Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring the communication of a minimal length data stream in a system including a host and a storage management device is provided. The method and apparatus includes first and second buffers for simultaneously receiving compressed data and the original data from the host. The system compares the length of the data in the first and second buffers. If the data has expanded, indicating that compressed data is longer than the original data, the original data is provided to the storage media. If the data has not expanded, indicating that the original data is longer than the compressed data, then the compressed data is provided to the storage media.

Abstract: The RC time constant of a semiconductor device is reduced by decreasing the capacitance C. The decrease in capacitance is achieved by replacing the interlayer silicon dioxide (dielectric constant of 4.0) with air (dielectric constant of 1.0). Alternatively, the air space can also be filled with another low dielectric constant material, such as an organic material having a dielectric constant in the range of about 2.2 to 3.4. In either case, the final effective dielectric constant of the device is lowered. As a result of lowering the effective dielectric constant, a smaller RC time constant is achieved, which results in higher device speed.

Abstract: Short channel MOS devices are provided with two distinct doped polysilicon contacts: (a) doped polysilicon layers in contact with the source or drain regions (the LDD regions) and extending underneath the oxide region to abut the oxide liner of the trench sidewalls; and (b) polysilicon source and drain contacts in contact with the doped polysilicon layers. The shallow channel doping region is self-aligned with the lightly doped source and drain regions; this ensures vertically engineered profiles that give high punchthrough voltages and an excellent short channel control. The use of the doped polysilicon layers ensures self-alignment of source/drain diffusions and channel and prevents etching of TEOS in the trenches, which prevents exposure of trench sidewalls and formation of parasitic devices in the sidewalls. Further, use of doped polysilicon layers to form the LDD regions by diffusion results in high currents and shallow junctions.

Abstract: A method and system is provided that detects whether a resource is exceeding a threshold setting of a particular parameter a computer system. In such a system, the resource requests of the plurality of users are tracked. A mean and a variance is then estimated from a distribution of the plurality of users requests. The probability that any resource sample from the distribution exceeds a predetermined threshold is then derived. From this determination a report is generated as to whether the threshold is set at an appropriate level.

Abstract: A discrete integrated repeater device and port MAU/AUI functions shares resources among its several ports. The device includes a single multi-bit free running counter providing preselected timing intervals to a plurality of latches. A signal undergoing measurement clears the latch while a preselected timing signal sets the latch. Receipt of a timing signal at a set latch indicates success or failure of some particular condition under test. The device satisfies an IEEE 802.3 specification for execution of a link integrity test. The device is also able to selectively disable or enable the link integrity test function for particular ports. A plurality of latches, one associated with each port, is set upon carrier sense detection at the particular port. A token passing mechanism implemented with a daisy chained line coupled to each latch enables a polling of each latch to provide carrier sense information about each port in a serial format.

Abstract: A method and system for testing a device driver utilized with a data processing system is disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises the steps of inputting a script file to a test engine to provide a test to the device driver, compiling the test engine across multiple operating system platforms. The method also includes sending a command that indicates the test is to be provided to the device driver and sending results of the test of the device driver back to the test engine. In another aspect, a system is disclosed for testing a device driver utilized in a data processing system. The system comprises a script file for providing a test of the device driver and a test engine for receiving the test from the script file.

Abstract: A system which allows for the generation of grayscale video signals from color graphics images to grayscaling display devices receiving digital signals. The system is implemented advantageously in packed pixel color graphics modes of a video graphics array sysem utilized in a personal computer. The system is preferably implemented in a software program to decrease the number of hardware components, save circuit board space, consume less power and reduce complexity in the circuitry in the personal computer.

Abstract: A pet food premix product is provided, comprising a mixture of about 40 to 70 wt % of non-rendered meat and the balance at least one farinaceous and/or plant proteinaceous carrier substrate. One or more meats may be employed. A process is provided by which meat can be efficiently dehydrated and starch can be partially or completely gelatinized, then incorporated into an extruded dry or moist food at levels from 5 to 50% of a total formulation ration. The premix, when incorporated into an extruded pet food product, will increase its operational performance while delivering nutrients and palatability to the pet food product. In addition, a dried bakery product, is provided, which is useful as the farinaceous carrier substrate in the fabrication of the pet food premix product. The dried bakery product provides a naturally low pH pet food product having a pH in the range of about 5.7 to 6.4 and also unexpectedly provides an energy reduction in extrusion of pet food containing this ingredient.

Abstract: The interconnects in a semiconductor device contacting metal lines comprise a low resistance metal, such as copper, gold, silver, or platinum, and are separated by a material having a low dielectric constant, such as benzocyclobutene or a derivative thereof. A tri-layer resist structure is used, together with a lift-off process, to form the interconnects. The low dielectric constant material provides a diffusion barrier to the diffusion of the low resistance metal. The tri-layer resist comprises a first layer of a dissolvable polymer, a second layer of a hard mask material, and a third layer of a resist material. The resulting structure provides an integrated circuit with increased speed and ease of fabrication.

Abstract: A method and system for providing statistical network information carried in a data packet being transmitted on a network. The method includes the steps of receiving a data packet having a data portion on a repeater and transferring the data portion to a management unit. The method further includes the step of appending statistical information to the data portion during an inter-packet gap period. The apparatus for providing statistical information in a data packet on a network includes a repeater mechanism, a management unit mechanism, and a packet tagging circuit. The repeater mechanism receives a data packet having a data portion, the management unit mechanism determines statistical information based on the data packet, and the packet tagging circuit appends information to the data portion of the data packet during an inter-packet gap period.

