Abstract: The present invention provides for a cache-accessing system employing a binary tree with decision nodes. A cache comprising a plurality of sets is provided. A locking or streaming replacement strategy is employed for individual sets of the cache. A replacement management table is also provided. The replacement management table is employable for managing a replacement policy of information associated with the plurality of sets. A pseudo least recently used function is employed to determine the least recently used set of the cache, for such reasons as set replacement. An override signal line is also provided. The override signal is employable to enable an overwrite of a decision node of the binary tree. A value signal is also provided. The value signal is employable to overwrite the decision node of the binary tree.

Abstract: A waveform viewer implemented method of generating and manipulating user specified language simulation code such that an integrated circuit digital design can be modified. The visual capabilities of the waveform viewer allow a plurality of inputs for processing. The previous test's user specified language lines and the original signal waveforms are viewable on the same screen as the new code lines and waveforms. The waveform viewer also displays the contents of the portable reusable code portable reusable coded storage device. Each line of code and every signal can be manipulated by the user within the waveform viewer. The modified code output is applied to the test sequence through the waveform viewer, and the integrated circuit is retested with the new code. After modifications to the integrated circuit are complete, the proved device's stored user specified language can be transported to and inserted in other device architectures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature sensitive ring oscillator (TSRO) in an integrated circuit. A temperature measuring device, such as a thermal resistor, is proximate the TSRO, which shares a substantially similar temperature. A memory is employable for storing data that is a function of the output of the TSRO and the temperature measuring device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a data access ring. The data access ring has a plurality of attached processor units (APUs) and a local store associated with each APU. The data access ring has a data command ring, coupled to the plurality of APUs. The data command ring is employable to carry indicia of a selection of one of the plurality of APUs to the APUs. The data access ring also has a data address ring, coupled to the plurality of APUs. The data address ring is further employable to carry indicia of a memory location to the selected APU a predetermined number of clock cycles after the data command ring carries the indicia of the selection of one of the plurality of APUs. The data access ring also has a data transfer ring, coupled to the plurality of APUs. The data transfer ring is employable to transfer data to or from the memory location associated with the APU a predetermined number of clock cycles after the data address ring carries the indicia of the memory location to the selected APU.

Abstract: A disclosed method for designing a circuit having multiple conductors includes selecting first and second circuit operating points corresponding to first and second circuit applications, respectively. A performance difference between circuit operation at the first and second circuit operating points is determined and used to compute a factor. The factor is applied to resistance values of the conductors, thereby producing modified conductor resistance values. A timing analysis of the circuit is performed using the modified conductor resistance values. A computer program product is described including computer program code for carrying out some or all of the operations of the method. An apparatus for designing the circuit includes means for applying the factor to the resistance values of the conductors and for performing the timing analysis of the circuit. A described timing analysis system includes a memory system and a central processing unit coupled to the memory system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spring clip apparatus for holding one or more heat generating components, such as field effect transistors (FETs) and diodes, firmly against a heat receiving side of a finned heat radiating device having slots within or between the fins. In a finned heat sink, a moving arm of the clip slides into and makes contact with the heat sink in the slot and the confines of the slot prevent further sideways movement while another arm contact point of the clip holds the component firmly in position against the heat sink opposite the moving arm contact point. Clips may be both single and dual arm and may be configured for holding from one to multiple components in contact with the heat sink. The clip may also be used in a similar manner with a non-finned heat sink.

Abstract: A pulse generator circuit is disclosed including a delay element coupled to a logic circuit. The delay element receives a clock signal CLK and a signal X and produces a signal XN dependent upon the clock signal CLK and the signal X. The logic circuit receives the clock signal CLK and the signal XN and produces a signal ACLK such that ACLK=CLK·XN?. The signal ACLK may include a series of positive pulses. The delay element may be, for example, one of multiple delay elements coupled in series, and signal X may be an output of a preceding one of the delay elements. A semiconductor device is described including the above pulse generator circuit and a self-resetting logic circuit. The self-resetting logic circuit receives the signal ACLK and one or more input signals and performs a logic operation using the one or more input signals during the positive pulses.

Abstract: The present invention provides for determining gate speed parameters in a circuit. A first delay is selected. A second delay is selected, wherein the second delay is longer than the first delay. A clock signal is delayed as a function of the first delay. The clock signal is combined with the first delayed clock signal. A first pulse signal is produced from combining the clock signal with the first delayed clock signal. A clock signal is delayed as a function of the second delay. The clock signal is combined with the first delayed clock signal. A second pulse signal is produced from combining the clock signal with the second delayed clock signal. The first delayed clock signal is integrated. The second delayed clock signal is integrated. The first delayed integrated clock signal is compared with the second delayed integrated clock signal. When the first delayed integrated clock signal is greater than the second integrated clock signal, the gate delay is determined.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and apparatus for converting address and message input, obtained from a telephone type terminal, at a service provider, to a format whereby the service provider may attach the voice message to an e-mail directed to an internet addressee.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for prefetching data from a system memory to a cache for a direct memory access (DMA) mechanism in a computer system. A DMA mechanism is set up for a processor. A load access pattern of the DMA mechanism is detected. At least one potential load of data is predicted based on the load access pattern. In response to the prediction, the data is prefetched from a system memory to a cache before a DMA command requests the data.

