Abstract: A method and apparatus for wire routing of a semiconductor integrated circuit wherein the interconnection between the functional blocks disposed on a chip of the semiconductor integrated circuit having four or more wiring layers is implemented by computers. A plurality of adjacent wiring layers form a single set, and for at least two sets, the wire routing between terminals of the functional blocks lying on the wiring layers formed by the sets is carried out for each set independently from the other set. A plurality of computers are used, which communicate with each other through their network. A file system of one computer is shared between the two computers so that the wire routing process program, input information on the wire routing and a wire routing result can be stored within the shared file system, whereby an efficient concurrent processing is possible and the processing speed can be improved while the number of wiring layers dealt with by each wire routing process are reduced.

Abstract: A visible light transmitting, near-infrared reflecting filter for a substrate, comprises a central group of layers (26) including two metal layers (32 and 36) separated by a spacer-layer (34) and bounded by admittance-matching layers (32 and 38). The spacer-layer has an optical thickness of less than one-half wavelength of visible light and the admittance-matching layers have an optical thickness of less than one-quarter wavelength of visible light. On each side of the central group is a group of layers (24 and 28) for boosting near infrared reflectivity of the filter, and for providing low reflection and high transmission for visible light. Each of these near-infrared-reflection-boosting groups including a high refractive index layer (40 and 42) and at least one low refractive index layer (46 and 48).

Abstract: In an electropneumatic brake control system including a brake valve in which a holding position permits brake pipe recharge without effecting a concurrent release of brakes, there is provided an arrangement for preventing a release control valve of a penalty application valve from being actuated to a position in which charging of equalizing reservoir pressure is interrupted when the brake valve handle is in Holding position, as well as Release position during electropneumatic brake control, while preventing such actuation of the penalty release control valve only in Release position in the event the electropneumatic brake control is inoperative.