Abstract:
A data compression/decompression processor implements a modified Ziv-Lempel ("LZ") coding technique. The processor includes three modules, an interface, a coder-decoder ("CODEC"), and a MODEL. The CODEC and the MODEL modules together form compression engine, in which the CODEC provides variable length coding and data packing, and the MODEL implements the LZ processing. The MODEL uses content addressable memory ("CAM") in encoding mode for text storage and character matching, and uses CAM in decoding mode as an on-chip RAM to obtain high speed access.
Abstract:
A delay circuit that can be implemented in a monolithic integrated circuit includes a plurality of capacitor/laser-fusible link series pairs. Delay of a binary output signal of the circuit with respect to an input transition is directly proportional to the amount of capacitance connected into the circuit. Because the laser-fusible links can selectively be opened with a laser, the amount of capacitance connected into the circuit can incrementally be reduced; thus, the delay of the circuit is reducibly adjustable to a desired value. By including a plurality of conductive element/laser-fusible link series pairs in the delay circuit, the delay of the circuit is also increasingly adjustable. A method for economically adjusting the delay of each of many like delay circuits embodied in a semiconductor wafer includes measuring a sample of the delays of the delay circuits, calculating an average delay, determining the difference between a desired delay and the average delay to determine an incremental amount of delay to eliminate or to add, determining from predetermined data which fusible links should be opened, and using a laser beam to open the appropriate links.
Abstract:
A compact memory cell combines a volatile dynamic storage section with a shadow nonvolatile section in two vertically stacked element arrays.
Abstract:
A clocking system for a self-refreshed dynamic memory (10) for reading data stored in a memory cell (30) and including clocking circuitry (68) includes detecting changes in an address signal (60). The method further includes generating a memory refresh signal (64, 66) in response to detecting changes in the address signal (60). The memory refresh signal (66) is applied to the semiconductor memory circuit (30) for refreshing data stored in the memory cells of the semiconductor memory circuit (30). After the application of the memory refresh signal (66) to the semiconductor memory circuit (30) the address signal (16) is applied to the semiconductor memory circuit (30) for accessing the addressed memory cell to thereby read the data stored therein. The clocking circuitry (68) is reset and precharged during the application of the refresh signal (66) to the semiconductor memory circuit (30).
Abstract:
Analog-to-digital conversion through successive approximation is implemented by means of a charge coupled device. During the conversion process two charges are compared, each comparison yielding one bit of a multi-bit number. By increasing the lesser of the compared charges after each comparison, the need to subtract charge as part of the successive approximation process is eliminated.
Abstract:
Analog-to-digital conversion through successive approximation is implemented by means of a charge coupled device. During the conversion process two charges are compared, each comparison yielding one bit of a multi-bit number. By increasing the lesser of the compared charges after each comparison, the need to subtract charge as part of the successive approximation process is eliminated.
Abstract:
A space-saving back-up power supply apparatus has length and width dimensions substantially the same as those of a conventional integrated circuit connector. The apparatus includes sockets arranged on its top for making connection to a socket-pluggable integrated circuit such as a standard CMOS RAM, and the apparatus has pins extending from its bottom for making connection to a printed circuit board or connector of a host electronic system. Control circuitry and one or more batteries are located within the apparatus. The back-up power supply is operative to provide power to the socket-pluggable integrated circuit even if the normal power supply of the host electronic system is short-circuited. The control circuitry of the back-up power supply controls the chip enable signal and performs a battery test upon power-up.
Abstract:
A redundancy circuit that consumes no power before or after activation switches a pair of output nodes from a first set of complementary logic levels to an inverted set when it is activated by blowing a pair of fuses.
Abstract:
A content addressable memory is provided that includes a memory cell and a first plurality of lines connected directly to the gates of access transistors to this memory cell. These access transistors are further connected to a second plurality of lines. The first and second plurality of lines each perform different functions during read, write, and comparison modes. In another embodiment of the present invention, p-channel transistors are used for a match transistor and its associated pass transistors.
Abstract:
A dual storage cell memory includes an array of dual storage cells, each of the dual storage cells containing a first memory cell and a second memory cell. The first and second memory cells are well known six-transistor static memory cells with the addition of transfer circuitry for transferring data directly from the internal data nodes of each of the memory cells to its corresponding complementary memory cell without requiring the use of the enable transistors or the bit lines associated with each of the dual storage cells.