Abstract: A processor is disclosed including a register, functional unit(s), and a control unit. The register stores multiple bits, wherein one or more of the bits has a value representing a current electrical power dissipation mode (i.e., power mode) of the processor. The functional unit(s) respond to the power mode signal by altering their electrical power dissipation and issuing an acknowledge signal. The control unit receives a power mode input representing a request to enter a new power mode, and issues the power mode signal in response. The control unit waits for the acknowledge signal(s), and responds to the acknowledge signal(s) by modifying the one or more bits of the register to reflect the new power mode. A method is described for transitioning from a current power mode to a new power mode. A data processing system is disclosed including a peripheral device coupled to the processor.

Abstract: A system for handling distributed results in a high-performance wide-issue superscalar processor having result-forwarding capability is disclosed. The system generally includes buffer logic configured to produce write data and write information to a register file. The register file generally has a plurality of registers and is adapted to receive the write information, the write data, and read information. The register file also includes logic configured to produce the write data as read data output when the read information and the write information specify the same register. An embodiment of the disclosed register file includes multiple registers for storing data, read logic, correction logic, and muxing logic.

Abstract: A processor is disclosed including a register file having multiple registers, wherein a portion of the registers are used to store both address register values and data register values. In one embodiment, the processor includes the register file and an instruction decoder. The instruction decoder decodes instructions including an operation code (i.e., opcode) and specifying a register. The instruction decoder maps the register specified by the instruction to a corresponding register of the register file dependent upon the opcode. A method is described for mapping a register specified by an instruction to a corresponding register of a register file. In one embodiment of the method, if an opcode of the instruction specifies an address operation is to be performed, a bank value is appended to a value in the instruction uniquely identifying the specified register, thereby forming a value uniquely identifying the corresponding register of the register file.

Abstract: For use in a processor having an instruction cache, an instruction memory and an external synchronous memory, a memory management mechanism, a method of managing memory and a digital signal processor incorporating the mechanism or the method. In one embodiment, the mechanism includes an external memory request abort circuit coupled to the external synchronous memory and an instruction cache invalidator associated with the external memory request abort circuit. In this embodiment, the external memory request abort circuit aborts a request to load an instruction from the external synchronous memory before the information is loaded into the instruction cache. Additionally, the instruction cache invalidator invalidates the instruction cache when address spaces of the instruction memory and the external synchronous memory overlap and the processor switches between the instruction memory and the external synchronous memory.

Abstract: A transfer chamber for a substrate processing tool includes a main body having side walls adapted to couple to at least one processing chamber and at least one load lock chamber. The main body houses at least a portion of a robot adapted to transport a substrate between the processing chamber and the load lock chamber. A lid couples to and seals a top of the main body of the transfer chamber. The transfer chamber also has a domed bottom adapted to couple to and to seal a bottom portion of the main body of the transfer chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a substrate is generally provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for supporting a substrate includes a support plate having a first body disposed proximate thereto. A first pushing member is radially coupled to the first body and adapted to urge the substrate in a first direction parallel to the support plate when the first body rotates. In another aspect, a load lock chamber having a substrate support that supports a substrate placed thereon includes a cooling plate that is moved to actuate at least one alignment mechanism. The alignment mechanism includes a pushing member that urges the substrate in a first direction towards a center of the support. The pushing member may additionally rotate about an axis perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrical connector (20) having a housing with electrical contacts secured therein. An alignment post (30') is secured to the housing. The alignment post (30') has a forward end (131) with a first width, a locking groove (32'), and a flared portion (130) disposed between the forward end (131) and the locking groove (32'). The flared portion (130) has a second width that is greater than the width of the forward end (131). The flared portion (130) defines a locking shoulder (132).

Abstract: An overvoltage tolerant CMOS tristate output buffer capable of withstanding tristate overvoltages without reverse currents or latch-up, the output buffer having a stabilized protection circuit for driving the N-well and gate of the P-channel driver transistor to the output pad voltage when the output pad voltage becomes excessive. The stabilized protection circuit includes a hysteresis circuit for controlling switch transistors which bias the N-well. The presence of the hysteresis circuit causes the protection circuit to have an input hysteresis characteristic, thus preventing excessive switching of the N-well biasing transistors when the output pad voltage varies near the output buffer power supply voltage during tristate.

