Abstract: A method of filtering debugging data in a computer system including at least one central processing unit and a memory unit coupled to the at least one central processing unit.

Abstract: A method of designing an integrated circuit comprising at least one requester and at least one target, said at least one requester and at least one target being connected by a connection network, said method comprising the steps of defining at least one parameter for said at least one requester to model said requester; defining at least one parameter for said at least one target to model said target; defining connection information for said connection network to model said network; and producing from said defined parameters and connection information implementation information for implementing said system.

Abstract: An image plane includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel comprises a photodiode and two transistors, and each pixel is connected by a signal bus to a respective storage node located off the image plane. Each storage node comprises two capacitors and associated switches. One of the transistors applies a reset pulse to the pixel, and the other transistor connects the pixel to a given conductor of the signal bus, which is then connected to the storage node. The pixel transistors can be operated simultaneously, and the sensed values can subsequently be transferred from the storage nodes sequentially.

Abstract: A look-up table apparatus is provided for performing two-bit arithmetic operation including carry generation. The look-up table is modified to perform two concurrent combinatorial functions, or one function for an increased number of inputs. The look-up table of the present invention can implement two full adders or subtractors, or two-bit counters, for example. One portion of the modified look-up table provides two bits of a sum output, and another portion of the modified table provides a fast carry out signal for application to a next stage of an adder/subtractor/counter.

Abstract: A system for relatively rapidly configuring reconfigurable devices with a plurality of latches is provided. The number of clock cycles for loading the configuration data may be reduced by a substantial amount, and the fidelity of data loaded into the configuration latches may be relatively high. The invention also incorporates procedures for configuring multiple reconfigurable devices, which are similar to daisy chaining techniques.

Abstract: Data is encoded in a solid state image sensor that includes a sensor pixel array by varying the color processing applied to at least some of the border pixels of the sensor pixel array. Data may be encoded in the color processing by varying the pattern of a color filter mosaic and by varying a pattern of a microlens array in accordance with a predetermined scheme. This scheme includes omission of color filter material and omission of the microlens array from selected pixels. The data, typically encoded in a binary format, is read by illuminating the sensor pixel array and by processing the output signals from the border pixels. The encoded data may include color process codes, mask revision codes and product codes.

Abstract: A programmable logic device may include a programmable interconnect structure and a plurality of configurable logic elements including data latches interconnected by the interconnect structure. At least one of the configurable logic elements may be configurable as both a shift register and a lookup table. Also, the shift register may be enabled to operate as a bi-directional shift register by the inclusion of a first circuit for configuring the data latches either as series-connected inverters during a shift operation or as data latches after each shift operation. A second circuit for selecting a direction of shifting may also be included, as well as a third circuit for supplying data to the input of the shift register as determined by the direction of shifting.

Abstract: A synthesizable, synchronous static RAM may include custom built memory cells and a semi-custom input/output/precharge section in bit slice form, a semi-custom built decoder connected to the bit slice, and a semi-custom built control clock generation section connected to the semi-custom built decoder and input/output section. The components may be arranged to provide high speed access, easy testability, and asynchronous initialization capabilities while reducing design time, and in a size that is significantly smaller than existing semi-custom or standard cell based memory designs.

Abstract: Lighting flicker in the output of a video imaging device is detected. The video imaging device has a main picture area divided into pixels for producing successive images at a frame rate. A series of signals are produced from at least one additional picture area adjacent the main picture area, with the additional picture area having a size substantially larger than a pixel. Each of the signals is a function of light incident on the additional picture area in a time period substantially shorter than that of the frame rate. A predetermined number of the signals are accumulated to form a series of compound samples, and the compound samples are filtered to detect components indicating the lighting flicker. The filtering is performed using a bandpass filter tuned to the nominal flicker frequency. The compound samples are formed at a sample rate which is a multiple of the nominal flicker frequency, and the filtering is performed by taking the fundamental output component of a radix-N butterfly.

Abstract: A high bit density, high speed, via and metal BE type programmable ROM core cell architecture for storing large amounts of non-volatile data and having a relatively fast turn around time is provided. The ROM core cell may include memory cells organized in rows and columns where each of the memory cells includes three transistors and two bit lines. The arrangement between the three transistors and two bit lines may be such that each of the memory cells is capable of storing four bits of data.

