Abstract: A circuit and method are provided for setting a phase relationship between a first signal and a second signal having a known frequency relationship to a master signal but having an unknown phase relationship to each other. One or more phase signals is generated based on the master signal, the phase signals having different phases from each other. One of these phase signals is selected based on the phase of the first signal and a target phase delay between the first signal and second signal. The second signal is generated based on the phase and frequency of the selected phase signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing post clock tree synthesis (CTS) of a clock tree include accessing, from memory, an integrated circuit design comprising a clock tree interconnecting a clock source to a plurality of clock sinks. Each clock sink has an associated current insertion delay. A mean insertion delay of the plurality of clock sinks is determined based on the associated current insertion delays of the clock sinks. A target insertion delay for the clock sinks is set based on the mean insertion delay and a target insertion delay adjustment determined for each individual clock sink. One or more clock sinks are identified that have a target insertion delay adjustment exceeding a skew threshold value. The clock tree is modified to reduce the target insertion delay adjustment, for each identified clock sink of the one or more clock sinks, to less than or equal to the skew threshold value.

Abstract: System connections map interface connections between the memory device and the memory controller. The memory controller is configured with information about these ‘mapped’ connections. The memory controller uses the mapping information to: correctly present commands and addresses to the memory device, perform CA training on mapped connections, generate read training data that accounts for mapped connections, correctly address mapped memory device pins for write training per pin adjustments, correctly calculate error detection coding, and correctly read vendor identification information.

Abstract: A command/address (CA) interface of a memory controller coupled to a memory component is trained (e.g., voltages and timings are adjusted to maximize signal eye opening, sample timing margins etc.) while the CA interface is operated at highest known supported controller PHY frequency. After the CA interface has been trained at highest known supported controller PHY frequency, vendor specific information (e.g., vendor ID number, clock configuration, VDDQ configuration, etc.) is read from the memory component. If the vendor specific information indicates that the CA interface may be operated at a different (e.g., higher) frequency, the memory controller reconfigures its physical interface to operate at the indicated frequency. The memory controller then re-trains its CA interface while operating the CA interface at the indicated frequency.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for testing three-dimensional (3D) stacked dies of integrated circuits (ICs). The methods and systems receive, by test signal routing logic implemented on a first die, a first die test signal, the test signal routing logic operating in an elevate mode or turn mode. The methods and systems receive a second die test signal from a second die and route the first die test signal to an external device in the turn mode. The methods and systems route the second die test signal received from the second die to the external device in the elevate mode.

Abstract: A receiver utilizes loop-unrolled decision feedback equalization (DFE). For each sample, two comparators, each configured with different thresholds, sample an input signal. The output of one of these comparators is selected and used as the output of the receiver and may be optionally input to additional DFE circuitry. The output of the other (non-selected) comparator is used to adjust an input offset voltage of that same comparator. Adjustments to the offset voltages of the comparators may be based on a statistical analysis of the respective outputs of the two comparators when not selected. Adjustments to the offset voltages of the comparators may be based on comparisons between the respective outputs of the two comparators when not selected to the outputs of a reference comparator that has been calibrated for minimal or zero offset.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for genetic placement of analog and mix-signal circuit components. Embodiments may include receiving an unplaced layout associated with an electronic circuit design and grouping requirements. Embodiments may also include identifying one or more instances that need to be placed in the unplaced layout and areas of the unplaced layout configured to receive the instances. Embodiments may further include analyzing one or more instances that need to be placed in the unplaced layout and the areas of the unplaced layout configured to receive the instances, wherein analyzing is based upon a row-based data structure. Embodiments may also include determining a location and an orientation for each of the one or more instances based upon the genetic algorithm and generating a placed layout based upon the determined location and orientation for each of the instances.

Abstract: Embodiments included herein are directed towards a voltage-temperature drift resistant and power efficient clock distribution circuit. Embodiments may include a current generator and a voltage generator configured to receive an input from the current generator. Embodiments may also include a regulator which may be configured to receive a reference voltage from the voltage generator as an input and to generate regulated voltage as output. The clock distribution path may operate on a regulated voltage, the regulated voltage having a value proportional to a threshold value associated with a plurality of devices included in the clock distribution path.

