Patent ID: 10347335

Abstract:
A retainer node circuit is provided that can retain state information of a volatile circuit element (e.g., a flip-flop, latch, switch, register, etc.) of an electronic device for planned or unplanned power-down events. The retainer node circuit can include a resistive-switching memory cell that is nonvolatile, having very fast read and write performance. Coupled with power management circuitry, the retainer node circuit can be activated to receive and store a signal (e.g., bit) output by the volatile circuit element, and activated to output the stored signal. Various embodiments disclose non-volatile retention of state information for planned shut-down events as well as unplanned shut-down events. With read and write speeds in the tens of nanoseconds, sleep mode can be provided for volatile circuit elements between clock cycles of longer time-frame applications, enabling intermittent power-down events between active periods. This enables reduction in power without loss of activity for an electronic device.