Power controller, a method of operating the power controller and a semiconductor memory system employing the same

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a power controller, a method of operating a power controller and a semiconductor memory system. In one embodiment, the power controller is for use with a memory and includes an access module configured to provide an active state of the memory to allow memory access. The power controller also includes a retain-till-access module configured to cycle a portion of the memory between the active state and a low leakage data retention state of the memory. The power controller further includes an expanded retain-till-access module configured to extend the active state of the memory for a specified period of time before returning the memory to the low leakage data retention state.