Abstract: A method of creating photolithographic masks for semiconductor device features with reduced design rule violations is provided. The method begins by providing preliminary data that represents an overall mask pattern. The preliminary data is processed to decompose the overall mask pattern into a plurality of component mask patterns. Next, a design rule check is performed on the plurality of component mask patterns to identify tip-to-tip and tip-to-line violations in the plurality of component mask patterns. The method continues by modifying at least one of the plurality of component mask patterns in accordance with the identified violations to obtain a modified set of component mask patterns, wherein each mask pattern in the modified set of component mask patterns is void of tip-to-tip and tip-to-line violations. Photolithographic masks are then created for the modified set of component mask patterns.

Abstract: A processing unit, method, and graphics processing system are provided for processing a plurality of frames of graphics data. For instance, the processing unit can include a first plurality of graphics processing units (GPUs), a second plurality of GPUs, and a plurality of compositors. The first plurality of GPUs can be configured to process a first frame of graphics data. Likewise, the second plurality of GPUs can be configured to process a second frame of graphics data. Further, each compositor in the plurality of compositors can be coupled to a respective GPU from the first and second pluralities of GPUs, where the plurality of compositors is configured to sequentially pass the first and second frames of graphics data to a display module.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a processor comprises a data cache and a load/store unit (LSU). The LSU comprises a queue and a control unit, and each entry in the queue is assigned to a different load that has accessed the data cache but has not retired. The control unit is configured to update the data cache hit status of each load represented in the queue as a content of the data cache changes. The control unit is configured to detect a snoop hit on a first load in a first entry of the queue responsive to: the snoop index matching a load index stored in the first entry, the data cache hit status of the first load indicating hit, the data cache detecting a snoop hit for the snoop operation, and a load way stored in the first entry matching a first way of the data cache in which the snoop operation is a hit.

Abstract: A new technique is disclosed in which a barrier/cap layer for a copper based metal line is formed by using a thermal-chemical treatment based on hydrogen with a surface modification on the basis of a silicon-containing precursor followed by an in situ plasma based deposition of silicon based dielectric barrier material. The thermal-chemical cleaning process is performed in the absence of any plasma ambient.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for loading device-specific functions into a device driver. Upon boot-up an operating system initiates a device driver to be loaded into kernel mode memory. Functions that are device independent are loaded into memory and form a first portion of the device driver. An identifier associated with a particular device being used is received. The device identifier is compared to a table of supported devices to identify a device-specific image from a plurality of executable image files. The identified device-specific image is then loaded to form a second portion of the device driver in kernel mode memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying a synchronous logic network so that the hold slack calculated at all pins is greater than or equal to a user-specified threshold, with the condition that the setup slack at any pin does not become negative or smaller than a user-specified margin. The result is an improved design which is less likely to fail due to a hold time violation. The method and apparatus introduce a limited number of logic cells which helps keep power consumption and design size to a minimum.

Abstract: A first in, first out (FIFO) queue includes logic to provide detection of operational errors in the FIFO queue. The FIFO queue includes entries to store data written to the FIFO queue and signature bits, each signature bit corresponding to one of the entries. A test pattern and a read signature register includes a number of bits greater than a depth of the FIFO queue. A comparator compares the test pattern to the read signature register and output an error signal indicating whether the test pattern matches the read signature register.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided, as an aspect of a combined CPU/APD architecture system, for discovering and reporting properties of devices and system topology that are relevant to efficiently scheduling and distributing computational tasks to the various computational resources of a combined CPU/APD architecture system. The combined CPU/APD architecture unifies CPUs and APDs in a flexible computing environment. In some embodiments, the combined CPU/APD architecture capabilities are implemented in a single integrated circuit, elements of which can include one or more CPU cores and one or more APD cores. The combined CPU/APD architecture creates a foundation upon which existing and new programming frameworks, languages, and tools can be constructed.

