Abstract: Disclosed herein is an instruction set scheduling system for scheduling instruction sets in a pipelined processing system. In particular, the scheduling system includes a binary search technique for ascertaining the minimum acceptable iteration interval amongst a range of possible iteration intervals for use by the modulo scheduler.

Abstract: Control circuit 30 determines whether or not all ink cartridges CA1 through CA6 are attached in the home position based on cartridge out signals COO. Control circuit 30 carries out communication with memory devices 21 through 26 and determines the presence or absence of communication malfunctions. When a communication malfunction develops in one of memory devices 21 through 26, control circuit 30 determines if a communication malfunction is caused by ink cartridge 30 being detached and identifies detached ink cartridge CA using identifying information. When all of ink cartridges CA1 through CA6 are attached, control circuit 30 determines which of memory devices 21 through 26 has developed a communication malfunction and identifies ink cartridge CA in which a communication malfunction has developed using identifying information.

Abstract: A belt wiper that can be used in a linear belt-type chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) system to maintain a belt pad is provided. The belt wiper mitigates disturbances within a detection region important to a belt pad steering system. Also, the belt wiper mitigates the obscuring of optical components important to operation of an endpoint detection system. Thus, the belt wiper, by wiping the underside of the belt pad will preserve the functionality of both the belt pad steering system and the endpoint detection system.

Abstract: A method for identifying faulty and weak memory cells is provided. A normal internal clock signal for use in accessing a memory array is provided, wherein the memory array may contain redundant memory cells that can be accessed during normal operation. In addition, a test is performed on the memory array using a stress clock signal. Each pulse of the stress clock signal is of a shorter duration than each pulse of the normal internal clock signal. In this manner, memory cells that fail the test using the stress clock signal are identified as non-usable memory cells. In some embodiments, the normal internal clock signal is based on required read and write times for the memory cells of the memory array and a margin added to the required read and write times. Each pulse of the stress clock signal can be approximately equal to each pulse of the normal internal clock signal minus the margin.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improved handling of data in a cache memory system (105) for caching data transferred between a processor (110) capable of executing a program and a main-memory (115). The cache memory system (105) has at least one cache (135) with several cache-lines (160) capable of caching data therein. In the method, a cache address space is provided for each cache (135) and special instructions are generated and inserted into the program to directly control caching of data in at least one ofthe cache-lines (160). Special instructions received in the cache memory system (105) are then executed to cache the data. The special instructions can be generated by a compiler during compiling of the program. Where the cache memory system (105) includes a set-associative-cache having a number of sets each with several cache-lines (160), the method can further include the step of determining which cache-line in a set to flush to main-memory (115) before caching new data to the set.

Abstract: A processing belt for use in chemical mechanical planarization (CMP), and methods for making the same, is provided. Embodiments of the processing belt include a mesh belt, and a polymeric material encasing the mesh belt to define the processing belt. The processing belt is fabricated so that the mesh belt forms a continuous loop within the polymeric material, and the mesh belt is constructed as a grid of intersecting members. The intersecting members are joined at fixed joints to form a rigid support structure for the processing belt.

Abstract: The invention provides a memory device including a memory substrate, an insulating layer, a shielding metal layer, a second dielectric layer and a second metal layer. The memory substrate includes a substrate, a memory cell area, a peripheral circuit area, a first dielectric layer and a first metal layer. The first dielectric layer is formed on the memory area and the peripheral circuit area, which are formed on the substrate. The first metal layer is formed on the first dielectric layer while the insulating layer is formed on the first dielectric layer not covered with the first metal layer. The shielding metal layer is formed on the insulating layer over the memory cell area. The second dielectric layer is formed on the shielding metal layer, the insulating layer not covered with the shielding metal layer and the first metal layer not covered with both the shielding layer and the insulating layer. The second metal layer is formed on the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for backing up data from a storage device having one or more partitions. Each partition has a plurality of clusters that include one or more sectors capable of storing data to be backed up. A number of sectors are specified for a block such that a partition to be backed up is defined in terms of a plurality of the blocks. A block map is then generated to indicate whether each of the blocks in the partition contains any data to be backed up. The block map is then traversed and the blocks that are indicated in the block map to contain the data are backed up from the partition while the blocks having no data are not backed up.

Abstract: Methods for N-way mirroring of data to a plurality of distributed storage and systems for carrying out the methods are provided. One method includes initially selecting an initiator storage. The initiator storage is configured to have data that is to be protected. The method also includes selecting a group of storage. Each storage in the group of storage is configured to obtain an initial copy of the data of the initiator storage that is to be protected. A modification in the data that is to be protected in the initiator storage is then detected. The method accordingly proceeds to notify each of the storage of the group of storage regarding the modification. A detection of the notification is configured to cause each of the storage of the group of storage to independently copy the modification so as to maintain data consistency between the initiator storage and each storage of the group of storage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffuser and a chamber for venting and/or pumping gas. The diffuser includes a body, a reflector, and a set of vanes. The body includes a nozzle through a center portion and has a curved surface on an upper side to define an open space above the curved surface. The nozzle is arranged to allow a gas to flow through and expand in the nozzle. The reflector is disposed over the nozzle and is arranged to reflect the gas from the nozzle into the open space in the body while expanding the gas flow. The vanes further divide the flow into roughly equal portions. In this configuration, the flow of the gas is slowed in the nozzle, the reflector portion, and the open space in the body between the vanes so that the gas flows out of the open space with substantially uniform low velocity.

