Abstract: An I/O transceiver circuit for use on each integrated circuit of a multi-chip module that controls the threshold voltage of the receiver portion and also controls the output resistance of the transmitter portion. Control of the threshold voltage allows operation of the circuit at low voltage levels and with relative immunity from process and temperature variations. Control of the output resistance allows operation without characteristically terminated I/O lines between multi-chip modules, thereby saving power otherwise wasted in the terminating resistors. Control of the threshold voltage is achieved by means of a reference circuit. Control of the output resistance is achieved by a phase-locked-loop arrangement. Further, the I/O transceiver circuit may also have a state where it clamps noise pulses on its I/O line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-chip module having multiple compartments. Circuitry is arranged on a substrate in such a manner that circuit components requiring specific operating environments are located in discrete areas dedicated to accommodate the circuit components. A cover, having multiple chambers that align with the discrete areas on the substrate, is secured to the substrate to define the multiple compartments. The compartments are separated by material that effectively isolates the compartments relative to one another.

Abstract: A circuit design extending the range and linearizing the transfer characteristic of a fast voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). In addition, a multi-range VCO is described. Range extension is achieved by modifying the delay cell of a current controlled ring oscillator. The VCO transfer characteristic is linearized by piece-wise linear current control added to the delay cell. Additionally, a VCO capable of multi-range operation is provided. With the addition of multiple current sources which control booster inverter current, and by selectively enabling the additional current sources, a VCO with multiple frequency ranges can be achieved.

Abstract: A clock generator circuit which produces a clock signal which may have an adjustable steady state duty cycle and which has the same frequency as a crystal frequency. The clock generator circuit includes a drive circuit coupled to the crystal which converts the first signal to a clock signal, and a duty cycle control circuit which generates a feedback signal to cause the duty cycle to automatically change to the steady state duty cycle. The clock generator circuit of the present invention may also include an output pad for allowing a measuring instrument to determine the duty cycle.

Abstract: An electronic socket pin for use with sub-cooled integrated circuit devices. The socket pin design provides lower thermal conductance and electrical signal path resistance than a traditional electronic socket pin. The improved socket pin has a tubular body formed of an electrically conductive material having a low thermal conductance, such as 304 stainless steel. The tubular body is open at one end, and has a first diameter at the open end, for receiving an integrated circuit device signal lead. The remainder of the length of the tubular body has a second diameter which is much narrower than the first diameter. This narrower cross section further reduces the thermal conductance of the electronic socket pin. A contact sleeve having a cylindrical body including radially inwardly extending, resilient, prongs formed into the wall of the sleeve is fitted over the open end of the electronic socket pin.

Abstract: An enclosure (12) for electrical equipment (14) includes a fan mounted on an interior surface of the enclosure (12) and adapted to blow air outwardly from the enclosure (12) through a grille (24). The grille (24) includes a plurality of sets (90-96) of short, wide elongated slots, each set (90-96) having its slots disposed perpendicular to a radial direction of the fan hub (44) passing through the slots. The enclosure material between the slot sets (e.g. 90, 92) overlies struts (50) forming part of the support for the hub (44) carrying the fan blades. The construction provides low noise from air blown through the slots, while maintaining robust grille construction.

Abstract: A cooling system for a computer system which includes at least one component which generates substantial thermal energy. The cooling system includes a high efficiency heat exchanger formed of a thermally conductive material which is attached to the heat generating component. This heat exchanger comprises a hollow body formed of a thermally conductive material for attachment to the heat generating component, a coolant inlet provided through the wall of the hollow body for providing cooling air from received from an air compressor to the interior of the heat exchanger, and a coolant outlet provided through the wall of the hollow body for providing egress of cooling air from the heat exchanger. Within the hollow body, the exchanger includes a a corrugated metal fin which is periodically lanced to provide for the passage of cooling air through the fin.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting product information with electronic shelf displays. The system includes a first database at a place where the merchandise items are sold containing information about the items, a second database at another place containing identification information about the electronic shelf displays, a first computer terminal at the one place for downloading the item information, and a second computer terminal at the other place for receiving the downloaded item information and for matching the item information to the electronic shelf display identification information. The system also includes a hand-held scanner for obtaining the item information. Item bar code labels are preferably arranged into groups and scanned by group. A programming bar code label may be used to program the scanner for each group scan. Electronic shelf display information is also obtained by scanning bar code labels on groups of displays.

Abstract: There is disclosed doped spin-on glass compositions such as boronoxide doped spin-on glass compositions with a high carbon content and silane adhesion promoter incorporated therein for use as coating layers on substrates such as silicon wafers.

