Abstract: Testing of a system-on-a-chip having a programmable section and a plurality of high-speed interfaces begins by configuring the programmable section to support a 1st level testing of the plurality of high-speed interfaces. The testing continues by testing one of the plurality of high-speed interfaces at the 1st level of testing via the programmable section. The testing continues by evaluating the tested performance characteristics in accordance with the prescribed performance characteristics of the standard to determine whether the one of the plurality of high-speed interfaces conforms with the standard requirements. When the one of the plurality of high-speed interfaces conforms with the standard requirements, the plurality of high-speed interfaces are configured for a 2nd level testing, where the 1st level testing is more stringent than the 2nd level testing. The testing continues by testing, at the 2nd level, remaining ones of the plurality of high-speed interfaces.

Abstract: A method for channel bonding begins when a master transceiver receives a channel bonding sequence. The process continues with the master transceiver generating a channel bonding request and transmitting it and channel bonding configuration information to the slave transceiver. The process continues with each slave receiving the channel bonding sequence, the channel bonding request and the channel bonding configuration information. The process continues as each slave processes the channel bonding request and the channel bonding sequence in accordance with the channel bonding configuration information to determine individual slave channel bonding start information. The process continues as the master processes the channel bonding sequence in accordance with the channel bonding configuration information and the channel bonding request to determine master channel bonding start information.

Abstract: A digital high speed programmable delayed locked loop (DLL) includes a zero degree phase shift digital delay line, at least one intermediate phase shift digital delay line, a three hundred and sixty degree phase shift digital delay line, and a digital control module. The zero degree phase shift, intermediate phase shift, and 360 degree phase shift digital delay lines are operably coupled to produce, from a clock signal, zero phase shifted, intermediate phase shifted, and 360 phase shifted representations, respectively, of the clock signal. The digital control module is operably coupled to produce an intermediate control signal for the intermediate phase shift digital delay line and a 360 degree control signal for the 360 degree phase shift digital delay line based on a phase difference between the zero phase shifted representation of the clock signal and the three hundred and sixty degree phase shifted representation of the clock signal.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for compensation of distortion caused by transmission line effects are disclosed herein. An output port including a feed-forward circuit parallel to the output impedance of an output driver compensates for distortion introduced by transmitting data over a transmission medium. The compensated output driver is utilized to transmit data between devices or circuits connected using conductive traces on printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A distributed buffering system includes at least one input buffer, at least one serializing module, a at least one deserializing module, at least one output buffer, and a programmable logic device. The input buffer is operably coupled to store at least one data block of incoming data. The serializing module serializes the data block as it is retrieved from the input buffer to produce a serial stream of data. The programmable logic device receives the serial stream of data and distributes it to one or more of the at least one deserializing modules. The at least one deserializing module converts the serial stream back into the data block. The recaptured data block is then provided to the corresponding output buffer, which stores the recaptured data.

Abstract: Framing transmit encoded output data begins by determining a scrambling remainder between scrambling of an input code word in accordance with a 1st scrambling protocol and the scrambling of the input code word in accordance with an adjustable scrambling protocol. The processing continues by adjusting the adjustable scrambling protocol based on the scrambling remainder to produce an adjusted scrambling protocol. The processing continues by scrambling the input code word in accordance with the 1st scrambling protocol to produce a 1st scrambled code word. The processing continues by scrambling the input code word in accordance with the adjusted scrambling protocol to produce a scrambled partial code word. The processing continues by determining a portion of the 1st scrambled code word based on the scrambling remainder. The process continues by combining the scrambled partial code word with the portion of the 1st scrambled code word to produce the transmit encoded output data.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop with a non-integer divider utilizes a state machine to periodically select a new clock from a plurality of clocks for comparison to a reference signal after division by an integer divide by N block. Based on a desired divider ratio, the state machine selects the new clock that is phase shifted with respect to a presently selected clock. Each change from the presently selected clock to the new clock produces a selected clock cycle that is expanded or contracted by the amount of phase shift between the new clock and the presently selected clock. The integer divide by N block divides the selected clock by the integer portion of the desired divider ratio producing a divided clock that is effectively divided by a non-integer amount.

Abstract: Adaptive transition density data triggered PLL (Phase Locked Loop). A novel solution is presented within a data triggered PLL whereby the missing data edge transitions may be detected and used to modify a phase difference between a data signal and a feedback signal and/or a current of a CP (Charge Pump) thereby maintaining a substantially constant loop bandwidth of the PLL for varying data edge transition rates. In one embodiment, an estimation of a substantially linear shift in PLL phase relative to the data phase is employed in the absence of data edge transitions. Alternatively, other means of implementing the shifts may be employed (e.g., non-linear) as desired in particular applications. This solution provides for a data triggered PLL that is practically impervious to variations in data edge transition density.

Abstract: A receiver termination network is included in a high-speed receiver that also includes a receiver analog front-end and a data recovery module. The receiver termination network includes a DC matched termination circuit and an AC coupled bias circuit. The DC matched termination circuit is operably coupled to provide a termination of a transmission line coupling the high-speed receiver to a transmission source and to receive high-speed data via the transmission line. The AC coupled bias circuit is operably coupled to provide a common mode reference and to high-pass filter the high-speed data to produce filtered high-speed data. The receiver analog front-end is biased in accordance with the common mode reference and is operably coupled to amplify the filtered high-speed data to produce amplified high-speed data.

Abstract: A programmable differential signaling system includes a programmable bias generator and a plurality of input/output modules. The programmable bias generator is operably coupled to generate a first global bias signal and a second global signal based on desired signal properties of one of a plurality of differential signaling conventions. The a plurality of input/output modules is operably coupled to convert between differential signaling and single ended signaling, wherein actual signal properties of the differential signaling are regulated based on the first and second global bias signals to substantially equal the desired signal properties.

