Low-power crosspoint switch

Abstract

A configurable circuit includes a first subcircuit (206) and a second subcircuit (410) each having a static power dissipation. A first bias circuit (402), coupled to the first subcircuit (206), provides a first bias level to the first subcircuit (206). Similarly, a second bias circuit (412), coupled to the second subcircuit (410), provides a second bias level to the second subcircuit (410). A logic circuit (403) is coupled to the first bias circuit (402) and the second bias circuit (412) and selectively provides a first signal to the first bias circuit (402). In response to the first signal, the first bias circuit (402) changes the bias level provided to the first subcircuit (206). The changed bias level disables the first subcircuit (206), substantially reducing the static power dissipation of the first subcircuit (206) while allowing the second subcircuit (410) to continue operating. In one embodiment, the circuit is a crosspoint switch with multiplexer subcircuits. The logic circuit (403) receives configuration information from an external controller and configures the multiplexers in response to the configuration information. The logic circuit can selectively disable one or more of the multiplexers to substantially reduce the static power dissipation of the selected multiplexers.