Abstract: A method for writing a file of data to a compact disc media is provided. The method begins by receiving a first portion of the file for writing to the compact disc media. The first portion can be any portion of the file. Once received, the first portion is divided into a plurality of chunks. A map data sector is then generated for a set of the plurality of chunks, and the map data sector includes information for interrelating the file data and the plurality of chunks to be written to the compact disc media. The map data sector is then written to the compact disc media followed by the plurality of chunks of the first portion of the file. If possible, the plurality of chunks are first compressed before writing to the compact disc media. If the first portion is long enough to fill multiple sets of chunks, associated map data sectors will be generated for those additional sets of chunks.

Abstract: A system for reading data in a memory cell includes three comparators, each of which has two inputs. A first reference cell having a low reference voltage is coupled to one input of the first comparator. A second reference cell having a high reference voltage is coupled to one input of the second comparator. A memory cell having a memory cell voltage is coupled to the other input of the first and second comparators. One input of the third comparator is coupled to the first comparator's output signal, which includes a difference voltage between the memory cell voltage and the low reference voltage. The other input of the third comparator is coupled to the second comparator's output signal, which includes a difference voltage between the memory cell voltage and the high reference voltage. A method and apparatus for reading data in a memory cell also are described.

Abstract: A CPU executes program instructions which result in valid and invalid intermediate results. By selecting the desired intermediate results, a program is able to be successfully executed. Analysis of the intermediate results must avoid plausible wrong results. A programmable feature allows the instruction decoder to provide plural answers, including plausible wrong answers. Instruction output selection logic selects a predetermined buffer, and this permits further microprocessor operation with the correct intermediate result.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for an optical endpoint detection system that utilizes optical interference to determine when a metal layer has reached a thin metal zone during a CMP process. A portion of a surface of a wafer is illuminated with broad baned light source. Then, reflected spectrum data corresponding to a plurality of spectrums of light reflected from the illuminated portion of the surface of the wafer is received. An endpoint is then determined based on optical interference occurring in the reflected spectrum data, which is a result of phase differences in light reflected from different layers of the wafer, and occurs when the top metal layer is reduced to the thin metal zone.

Abstract: A precompensation cutback differential driver includes a main buffer, a set of secondary buffers, and control logic circuitry. The main buffer is arranged to drive a first input differential signal for output as a differential output signal over a differential output line. The set of secondary buffers is arranged to receive second input differential signals, tristate signals, and mode signals with each secondary buffer receiving one second input differential signal, one tristate signal, and one mode signal. The secondary buffers are further configured to operate in a normal slew rate or a slow slew rate. Each tristate signal is configured to drive the associated secondary buffer to high impedance to turn off the associated secondary buffer when the tristate signal is asserted. Additionally, each secondary buffer is configured to operate in a slow slew rate in response to the associated mode signal.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) is configurable in an embodiment of the invention. A user configures sliding panels located on the edges of the GUI. A sliding panel is configured with an application that runs in the sliding panel. The sliding panel is present in the GUI in either a closed or an open representation. The sliding panel's GUI representation is determined based on the position of the user's cursor. When the cursor is within a closed sliding panel's closed representation, the sliding panel is expanded to its open representation. By moving the cursor outside the sliding panel, the user can close the panel. There is no need for the user to consciously manage the elements in the GUI. The elements are managed based on the configuration information supplied by the user and the information available at runtime.

Abstract: A print area is divided into pixel blocks, each consisting of a plurality of pixels. Tone reproduction is performed with different density inks for cyan and magenta by a method in which the pixels in each pixel block are correlated on a one-on-one basis with the ejection positions of a plurality of different density inks, and different density dots are formed at each pixel position. Large dots extending across a plurality of pixels are formed with yellow and black inks.

Abstract: Methods and device are provided for detecting and correcting errors in error correction coded (ECC) data sectors. The ECC data sectors are sequentially received as a data stream from a data storage medium. The device includes a buffer and an error detection and correction (EDAC) circuitry. The buffer is arranged to sequentially receive and store the ECC data sectors from the data storage medium. The EDAC circuitry is arranged to sequentially receive the ECC data sectors for sequentially generating a plurality of syndrome sets for the ECC data sectors with one syndrome set per ECC data sector. Each syndrome set includes a plurality of syndromes. The EDAC circuitry sequentially stores the syndrome sets into the buffer while accessing the stored syndrome sets sequentially to decode errors in the associated ECC data sectors. Preferably, erasure information containing one or more bad data byte locations is also generated and stored along with the syndromes for each ECC data sector.

Abstract: A passivation structure for a semiconductor device includes a high ultraviolet transmittance silicon nitride (UV-SiN) layer. This UV-SiN layer substantially conformally overlies a plurality of top metal lines, which are formed over a semiconductor substrate, such that topographical hollows are defined between adjacent top metal lines. A spin-on glass (SOG) material fills in the topographical hollows. A silicon oxynitride (SiON) layer having a thickness in a range from about 8,000 angstroms to about 10,000 angstroms overlies the UV-SiN layer and the SOG material. A method for forming the passivation structure also is described.