摘要:
Embodiments are disclosed that include a low power memory and/or a low power data path. One particular embodiment, for example, includes a technique to reduce power consumption. In one particular embodiment, for example, a grouping of bits, such as a 32-bit word, for example, is stored in inverted form if more than half of the bits have a bit value of logic “1” rather than logic “0.” Likewise, in this embodiment, if more than half of the bits have a bit value of logic “0” rather than logic “1,” then the grouping of bits is not stored in inverted form.
摘要:
Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit includes: an output buffer. The output buffer includes semiconductor devices coupled to provide circuit configurations. The output buffer is adapted to couple to separate voltage supply voltage level ports and is further adapted to switch between the circuit configurations. The respective circuit configurations are respectively specifically adapted for interoperating with other integrated circuit chips, the respective threshold voltage levels of the semiconductor devices of different other integrated circuit chips being different.
摘要:
An integrated circuit biases the substrate and well using voltages other than those used for power and ground. Tap cells inside the standard cell circuits are removed. New tap cells used to bias the substrate and well reside outside the standard cell circuits. The location of the new voltage power rails is designated prior to placement of the tap cells in the integrated circuit. The tap cells are then strategically placed near the power rails such that metal connections are minimized. Circuit density is thus not adversely impacted by the addition of the new power rails. Transistors are also placed inside the tap cells to address electrostatic discharge issues during fabrication.
摘要:
A multi-layer electronic device package includes first and second outer layers and at least one signal layer disposed between the outer layers. The signal layer includes signal traces and ground traces interleaved with the signal traces. A method of routing signal traces in an electronic device package includes the acts of disposing a plurality of signal traces in at least one substrate layer, and interleaving a plurality of ground traces with the signal traces.
摘要:
A register file with a plurality of memory cells arranged such that a single word line enable signal path is coupled to word pairs formed from the memory cells, and a logic circuit which is configured to enable separate access of each word of the word pairs.
摘要:
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a circuit that includes a core circuit and a control circuit coupled to the core circuit. The control circuit reduces a leakage current in the core circuit when the core circuit is in a Sleep mode. The control circuit maintains a logic state of the core circuit when the core circuit is in a Drowsy mode.
摘要:
CMOS pixel sensors have been of interest as replacements for CCD's in imaging applications. Such devices promise lower power and simpler system level design through fewer power supply voltages and higher functional integration. It is difficult and cost ineffective to utilize images to test active pixel sensors. Here, a method and apparatus for electrical testing of CMOS pixel sensors is described which involves electrically writing a pattern into the CMOS pixel sensors for the detection of adjacent cell shorts or stuck at faults as well as verification of read-channel circuit functionality and performance. The invention provides for an electrical testing of CMOS pixel array that is simple, time efficient and cost effective for use in, for example, production.
摘要:
A photodiode is provided. The photodiode includes an insulative region (IR) that permits passage of light therethrough. The photodiode also includes a substrate region of a first conductivity type and a well region of a second conductivity type. The well is formed within the substrate, beneath the IR. The well is demarcated from the substrate by a first surface. The photodiode further includes a heavily doped region (HDR) of the second conductivity type. The HDR is formed within the IR at a first position. The first surface meets the HDR at substantially the first position.
摘要:
A digital phase detector circuit is designed for particular application with a phase-locked loop voltage controlled oscillator system for synchronizing the MFM synchronization pulses on a floppy disk with the operation of the computer in which the disk is used. A classical Type 4 digital phase detector is employed, to which a bistable latch is added. The latch is set upon coincidence of reference and data pulses applied to the phase detector within a pre-established time interval or window. The output of the phase detector then is utilized only when the output of the latch indicates such coincidence; so that erroneous control signals are not supplied through the loop whenever data pulses fail to occur in adjacent time frames or windows.
摘要:
Systems and methods for multi-mode radiation hardened multi-core microprocessors are disclosed. In some embodiments, a triplicated circuit includes a first core logic, a second core logic, a third core logic, and bus arbitration and control circuitry. The triplicated circuit is configurable to operate in both a Triple-Modular Redundant (TMR) mode of operation and a multi-threaded mode of operation. In some embodiments, there is essentially no overhead in soft mode and low overhead (power only) in hard mode. In most applications, it is expected that portions of missions require very hard systems (e.g., landing) where a failure is catastrophic. However, other portions require essentially no hardening (digital signal processor and signal processing activities) but much better throughput. Consequently, there is a huge opportunity to develop computer processors with low overhead in soft mode and unprecedented hardness in hard mode.