Patents Assigned to VIA Technologies
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Patent number: 8547385Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for accessing a shared memory in a graphics processing unit (GPU). One embodiment comprises determining whether data to be read from a shared memory aligns to a boundary of the shared memory, wherein the data comprises a plurality of data blocks, and wherein the shared memory comprises a plurality of banks and a plurality of offsets. A swizzle pattern in which the data blocks are to be arranged for processing is determined. Based on whether the data aligns with a boundary of the shared memory and based on the determined swizzle pattern, an order for performing one or more wrapping functions is determined. The shared memory is accessed by performing the one or more wrapping functions and reading the data blocks to construct the data according to the swizzle pattern.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Yang (Jeff) Jiao
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Patent number: 8549184Abstract: The present invention is directed to a universal serial bus (USB) transaction translator and an associated IN/OUT bulk transaction method. A device interface is coupled to a device via a device bus, and a host interface is coupled to a host via a host bus, wherein the host USB version is higher than the device USB version. At least two buffers configured to store data are disposed between the device interface and the host interface. A controller stores the data in the buffers alternately. In a bulk-IN transaction, before the host sends an IN packet, the controller pre-fetches data and stores the data in the buffers until all the buffers are full or a requested data length has been achieved; the pre-fetched data are then sent to the host after the host sends the IN packet. In a bulk-OUT transaction, the controller stores the data sent from the host in the buffers, and the data are then post-written to the device.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jinkuan Tang, Jiin Lai, Buheng Xu, Hui Jiang
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Patent number: 8543765Abstract: A memory subsystem in a microprocessor includes a first-level cache, a second-level cache, and a prefetch cache configured to speculatively prefetch cache lines from a memory external to the microprocessor. The second-level cache and the prefetch cache are configured to allow the same cache line to be simultaneously present in both. If a request by the first-level cache for a cache line hits in both the second-level cache and in the prefetch cache, the prefetch cache invalidates its copy of the cache line and the second-level cache provides the cache line to the first-level cache.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Clinton Thomas Glover, Colin Eddy, Rodney E. Hooker, Albert J. Loper
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Patent number: 8539209Abstract: A microprocessor breakpoint-checks a load/store operation specifying a load/store virtual address of data whose first and second pieces are within first and second cache lines. A queue of entries each include first storage for an address associated with the operation and second storage for an indicator indicating whether there is a match between a page address portion of the virtual address and a page address portion of a breakpoint address. During a first pass through a load/store unit pipeline, the unit performs a first piece breakpoint check using the virtual address, populates the second storage indicator, and populates the first storage with a physical address translated from the virtual address. During the second pass, the unit performs a second piece breakpoint check using the indicator received from the second storage and an incremented version of a page offset portion of the load/store physical address received from the first storage.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bryan Wayne Pogor, Colin Eddy
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Patent number: 8533437Abstract: A microprocessor includes a cache memory, an instruction set having first and second prefetch instructions each configured to instruct the microprocessor to prefetch a cache line of data from a system memory into the cache memory, and a memory subsystem configured to execute the first and second prefetch instructions. For the first prefetch instruction the memory subsystem is configured to forego prefetching the cache line of data from the system memory into the cache memory in response to a predetermined set of conditions. For the second prefetch instruction the memory subsystem is configured to complete prefetching the cache line of data from the system memory into the cache memory in response to the predetermined set of conditions.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: G. Glenn Henry, Colin Eddy, Rodney E. Hooker
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Patent number: 8533434Abstract: An apparatus efficiently determines the length of an instruction within a stream of instruction bytes processed by a microprocessor having a variable instruction length instruction set architecture. The apparatus includes combinatorial logic associated with each instruction byte of the stream, each configured to receive the associated instruction byte and the next instruction byte of the stream and to generate in response thereto a first length, a second length, and a select control. A multiplexor associated with each of the combinatorial logic selects and outputs one of the following inputs based on the select control received from the combinatorial logic: a zero input and the second length received from the combinatorial logic associated with each of the next three instruction bytes of the stream. An adder associated with each of the combinatorial logic and multiplexor adds the first length and the output of the multiplexor to generate the length of the instruction.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John L. Duncan, Thomas C. McDonald
