Abstract: Described are dynamic memory systems that perform overlapping refresh and data-access (read or write) transactions that minimize the impact of the refresh transaction on memory performance. The memory systems support independent and simultaneous activate and precharge operations directed to different banks. Two sets of address registers enable the system to simultaneously specify different banks for refresh and data-access transactions.

Abstract: Described are on-die termination (ODT) systems and methods that facilitate high-speed communication between a driver die and a receiver die interconnected via one or more signal transmission lines. An ODT control system in accordance with one embodiment calibrates and maintains termination resistances and drive currents to produce optimal output swing voltages. Comparison circuitry employed to calibrate the reference resistance is also used to calibrate the drive current. Termination elements in some embodiments are divided into two adjustable resistive portions, both of which are designed to minimize capacitive loading. One portion is optimized to produce a relatively high range of adjustment, while the other is optimized for fine-tuning and glitch-free switching.

Abstract: A communication server collects messages from a number of user accounts and presents them to the user from a single location. The user can set the mail server to block unwanted messages and to forward others to various receiving devices, including mobile telephones and pagers. Forwarded messages are automatically reformatted for the receiving device, while a copy of the original message is retained. The retained copy can be viewed later if the user is interested in message content that was not available to the wireless device. The user can also use the wireless device to forward the original message to another receiving device. In the case of forwarding, the saved original message and not the reformatted message is sent to the forwarding address. Replies to messages directed to the user from different message sources identify the user by message source to allow the user to maintain separate email identities.

Abstract: Described are methods and chemistries for preparing firepolished quartz parts for use in semiconductor processing. The quartz parts in need of preparation include newly manufactured parts as well as parts requiring refurbishment after previous use in semiconductor processing. The embodiments described avoid methods and chemistries that may damage the surfaces of the quartz parts and render the parts unfit for use in semiconductor processing. A method in accordance with one embodiment minimizes damage by limiting exposure of the quartz parts to hydrofluoric acid. A quartz part for use in semiconductor processing comprises a surface including a surface portion having a surface portion area to expose to a gas, wherein at least 95 percent of the surface portion area is free of defects and wherein the surface portion has less than E12 atoms per centimeter squared of aluminum.

Abstract: A transmit offload engine (TOE) such as an intelligent network interface device (INIC), video controller or host bus adapter (HBA) that can communicate data over transport protocols such as Transport Control Protocol (TCP) for a host. Such a device can send and receive data for the host to and from a remote host, over a TCP connection maintained by the device. For sending data, the device can indicate to the host that data has been transmitted from the device to a network, prior to receiving, by the device from the network, an acknowledgement (ACK) for all the data, accelerating data transmission. The greatest sequence number for which all previous bytes have been ACKed can be provided with a response to a subsequent command, with the host maintaining a table of ACK values to complete commands when appropriate.

Abstract: Described are on-die termination (ODT) systems and methods that facilitate high-speed communication between a driver die and a receiver die interconnected via one or more signal transmission lines. An ODT control system in accordance with one embodiment calibrates and maintains termination resistances and drive currents to produce optimal output swing voltages. Comparison circuitry employed to calibrate the reference resistance is also used to calibrate the drive current. Termination elements in some embodiments are divided into two adjustable resistive portions, both of which are designed to minimize capacitive loading. One portion is optimized to produce a relatively high range of adjustment, while the other is optimized for fine-tuning and glitch-free switching.

Abstract: A system for protocol processing in a computer network has an intelligent network interface card (INIC) or communication processing device (CPD) associated with a host computer. The CPD provides a fast-path that avoids protocol processing for most large multipacket messages, greatly accelerating data communication. The CPD also assists the host CPU for those message packets that are chosen for processing by host software layers. A context for a message is defined that allows DMA controllers of the CPD to move data, free of headers, directly to or from a destination or source in the host. The context can be stored as a communication control block (CCB) that is controlled by either the CPD or by the host CPU. The CPD contains specialized hardware circuits that process media access control, network and transport layer headers of a packet received from the network, saving the host CPU from that processing for fast-path messages.

Abstract: A TCP/IP offload network interface device (NID) is integrated with a processing device that executes a stack. The TCP/IP offload NID can either be a full TCP/IP offload device or a partial TCP/IP offload device. Common types of packets are processed by the NID in a fast-path such that the stack is offloaded of TCP and IP protocol processing tasks. A hash is made from the packet header and is pushed onto a queue. The hash is later popped off the queue and is used to identify an associated TCB number from a hash table. A mechanism caches hash buckets in SRAM and stores other hash buckets in DRAM. An “IN SRAM CAM” is used to determine whether the TCB associated with the identified TCB number is cached in SRAM or whether it must be moved from DRAM into the SRAM cache. A lock table and a “lock table CAM” mechanism is disclosed that facilitates multiple processors working on the protocol processing of a single packet.

Abstract: A system and method for network communication, comprising a device coupled between a computer and a network to receive from the computer a Transport Control Protocol (TCP) connection, the device receiving from the network at least one packet associated with the TCP connection and processing a TCP header for the at least one packet, the computer having a memory storing instructions to pass the TCP connection to the device in first and second commands, the first command signaling an intent to transfer of the TCP connection, the second command responsive to an indication from the device that the device is prepared to receive the TCP connection.

