Abstract: A communication circuit is disclosed. The communication circuit includes a calibration system, configured to receive clock signals respectively having first and second clock phases, and first and second duty cycles, where the calibration system is further configured to receive input data and to adjust the input data to generate adjusted data based partly on the input data and based partly on the first and second duty cycles. The communication circuit also includes a mixer, configured to receive the clock signals and to receive the adjusted data, where the mixer is configured to generate output data based on the clock signals and the adjusted data, and where a mismatch in the output data caused by the first and second duty cycles being different is reduced because of the adjustment made to the input data to generate the adjusted data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for synchronizing a clock of VBE in a HVDC system capable of increasing reliability by synchronizing the clock of the VBE in the HVDC system to suppress harmonic generation and generate duplicate clock to supply stable clock to submodules. The apparatus for synchronizing the clock of the VBE in the HVDC system comprises an operation board for creating a reference clock and an interface board for controlling submodules on or off being synchronized to a reference clock.

Abstract: Techniques for cooperative timing alignment using synchronization pulses are described. The techniques can include generating, at an integrated circuit device, a timing signal, controlling a local count value based on the timing signal, monitoring a synchronization signal of a system comprising the integrated circuit device, detecting a synchronization pulse in the synchronization signal, and aligning the local count value with an implied count value associated with the synchronization pulse in order to align the local count value with those of other integrated circuit devices of the system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for RF pulse monitoring and RF pulsing parameter optimization at a manufacturing system are provided. A radio frequency (RF) signal is pulsed within a processing chamber in accordance with a set of process parameters. Sensor data is received from one or more sensors that indicates a RF pulse waveform detected within the processing chamber. One or more RF signal characteristics are identified in the detected RF pulse waveform. Each identified RF signal characteristic corresponds to at least one RF signal pulse of the RF signal pulsing within the processing chamber. A determination is made, based on the identified one or more RF signal characteristics, whether the detected RF pulse waveform corresponds to the target RF pulse waveform. An indication of whether the detected RF pulse waveform corresponds to the target RF pulse waveform is provided to a client device.

Abstract: A spread spectrum switching power converter circuit includes: a power stage circuit which includes an inductor and a power switch and is configured to switch the power switch according to a switching signal having spread spectrum for power conversion; a variable frequency oscillator, which generates a spread spectrum clock signal according to a spread spectrum control signal; a spread spectrum control circuit, which generates the spread spectrum control signal according to a first clock signal and a second clock signal; and a pulse width modulation circuit, configured to generate the switching signal according to a feedback signal based on the spread spectrum clock signal. The spread spectrum control circuit generates the spread spectrum control signal by sampling and combining a periodic waveform and a random waveform. The random waveform is generated according to the first clock signal and the periodic waveform is generated according to the second clock signal.

Abstract: A method for validating operation of a driver integrated circuit includes providing a signal using an output node. The signal is provided using multiple set points in response to a change in state of an input signal. Each set point corresponds to a different phase of a multi-phase transition of the signal. The method includes providing a timer value at an end of a phase of the multi-phase transition and determining whether the signal is in a target signal range of the phase based on the timer value at the end of the phase, a predetermined value defining the target signal range of the phase, and a predetermined time limit for the phase. A current through the output node may be provided using the multiple set points, and a voltage on the output node may have the multi-phase transition.

Abstract: A processing device is provided which includes a processor and a data storage structure. The data storage structure comprises a data storage array comprising a plurality of lines. Each line comprises at least one A latch configured to store a data bit and a clock gater. The data storage structure also comprises a write data B latch configured to store, over different clock cycles, a different data bit, each to be written to the at least one A latch of one of the plurality of lines. The data storage structure also comprises a plurality of write index B latches shared by the clock gaters of the lines. The write index B latches are configured to store, over the different clock cycles, combinations of index bits having values which index one of the lines to which a corresponding data bit is to be stored.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a chamber; first and second matching circuits; a first RF generator generating a first RF pulsed signal including a plurality of first pulse cycles in which each cycle includes first, second, and third periods, and the first RF pulsed signal has first, second, and third power levels in first, second, and third periods, respectively; a second RF generator generating a second RF pulsed signal including a plurality of second pulse cycles in which each cycle includes fourth and fifth periods, and the second RF pulsed signal has fourth and fifth power levels in fourth and fifth periods, respectively; and a third RF generator generating a third RF pulsed signal including a plurality of third pulse cycles in which each cycle includes sixth and seventh periods, and the third RF pulsed signal has sixth and seventh power levels in sixth and seventh periods, respectively.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a duty cycle correction and quadrature error correction for a quarter-rate architecture TX/RX communication system, including correcting a duty cycle error between a first clock signal and a second clock signal, and correcting a quadrature error between a third clock signal and a fourth clock signal.

