Data storage circuits using a low threshold voltage output enable circuit

Claim 1

A data storage circuit comprising: a data input for receiving a data voltage; a node for receiving an interim voltage in response to the data voltage; an output enable circuit for providing at least one conditional path coupled to the node and for coupling the interim voltage to the node, wherein the output enable circuit comprises a first conditional path comprising a first transistor having a first threshold voltage, a second conditional path comprising a second transistor having the first threshold voltage, wherein a first source/drain of the first transistor and a first source/drain of the second transistor are connected to the data input and wherein a second source/drain of the first transistor and a second source/drain of the second transistor are connected to the node; a data output for providing an output voltage in response to the interim voltage at the node; a data retention circuit coupled between the node and the data output, wherein the data retention circuit comprises at least one transistor having a second threshold voltage higher in magnitude than the first threshold voltage; an input for receiving a clock signal, the clock signal having an active mode transitions between a first predetermined state and a second predetermined state and an inactive mode remaining at the first predetermined state; wherein the first transistor is coupled to receive the clock signal; wherein the second transistor is coupled to receive a complement of the clock signal from a clock inverter; and wherein the clock inverter comprises: a p-channel transistor having a first source/drain coupled to a first voltage potential and a second source/drain coupled to a node that provides the complement of the clock signal, wherein the p-channel transistor has the first threshold voltage; and an n-channel transistor having a first source/drain coupled to a second voltage potential different than the first voltage potential, and a second source/drain coupled to the node that provides the complement of the clock signal, wherein the n-channel transistor has the second threshold voltage; and wherein in the active mode the clock signal alternately enables and disables the first and second transistors to provide the conductive path along the at least one conductive path and in the inactive mode the clock signal enables the first and second transistors to provide the conductive path along the at least one conditional path.