Abstract: A Network Interface device (NI device) coupled to a host computer receives a multi-packet message from a network (for example, the Internet) and DMAs the data portions of the various packets directly into a destination in application memory on the host computer. The address of the destination is determined by supplying a first part of the first packet to an application program such that the application program returns the address of the destination. The address is supplied by the host computer to the NI device so that the NI device can DMA the data portions of the various packets directly into the destination. In some embodiments the NI device is an expansion card added to the host computer, whereas in other embodiments the NI device is a part of the host computer.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and chemistries for cleaning various components of semiconductor process equipment. A method in accordance with one embodiment cleans articles with differently contaminated interior and exterior surfaces by using those articles to separate a cleaning vessel into separate chambers, one chamber for the interior surface and one for the exterior surface. Different chemistries are then applied to the differently contaminated surfaces. This embodiment reduces the required volume of etchant, and consequently saves the cost, treatment, and disposal of toxic chemicals. One embodiment further reduces the requisite etchant volume using one or more volume-displacement elements that displace some of the etchant volume.

Abstract: Described are controllable termination impedances that may be adjusted collectively by a combination of digital and analog signals. Each adjustable impedance, responsive to the digital signals, establishes a gross termination resistance for one of a plurality of communication channels by enabling one or more of a plurality of parallel-coupled impedance legs. Each leg includes at least one transistor for controlling the impedance of the leg over a continuous range. An analog compensation voltage is level shifted and the resulting level-shifted signal is applied to the control terminals of the transistors of the selected impedance legs. The compensation voltage, and consequently the level-shifted signal, varies with supply-voltage and temperature fluctuations in a manner that causes the collective impedance of the selected legs for each channel to remain stable despite the fluctuations.

Abstract: Described are systems that employ configurable on-die termination elements that allow users to select from two or more termination topologies. One topology is programmable to support rail-to-rail or half-supply termination. Another topology selectively includes fixed or variable filter elements, thereby allowing the termination characteristics to be tuned for different levels of speed performance and power consumption. Termination voltages and impedances might also be adjusted.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture or bathroom accessory includes a source of visible light, providing a pleasing aesthetic effect. Separate portions of faucet handles and/or spouts can be illuminated individually or as a group. A faucet spout and/or handle can include translucent or transparent material that captures and redirects light from the base, and may have opaque areas that provide other interesting patterns. The faucet light or lights can also serve as a nightlight for a bathroom or kitchen, saving the space that a separate nightlight would require. In another embodiment a light is provided in a faucet spout, which can illuminate a sink for a pleasing effect, and can also serve as a nightlight. The spout can be translucent, carrying light as well as water from its base. Lighted bathroom accessories can include towel bars or rings, toilet paper holders, paper towel holders, robe hooks, soap holders or grab bars.

Abstract: Described are cleaning benches and methods for removing contaminant layers from semiconductor process components using small volumes of hazardous liquids and minimizing cross-contamination between components from different deposition chambers. Components to be cleaned are stored within or supported by a dedicated cassette before they are placed in a receptacle of cleaning liquid. The cassette displaces a significant percentage of the receptacle's volume; consequently, only a relatively small volume of cleaning liquid is needed to fully submerge the component. In typical embodiments, the combined cassette and component displace a volume of liquid that is greater than the volume of liquid used to clean the component. The cleaning bench can include different chemical baths for different components. Cassettes dedicated for use with particular components can be keyed to particular receptacles.

Abstract: Described are methods and circuits for margin testing receivers equipped with Decision Feedback Equalization (DFE) or other forms of feedback that employ historical data to reduce intersymbol interference (ISI). In one example, a high-speed serial receiver with DFE injects the correct received data (i.e., the “expected data”) into the feedback path irrespective of whether the receiver produces the correct output data. The margins are therefore maintained in the presence of receiver errors, allowing in-system margin tests to probe the margin boundaries without collapsing the margin limits. Some receivers include local expected-data sources that either store or generate expected data for margin tests. Other embodiments derive the expected data from test data applied to the receiver input terminals.

Abstract: Described are on-die termination (ODT) systems and methods that facilitate high-speed communication between a transmitter die and a receiver die interconnected via one or more signal transmission lines. An ODT control system in accordance with one embodiment calibrates and maintains the termination resistances for the signal transmission lines. The ODT control system derives a number of calibration currents from precision voltage and resistance references and distributes the reference currents to a number of transmitters. Each transmitter then derives an ODT calibration signal using the respective reference current and another precision resistor, and then employs the calibration signal to calibrate local termination elements. Distributing calibrated currents provides excellent noise immunity, while limiting the requisite number of external voltage references reduces cost.

Abstract: Described are amplifiers that facilitate high-speed communication with calibrated drive strength and tennination impedance. Drivers and termination elements can be divided into a number N of parallel portions, one or more of which can be updated while signals (e.g, clock or data) are transmitted. Some embodiments identify elements in a high-impedance state by examining incoming signals.

Abstract: A clock distribution network locks a local clock signal to a reference clock signal using a first feedback loop associated with a synchronization circuit (e.g., a PLL or a DLL). The local clock signal can then be selectively distributed to a plurality of clock destination nodes via a clock network. Clock distribution may be disabled as needed to save power. The first feedback loop is active irrespective of whether clock distribution is enabled. The delay through the clock network may drift due to temperature and supply-voltage fluctuations, which introduces phase errors in the distributed clock signals. A second feedback loop is activated when clock distribution is enabled to compensate for this drift.

Abstract: An apparatus that reduces sampling errors for data communicated between devices uses phase information acquired from a timing reference signal such as a strobe signal to align a data-sampling signal for sampling a data signal that was sent along with the timing reference signal. The data-sampling signal may be provided by adjustably delaying a clock signal according to the phase information acquired from the strobe signal. The data-sampling signal may also have an improved waveform compared to the timing reference signal, including a fifty percent duty cycle and sharp transitions. The phase information acquired from the timing reference signal may also be used for other purposes, such as aligning received data with a local clock domain, or transmitting data so that it arrives at a remote device in synchronism with a reference clock signal at the remote device.