Abstract: A first power-supply voltage is applied to I/O cells, an I/O cell connected to a clock terminal is initially set to a threshold of a second voltage signaling, an I/O cell connected to a command terminal and I/O cells connected to data terminals are initially set as an input, and when a clock control unit detects receipt of one clock pulse and a signal voltage control unit detects a host using the second voltage signaling, a signal voltage control unit drives the I/O cell of a first data terminal high level after a second power-supply voltage is applied to I/O cells and the threshold of a second voltage signaling is set to I/O cells of the clock, command and data terminals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for imaging a surface via time of flight measurement. An illumination system includes an illumination driver and an illumination source and is configured to project modulated electromagnetic radiation to a point on a surface of interest. A sensor system includes a sensor driver and is configured to receive and demodulate electromagnetic radiation reflected from the surface of interest. A temperature sensor is configured to provide a measured temperature representing a temperature at one of the illumination driver and the sensor driver and located at a position remote from the one of the illumination driver and the sensor driver. A compensation component is configured to calculate a phase offset between the illumination system and the sensor system from at least the measured temperature and a model representing transient heat flow within the system.

Abstract: A signal receiving device may include a high-speed receiving circuit, a low-speed receiving circuit, a low-speed synchronization circuit and a low-speed synchronization circuit. The high-speed receiving circuit receives an input signal and generate a high-speed received signal in a first operation mode. The high-speed synchronization circuit generates a high-speed synchronized signal to synchronize the high-speed received signal with a clock signal. The low-speed receiving circuit receives the input signal and generate a low-speed received signal in a second operation mode. The low-speed synchronization circuit generates a low-speed synchronized signal to synchronize the low-speed received signal with the clock signal. According to an operation mode, one of the high-speed synchronized signal and the low-speed synchronized signal is selected as an internal signal.

Abstract: System and method for synchronizing a plurality of nodes to a timing signal using a daisy-chain network having a forward transmission path and a reverse transmission path connected at a midpoint. Latency of the timing signal to the midpoint of the daisy-chain network is determined, a respective latency of the timing signal from the node to the midpoint of the daisy-chain network is determined, and a respective timing offset for each of the plurality of nodes is calculated. A local time-of-day counter at each of the plurality of nodes is adjusted based upon the respective timing offset of the node to synchronize the plurality of nodes to the timing signal.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes filtering, with a low-pass filter, a voltage signal (Vdd) of a chip to create a filtered signal (Vref). The method further includes dividing Vref by a given factor. The method further includes determining whether a voltage droop occurred in Vdd by comparing Vdd to the divided Vref. The method further includes outputting a droop detection signal if Vdd is less than the divided Vref. In an embodiment, dividing Vref by the given factor includes selecting, with a multiplexer, one of a plurality of divided Vref signals outputted by a voltage divider. The selecting is based on a selection signal.

Abstract: A method tests at least three devices, each device including a test chain having a plurality of positions storing test data. The testing includes comparing test data in a last position of the test chain of each of the devices, and shifting test data in the test chains of each of the devices and storing a result of the comparison in a first position of the test chains of each of the devices. The comparing and the shifting and storing are repeated until all the stored test data has been compared. The at least three devices may have a same functionality and a same structure.

Abstract: An infrastructure equipment for use in a wireless communications system comprising the infrastructure equipment and one or more communications devices is provided. The infrastructure equipment comprises controller circuitry and transceiver circuitry which are configured in combination to broadcast one or more synchronisation signals for use by the one or more communications devices to achieve synchronisation with a cell provided by the infrastructure equipment, and to broadcast an additional synchronisation signal, the additional synchronisation signal including an indication of a status of a first communications parameter selected from a plurality of communications parameters in accordance with conditions determined by the controller circuitry.

