Abstract: A processor architecture comprises a priority processing unit (20), a priority memory (30), an instruction set memory (40), and an instruction execution unit (50). The priority processing unit (20) generates priority values and stores them in priority memory (30). Each priority value is associated with an instruction stored in instruction memory (40). Priority processing unit (20) causes the instruction associated with a particular priority value to be outputted to instruction execution unit (50).

Abstract: A data processing system (10) is disclosed which comprises a microprocessor host (12) coupled to a decoding system (14). A host interface block (18) receives a bit stream and passes bit stream on to a system decoder block (20). The system decoder block (20) extracts the appropriate data from the bit stream and loads an input buffer (24) or an optional external buffer (26). An audio decoder block (28) retrieves the data from the input buffer (24) and generates scale factor indices, bit per code word values and subband samples which are stored in an arithmetic unit buffer (30). A hardware filter arithmetic unit block (32) retrieves the information from the arithmetic unit buffer (30) and dequantizes, transforms and filters the data to generate PCM output data which is loaded into a PCM buffer (34). The data within the PCM buffer (34) is output by a PCM output block (36) to a digital-to-analog converter (16).

Abstract: An integrated circuit has a semiconductor die with a substrate and at least first and second bond pads. An internal circuit is fabricated on the semiconductor die and connected to the first bond pad. An electrostatic discharge protection circuit including cascaded bipolar transistors is connected in series with a field effect transistor between the first and second bond pads. In another version, an output buffer of the integrated circuit is divided into sections. An electrostatic discharge protection circuit is triggerable in response to a voltage in the substrate. Resistive connections are provided from the sections of the output buffer to one of the bond pads. The output buffer is operative upon an electrostatic discharge event to inject sufficient charge into the substrate to produce the voltage to trigger the electrostatic discharge protection circuit. Other circuits, devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for real-time digital signal processing employs a single-chip microcomputer device having separate on-chip program ROM and data RAM, with separate address and data paths for program and data. An external program address bus allows off-chip program fetch in an expansion mode, with the opcode returned by an external data bus. A bus interchange module allows transfer between the separate internal program and data busses in special circumstances. The internal busses are 16-bit, while the ALU and accumulator are 32-bit. A multiplier circuit produces a single state 16.times.16 multiply function separate from the ALU, with 32-bit output to the ALU. One input to the ALU passes through a 0- to -15 bit shifter with sign extension.

Abstract: A microphone is disclosed which converts an audio signal directly into a digital representation by analyzing and digitizing the distortion imposed upon a signal, such as a string of regularly spaced pulses as a result of the displacement of a diaphragm, relative to a sensor, in response to the incoming acoustical signal. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microphone is disclosed which converts an audio signal directly into a digital representation by analyzing and digitizing the distortion imposed upon a signal, such as a string of regularly spaced pulses as a result of the displacement of a diaphragm, relative to a sensor, in response to the incoming acoustical signal. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A data processing device includes a circuit having status conditions wherein a particular set of the status conditions can occur in operation of the circuit. An instruction register operates to hold a branch instruction conditional on a particular set of the status conditions. A decoder is connected to the instruction register and the circuit. A program counter is coupled to the decoder wherein the decoder is operable to enter a branch address into the program counter in response to the branch instruction when the particular set of the status conditions of the circuit are present. Other data processing devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for real-time digital signal processing employs a single-chip microcomputer device having separate on-chip program ROM and data RAM, with separate address and data paths for program and data. An external program address bus allows off-chip program fetch in an expansion mode, with the opcode returned by an external data bus. A bus interchange module allows transfer between the separate internal program and data busses in special circumstances. The internal busses are 16-bit, while the ALU and accumulator are 32-bit. A multiplier circuit produces a single state 16.times.16 multiply function separate from the ALU, with 32-bit output to the ALU. One input to the ALU passes through a 0-to-15 bit shifter with sign extension.

Abstract: A video data processing system (10) has a first substrate (12) and a second substrate (14). A system decoder (16), input buffer (18) and parser (20) are formed on first substrate (12). The parser (20) retrieves video data information from an input data stream and feeds coefficients through a dequantization unit (22) and a transformation unit (24). In addition, motion vector information is output from the parser (20). The second substrate (14) comprises a plurality of picture frame buffers 38, 40 and 44. The frame buffers 38, 40 and 44 are used to store decoded video information. Motion compensation modules 26a and 26b are used to perform predicted calculations on the information received from the video data stream as well as other images that have already been decoded. A raster scan output buffer (46) is used to output the decoded video information.

Abstract: The reliability of thin film insulators is determined with noise measurements which find the barrier height mean and standard deviation. A constant voltage source is applied across the thin film insulator. A low noise amplifier is connected across a resistor which is in series with the insulator. A spectrum analyzer is connected to the low noise amplifier. The power density is obtained by observing the output of a spectrum analyzer. The current spectral density is compared to a predetermined reference to detect the presence of defects in the insulator.

Abstract: A technique for quantifying the effect of plasma/etching during the formation of MOS transistors avoids the problems of prior techniques. A modified MOS capacitor 40 comprising a dielectric 12 separating a conductive plate 18 having a conductive sidewall 24 from a conductive substrate 10 is formed using the same or similar steps as a MOS transistor. Dielectric layer 12, such as oxide, is formed over a portion of conductive substrate 10. Conductive capacitor plate 18 is formed over a portion of the dielectric layer 12 using a plasma etch to remove unwanted material. After forming capacitor plate 18, the area of capacitor plate 18 is modified to encompass a peripheral oxide region 20. The modification consists of placing a conductive sidewall 24 of the same material as capacitor plate 18 or of other conductive materials around the periphery of capacitor plate 18.