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Patent number: 8533438Abstract: A microprocessor includes a queue comprising a plurality of entries each configured to hold store information for a store instruction. The store information specifies sources of operands used to calculate a store address. The store instruction specifies store data to be stored to a memory location identified by the store address. The microprocessor also includes control logic, coupled to the queue, configured to encounter a load instruction. The load instruction includes load information that specifies sources of operands used to calculate a load address. The control logic detects that the load information matches the store information held in a valid one of the plurality of queue entries and responsively predicts that the microprocessor should forward to the load instruction the store data specified by the store instruction whose store information matches the load information.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Rodney E. Hooker, Colin Eddy
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Publication number: 20130230132Abstract: A receiver includes a CDR circuit, serial-to-parallel converter, and test module. The CDR circuit is for receiving the test signal groups inputted in series and following transmitting frequency of the test signal groups to obtain a clock signal, wherein the clock signal is used to provide an operational frequency of the receiver. The serial-to-parallel converter is for receiving the test signal groups outputted by the CDR circuit and converting the serially-inputted test signal groups into a plurality of test bytes outputted in parallel, wherein each of the test bytes has multi-bit of data. The test module is for receiving the test bytes and the clock signal and comparing two adjacent bytes of the test bytes to determine whether the two adjacent test bytes are completely the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: Via Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Chin-Fa Hsiao, Shih-Min Lin
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Patent number: 8519799Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator including a control signal adjuster and ring-connected delay cells is disclosed. The control signal adjuster receives a first control signal to generate a second control signal boosted from the first control signal when the first control signal is lower than a transistor threshold voltage. The ring-connected delay cells are controlled by the first and second control signals both to generate an oscillation signal. Each of the delay cells has a first set of current generation transistors and a second set of current generation transistors. Each transistor of the first set of current generation transistors has a control terminal receiving the first control signal while each transistor of the second set of current generation transistors has a control terminal receiving the second control signal. The first and second sets of current generation transistors collectively output an oscillation signal with unchanged frequency of associated input signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yeong-Sheng Lee, George Shing
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Patent number: 8522354Abstract: An apparatus including a microprocessor and an external crystal. The microprocessor executes non-secure application programs and a secure application program, where the secure application program comprises instructions from a host architecture instruction set, and where the non-secure application programs are accessed from a system memory via a system bus and the secure application program is accessed from a secure non-volatile memory via a private bus coupled to the microprocessor. The microprocessor has a secure real time clock that provides a persistent time, where the secure real time clock is only visible and accessible by the secure application program when the microprocessor is executing in a secure mode. The external crystal is coupled to the secure real time clock within the microprocessor and is configured to cause an oscillator within the secure real time clock to generate an oscillating output voltage that is proportional to the frequency of the external crystal.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: G. Glenn Henry, Terry Parks
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Patent number: 8522054Abstract: A stand-by mode management module applied in a computer system having a BIOS (basic input/output system), a graphic module and a display module is provided. The computer system is operated in a working state and at least one stand-by state. The module includes a timer and an interrupt generation unit. The timer starts a count period when detecting that the computer system is idle. The interrupt generation unit generates an interrupt request to the BIOS to request the computer system to prepare to enter to a specific state when the count period is reached. When the specific state is entered, the computer system enters the stand-by state, a PLL (phase lock loop) of the display module keeps turning on, and PLLs other than the PLL of the display module are turned off and the graphic module acquires a frame stored in a fixed area of a storing unit and displays the acquired frame on the display module.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Shuang-Shuang Qin, Cheng-Wei Huang
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Patent number: 8521792Abstract: The present invention discloses a rate multiplication method for counting a sequence of original pulse signals and outputting a target pulse signal. In this method a comparison data and original pulse signal sequence is received. The original pulse signal sequence is counted in order to obtain a pulse count. Comparing the pulse count and the comparison data. If the pulse count is equal to the comparison data, a corresponding original pulse signal is outputted as the target pulse signal. Reset and recount the pulse count, and obtain which repeatedly. In this present invention the pulse count and the pulse interval between the target pulse signals can be determined freely according to a rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Chuan-Wei Liu