Abstract: A solid state image sensor includes an array of pixels and a corresponding array of microlenses. The positions of the microlenses relative to their corresponding pixels may vary according to the distances of the pixels from a central optical axis of the image sensor to substantially eliminate vignetting of light collected by the microlenses.

Abstract: A digital clock generator circuit with built-in frequency and duty cycle control may include a pulse generator for generating a start pulse. The pulse generator may be connected to a ring oscillator to generate multiple signals having a specified frequency and programmable duty cycles. The oscillator may further be connected to a multiplexer which selectively connects one output of the ring oscillator to a final output to produce a signal of the specified frequency and specified duty cycle. The duty cycle may be adjustable over a wide range and across the full frequency band of operation.

Abstract: A method of operating a solid state image sensor having an image sensing array that includes a plurality of active pixels comprises resetting each pixel, and after successive time periods reading outputs from each pixel to obtain multiple sets of image data having different dynamic ranges without resetting the pixels between the successive time periods. The sets of image data are combined to obtain a resultant set of image data having a further dynamic range different from the individual dynamic ranges of the multiple data sets. Images are obtained having low noise, a wide dynamic range, and are resistant to lighting-induced flicker.

Abstract: Solid state image sensors, and methods of operation thereof, includes an array of photosensitive pixels arranged in rows and columns and in which pixel data signals are read out from the pixels via column circuits, which introduces column fixed pattern noise to the signals. The signals are selectively inverted at the inputs to the column circuits and the inversion is reversed following output from the column circuits. Each column circuit may include an analog-to-digital converter and a digital inverter for inverting digital output therefrom. The selective inversion may be applied to alternate rows or groups of rows of the pixel data, and may be applied differently to different frames of the pixel data. These techniques result in column fixed pattern noise being modulated in a manner which makes the noise less apparent to the eye, and which facilitates subsequent cancellation of the noise.

Abstract: A first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory cell architecture is provided in which one node of the latch in the FIFO memory cell is connected to the gate of the pass transistor. Further, the bit line is connected to the source of the pass transistor, and the word line is connected to the drain of the pass transistor to provide a stable memory cell requiring less area for implementation.

Abstract: A method of mounting an electronic component having at least one contact extending across a part of its undersurface may include providing a support smaller in area than the undersurface of the component and having a contact pad for connection to the contact. The contact pad may have a first portion extending across an upper surface of the support adjacent one edge and a second portion extending from the edge across a side surface of the support. The method may also include positioning the electronic component and the support with the undersurface of the component adjacent the upper surface of the support. This is done so that the first portion of the contact pad is aligned with and spaced apart from a first portion of the contact, and the second portion of the contact pad is aligned with and disposed inwardly of a second portion of the contact.

Abstract: In a system comprising an interconnect and a plurality of modules connected to the interconnect, a circuit for controlling which of said modules is able to put information onto said interconnect, said circuit comprising a store which stores status information for each module, said status information defining if the respective module is permitted to put information on said interconnect.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and circuit for allowing access to a shared memory by at least two controllers having different bus widths. Such method and circuit provides particular advantages in its application to controlling access to a shared memory in a digital set-top-box of a digital television receiver.

Abstract: A glitch filter includes a storage element for storing a current state, which is the output of the filter. An output of the storage element is connected to one input of a state comparator. Another input of the state comparator is connected to an input signal. A programmable clock delay is connected between the state comparator and the storage element. The programmable clock delay may provide a programmed duration independent of the technology used for implementation. The glitch filter is arranged such that the input signal is stored as the new current state in the storage element only if the input signal changes and then remains unchanged for the programmed duration.

Abstract: A bus arbitration system is described which includes an arbitrator for controlling accesses to a memory bus by a plurality of memory users in response to requests made by those memory users. Each memory user reads the address if a current access to memory and generates a same-address-set signal when the address of the last access by that memory user lies in the same set as the address of the current access. The arbitrator holds for each memory user a predetermined number of accesses which are permitted by that memory user during an access span, and, responsive to a request, grants up to that predetermined number of accesses provided that the same-address-set signal is asserted.