Abstract: A method tests a plurality of devices, each device including a test chain having a plurality of positions storing test data. The testing includes comparing test data in a last position of the test chain of each of the devices. The test data in the test chains of the devices is shifted forward by one position. The shifting includes writing test data in the last position of a test chain to a first position in the test chain. The comparing and the shifting are repeated until the test data in the last position of each test chain when the testing is started is shifted back into the last position of the respective test chain. The plurality of devices may have a same structure and a same functionality.

Abstract: An asynchronous data capture device comprises an edge spread detector circuit, a clock generator, and a data sampling circuit. The edge spread detector circuit uses a first clock frequency that is a multiple of a second clock frequency, identifies transitions in a data stream transmitted to the device at the second clock frequency, and determines a sampling point based on the identified transitions. The clock generator adjusts a phase offset based on the sampling point and generates a clock signal having the second clock frequency and the adjusted phase offset. The data sampling circuit uses the second clock frequency and samples the data stream at the sampling point. In some implementations, the edge spread detector determines a sampling point that is isolated from the identified transitions, and the clock generator adjusts the phase offset to cause a rising edge at the sampling point.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing dynamic adaption and correction for internal delays in devices connected to a common time-multiplexed bus. The methods allow devices to operate reliably at a higher bus frequency by correcting for inherent and unknown delays within the components and in the system by measuring the actual delays using multiple readings with this bus. The inherent noise and jitter are utilized to increase the precision of the measurements thereby essentially using this uncertainty as a self-dithering for increased resolution in the measurements. During adaption, the delays may be adjusted in multiple step sizes for a faster adaption time.

Abstract: An auto trimming device includes an oscillator configured to generate an oscillator clock signal, a subtractor configured to receive an expected value for a target frequency and the oscillator clock signal, configured to output a difference value between the expected value and the oscillator clock signal, an index value selector configured to calculate a unit index value using the difference value and configured to detect and output a target index value from the unit index value, an index value register configured to output an oscillator trimming code corresponding to the target index value to the oscillator, and an embedded memory configured to store the oscillator trimming code as a target oscillator trimming code for the target frequency.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit is provided in the invention. The PLL circuit includes a first DTC, a first selection circuit, and a second selection circuit. The first DTC receives a first delay control signal to dither a reference signal or a feedback signal. The first selection circuit is coupled to the first DTC. The first selection circuit receives the reference signal and the feedback signal, and according to the selection signal, transmits the reference signal or the feedback signal to the first DTC. The second selection circuit is coupled to the first DTC and the first selection circuit. The second selection circuit determines the output paths of an output reference signal or an output feedback signal according to the selection signal.

Abstract: A data reception device that can improve communication quality when transmitting/receiving serial data is to be provided. There is provided the data reception device including a signal generation unit that generates, from serial data received, a first signal whose value is inverted at a rising timing of the serial data and a second signal whose value is inverted at a falling timing of the serial data, and a clock recovery unit that performs clock recovery using the first signal and the second signal generated by the signal generation unit.

Abstract: Clock control arrangements for integrated circuit devices are discussed herein. In one example, a method of operating an integrated circuit device includes monitoring indications of pending operations for a processing core of an integrated circuit, and determining a predicted change in workload for the processing core based at least on a portion of the indications of the pending operations. The method also includes altering a clock frequency of a clock signal provided to the processing core based at least on the predicted change in the workload.

Abstract: Digital delay lock circuits and methods for operating digital delay lock circuits are provided. A phase detector is configured to receive first and second clock signals and generate a digital signal indicating a relationship between a phase of the first clock signal and a phase of the second clock signal. A phase accumulator circuit is configured to receive the digital signal and generate a phase signal based on values of the digital signal over multiple clock cycles. A decoder is configured to receive the phase signal and generate a digital control word based on the phase signal. A delay element is configured to receive the digital control word. The delay element is further configured to change the relationship between the phase of the first clock signal and the phase of the second clock signal by modifying the phase of the second clock signal according to the digital control word.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to adjust isolation between I/O ports. An apparatus includes a die, a first input or output (I/O) port, a second I/O port, and a third I/O port. The second I/O port is between the first I/O port and the third I/O port. A variable capacitor is electrically connected to the second I/O port and is configurable to adjust isolation between the first I/O port and the third I/O port. A method includes performing, by a die, a first RF function via a first I/O port; tuning a variable capacitor electrically connected to a second I/O port to adjust isolation between the first I/O port and a third I/O port, the second I/O port being between the first I/O port and the third I/O port; and performing, by the die, a second RF function via a third I/O port.

