SEGREGATED TEST MODE CLOCK GATING CIRCUITS IN A CLOCK DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OF A CIRCUIT FOR CONTROLLING POWER CONSUMPTION DURING TESTING

摘要

Segregated test mode clock gating circuits in a clock distribution network of a circuit for controlling power consumption during testing is provided. To reduce power consumption and current-resistance (IR) drop during testing of a circuit, existing clock gating circuits (e.g., clock gating cells (CGCs)) that control the functional mode of circuit blocks in the circuit are additionally test mode gated for hierarchical testing of the circuit. To avoid the need to gate every CGC in the clock distribution network, only certain segregated clock gating circuits in the clock distribution network may be selected for test mode clock gating according to desired testing hierarchy of the circuit. Test mode clock gating of only certain segregated clock gating circuits in a circuit can reduce the number of test gating circuits providing test mode clock gating to mitigate power consumption and area needed for providing selective testing of circuit blocks in the circuit.