Power disconnect unit for use in data transport topology of network on chip design having asynchronous clock domain adapter sender and receiver each at a separate power domain

Abstract

A power disconnect unit within a data transport topology of a NoC includes an asynchronous clock domain adapter unit inserted between a master side manager unit and a slave side manager unit. This configuration allows for the master and slave side managers of the power disconnect unit to be placed physically far apart on the chip, relieving the need to route long power rail signals on the chip. A response data path and associated asynchronous clock domain adapter unit is optionally included on the chip. A path to bypass the asynchronous clock domain adapter units is optionally included on the chip to enable a fully synchronous mode of operation without the data latency cost of the asynchronous adapter unit.