Abstract: A data processing system includes a processor, a cache memory, a speculative cache memory, and a control circuit. The processor is for executing instructions. The cache memory is coupled to the processor and is for storing the instructions and related data. A speculative cache is coupled to the processor and is for storing only speculative instructions and related data. The control circuit is coupled to the processor, to the cache memory, and to the speculative cache. The control circuit is for causing speculative instructions to be stored in the speculative cache in response to receiving an indication from the processor. Also, a method is provided for speculative execution in the data processing system.

Abstract: A memory system is disclosed, comprising a primary memory module, a secondary memory module, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify addresses in the primary memory module requiring correction, and is further configured to receive a memory access request identifying an address in the primary memory module. The controller is configured to determine whether the address is identified as requiring correction and, if it is not, to direct the memory access request to the primary memory module. If the address is identified as requiring correction, the controller is configured to direct the memory access request to the secondary memory module.

Abstract: A first network node for communicating with a second network node over a first communication network is described. The second network node is arranged to communicate over the first communication network in a first part of a communication period and arranged to not communicate over the first communication network in a second part of the communication period. The first network node has a send unit for sending data formatted in data packets to the second network node, a statistics unit arranged for determining a success statistics, an availability estimator for deriving an availability estimation from the success statistics, and a send controller arranged to control the send unit in dependence on the availability estimation. Also described is a communication system, a method of estimating availability of a second network node, a method of communicating by a first network node, and an associated computer program product.

Abstract: Regulation systems and methods use a first regulator and a tracking second regulator. The first regulator receives a reference voltage and generates a first voltage output based upon the reference voltage, which is coupled as a back-bias voltage to a first load region within the integrated circuit. The first regulator also receives a sampled version of the first voltage output as feedback. A second regulator receives the first sampled voltage output and generates a second voltage output. The second regulator also receives a sampled version of the second voltage output as feedback. During operation, the second voltage output tracks (e.g., by a symmetry ratio) the first voltage output and is coupled as a back-bias voltage to a second load region within the integrated circuit. Further, switched-capacitor operation can be implemented, and clock frequency can be adjusted based upon the first sampled voltage output to reduce power consumption.

Abstract: A start-up circuit for a ring current-controlled oscillator (CCO) includes a replica CCO current generator, a replica ring CCO, and a buffer. The ring CCO is connected to a CCO driver and the buffer. The CCO driver generates a CCO current based on a reference current. The ring CCO generates a CCO output voltage at a first oscillating frequency based on the CCO current. The replica CCO current generator generates a replica CCO current based on a reference voltage. The replica ring CCO generates a replica CCO output voltage at a second oscillating frequency based on the replica CCO current. The buffer provides a first current to the ring CCO when the first oscillating frequency is lower than a desired oscillating frequency, and drains a second current from the ring CCO when the first oscillating frequency is greater than the desired oscillating frequency.

Abstract: A method of powering up a circuit includes powering up a latch circuit in a known latch state by applying a first power supply voltage differential of a first voltage domain across power supply terminals of the latch circuit. A current diode inhibits current diode in a current path between a latch node of the latch circuit and a power supply terminal when the power supply voltage differential is below a threshold voltage during the powering up in which the inhibiting prevents the latch circuit from switching from the known latch state during the powering up.

Abstract: A processor circuit is disclosed. In an embodiment, the processor circuit includes a processor unit configured to execute a multiple load or multiple store instruction for loading or storing a plurality of data words, and a data interface block, DIB, configured to communicate with the processor and configured to, in response to an occurrence of an interrupt during execution of the multiple load or store instruction, save the state of the multiple load or store instruction. Saving the state can comprise storing the number of data words already loaded or stored when the interrupt occurred. When the multiple load/store instruction is executed again after the interrupt, the DIB can skip the stored number of data words.

Abstract: An adaptive hybrid control method and apparatus are provided for performing active queue management in a data packet routing device which adaptively combines fuzzy controller logic, alone or in combination with RBF-PID control logic, to provide improved management of network congestion by applying a nonlinear model for buffer utilization to at least a buffer size measure for the target buffer to generate at least a fuzzy membership function adjustment signal, and then supplying the fuzzy membership function adjustment signal to a first controller to automatically tune membership function parameters of the first controller, where the first controller calculates a first packet select probability value for the data packet based at least partly on the fuzzy membership function adjustment signal and an error measure between the buffer size setpoint and the buffer size measure.

Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes: a substrate; an semiconductor die attached to a top surface of the substrate; a mold body surrounding the semiconductor die; a tiered through mold via (TMV) comprising: a first recess having a recessed surface within the mold body at a first depth, and a second recess from the recessed surface to a second depth that exposes a ground contact area on a bonding area on the top surface of the substrate, wherein the first depth is greater than the second depth; and a metal shielding layer formed on a top surface of the mold body to form a shielded mold body, wherein the metal shielding layer makes direct contact with at least one sidewall of the first recess, with at least a portion of the recessed surface, with at least one sidewall of the second recess, and with the ground contact area.