Abstract: This disclosure relates scan chain stitching. In one example, scan chain elements from a scan chain element space can be received for a scan chain partition. The scan chain elements can be grouped based on scan chain element grouping criteria to form scan chain groups. Scan chain data identifying a number of scan chains for the scan chain partition can be received. The scan chains can be scan chain balanced across the scan chain groups to assign each scan chain to one of the scan chain groups. The scan chain elements associated with each scan chain of the scan chains can be scan chain element balanced. Scan chain elements for each associated scan chain can be connected to form a scan chain data test path during a generation of scan chain circuitry in response to the scan chain element balancing.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to a processor load-store unit. In some embodiments, the load-store unit is configured to execute load/store instructions in parallel using first and second pipelines and first and second tag memory arrays. In tag write conflict situations, the load-store unit may arbitrate between the first and second pipelines to ensure the first and second tag memory array contents remain identical. In some embodiments, a data cache tag replay scheme is utilized. In some embodiments, executing load/store instructions in parallel with fills, probes, and store-updates, using separate but identical tag memory arrays, may advantageously improve performance.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing a signal over a serial link. The methods and systems receive, by an adjustable filter, a serial input signal, the adjustable filter configured to set a corner frequency of a channel response and a gain of the channel response, the adjustable filter adding a zero to the channel response before to a pole of the serial input signal. The methods and systems selectively apply, by a bandwidth booster component, compensation to signal attenuation of the serial input signal in a first mode of operation and of one or more test signals in a second mode of operation of a serial link receiver. The methods and systems generate, by one or more continuous time linear equalizers configured to receive on an output of the bandwidth booster, one or more output signals of the receiver based on an output signal from the bandwidth booster component.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide for identifying and training a floating tap for decision feedback equalization. For some embodiments, the identification and training of the floating tap described herein can be part of a circuit for receiver block of a system, such as a memory system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved approach to implement sharing of delay calculations for replicated portions of a design, where input slews may be different between those replicated design portions. This allows the system to experience runtime improvements for timing analysis of electronic designs.

Abstract: A memory view generator evaluates a Liberty file characterizing an NVM module to generate a memory view file for the NVM module. The memory view file includes a port alias identifying ports of the NVM module. The port alias for a set of ports of the NVM module characterizes a type of port in the set of ports. The memory view file includes a port action identifying ports of the NVM module that have a static value and a port access identifying ports of the NVM module that have a dynamic value. The memory view file has an address limit characterizing a number of words in the NVM module and an address partition characterizing address bits and data bits. The memory view file includes a read delay that defines a number of clock cycles needed to hold an address bus stable after a strobe port transitions to an inactive state.

Abstract: An NVM algorithm generator that evaluates a Liberty file characterizing an NVM module and a memory view of the NVM module that identifies ports and associated operations of the NVM module to generate a control algorithm. The control algorithm includes a read algorithm that includes an order of operations for assigning values to ports of the NVM module to assert a read condition of a strobe port, executing a memory read on the NVM module and setting values to the ports on the NVM module to assert a complement of a program condition. The control algorithm also includes a program algorithm that includes an order of operations for assigning values to ports of the NVM module to assert the program condition of the strobe port, executing a memory write and setting values to the ports on the NVM module to assert the complement of the program condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for propagating poison information are provided. Embodiments include receiving write data having a poison flag asserted indicating the data to be written to a memory device is erroneous. Embodiments further include converting the write data to a pre-fixed data pattern and generating a parity code, based upon, at least in part, the pre-fixed data pattern. Embodiments may also include injecting a correctable error into the write-data or parity code and writing the write data and parity code into the memory device. The correctable error injection may occur in the data or in the parity code and during the read the comparison may occur accordingly.

Abstract: A cache memory circuit capable of dealing with multiple conflicting requests to a given cache line is disclosed. In response to receiving an acquire request for the given cache line from a particular lower-level cache memory circuit, the cache memory circuit sends probe requests regarding the given cache line to other lower-level cache memory circuits. In situations where a different lower-level cache memory circuit is simultaneously trying to evict the given cache line at the particular lower-level cache memory circuit is trying to obtain a copy of the cache line, the cache memory circuit performs a series of operations to service both requests and ensure that the particular lower-level cache memory circuit receives a copy of the given cache line that includes any changes in the evicted copy of the given cache line.

Abstract: A system includes a memory that stores instructions and receives a circuit netlist, and includes a processing unit that accesses the memory and executes the instructions. The instructions include an EDA application that includes a test-point flop allocation module that is configured to evaluate the circuit netlist to determine compatibility of the test-point nodes in the circuit netlist. The test-point flop allocation module can further allocate each of the test-point flops to a test-point sharing group comprising a plurality of compatible test-point nodes. The EDA application also includes a circuit layout module configured to generate a circuit layout associated with the circuit design, the circuit layout comprising the functional logic and scan-chains comprising the test-point flops allocated to the test-point sharing groups in response to the circuit netlist. The circuit layout is employable to fabricate an integrated circuit (IC) chip.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing concise data for analyzing checker completeness, in the context of formal verification analysis of circuit designs. The methods and systems concisely report information useful to a human user (e.g., circuit designer or verification engineer) for efficiently determining what manual action should be taken next to resolve holes in verification coverage. The reported information can include lists of signals on which checkers can be written, which lists can be ranked, can be limited to a subset of interest signals, and can include corresponding cover items for each reported interest signal. The present systems and methods thereby improve on reporting provided to the user, permitting the user to more quickly advance a formal verification process toward full coverage of the relevant portions of a circuit design.

Abstract: Embodiments include herein are directed towards a system and method for intelligent intent recognition based electronic design. Embodiments may include receiving, using a processor, a natural language input from a user at an intent recognition model. Embodiments may also include performing intent recognition on the natural language input at the intent recognition model and providing an output from the intent recognition model to a command generator. Embodiments may further include generating a command based upon, at least in part, the output and executing the command at a target tool environment.