Abstract: A clock signal polarity controlling circuit comprises a first latch comprising a clock input, a data input and an output. The data input is coupled to an output of a clock signal generator, the clock input is coupled to a reference clock signal. The clock signal polarity controlling circuit further comprises a second latch comprising a clock input, a data input and an output. The data input is coupled to the output of the first latch, the clock input is coupled to the reference clock signal. The circuit further comprises an XOR circuit comprising a first and second inputs and an output. The first and second inputs are coupled to the output of the second latch and the output of the clock signal generator respectively, and a clock signal having a polarity controlled by the reference clock signal is generated at the output of the XOR circuit.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods related to selecting a sample phase of a signal are disclosed. A method includes sampling a signal including a plurality of symbols with a plurality of different sample phases to obtain sample values of each of the plurality of symbols at each of the plurality of different sample phases. The signal is received from a shared transmission medium. The method also includes determining an edge sample phase of the plurality of different sample phases that corresponds to edges of the symbols based on the sample values. The method further includes determining a center sample phase of the plurality of different sample phases based on the determined edge sample phase, and using the determined center sample phase to determine values of the symbols.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to adjusting a delay of a command signal path are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: a timing circuit that includes a divider circuit that receives a first clock signal having a first frequency and provides a complementary pair of second and third clock signals having a second frequency that is half the first frequency; a first delay circuit that receives the second clock signal and provides a delayed second clock signal responsive to the second clock signal; and a second delay circuit that receives the third clock signal and provides a delayed third clock signal responsive to the third clock signal. The timing circuit receives a first signal, latches the first signal responsive to the delayed second clock signal to provide a second signal and latches the second signal responsive to either the second clock signal or the third clock signal responsive to latency information.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of suppressing generation of noise caused by EMI is provided. The flash memory includes a memory cell array, a clock generator (200), a readout part, an input/output circuit, an overlap detecting part (330) and a clock control part. The clock generator generates an internal clock signal. The readout part reads data from a selected memory cell of the memory cell array using the internal clock signal. The input/output circuit outputs the read data using an external clock signal supplied from outside. The overlap detecting unit detects a period during which a rising edge of the internal clock signal overlaps a rising edge of external clock signal. The clock control part controls a timing of the internal clock signal in response to the detected overlap period.

Abstract: A network sync signal with unknown frequency location is detected by sampling the received signal over a band of interest in frequency, and over the repetition period of the sync signal in time. The signal is converted to the frequency domain. Sub-bands of the frequency-domain signal, corresponding to different possible sync locations and frequency offsets, are extracted and converted to the time domain, where the sync signal is searched over the reception window length using time-domain matched filtering.

Abstract: A method of determining a time stamp for an event in a digital processing system, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a coarse time stamp from a time stamp counter; obtaining timing correction data from one or more hardware components of the system; and adjusting the coarse time stamp value based on the timing correction data to provide a precision time stamp value.

Abstract: The present subject matter includes a system for communications between a transmitter and a receiver. In various embodiments, the system uses a sleep interval to allow the receiver to go to sleep between wake up times to “sniff” for transmissions from the transmitter. The system adjusts the length of the preamble of the transmitted signal or a repetition of packets to allow the receiver to detect a transmitted signal based on drift in the clocks of the system. In various embodiments, a receive channel is changed if a signal is not received at a prior channel selection. In various embodiments, the transmission is determined by detection of an event. In various embodiments, the event is an ear-to-ear event. In various embodiments, the receiver and transmitter are in opposite hearing aids adapted to be worn by one wearer.

Abstract: In a PAM-N receiver, sampler reference levels, DC offset and AFE gain may be jointly adapted to achieve optimal or near-optimal boundaries for the symbol decisions of the PAM-N signal. For reference level adaptation, the hamming distances between two consecutive data samples and their in-between edge sample are evaluated. Reference levels for symbol decisions are adjusted accordingly such that on a data transition, an edge sample has on average, equal hamming distance to its adjacent data samples. DC offset may be compensated to ensure detectable data transitions for reference level adaptation. AFE gains may be jointly adapted with sampler reference levels such that the difference between a reference level and a pre-determined target voltage is minimized.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and system for reducing a circulating current between a plurality of non-isolated modules operating in parallel. The input terminals and the output terminals of the plurality of non-isolated modules are respectively connected in parallel, and each of the non-isolated modules comprises a first stage converter, a bus capacitor and a second stage converter, which are electrically connected in sequence. For each of the non-isolated modules, the method comprises: comparing a first signal reflecting the input power of the non-isolated module with a reference value to obtain a comparison result; and adjusting the voltage of the bus capacitor according to the comparison result, wherein the voltage of the bus capacitor is decreased when the first signal is greater than the reference value, and the voltage of the bus capacitor is increased when the first signal is less than the reference value.