Abstract: A programmable layered sub-system interface includes an extension sub-layer module, a physical coding sub-layer module, a physical media attachment module, an input module, an output module, a 1st switch module and a 2nd switch module. The 1st switch module is coupled between the physical media attachment module and the physical coding sub-layer module. The 2nd switch module is operably coupled between the physical coding sub-layer module and the extension sub-layer module. The input and output modules are operably coupled to the 1st and 2nd switch modules. The 1st switch module provides various combinations of coupling between the physical media attachment module, the physical coding sub-layer module, the input module and the output module. The 2nd switch module provides combinations of coupling between the extension sub-layer module, the physical coding sub-layer module, the input module and the output module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transceiving data in a micro-area network includes processing that begins by obtaining a data unit for transmission by a first data transceiving entity of a micro area network. The processing then continues when the first data transceiving entity formats the payload data using a first transmission format convention. The first data transceiving entity also formats the overhead data using a second transmission formatting convention to produce formatted overhead data. The formatting of the overhead data and/or payload data may include encoding and/or modulating the data. The processing continues when the first data transceiving entity transmits the formatted payload data and the formatted overhead data to at least one target entity within the micro-area network. The process continues when a target entity receives the formatted payload data and the formatted overhead data.

Abstract: A high-speed, wide bandwidth data detection circuit includes a phase detection module, a data detection module, a loop filter, and a voltage controlled oscillator. The phase detection module is operably coupled to produce a controlled current based on a current mode mathematical manipulation of differences between an incoming data stream and a recovered clock. The phase detection module performs the current mode mathematical manipulations and produces the controlled current in the current domain. The data detection module is operably coupled to produce the detected data based on the incoming data stream and the recovered clock. The loop filter is operably coupled to convert the controlled current into a controlled voltage. The voltage controlled oscillator is operably coupled to convert the control voltage into the recovered clock.

Abstract: Creating virtual extender plugins using MGTs (Multi-Gigabit Transceivers). A virtual extender plugin allows a user seamlessly to bridge between various FPGAs (Filed Programmable Logic Arrays) when designing and implementing electronic devices. These bridges, provided by these virtual extender plugins, allow for efficient use of various untapped resources within a device. For example, a given FPGA may employ virtual extender plugin(s) to access and use various untapped (or relatively lightly tapped) functionality of other FPGAs. These virtual extender plugins may be implemented according to a relatively wide variety of applications allowing the tapping of unused resources such as memory, microprocessor peripherals, LUTs (Look Up Tables), IOs (Input/Output devices and/or ports), memory, and embedded microprocessor blocks.

Abstract: A programmable serial data path includes a programmable timing circuit and a parallel to serial module. The programmable timing circuit is operably coupled to generate a first plurality of timing signals when width of parallel input data is of a first multiple and to generate a second plurality of timing signals when the width of the parallel input data is of a second multiple. The parallel to serial module is operably coupled to convert the parallel input data into serial output data based on the first or second plurality of timing signals.

Abstract: A calibrated VCO for use in a phase-locked loop includes a low frequency calibration block for setting a bias signal for a ring oscillator to a center point to prompt the ring oscillator to generate an oscillation that is in the middle of its output frequency range and a high frequency VCO gm stage for generating an adjustment calibration signal that is added or subtracted to and from the bias signal created by the low frequency calibration block. A low pass filter coupled between the gates of a current mirror of the low frequency calibration block operates to filter noise and interference generated within the low frequency calibration block. Additionally, the magnitude of the bias signal produced by the low frequency calibration block is significantly greater than the adjustment bias signal generated by the high frequency VCO gm stage.

Abstract: A limiting circuit includes an input transconductance stage, an output transconductance stage, a feedback transconductance stage, first and second resistive loads, and a level limiting circuit. The input transconductance stage is operably coupled to convert an input voltage signal into an input current signal. The first resistive load is operably coupled to convert the input current signal and a feedback current signal into an intermediate output voltage signal. The output transconductance stage is operably coupled to convert the intermediate output voltage signal into an output current signal. The second resistive load is operably coupled to convert the output current signal into an output voltage signal. The feedback transconductance stage is operably coupled to produce the feedback current signal based on the output voltage signal. The level limiting module is operably coupled to limit at least one voltage level of the feedback transconductance stage.

Abstract: A method for correcting antenna violations in high-density integrated circuits (IC) begins by determining location of an antenna violation within a layout of a high-density integrated circuit. The processing continues by determining an affected input of a cell of the high-density integrated circuit based on the location of the antenna error. The processing then continues by identifying an available charge protection element. The processing further continues by logically coupling the available charge protection element to the affected input of the cell.

Abstract: A transceiver includes a receiver section and a transmitter section. The receiver section includes a clocking circuit, a serial-to-parallel module, and compensation. The transmitter section includes a clocking circuit, parallel-to-serial module, and compensation. The compensation within the receiver section and transmitter section compensates for integrated circuit (IC) processing limits and/or integrated circuit (IC) fabrication limits within the clocking circuits, serial-to-parallel module, and parallel-to-serial module that would otherwise limit the speed at which the transceiver could transport data.

Abstract: A method for testing a multi-gigabit transceiver begins by configuring the multi-gigabit transceiver for testing. The processing continues by varying a performance aspect of the multi-gigabit transceiver to produce a varied multi-gigabit transceiver. The processing continues by providing an input test signal to the varied multi-gigabit transceiver. The processing further continues by monitoring an output of the varied multi-gigabit transceiver with respect to the input test signal to determine a level of signal integrity. The processing continues by determining when the level of signal integrity provides a desired performance margin. The processing continues by adjusting a programmable operational setting of the multi-gigabit transceiver when the level of signal integrity does not provide the desired performance margin.