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Patent number: 8521938Abstract: A USB host controller is provided. The USB host controller is capable of communicating with multiple USB apparatuses having endpoints and sends a request to a first endpoint. The USB host controller includes a first storage and a first control unit. The first control unit stores endpoint information from the first endpoint into the first storage when the first endpoint issues an unready transaction packet in response to the request. The unready transaction packet indicates that the first endpoint is not ready.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Zhiqiang Hui, Jiin Lai, Shanna Pang, Di Dai
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Patent number: 8521996Abstract: A microprocessor includes a pipeline of stages for processing instructions and first and second types of conditional branch instruction includable by a program. The microprocessor makes a prediction of conditional branch instructions of the first type and flushes the pipeline of instructions if the prediction is subsequently determined to be incorrect, thereby incurring a branch misprediction penalty related to processing of conditional branch instructions of the first type. The microprocessor always correctly resolves conditional branch instructions of the second type without making a prediction of conditional branch instructions of the second type, thereby avoiding ever incurring a branch misprediction penalty related to processing of conditional branch instructions of the second type.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: G. Glenn Henry, Terry Parks, Brent Bean
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Patent number: 8521031Abstract: An optical transceiver module includes a receiving unit, a transmission driving unit, and a terminal control unit. The receiving unit outputs a receiver lost signal. The transmission driving unit includes a positive receiving signal terminal and a negative receiving signal terminal. The terminal control unit is coupled between the positive receiving signal terminal and the negative receiving signal terminal. The terminal control unit controls whether a differential terminator impedance is coupled between the positive receiving signal terminal and the negative receiving signal terminal according to the receiver lost signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jinkuan Tang, Jiin Lai
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Patent number: 8514235Abstract: The present disclosure describes implementations for performing register accesses and operations in a graphics processing apparatus. In one implementation, a graphics processing apparatus comprises an execution unit for processing programmed shader operations, wherein the execution unit is configured for processing operations of a plurality of threads. The apparatus further comprises memory forming a register file that accommodates all register operations for all the threads executed by the execution unit, the memory being organized in a plurality of banks, with a first plurality of banks being allocated to a first plurality of the threads and a second plurality of banks being allocated to the remaining threads. In addition, the apparatus comprises address translation logic configured to translate logical register identifiers into physical register addresses.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Yang (Jeff) Jiao
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Patent number: 8508024Abstract: A chip package structure for being disposed on a carrier includes a package substrate and a chip. The package substrate includes a laminated layer, a patterned conductive layer, a solder-mask layer, at least one outer pad and a padding pattern. The patterned conductive layer is disposed on a first surface of the laminated layer and has at least one inner pad. The solder resist layer is disposed on the first surface and has at least one opening exposed the inner pad. The outer pad is disposed on the solder resist layer, located within the opening, and is connected with the inner pad. The padding pattern is disposed on the solder resist layer. A height of the padding pattern relative to the first surface is greater than that of the outer pad. The chip is located on a second surface of the laminated layer and electrically connected to the package substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: VIA Technologies, IncInventor: Wen-Yuan Chang
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Patent number: 8504850Abstract: Power management of a system. A request may be received to enter a first sleep state for a system. One or more processes may be performed to enter the first sleep state in response to the request to enter the first sleep state. A system memory of the system may be stored in a nonvolatile memory (NVM) in response to the request to enter the first sleep state in order to enter a second sleep state. Power may be removed from the system memory after storing the system memory in the NVM in response to the request to enter the first sleep state. After removing power to the system memory, the system may be in the second sleep state.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Che Wu, Jiin Lai
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Patent number: D687433Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Chia-Yi Lin, Neng-An Kuo
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Patent number: D689484Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Neng-An Kuo, Ya-Ling Chen