Abstract: A frequency multiplier comprises a phase generator configured to receive an oscillation signal and to provide at phase generator outputs versions of the oscillation signal, which are phase-shifted with respect to each other. An injection-locked ring oscillator comprises a plurality of stages, wherein each of the phase generator outputs is coupled to a different stage of the plurality of stages for multi-point injection. A combiner combines output signals of the plurality of stages of the injection-locked ring oscillator into a signal having a frequency which is a multiple of a frequency of the oscillation signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first processor configured to generate a first error check code of a first data and an audio circuitry. The audio circuitry is configured to receive the first data, receive a second data, generate a second error check code of the first data, and generate a modulation signal based on the first and second data. The first processor may determine whether the first and second error check codes are identical to each other. The first processor may control the audio circuitry to control the generation of the modulation signal based on at least the first data, in response to a determination that the first and second error check codes are identical to each other.

Abstract: A wide band communications circuit buffer can include a pair of NPN bipolar transistor emitter followers deployed as a voltage buffer and disposed at inputs before and outputs after an equalization module, and a pair of diode connected NPN transistors deployed as a level shifter and disposed following the emitter followers before an output of the wide band driver to keep an output level at the output of the wide band buffer close to a desired level. Resistors connected between emitters and a VEE terminal can be used to further adjust the DC level. An LC tank filter can be provided between emitters of the voltage buffer components and the circuit's outputs to pass and boost high frequency signals provided to next stage components. The wide band buffer is, inter alia, appropriate for use in providing a DC level shift function as used in wired data communication systems circuitry.

Abstract: A contactless power transmission device transmits power to a power reception device in a contactless manner, and includes a shield case which has an opening portion at one end portion thereof, and is partitioned into a plurality of shield rooms by partitioning plates; a power transmission circuit which is for transmitting power and is disposed to correspond to each of the plurality of shield rooms; a plurality of power transmission coils which are disposed on the inner side in the plurality of shield rooms and transmit AC power from the power transmission circuit to the power reception device; and a notch which is formed on side surfaces of the shield case or the partitioning plates, from the opening portion toward the inner side such that both sides of a rear end portion of the power reception device inserted into the plurality of shield rooms can be held.

Abstract: This system for converting the electrical energy delivered by a supply network comprises of: a converter and at least one zero-sequence current limiting stage flowing in the converter. The or each limiting stage comprises an active compensation circuit comprising a magnetic component and a voltage source connected to the magnetic component, the voltage source and the magnetic component being adapted to serially inject with the converter an active compensation voltage of the zero-sequence voltages generated by the converter.

Abstract: A minimum delay error apparatus such as a minimum delay error detection, prediction, correction, repair, prevention, and/or avoidance apparatus includes a minimum delay path replica circuit. The minimum delay path replica circuit can detect or predict, and subsequently can correct or avoid, minimum delay errors in data paths of digital circuits using pulsed latches.

Abstract: An error-handling processing circuit and system are provided. The system can receive an error signal, such as an interrupt, and decouple (e.g., by a gate signal) a functional clock from a processing block, in some instances effectively halting the processing block's operation. This can prevent a cascade of interdependent errors, thereby avoiding producing redundant or confusing error information. The system can include the processing block, a debug clock not coupled to the processing block, and a data block (e.g., a register file) coupled to the debug clock and to an external input/output interface. The data block can be configured to continue receiving a clock signal via a multiplexer from the debug clock without disruption after the functional clock is decoupled, enabling the data block to remain operational for debugging.

Abstract: A circuit system may include a first stage circuit configured to generate two pairs of signals in response to an input signal. The circuit system may also include a second stage circuit that is configured to combine a first signal of a first pair with a first signal of a second pair to generate a first combined signal, and to combine a second signal of the first pair with a second signal of the second pair to generate a second combined signal. Transistors of the second stage circuit may be sized in relation to transition timings of the first and second pairs of signals such that skew and duty cycle distortion is minimized between the first and second combined signals.

