Static core

Static core is a central processing unit (CPU) chip entirely implemented in static logic -- in other words, the CPU can be clocked down to zero hertz.

It can be stopped simply by stopping the system clock oscillator that is driving it, and it will hold its state indefinitely and resume processing at the point it was stopped when the clock signal is restarted, as long as it is kept powered.

It allows the use of less power, and is suitable for standby mode.

The RCA 1802 was perhaps the first CPU with a static core.

The Intel 80386EX and the WDC 65C02S are static core CPUs, as is the Freescale 683XX family.

Many low-power electronics systems are designed as fully static systems -- such as, for example, the Psion Organiser, the TRS-80 Model 100, and the Galileo spacecraft. In such a fully static system, the processor has a static core, data is stored in fully static RAM (rather than DRAM), etc. This allows the entire system to be "paused" indefinitely, in a low power state, and then instantly resume where it left off.

See also

• Asynchronous circuit
• Dynamic logic (digital logic)#Static versus dynamic logic