Abstract: A method and system for reducing pass-through current. The amount of simultaneous current flow through p-channel and n-channel devices of a CMOS inverter is reduced. This results in an increase in the power efficiency of CMOS oscillators, inverters, gates and other CMOS circuits. Another benefit of this invention is the increase of the output signal magnitude. This increase in the output signal with the lower power consumption yields a significantly higher efficiency of the CMOS circuit such as an oscillator.

Abstract: The invention concerns approaches to interconnecting individual field-effect transistors (FETs) in integrated circuits (ICs), in order to provide a larger, composite transistor. In one approach, the individual FETs are positioned symmetrically about centroids, which are themselves distributed symmetrically over the IC. The invention allows individual digital transistors to be connected into a larger, composite, analog transistor.

Abstract: A disk drive within a disk array is utilized to capture the original image of data blocks that are updated, i.e., written over, through normal array processes during backup operations. The method captures original data images in a manner that allows the array to be restored to the state that existed at the initiation of the backup process. During execution of backup procedures data is moved in logical block sequence (0 to N) from the array to a backup device, such as a magnetic tape backup device, continuing until all array data has been transferred. Should a write request be received by the disk array controller during backup, the block address associated with the write request is checked to determine if the original data at that address has been written to the backup device. If the original data residing at the target block address has been written to the backup device the write request is scheduled for execution by the array controller.

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 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.