Abstract: Multiple burst memory access handling protocols may be implemented at the hardware level or evaluated and selected during design of the hardware. The appropriate burst protocol may be selectable based on burst characteristics such as burst types and the identity of the current bus master. This allows, for example, the ability for a slave to support multiple error protocols in a multi-master system on a chip (SoC), or to design slaves capable of interfacing with a variety of masters which use different burst handling protocols. Inputs such as a programmable control register or configuration pins or variables may be provided to as part of the slave or slave interface block (e.g., a memory controller) to facilitate the implementation of alternate burst protocols. When a burst request is received from a master, a burst characteristic corresponding to the requested burst is determined and one of a plurality of burst error protocols is selected based on the burst characteristic.

Abstract: Hashing and pattern matching are used in an information processing system to process incoming messages from a network such as an Ethernet-based network. Using hashing and pattern matching increases the efficiency of message acceptance and rejection without increasing software-based processor tasks. A hash function and a pattern matching function are performed on a message received by an information processing system, and the message is selectively accepted based on at least one of a hash result and a pattern matching result. The incoming message can be searched for the existence of patterns and the absence of the patterns. The incoming message can be searched for the existence of multiple patterns. The results of pattern matching can be used not only for acceptance and rejection of messages, but also for other post-receipt tasks such as selective storage of incoming messages according to identified relative priorities or absolute criticality of messages having particular pattern matches.

Abstract: A circuit and a method for interpolative delay is provided. The circuit includes a delay locked loop with interpolation delay. The delay locked loop includes a differential inverter, an interpolation circuit, and a differential compare circuit. The differential inverter is coupled to receive a differential clock signal and coupled to provide an inverted differential clock signal. The interpolation circuit is coupled to receive both the clock signal and the inverted clock signal, and to provide an interpolated clock signal having a first delay relative to the clock signal. The differential compare circuit is coupled to receive the inverted clock signal and coupled to provide a non-interpolated clock signal having a second delay relative to the clock signal. The second delay corresponds to a full delay of the differential inverter and the first delay corresponds to a predetermined fraction of the full delay.

Abstract: An electroless plating process for forming a barrier film such as a cobalt tungsten boron film on copper interconnects lines of semiconductor wafers uses a plating bath of morpholine borane which provides higher thermal stability and range, allowing for greater compatibility with low k dielectric materials. Mixed chelating agents with different stability constants with a metal source are used to complex base metal such as copper which dissolves into solution, if any. A fluorosurfactant is used as a wetting agent and stabilizer.

Abstract: In a circuit including a number of functional blocks of circuits, each block having a minimum operating voltage, a plurality of sense lines from each of the blocks is used to measure local voltage fluctuation at each block. The power voltage(s) of the overall circuit may be globally regulating in the circuit responsive to such locally sensed voltage fluctuations to prevent the local voltages from dropping below the minimum operating voltage for each block.

Abstract: A Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter circuit (60) includes delay elements (63, 64, 66), multipliers (71, 72, 73, 74), a summing device (78), and a digital integrator (69) at the output of the FIR filter circuit (60). A method for processing data using the FIR filter circuit (60) includes differentially encoding data prior to storing or processing of the data. The method provides a technique for compressing data since less memory is needed to store derivative data. The method further includes integrating the derivative data using the digital integrator (69) to decompress the derivative data.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic structure (30) includes a first ceramic layer (32), a second ceramic layer (34) adjacent to the first ceramic layer, and a transmission line (38) formed between the first and second ceramic layers. The transmission line includes first and second portions (44, 46) having a first width, third and fourth portions (47, 48) formed between the first and second portions and having a second width that is narrower than the first width, and a fifth portion (49) formed between the third and fourth portions. A probe (40), comprising a conductively filled via, is attached at one end to the fifth portion, the probe passing through the second ceramic layer for providing a test point (42). The structure compensates for return loss induced by the probe.

Abstract: Coding gain is used to configure a communication system using a programmable error correction scheme. A best available error correction configuration is selected from among several configurations to provide an optimal coding gain performance for a given line or set of line characteristics and a given communication system. Payload is calculated for each of several error correction configurations, and the configuration providing the highest payload for a target bit error rate is selected. Use of gross gain to configure the communication system further provides an optimal configuration.

Abstract: A system provides a method and apparatus for accessing information in a cache in a data processing system. The system optimizes a speed-critical path within the cache system by using a prediction scheme. The prediction scheme subdivides the address range of address bits and compares the portions separately. A comparison of a critical portion of the address, along with a prediction bit, are used to generate a prediction.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a thermal state of a system includes a thermal management integrated circuit (IC). The thermal management IC is coupled to receive a remote temperature signal. The remote temperature signal is indicative of a system temperature. The thermal management IC includes a software programmable temperature threshold setpoint, and a hardware programmable temperature critical threshold setpoint.

Abstract: A central processing unit (2) and a debug module (10) execute concurrent operations without requiring a data processor (3) to operate in a special debug mode. The use of a bus (25) to communicate data, address, and control information between a core (9) and debug module (10) allows debug module (10) to have access the same internal registers and memory locations as central processing unit (2). While debug module (10) and central processing unit (2) both have the ability to access the same internal registers and memory locations, central processing unit (2) may not modify a value stored in a plurality of breakpoint registers (50) when an Inhibit Processor Writes to Debug Registers (IPW) bit in a CSR (FIG. 8) of a plurality of control registers (40) is set. The IPW bit may only be modified by a command provided by an external development system (7).

Abstract: A central processing unit (2) and a debug module (10) execute concurrent operations without requiring a data processor (3) to operate in a special debug mode. The use of a bus (25) to communicate data, address, and control information between a core (9) and debug module (10) allows debug module (10) to have access the same internal registers and memory locations as central processing unit (2). While debug module (10) and central processing unte (2) both have the ability to access the same internal registers and memory locations, central processing unit (2) may not modify a value stored in a plurality of breakpoint registers (50) when an Inhibit Processor Writes to Debug Registers (IPW) bit in a CSR (FIG. 8) of a plurality of control registers (40) is set. The IPW bit may only be modified by a command provided by an external development system (7).