Abstract: In certain systems, local requests require corresponding associated information to be present in order to be serviced. A local memory stores some of the associated information. There is latency associated with retrieval of associated information that is not immediately available. Logic operates for each local request to access the local memory to ascertain whether the associated information corresponding to the local request is present. If the associated information is present, a request is placed in an output request queue to service the local request. If the associated information is not present, a request is placed on a bypass path to retrieve the associated information. Requests issue from the bypass path with priority over requests from the output request queue. Useful work is thereby done during the latency of associated information retrieval. The arrangement is useful in a TLB in an MMU.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for generating output signals representative of bits of serial data. A transmitter comprises a plurality of delay elements, driver circuitry, and bypass logic coupled between the plurality of delay elements and the driver circuitry. The plurality of delay elements delay serialized data, resulting in delayed serialized data, and the driver circuitry generates an output signal representative of a first bit of the delayed serialized data. The bypass logic is configured to selectively bypass one or more delay elements of the plurality of delay elements to provide the first bit of the delayed serialized data to the driver circuitry.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing intermediate compression or decompression for use with a video decoder and a memory. In one aspect, there is provided a method including receiving information to enable compression of a macroblock. At an intermediate section coupled to a video decoder and a memory, a macroblock may be compressed. The compression of the macroblock may be based on the received information. The compressed macroblock may be provided to memory. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.

Abstract: In a transistor, a strain-inducing semiconductor alloy, such as silicon/germanium, silicon/carbon and the like, may be positioned very close to the channel region by providing gradually shaped cavities which may then be filled with the strain-inducing semiconductor alloy. For this purpose, two or more “disposable” spacer elements of different etch behavior may be used in order to define different lateral offsets at different depths of the corresponding cavities. Consequently, enhanced uniformity and, thus, reduced transistor variability may be accomplished, even for sophisticated semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system are provided for processing a graphics operation. For instance, the method can include receiving the graphics operation from an application. The method can also include allocating a first portion of the graphics operation to a first processing unit and a second portion of the graphics operation to a second processing unit. This allocation between the first and second processing units can be based on at least one of a performance profile and a functionality profile of the first and second processing units.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for providing improved access to accelerated processing device compute resources to user mode applications. The functionality disclosed allows user mode applications to provide commands to an accelerated processing device without the need for kernel mode transitions in order to access a unified ring buffer. Instead, applications are each provided with their own buffers, which the accelerated processing device hardware can access to process commands. With full operating system support, user mode applications are able to utilize the accelerated processing device in much the same way as a CPU.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are provided for processing a graphics operation. For instance, the method can include partitioning a texture and associated mipmaps into memory tiles, where the memory tiles are associated with a virtual memory system. The method can also include mapping a first subset of the memory tiles to respective address spaces in a physical memory system. Further, the method can include accessing the physical memory system during a rendering process of a graphics scene associated with the first subset of memory tiles. In the instance when the graphics scene requires one or more memory tiles outside of the first subset of memory tiles, the method can also include mapping a second subset of memory tiles to respective address spaces in the physical memory system.

Abstract: A method for optimizing processing in a SIMD core. The method comprises processing units of data within a working domain, wherein the processing includes one or more working items executing in parallel within a persistent thread. The method further comprises retrieving a unit of data from within a working domain, processing the unit of data, retrieving other units of data when processing of the unit of data has finished, processing the other units of data, and terminating the execution of the working items when processing of the working domain has finished.

Abstract: A low impedance electrical pathway from decoupling capacitance located on a circuit board to an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit includes multiple power and ground C4 bumps and is positioned on a first side of an integrated circuit carrier which is positioned on a first side of a circuit board. The integrated circuit carrier includes lateral conductors such as voltage and ground power planes. Power and ground carrier vias extend from the voltage and ground power planes, respectively, to the first side of the carrier, and power and ground subgroups of carrier vias extend from the voltage and ground power planes, respectively, to power and ground solder balls on a second side of the carrier. The circuit board includes power and ground plated through holes extending from contact pads on the first side of the circuit board to contact pads on a second side of the circuit board. Decoupling capacitors are positioned on the second side of the circuit board.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system are provided for accessing a memory device. For instance, the method can include partitioning one or more memory banks of the memory device into a first and a second set of memory banks. The method also can allocate a first plurality of memory cells within the first set of memory banks to a first memory operation of a first client device and a second plurality of memory cells within the second set of memory banks to a second memory operation of a second client device. This memory allocation can allow access to the first and second sets of memory banks when a first and a second memory operation are requested by the first and second client devices, respectively. Further, access to a data bus between the first client device, or the second client device, and the memory device can also be controlled based on whether the first memory address or the second memory address is accessed to execute the first or second memory operation.

Abstract: A method of processing commands is provided. The method includes holding commands in queues and executing the commands in an order based on their respective priority. Commands having the same priority are held in the same queue.