Abstract: Optical communication apparatus for simultaneously and reconfigurably establishing optical communication channels, comprises at least one light source and a plurality of wavelength-selective detectors optically associated with each light source, the detectors arranged one behind another. The apparatus uses wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) to facilitate simultaneous and reconfigurable communication of one-to-many 2-D optical planes. This advance dramatically increases the system functionality of optical-plane interconnects. Such a system is realized by incorporating several multiple wavelength vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL) into each transmitting pixel and incorporating wavelength selectivity into each subsequent detecting plane which will absorb one wavelength and be transparent to the rest; these structures can be fabricated by slightly modifying existing technology.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the performance of memory in constrained virtual memory environment by reducing physical paging activity is provided. Accordingly, in a method and system in accordance with the present invention, the pages stolen or removed from the active processes are compressed then placed in the free list. In so doing, the additional space provided via this compression allows for more real memory to be available for other purposes.

Abstract: A quadrifilar helix antenna containing a hybrid junction power divider feed circuit and a plurality of radiating elements. The radiating elements are connected on one end to the hybrid junction power divider feed circuit and are free to radiate on the other end. In a particular embodiment, the antenna includes a microstrip hybrid junction power divider feed circuit deposited on the lower rectangular section of a dielectric substrate. The hybrid junction power divider feed circuit provides both a 0 to 180 degree phase shift and impedance matching. The antenna also includes four radiating microstrip elements deposited on the upper section of the dielectric substrate at a predetermined angle to form a helical pattern upon turning the planar antenna into a cylinder. The radiating elements are connected to the microstrip hybrid junction power divider feed circuit in pairs.

Abstract: A delay line circuit is provided that precisely delays the incoming referenced clock signal by utilizing two delay cells and a sample-and-hold circuit. The circuit eliminates the need for sensing circuitry at the output to determine if the need to monitor the delay line circuit is operating in an undesirable operation. By eliminating the sensing circuitry the reliability of delay line circuit is significantly increased.

Abstract: A system for predicting the failure of a storage unit, such as a disk drive. In a most general sense, the inventive system includes a first mechanism (20, 22, 24) for moving an element (16) over a surface (12) which is moving relative to the element (16). The first mechanism includes an arm (18, 20) for supporting the element (16) over the surface (12) and a motor (24) connected to the arm (18, 20). A position error detector (42) is included for detecting a change in torque applied to the motor (24) due to friction between the element (16) and the surface (12). The position error detector (42) provides a signal in response to changes in torque which is processed to predict a head disk interaction or failure of the storage system. In a particular embodiment, the position error detector (42) senses a change in a lateral force applied to the element (12) in response to a change in friction between the surface and the element.

Abstract: Metal pillars (18) having diameters of less than about 1.0 .mu.m are grown in vias (16) in dielectric layers (14) between metal layers (12, 22) by a process comprising: (a) forming a first metal layer (12) at a first temperature and patterning the metal layer; (b) forming the dielectric layer to encapsulate the first patterned metal layer, the dielectric layer having a compressive stress of at least about 100 MegaPascal and being formed at a second temperature; (c) opening vias in the dielectric layer to exposed underlying portions of the patterned metal layer, the vias being less than about 1.0 .mu.m in diameter; (d) heating the semiconductor wafer at a temperature that is greater than either the first or second temperatures to induce growth of metal in the vias from the metal layer; and (e) forming the second metal layer (22) over the dielectric layer to make contact with the metal pillars.

Abstract: A system and method for fuzzy spread spectrum communication. The system includes a fuzzy spreader for spreading an input signal over a range of frequencies and fuzzy despreader for extracting the spread input signal from the range of frequencies. In the illustrative implementation, the inventive system a fuzzy pseudo-random generator for use in the fuzzy spreader and the fuzzy despreader. The fuzzy pseudo-random generator uses a novel method for generating pseudo-random numbers. It does not use encryption or decryption techniques. The invention further provides a method for adaptive rule generation and a novel method for identifying the centroid of the set of output numbers. This allows the fuzzy system to learn spreading rules that favor data compression, compact multiplexing, bandwidth conservation, and other communication tasks as well as rules that favor security.

Abstract: A magnetic dado shim is a disc cut from highly flexible magnetic sheeting, and includes a central arbor hole. When the magnetic dado shim is placed concentrically on a steel dado blade, it sticks securely thereto, and will not easily shim in position. Therefore, the magnetic dado shim will not fall into the thread of an arbor and become damaged when the dado set is tightened thereon. Accordingly, the magnetic dado shim is very easy to install.

Abstract: A system for automatically installing new processor control code in a computing system running old processor control code with minimal disruption in the operation thereof. The new code is loaded into the computing system and compared to the old code to identify values of a plurality of updating variables. Changes in the operation of the computing system are effected based on the values of the updating variables without disrupting the operation thereof. In a specific embodiment, the inventive system includes microcode in which resource management variables are labeled and given predetermined values. The resource management variables are compared to corresponding variables in the old code to determine which resources to control to effect an updating of the system. Thus, substantial changes in microcode are effected automatically and without disruption.

Abstract: Fruit or vegetables still maturing on a parent plant are protected from damage due to soft freeze by enclosing the fruits or vegetables within a bag made of flexible, thermally insulating, water and air permeable material that remains stable in prolonged sunlight. The bag is globular in shape and has a single elasticized opening. Examples of suitable bag materials include wool, acrylic, modacrylic, polyester, polypropylene, and fiber blends containing these materials. Other suitable materials include jute, flax, and hemp, for use in burlap material.