Abstract: A mixed-mode, overvoltage tolerant input buffer for interfacing to a tristate bus line is disclosed, the input buffer having a bus hold feature for maintaining the state of the input buffer output and bus line when the bus line enters into the tristate mode, the input buffer being capable of suppressing leakage currents from the bus input through the bus hold circuit to the input buffer power supply during overvoltage conditions. The bus hold circuit has a feedback inverter coupled between the output and the bus input for providing a stabilizing feedback signal to the bus input, the inverter being powered by a source voltage which is selectively coupled to the input buffer power supply, the source voltage being isolated from the input buffer power supply during overvoltage conditions.

Abstract: A filtered connector includes a housing member having a plurality of electrical terminal members disposed in respective terminal receiving passageways, a like plurality of electrical components disposed in component receiving passageways, a ground means including a plate-like portioned disposed adjacent a forward face of the housing member, a rear plate disposed adjacent the rearward face of the housing member, and resilient conductive means to bias the electrical components and complete an electrical path from the terminal members to a respective component to ground. The components are of the type having a pair of spaced external electrodes. The component receiving passageways are essentially parallel to and spaced from respective associated terminal receiving passageways. The ground and rear plates define forward and rearward stop surfaces respectively for the component receiving passageways.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly 10, and method of assembling, comprising a front electrical connector 12 and a rear electrical connector 23 secured together at a separable interface, the front electrical connector 12 including securing means 19 and guiding means 68 and a rear electrical connector 23 including receiving means 56 and aligning means 74. The securing means is engaged by the receiving means to assemble the electrical connector assembly 10 by drawing the front electrical connector 12 relatively toward the rear electrical connector 23, and the guiding means 68 being engaged by the aligning means 74 to maintain the front electrical connector 12 in a precise spatial relationship with respect to the rear electrical connector 23 during assembly and disassembly.

Abstract: A modular connector assembly comprises a main shell assembly having an aperture therethrough defining a inside surface. An electrical circuit assembly is disposed in the main shell aperture and includes a filter module and a transient suppression module each in electrical engagement with a plurality of electrical terminals. The filter and transient suppression module each define a conductive subassembly shell and each include grounding means disposed to engage the inside surface of the aperture in the main shell assembly in electrical grounding contact. Both the filter and transient suppression modules each define a first and second guide means disposed to engage first and second aligning means of the main shell member permitting facile precision assembly.

Abstract: A tool for removal or insertion of modules within a electrical connector assembly comprises a drive means engaging a plurality of engaging means to simultaneously rotate shafts having a plurality of fastening heads. The use of the tool provides for the precise removal and insertion of such modules without damaging the electrical contacts and terminal therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing pavement joints or seams are disclosed. The apparatus includes a wheeled support platform which serves to mount a cylindrical storage container suitable for holding a selected amount of an asphaltic emulsion sealing composition. An applicator is coupled to the bottom of the storage container and controls are provided to selectively vary the volume of the stream of sealing composition and to permit the stream to be completely extinguished. In order to prevent the asphaltic emulsion sealing composition from breaking down or settling out during application an agitator device is provided which propels the sealing composition upward from the bottom of the storage container and mixes the sealing composition. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the agitator device is gear driven in response to movement of the wheeled support platform.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing components from a strip of components and for inserting the severed components one by one into a work piece, comprises means for feeding the strip of components incrementally to a component severing station, means for severing the leading component from the strip at the severing station and an insertion tool for inserting the severed leading component into the work piece; all driven by a stepping motor through step down transmission means acting on a main cam shaft. A disc cam on the shaft has on opposite faces cam tracks receiving cam followers connected to the insertion tool and the severing means, the feeding means being driven through a barrel cam on the shaft. An electronic control unit monitors the angular position of the shaft.