Abstract: A method of performing a frequency scan at a radio includes placing the radio in an active mode and, while maintaining the radio in the active mode, for each of a plurality of target frequencies determining a coarse frequency tuning value based on the target frequency. The radio places a phase locked loop (PLL) in an open-loop configuration and while the PLL is in the open-loop configuration, programs the VCO with the coarse frequency tuning value. The radio programs the divider with a feedback adjustment based on the target frequency, places the PLL in a closed-loop configuration, and in response to the PLL reaching a settled state, performs an operation based on an output signal of the PLL.

Abstract: A temperature sensor configured to, after a predetermined number of stop counting assertions, determine the temperature dependent voltage and thus the temperature at the output of a counter. During a calibration phase, when a counter value is not equal to a test counter value in a pulse generator circuit, capacitance of the temperature sensor is adjusted until the counter value is equal to the test counter value.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a biometric sensing system is provided, comprising a sensor module; a processing unit communicatively coupled to the sensor module; wherein the sensor module and the processing unit are configured to communicate with each other in a half-duplex mode of communication. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method of communicating between a sensor module and a processing unit in a biometric sensing system is conceived, wherein the sensor module and the processing unit communicate with each other in a half-duplex mode of communication. In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding computer program is provided.

Abstract: A device, including: an unsecure non-volatile memory; a secure device including: a processor; and a secure non-volatile memory; wherein the secure device is configured to: calculate a TMC value from an offset and a base value; store a TMC version value in the secure non-volatile memory and the insecure non-volatile memory, wherein the TMC version value is updated when TMC value is incremented the first time after the secure device is powered up; store the base value in the unsecure non-volatile memory; store the offset value in the unsecure non-volatile memory when the secure device is in a system power down state; store the offset value in the secure non-volatile memory when the secure device is in a rescue state; and store a TMC link value in the unsecure memory, wherein the TMC link value is based upon the base value and TMC version value stored in the unsecure memory.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing a secure communication session in a communications system. The method includes providing a handshake layer functional block and providing a record layer functional block separate from the handshake layer functional block. A first ephemeral key pair is generated by the record layer functional block of a first communication peer. A public key of the first ephemeral key pair is transmitted to a second communication peer. The handshake layer functional block of the first communication peer generates a second ephemeral key pair. A public key of the second ephemeral key pair is transmitted to the second communication peer. The second communication peer generates a third ephemeral key pair. A handshake key is generated from the public key of the second communication peer and a private key of the handshake layer block of the first communication peer.

Abstract: A voltage translator having first and second one-shots shifts a voltage level of a first voltage signal to generate a second voltage signal, and vice-versa. The first one-shot generates a first driver signal when the first voltage signal goes from low to high based on a time duration for which the first voltage signal remains high. The second voltage signal is generated based on the first driver signal. Similarly, the second one-shot generates the first voltage signal when the second voltage signal goes from a low to high based on a time duration for which the second voltage signal remains high.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for attenuator phase compensation are described. In an embodiment, a method for attenuator phase compensation involves determining a phase compensation value for an attenuator based on an attenuation configuration of the attenuator and performing phase compensation according to the phase compensation value to maintain a constant phase response.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to provision a matching network that controls one or more operational characteristics of one of a receiver portion and a transmitter portion of the communication device according to a profile describing one or more characteristics of a communication system from which the communication device operates. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of an oscillator and a method of operating an oscillator are disclosed. In an embodiment, an oscillator can include a ring oscillator core, a control circuit, and a timer that coordinates timing of the control circuit to avoid a current resulting from a voltage level associated with an output of the ring oscillator core during a startup and to allow the ring oscillator core to operate with a low startup current and a low operational power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activity tracking based on time domain and frequency domain processing are disclosed. Embodiments according to the present invention are used to improve the accuracy of activity detection and step counting. The activity tracking starts from sample collection to generate 3-D accelerometer data. By pre-processing, the 3-D accelerometer data is calibrated and filtered. Then, the dominant component is calculated and statistical attributes or features used for activity detection are extracted. The statistical attributes are derived from time domain sensor data, frequency domain transformed data, or both. A classifier is developed using representative training data set. The activity detector determines the current activity status based on the statistical attributes and the classifier. To further refine the activity, post-processing is performed on the activity status.

Abstract: A first communication device determines an amount of data queued at the first communication device for transmission. When a control field is to be generated according to a first format, the first communication device determines a scaling value (SV) and an unscaled value (UV) corresponding to the determined amount of data queued for transmission such that a result of SV multiplied by BV indicates the determined amount of data queued for transmission, and generates the control field to include i) a scaling factor subfield set to indicate the SV, and ii) an unscaled queue size subfield set to indicate the BV. When the control field is to be generated according to a second format, the first communication generates the control field to include a queue size subfield set to indicate the determined amount of data queued for transmission and such that the control field does not include the scaling factor subfield.