Abstract: A driver may be provided which controls output impedance of a driver which includes within the driver an impedance circuit and slew rate control. Accordingly, a desired output slew rate and a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance.

Abstract: A system (100, 100′, 100″) and method for robotic manipulation of objects (130) is provided wherein particulates (110, 110′) are agitated by the transfer of energy thereto to establish patterned granular motion of the particulates (110, 110′). The patterned granular motion of the particulates (110, 110′) forms standing waves (112). The objects (130) align themselves with the standing waves (112) and thus are dynamically arranged in a configuration established by the location of the standing waves (112). The location of the standing waves (112) can be predetermined by controlling the waveform of the signals applied to the energy application system (140). The predetermined waveforms are supplied from the signal source (150, 154) to the energy application system (140).

Abstract: DC plasma power supply for a sputter deposition of material layers on a substrate includes a plasma controller and a plasma input for the settings of the output voltage and output current providing plasma ignition and termination with no arcing and no striking voltage. Pre-defined voltages are applied in the vacuum state before sputtering and after sputtering until vacuum is restored in a sputtering apparatus.

Abstract: A method in a computer system which includes receiving a first instruction which indicates termination of execution of instructions which operate upon packed data stored in a first storage area. The first storage area is used for modifying data responsive to execution of floating point instructions. A plurality of tags is associated with the first storage area indicating that locations in the first storage area are either empty or non-empty responsive to the execution of the floating point instructions which modify data contained in the first storage area. Responsive to the receiving of the first instruction which indicates termination of execution of instructions which operate upon the packed data stored in the first storage area, the method sets only the plurality of tags to an empty state. In different embodiments, setting of the plurality of tags to a non-empty state occurs responsive to receiving a second instruction.

Abstract: A method of controlling impedance of a driver capable of launching signals at a driving end of a transmission line and capable of terminating signals at the receiver end of the transmission line controls the impedance of the driver across process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations by selectively enabling and disabling at least one of a plurality of output elements according to an impedance control code. The impedance control code compensates for variations in output impedance due to PVT variations.

Abstract: One or more groups, into which a circuit simulator may partition an overall circuit, that are determined to belong to a feedback loop, also known as cycles, may be merged into a single group. The length of the loop, which is the number of groups in the loop, determines whether or not the groups of a loop will be merged into a single group. More particularly, loops of a length less than or equal to a number are merged. The number may be specified by the user, or otherwise determined. Once a merged group is formed, its inputs and outputs are determined, and it is treated like any other previously existing group. Preferably, not all the groups are merged into a single group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the level of a preselected analyte in a sample of blood of a human or animal patient by incubating the test sample with an antibody specific to the analyte to form an immunocomplex, which then interacts with the white blood cell fractions and result in the production of oxidants. Oxidants are detected using chemiluminescent reagents. The assay is performed on the sample and in addition includes a measurement of the oxidant production resulting from a maximal stimulatory dose of immunocomplexes, providing a ratio to indicate the level of analyte in the sample. The white blood cell oxidant response may be enhanced by the inclusion of certain agents such as zymosan.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for performing complex digital filters. According to one aspect of the invention, a method for performing a complex digital filter is described. The complex digital filter is performed using a set of data samples and a set of complex coefficients. In addition, the complex digital filter is performed using a inner and outer loop. The outer loop steps through a number of corresponding relationships between the set of complex coefficients and the set of data samples. The inner loop steps thorough each complex coefficient in the set of complex coefficients. Within the inner loop, the data sample corresponding to the current complex coefficient (the complex coefficient currently identified by the inner loop) is determined according to the current corresponding relationship (the corresponding relationship currently identified by the outer loop).

Abstract: A dynamic termination logic driver, one that is capable of launching signals at a driving end of a transmission line and is capable of terminating signals at a receiver end of the transmission line, controls output impedance and includes within the driver an impedance circuit and slew rate control. Accordingly, a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance. The driver includes a pull up circuit coupled to receive at least one of a plurality of control codes and the driver also includes a pull down circuit coupled to receive at least one of the plurality of control codes.

Abstract: A dynamic termination logic driver, the driver capable of launching signals at a driving end of a transmission line and terminating signals at a receiver end of the transmission line, controls slew rate over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance. The driver includes a pull up circuit having an impedance, the pull up circuit including a pull up output circuit and a buffer circuit, the pull up output circuit including a parallel pull up circuit, a pull up output control circuit, and a pull up slew rate control circuit, wherein the parallel pull up circuit and the pull up output control circuit are coupled in parallel.

