Abstract: A method is provided to assign component I/O (input/output, the interface area between levels of physical packaging) pins for all components at each level of the computer system. In a hierarchical, top-down design methodology, the I/O pins for each computer system component are assigned to nets (a net is an interconnection of pins on a level of packaging, or between levels of packaging) based on wire length, electrical limits and timing. Parameters that are considered are net priority (the importance of this net to the system, relative to other nets in the system), location of physical components, location of physical component I/Os at all computer system levels of physical packaging hierarchy, and I/O pin characteristics. An iterative method is used to assign and reassign I/O pins at each level based on timing. As I/Os are reassigned at each lower component level, new assignments are made at all higher levels of the system packaging hierarchy based on the changed parameters at the lower level.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new apparatus and a method for a high-efficiency in-situ vacuum particle detection. More particularly, the invention encompasses an apparatus for a particle detecting instrument designed to detect the presence of gas-borne particles in a vacuum line with high efficiency, using a sharply converging nozzle to preferentially focus the suspended particles flowing through it into a small region located on the nozzle axis within a few exit dimensions downstream from the nozzle exit. This focal region has a dimension much smaller than that of the nozzle exit, and is illuminated by a narrow, intense light beam. The particles passing through the illuminated focal region are detected by photodetector elements receiving light scattered from the particles. A method and an apparatus for high-efficiency, in-situ particle separation and/or measurement is also disclosed.