Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the invention allow for direct digitization of wideband RF signals without the need for down conversion or the use of mixers. In one embodiment, a preprocessed input analog signal is applied to three wideband Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZI), e.g., modulators, to amplitude modulate a continuous wave laser signal. A photodetector is used at the output of each interferometer to convert the amplitude modulated optical signal into an electrical signal. This is followed by an amplifier and a low-pass filter (LPF) to increase the signal level and to reduce the noise. A small mi comparator bank at the output of each LPF is clocked at the sampling frequency and encodes the electrical signal from each detector into a thermometer code that represents an integer value within the modulus. A field programmable gate array (FPGA) then combines the thermometer-code from each comparator bank in order to generate a more convenient 6-bit binary representation, i.e., a digital output.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and networks that divide and proportionally distribute the drive strength of a clock buffer such that the output drive strength of the clock buffer is divided proportionally among a plurality of outputs from the clock buffer. In one embodiment, the present invention selectively couples adjacent parallel inverters present in a clock buffer to separate, internal distribution wires. The internal distribution wires are selectively coupled to one or more outputs by a connector wire to provide proportional, multiple outputs of the drive strength from the clock buffer to a clock network.

Abstract: Coupling capacitance is used to balance skew in a network. In one embodiment, the coupling capacitance exerted by shielding wires oppositely adjacent one or more signal wires in a network is utilized to vary the speed of a signal carried on the one or more signal wires to balance skew in the network.

Abstract: Methods and devices for implementing repeaters in integrated circuit wire buses having a pre-determined wire pitch, such as a minimum wire pitch, are described. In one embodiment, a parameterized bus repeater circuit cell of variable length having a width of three times the wire pitch of the bus to be repeated is described. In another embodiment, a bus repeater circuit block having a plurality of individual bus repeater circuit cells is described. The embodiments of the present invention are readily adaptable to design implementations using computer-aided design tools to provide automated placement and array of the bus repeater circuit cells and bus repeater circuit blocks.

Abstract: A refrigeration cooling assisted MEMS-based micro-channel cooling system that removes high heat densities generated by microelectronic components using a primary cooling system thermally coupled with a secondary chip embedded cooling system.