Abstract: A driver may be provided which controls the output slew rate a driver which includes within the driver a slew rate control circuit. Accordingly, a desired output slew rate can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a shift operation on a packed data element having a multiple values. The apparatus having multiple muxes, each of the multiple muxes having a first input, a second input, a select input and an output. Each of the multiple bits that represent a shifted packed intermediate result on a first bus is coupled to the corresponding first input. Each of the multiple bits representing a replacement bit for one of the multiple values is coupled to a corresponding second input. Each of the multiple bits driven by a correction circuit is coupled to a corresponding select input. Each output corresponds to a bit of a shifted packed result.

Abstract: A method for a driver may be provided which controls the output slew rate of a driver which includes within the driver an impedance control and a slew rate circuit. Accordingly, a desired output slew rate and a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a method also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a shift operation on a packed data element having multiple values. The apparatus having multiple muxes, each of the multiple muxes having a first input, a second input, a select input and an output. Each of the multiple bits that represent a shifted packed intermediate result on a first bus is coupled to the corresponding first input. Each of the multiple bits representing a replacement bit for one of the multiple values is coupled to a corresponding second input. Each of the multiple bits driven by a correction circuit is coupled to a corresponding select input. Each output corresponds to a bit of a shifted packed result.

Abstract: A method in a computer system which includes receiving a first instruction which indicates indicates termination of execution of instructions which operate upon packed data stored in a first storage area. The first storage area is used for modifying data responsive to execution of floating point instructions. A plurality of tags is associated with the first storage area indicating that locations in the first storage area are either empty or non-empty responsive to the execution of the floating point instructions which modify data contained in the first storage area. Responsive to the receiving of the first instruction which indicates termination of execution of instructions which operate upon the packed data stored in the first storage area, the method sets only the plurality of tags to an empty state. In different embodiments, setting of the plurality of tags to a non-empty state occurs responsive to receiving a second instruction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing complex digital filters. According to one aspect of the invention, a method for performing a complex digital filter is described. The complex digital filter is performed using a set of data samples and a set of complex coefficients. In addition, the complex digital filter is performed using a inner and outer loop. The outer loop steps through a number of corresponding relationships between the set of complex coefficients and the set of data samples. The inner loop steps thorough each complex coefficient in the set of complex coefficients. Within the inner loop, the data sample corresponding to the current complex coefficient (the complex coefficient currently identified by the inner loop) is determined according to the current corresponding relationship (the corresponding relationship currently identified by the outer loop). Then, in response to receiving an instruction, eight data elements are read and used to generate a currently calculated complex number.

Abstract: Antibiotic 10381a1, wherein R is hydrogen, is a cytosine-containing antibiotic producible by culturing the novel microorganism Streptomyces arginensis in an aqueous medium and isolation thereof. Derivatives wherein R is a C1 to C3 alkyl ester of antibiotic 10381a1, are also disclosed along with the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of both the native and esterified forms. Antibiotic 10381a1 inhibits the growth of selected species of yeast, fungi and bacteria. This invention also relates to a novel process for the preparation of the antibiotics 10381b and to a method of using antibiotics 10381b to promote growth in meat-producing animals. These antibiotics are also obtained by the fermentation of a nutrient medium with the novel microorganism Streptomyces arginensis and are active against selected species of bacteria.

Abstract: A system (100, 100′, 100″) and method for robotic manipulation of objects (130) is provided wherein particulates (110, 110′) are agitated by the transfer of energy thereto to establish patterned granular motion of the particulates (110, 110′). The patterned granular motion of the particulates (110, 110′) forms standing waves (112). The objects (130) align themselves with the standing waves (112) and thus are dynamically arranged in a configuration established by the location of the standing waves (112). The location of the standing waves (112) can be predetermined by controlling the waveform of the signals applied to the energy application system (140). The predetermined waveforms are supplied from the signal source (150, 154) to the energy application system (140).

Abstract: A method and apparatus to control the deposition rate of a refractory metal film in a semiconductor fabrication process by controlling a quantity of ethylene present. The method includes placing a substrate in a deposition zone, of a semiconductor process chamber, flowing, into the deposition zone, a process gas including a refractory metal source, an inert carrier gas, and a hydrocarbon. Typically, the refractory metal source is tungsten hexafluoride, WF6, and the inert gas is argon, Ar. The ethylene may be premixed with either the argon or the tungsten hexafluoride to form a homogenous mixture. However, an in situ mixing apparatus may also be employed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantitating the level of a preselected analyte in a sample of blood of a human or animal patient by incubating the test sample with an antibody specific to the analyte to form an immunocomplex, which then interacts with the white blood cell fractions and result in the production of oxidants. Oxidants are detected using chemiluminescent reagents. In addition, the white blood cell oxidant response may be enhanced by the inclusion of certain agents such as opsonized zymosan. As part of the assay, separate blood samples are also maximally stimulated with a maximal stimulatory amount of exogenously-added antigen, and corresponding antibody, to form immunocomplexes, to provide a response factor used in the quantitation of analyte.