Abstract: One embodiment provides a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB can include one or more metal layers and at least a pair of differential transmission lines. The pair of differential transmission lines can include a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The first transmission line can include a plurality of timing-skew-compensation structures, and a respective timing-skew-compensation structure of the first transmission line or a corresponding segment of the second transmission line adjacent to the timing-skew-compensation structure has a non-uniform width.

Abstract: One embodiment can provide a method and system for compensating for timing skew in a differential pair transmission line on a printed circuit board (PCB). During operation, the system obtains a PCB comprising one or more layers and at least a differential pair transmission line. The differential pair transmission line comprises first and second transmission lines, with a respective transmission line coupled to at least one via extending through the one or more layers of the PCB. The system determines a difference in length between first and second transmission lines and determines a stub length of the at least one via based on the determined difference in length between the first and second transmission lines, thereby compensating for the time skew in the differential pair transmission line.

Abstract: One embodiment can provide a method and system for compensating for timing skew in a differential pair transmission line on a printed circuit board (PCB). During operation, the system obtains a PCB comprising one or more layers and at least a differential pair transmission line. The differential pair transmission line comprises first and second transmission lines, with a respective transmission line coupled to at least one via extending through the one or more layers of the PCB. The system determines a difference in length between first and second transmission lines and determines a stub length of the at least one via based on the determined difference in length between the first and second transmission lines, thereby compensating for the time skew in the differential pair transmission line.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing crosstalk between differential signals in a printed circuit board (PCB) using fine pitch vias. A pair of contact pads are on the top surface of the PCB and configured to couple a PCB component to the PCB, the contacts a first distance from each other. A first via of a plurality of vias is electrically coupled to a first contact of the pair of contacts and a second via is electrically coupled to a second contact, the first via and second via a second distance from each other, the second distance being less than current standards for minimum via pitch. Each via comprises a via pad on the top surface and a plated through-hole extending from the top surface to a termination point. A separator gap is between the first via and the second via.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing crosstalk between differential signals in a printed circuit board (PCB) using fine pitch vias. A pair of contact pads are on the top surface of the PCB and configured to couple a PCB component to the PCB, the contacts a first distance from each other. A first via of a plurality of vias is electrically coupled to a first contact of the pair of contacts and a second via is electrically coupled to a second contact, the first via and second via a second distance from each other, the second distance being less than current standards for minimum via pitch. Each via comprises a via pad on the top surface and a plated through-hole extending from the top surface to a termination point. A separator gap is between the first via and the second via.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB can include one or more metal layers and at least a pair of differential transmission lines. The pair of differential transmission lines can include a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The first transmission line can include a plurality of timing-skew-compensation structures, and a respective timing-skew-compensation structure of the first transmission line or a corresponding segment of the second transmission line adjacent to the timing-skew-compensation structure has a non-uniform width.

Abstract: A spreadsheet application or other application supporting formulaic cells that automatically provides support for a number of diverse formulaic functions. The automatically provided diverse formulaic functions include a function returning the value of the formula logic if the logic can be evaluated without an error. Another function finds a value in a formulaic cell that is in the same row as a particular value from the first column and the same column as a particular value in the first row. Other functions allow a selection of a set of multiple lookup rows and columns for matching the values used as variables in the function. The spreadsheet application is further configured to automatically supply other functions in addition to those described.

Abstract: A spreadsheet application or other application supporting formulaic cells that automatically provides support for a number of diverse formulaic functions. The automatically provided diverse formulaic functions include a function returning the value of the formula logic if the logic can be evaluated without an error. Another function finds a value in a formulaic cell that is in the same row as a particular value from the first column and the same column as a particular value in the first row. Other functions allow a selection of a set of multiple lookup rows and columns for matching the values used as variables in the function. The spreadsheet application is further configured to automatically supply other functions in addition to those described.

Abstract: A spreadsheet application or other application supporting formulaic cells that automatically provides support for a number of diverse formulaic functions. The automatically provided diverse formulaic functions include a function returning the value of the formula logic if the logic can be evaluated without an error. Another function finds a value in a formulaic cell that is in the same row as a particular value from the first column and the same column as a particular value in the first row. Other functions allow a selection of a set of multiple lookup rows and columns for matching the values used as variables in the function. The spreadsheet application is further configured to automatically supply other functions in addition to those described.

Abstract: Animation for the recalculation of formulas in a spreadsheet may be provided. A user interface may be displayed on a computer for updating formula output values. The computer may then receive an update of formula input values in a formula utilized for generating the formula output values. The computer may then animate a display the formula output values being replaced with recalculated formula output values based on the received update. Animation for sparklines and conditionally formatted content in a spreadsheet may also be provided. A user interface may be provided for displaying sparklines and conditionally formatted content in the spreadsheet. The computer may then receive an update of one or more values associated with the sparklines and the conditionally formatted content. The computer may then animate a change in the display of the sparklines and the conditionally formatted content based on the received update.

Abstract: The present invention provides several database formulas that can manipulate large sets of data. Each database formula is customizable and repeatable without user intervention. Thus, users may enter numerous options that can cover the user's desire for data output in certain forms or formats, select a set of input data, and consistently receive a set of output data. In some embodiments, the user may refer to the set of data semantically instead of specifying a range of cells to use in the database formula. Referring to the data semantically allows the database formulas to adjust to changes in the range of cells new data may occupy.

Abstract: A multi-threaded codeless user-defined function (UDF) may be provided. First, at least one input value may be received from a calculation thread corresponding to a spreadsheet calling the codeless UDF. Then, the at least one input value may be saved in a thread storage area outside of a UDF storage area containing the codeless UDF. Next, the codeless UDF may be performed comprising performing at least one calculation using at least one formula in the codeless UDF and the at least one input value from the thread storage area. At least one output value produced in response to performing the codeless UDF may then be returned to the calculation thread corresponding to the spreadsheet calling the codeless UDF.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of structured name within a spreadsheet program that allows users to refer to tables, columns of data within tables, headers of tables, totals from tables, PivotTables®, and portions of PivotTable® data by the data's headers. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for referring to a set of data that comprises receiving one or more semantic designations, wherein the one or more semantic designations name a set of context information that describes one or more items of data in a data structure, automatically creating a structural reference, and associating the context information with the structural reference.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for providing access to asynchronous data in a spreadsheet application program is provided. When a request is received to utilize an asynchronous data element in a spreadsheet, the spreadsheet application program instructs an asynchronous data server to provide updated values for the asynchronous data element. When the asynchronous data server program receives an updated value, it notifies the spreadsheet application program that a changed value for the data element is available. The next time the spreadsheet application program has idle processing time following a notification that an update is available, the spreadsheet application program determines whether a notification has been received from the asynchronous data server program. If an update is available, the spreadsheet application program contacts the asynchronous data server and requests the update. In response, the asynchronous data server program transmits the update to the spreadsheet application program.

Abstract: A recalculation engine version stamp is employed to determine whether a spreadsheet program file should be fully recalculated upon opening. When a spreadsheet program file is recalculated and saved, a recalculation engine version stamp is written to the file. The recalculation engine version stamp corresponds to the version of the calculation engine of the application program that last recalculated and saved the program file. When the program file is opened in a spreadsheet application program, the recalculation engine version stamp is compared to the calculation engine version number of the spreadsheet application program. If the calculation engine version number of the spreadsheet application program is more recent than the recalculation engine version stamp of the spreadsheet program file, then a full recalculation of the spreadsheet program file is performed.