Abstract: A high speed direct memory access (DMA) sub-system of a microprocessor system provides data interfaces between a high speed peripheral bus, such as a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, and a DMA random access memory (RAM) to provide the data bandwidth necessary to prevent a bottleneck to transfers through the high speed peripheral bus. To his end, the invention has a separate DMA bus and a separate DMA RAM over which high speed data transactions may be made at a very high speed using one or more DMA cycles. The DMA transactions are controlled by a high speed data controller. Primary control of the DMA subsystem is assigned to the DMA sub-system, but the microprocessor may arbitrate for control of the sub-system. The microprocessor has the highest priority so it wins all arbitrations unless a DMA cycle is in progress, and in that event, the DMA cycle is temporarily given highest priority.

Abstract: Voltage levels of an external bus are sampled with results stored to adjust both an output driver and input receiver. The resulting logic signal levels for the input/output (I/O) interface are maintained within acceptable ranges of the standard I/O signal levels.

Abstract: A method and structure for sensing data such as temperature with respect to objects such as silicon wafers undergoing fabrication or other processes involve the use of a monitor element of material and configuration similar to that of the objects being processed. A structure such as a closed loop or segment of a spiral may be formed on the surface of the monitor element, and acts as a secondary coil when brought into operative relation with a transformer structure which includes a primary coil, a current source and a sensing device. The sensing device senses variations in the electrical characteristics in the primary coil, caused by the presence of the monitor element, and can thereby determine the temperature or other desired data relating to the monitor element, which is substantially the same as comparable data for the objects being processed.

Abstract: In a wireless local area network system including a server and a plurality of mobile wireless stations, the server maintains a table of stations active in the network system and monitors the transmission activity of the stations. If no activity is detected from a station for a predetermined time, a series of watchdog messages is sent requesting a response from that station. The stations are battery powered and operate in an "AWAKE" state to receive or transmit messages or in a SLEEP state of low power consumption. The stations return from the SLEEP state to the AWAKE state in time to receive at least one watchdog message, thereby avoiding the stations being undesirably logged out from the table of active stations.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop design is provided that can operate at a plurality of dissimilar supply voltages. By adjusting the frequency range of a PLL based on the power supply voltage, the same PLL design can operate at different supply voltages.

Abstract: Stencils having enhanced wear-resistance consisting of a metal body, preferably fabricated from stainless steel, having a first major surface and a second major surface and a plurality of apertures extending through the metal body from the first major surface to the second major surface, and a diamond coating which is preferably applied to at least the top surface of the metal body, and to the side walls of the plurality of apertures. Such stencils are particularly useful for positioning solder paste in predetermined areas on contact pads of printing wiring boards. The diamond coating is preferably deposited on the stencil surfaces from a vapor phase of carbon-containing gases. By applying the diamond coating to the top and side wall surfaces of the stencil, improved wear-resistance is achieved, resulting in increased service life for the stencils.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing different attenuation windows within an optical scanner which adjusts the power level of a laser to a maximum safe power level. The apparatus includes an attenuation sensor which senses the amount of attenuation of the laser beam by a first attenuation window, and a laser power adjuster which changes the laser power level to an optimal but safe level based upon the sensed amount of attenuation of the laser beam. The apparatus may also include a detection circuit having a threshold detection level which is capable of being adjusted based upon the laser power level.

Abstract: An ink-jet print head comprises an ink drive unit formed on a first substrate and an ink reservoir unit formed on a second substrate. The ink drive unit includes a thin film piezoelectric transducer formed on one side of the substrate. The reservoir unit includes an etched cavity in the substrate for forming an ink reservoir, the cavity having an aperture in the base extending through the substrate to form an ink nozzle. The ink drive and ink reservoir units are bonded together with the piezoelectric transducer within the ink reservoir. Activating the transducer expels ink from the reservoir via the ink nozzle.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit having an amplifier and feedback loop multiplies a generated signal by appropriate selection of capacitance ratios in the feedback loop. In order to isolate this multiplied, high voltage signal, a voltage divider is used to isolate the high voltage portion from the input and output (I/O) of an integrated circuit oscillator core. The multiplied voltage creates a high voltage signal suitable for stylus signal transmission. The divided, and relatively low, voltage is used in the feedback path to stabilize the oscillator core's operation.

Abstract: The invention concerns differential amplifiers for computer disc drives, implemented in Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) technology. The amplifiers are of the controllable-gain type. Gain is controlled by adjusting the channel current which passes through the differential Field-Effect Transistors (FETs) of the amplifier. The channel current can be viewed as having a constant component, to which is added an adjustment component. The adjustment component does not pass through the active loads of the differential amplifier, thereby allowing a larger change in gain to be attained.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring a designated number d of data bytes between first and second data busses. The system includes a data buffer connected between the busses, a full counter, a partial counter, and decode logic connected to the counters. The full counter counts the total number of data bytes transferred between the buffer and the first bus. The partial counter counts data bytes transferred between the buffer and the second bus. The decode logic indicates when d data bytes have been transferred between the busses.