Abstract: A frequency-agile phase modulator with glitch-free multiplexer in CMOS process technologies for applications including wireless communications, radar, automotive radar, etc. Examples herein offer a novel phase modulator architecture that, when combined with either a wideband power amplifier or multiple narrowband amplifiers, allows for a single transmitter to transmit radar, communication, telemetry, or other similar waveforms across multiple frequency bands. The embodiments herein allow one transmitter to cover a very large operating frequency range, resulting in a decrease in size, weight, power consumption, and cost for future “small” platform systems. In an embodiment, the phase modulator circuit includes a reconfigurable delay-locked loop (DLL) circuit that is configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) input signal (RFin) and a configuration signal.

Abstract: A controller configured to perform a training process of sampling data using multi-phase signals which are internally generated according to a data strobe signal, and compensating for a delay time of the data strobe signal using a control code which is generated according to the sampling result.

Abstract: A sensor integrated circuit includes a main processing channel that responds to an input signal by generating a first processed signal from the input signal. Also included is a diagnostic processing channel that responds to the input signal by generating a second processed signal from the input signal. The main processing channel has a first response to disturbances and the diagnostic processing channel has a second response to disturbances that is slower than the first response of the main processing channel. A checker circuit in the sensor integrated circuit detects faults in the sensor IC and generates a fault signal when the first processed signal and the second processed signal differ from each other by more than a threshold amount.

Abstract: A method for generating a design for a 3D integrated circuit (3DIC) comprises extracting at least one design characteristic from a first data representation of a design for a integrated circuit (2DIC) generated according to the design criteria required for the 3DIC. Components of the 3DIC are partitioned into groups (each representing one tier of the 3DIC) based on the extracted design characteristic. A second data representation of a 2DIC design is generated comprising multiple adjacent partitions each comprising the component groups for one tier of the 3DIC design together with inter-tier via ports representing locations of inter-tier vias. A placement for each partition is determined separately from a placement of corresponding components of the 2DIC represented by the original first data representation. This approach allows a 2DIC EDA tool to be used for designing a 3DIC.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for broadcasting a signal. A multiplexer combines a first signal from a first signal source and a second signal from a second signal source as a time divisional multiplexed signal and provides a timing signal, distinct from the time division multiplexed signal, that indicates, for a given time, from which of the first and the second signal source a corresponding portion of the time divisional multiplexed signal originated. A signal conditioning component receives each of the time divisional multiplexed signal and the timing signal and alters the time division multiplexed signal in a manner that prepares the signal for broadcast. The signal conditioning component dynamically alters its behavior according to the timing signal. An antenna transmits the time division multiplexed signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for imaging a surface via time of flight measurement. An illumination system includes an illumination driver and an illumination source and is configured to project modulated electromagnetic radiation to a point on a surface of interest. A sensor system includes a sensor driver and is configured to receive and demodulate electromagnetic radiation reflected from the surface of interest. A temperature sensor is configured to provide a measured temperature representing a temperature at one of the illumination driver and the sensor driver and located at a position remote from the one of the illumination driver and the sensor driver. A compensation component is configured to calculate a phase offset between the illumination system and the sensor system from at least the measured temperature and a model representing transient heat flow within the system.

Abstract: An automated test equipment (ATE) system includes a plurality of test blades each coupled to a test blade connector and mounted on a circular track; a central reference clock (CRC) having an origin point at a center of the circle; and a clock/sync connector coupled to the CRC through a zero skew clock connection to one or more sync buses, wherein each instrument utilizes the CRC to coordinate its testing process with another instrument.

Abstract: A data control circuit includes an output stage circuit, a switch circuit, and an impedance module. The output stage circuit outputs a data signal. An input terminal of the switch circuit is coupled to an output terminal of the output stage circuit, and an output terminal of the switch circuit is coupled to a post-stage circuit. According to a control of a control signal, the switch circuit determines whether to transmit the data signal of the output stage circuit to the post-stage circuit. The impedance module is configured in the output stage circuit, configured between the output stage circuit and the switch circuit, or configured in the switch circuit. Here, the impedance module reduces noise flowing from the switch circuit to the output stage circuit.