Abstract: A golf club head that allows a user to customize the location of the center of gravity. The golf club head comprises a club head having a hollow cavity with a weighting port. The weighting port allows a user to place weighting material inside the hollow cavity, customizing the location of the center of gravity, the swing weight, the total weight, and the balance of the golf club.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for remotely monitoring the status of a variety of illumination devices. A fiber optic cable coupled to a light fixture transmits a light display. Based on the light received, the status of the light is determined. The status is determined without the use of elegant and expensive electronics that are more subject to failure and with minimal power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention provides employing differential transitional encoding with a differential bus. Employing the differential transitional encoding comprises dividing the differential bus into one or more groups comprising four bus lines. Employment of the differential bus also comprises asserting half the bus lines of a group during a bus data transfer, thereby defining an asserted set of bus lines and a de-asserted set of bus lines. The method and system further comprises transmitting data by differentially driving two of the bus lines, one bus line per set, by de-asserting one of the bus lines of the asserted set, and asserting one of the bus lines of the de-asserted set.

Abstract: The invention presents a method for selecting test cases in a test simulation of logic designs to improve speed and effectiveness of such testing. The method for selecting such test cases after such test cases are generated includes generating a test-coverage file and a harvest-goals file for the test case. The harvest-goals file contains a list of events and initial goal for each event. Harvest criteria is used to determined whether the number of hits for each event meets the initial goal. By applying the harvest criteria to the test case, it is determined whether to harvest the test case. The test case is saved and identified for harvest, if the test case is determined to be harvested. Also, the harvest-goals file is adjusted, if the test case is determined to be harvested.

Abstract: A lock detector and method is provided for detecting lock between first and second signals. The lock detector includes a pulse generator for receiving the first signal and generating a pulse train from the first signal. Each pulse corresponds to at least one of rising and falling edges of the first signal in each period of the first signal. The lock detector also includes a mask generator for generating a mask signal from the second signal such that the mask signal has a mask state around at least one of rising and falling edges of the second signal in each period of the second signal. Additionally, the lock detector has a logic gate, which receives the pulse train and the mask signal from the pulse generator and the mask generator, respectively. The logic gate generates an incrementing pulse signal by combining the pulse train with the mask signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a bus system having a local bus ring coupled to a remote bus ring. A processing unit is coupled to the local bus node and is employable to request data. A cache is coupled to the processing unit through a command bus. A cache investigator, coupled to the cache, is employable to determine whether the cache contains the requested data. The cache investigator is further employable to generate and broadcast cache utilization parameters, which contain information as to the degree of accessing the cache by other caches, its own associated processing unit, and so on. In one aspect, the cache is a local cache. In another aspect, the cache is a remote cache.

Abstract: All feedback cycles in a circuit network which cross only non-scannable memory elements are detected in linear run time. The method models a circuit network as a directed graph, then attributes network elements so that a single feedback cycle may be found in constant time. In the breadth first version, feedback is detected by traversing at most a constant distance back to the last scannable memory element. In the depth first version, graph nodes are not FINISHED until all predecessors are FINISHED. Feedback is found immediately if a node runs into another node that is NOT—FINISHED. This feedback is illegal if both nodes are in a zone defined by the same scannable memory element. The resulting identification and removal of feedback loops crossing only non-scannable memory elements significantly reduces the subsequent complexity of test pattern generation. This ensures a faster, more reliable, and more accurate test process after circuit fabrication.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic chip containing a plurality of electronic circuit partitions, distributed over the area of the chip, each including a processor core and a clock phase domain different from cores in other partitions of the chip. A source of same frequency, but different phase clock signals representing different clock domains, provides different phase signals to adjacent partitions for the purpose of reducing instantaneous magnitude switching currents. Intra-chip communication circuitry distributes control and data signals between partitions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a PLL (Phase Lock Loop) reducing the lock-in-time of the phase lock loop by altering the impedance of the damping resistor portion of the included LPF (Low Pass Filter) as a function of the difference in frequency or phase between a PLL applied reference frequency and the output frequency provided by the VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) portion of the PLL. This variable impedance is accomplished by introducing a feed forward path that switches a capacitor in and out of the circuit in accordance with the difference frequency. One embodiment uses a mixer to provide the difference frequency signal.

Abstract: For testing a logic unit under test (UUT), rule-based random irritation of a UUT model is provided to be used in conjunction with a simulator. The UUT model is stimulated (or irritated) with data patterns randomly generated by a pattern generator within the boundary of limitations imposed by a rules list. The rules list provides restrictions or encouragements on how data patterns are to be applied to the software model of the UUT. The pattern generator may be implemented either within or outside the simulator. If the pattern generator is incorporated into the simulator, then a software environment is required to interface communications between the pattern generator, the simulator, and other software entities involved in the simulation.