Abstract: A data processing device comprising a clock generator for producing pulses establishing instruction cycles, a memory accessible by assertion of addresses, an instruction decode and control unit, having an instruction register operative to hold a program instruction, operative to decode a program instruction providing control signals according to a pipeline organization to control the operations of the data processing device within each instruction cycle and to initiate a block sequence responsive to an instruction code representing a block instruction. A program sequencer circuit, having a program register to hold a program count corresponding to a program address, is operative to access the memory with the contents of the program register to obtain the program instruction corresponding to the program address.

Abstract: An integrated circuit has a semiconductor die with a substrate and at least first and second bond pads. An internal circuit is fabricated on the semiconductor die and connected to the first bond pad. An electrostatic discharge protection circuit including cascaded bipolar transistors is connected in series with a field effect transistor between the first and second bond pads. In another version, an output buffer of the integrated circuit is divided into sections. An electrostatic discharge protection circuit is triggerable in response to a voltage in the substrate. Resistive connections are provided from the sections of the output buffer to one of the bond pads. The output buffer is operative upon an electrostatic discharge event to inject sufficient charge into the substrate to produce the voltage to trigger the electrostatic discharge protection circuit. Other circuits, devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high voltage PMOS or NMOS transistor 7 has improved on-resistance by truncating gate field oxide 43 so that drain region 42 may be implanted closer to channel region 49 than possible otherwise. By shortening the physical distance d2 between drain 42 and channel region 49, the drain to source on-resistance of the high voltage device is reduced and the performance of high voltage device 7 is thereby improved.

Abstract: A data processing device includes a data bus and a program bus, a data memory connected to the data bus and having data memory locations, and an electronic computation unit connected to the data bus and an accumulator connected to the electronic computation unit and to the data bus. A logic circuit is connected to the program bus for receiving instructions and connected to the data bus for executing logic operations in accordance with at least some of the instructions. The logic operations affect bits in at least one of the data memory locations independently of the electronic computation unit without affecting the accumulator. A control circuit sends instructions to the logic circuit on the program bus and to the electronic computation unit. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the fabrication of an improved LDMOS transistor, and such an improved LDMOS transistor are provided. The improved LDMOS transistor is in a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type. The transistor has a source and drain of a second conductivity type (opposite the first conductivity type) and a channel of the first conductivity type with a conductive gate insulatively disposed over the channel. A low-voltage tank of the second conductivity type is used to contain the drain drift region and because of its lower sheet resistance provides a lower R.sub.DS (on). This tank of the second conductivity type extends from the field oxide at the exterior perimeter of the drain region, joins with the channel region and extends below the gate oxide and field oxide associated therewith.

Abstract: A data processing device includes a data bus and a program bus, a data memory connected to the data bus and having data memory locations, and an electronic computation unit connected to the data bus and an accumulator connected to the electronic computation unit and to the data bus. A logic circuit is connected to the program bus for receiving instructions and connected to the data bus for executing logic operations in accordance with at least some of the instructions. The logic operations affect bits in at least one of the data memory locations independently of the electronic computation unit without affecting the accumulator. A control circuit sends instructions to the logic circuit on the program bus and to the electronic computation unit. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for real-time digital signal processing employs a single-chip microcomputer device (10) having separate on-chip program ROM (14) and data RAM (15), with separate address and data paths for program and data. An external program address bus (RA) allows off-chip program fetch in an expansion mode, with the opcode returned by an external data bus (D). A bus interchange module (BIM) allows transfer between the separate internal program and data buses (P-Bus and D-Bus) in special circumstances. The internal buses are 16-bit, while the ALU and accumulator (Acc) are 32-bit. A multiplier circuit (M) produces a single state 16.times.16 multiply function separate from the ALU, with 32-bit output to the ALU. One input to the ALU passes through a 0-to-15 bit shifter (S) with sign extension.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an output current limit circuit for protecting a power MOS output device of an integrated circuit from an excessive drain current comprises a power MOS device 110, sensing circuitry 30 to sense a predetermined trigger current, and limitation circuitry 20 to reduce a gate-source voltage on MOS output device 110 to a predetermined approximately fixed value. A drain current I.sub.D flows through power MOS device 110 from output terminal 102 in response to the gate-source voltage. A short circuit condition may allow an excessive amount of drain current I.sub.D to flow through output terminal 102. The gate-source voltage is reduced in response to sensing the trigger current. Reducing the gate-source voltage raises a drain-source resistance of MOS device 110 and reduces drain current I.sub.D so that MOS device 110 is not damaged by the short circuit condition.

Abstract: A data processing device includes a data bus and a program bus, a data memory connected to the data bus and having data memory locations, and an electronic computation unit connected to the data bus and an accumulator connected to the electronic computation unit and to the data bus. A logic circuit is connected to the program bus for receiving instructions and connected to the data bus for executing logic operations in accordance with at least some of the instructions. The logic operations affect bits in at least one of the data memory locations independently of the electronic computation unit without affecting the accumulator. A control circuit sends instructions to the logic circuit on the program bus and to the electronic computation unit. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.