip-flop.