Abstract: A memory system and method includes a cache having a filtered portion and an unfiltered portion. The unfiltered portion is divided into block sized components, and the filtered portion is divided into sub-block sized components. Blocks evicted from the unfiltered portion have selected sub-blocks thereof cached in the filtered portion for servicing requests.

Abstract: A memory storage structure includes a memory storage device, and a first meta-structure having a first size and operating at a first speed. The first speed is faster than a second speed for storing meta-information based on information stored in a memory. A second meta-structure is hierarchically associated with the first meta-structure. The second meta-structure has a second size larger than the first size and operates at the second speed such that faster and more accurate prefetching is provided by coaction of the first and second meta-structures. A method is provided to assemble the meta-information in the first meta-structure and copy this information to the second meta-structure, and prefetching the stored information from the second meta-structure to the first meta-structure ahead of its use.

Abstract: An IC structure having reduced power loss and/or noise includes two or more active semiconductor regions stacked in a substantially vertical dimension, each active semiconductor region including an active layer. The IC structure further includes two or more voltage supply planes, each of the voltage supply planes corresponding to a respective one of the active layers.

Abstract: The invention is a connector which employs both surface mount technology as well as through-hole technology to connect one printed circuit board (PCB) to another. In one embodiment, the connector includes a pair of square prongs the length of which depends on the thickness of the PCB. The height of the connector depends on the needed stand-off height between the two PCBs. The prongs enable fastening of the connector to a first PCB using through-hole technology (THT) by creating an interference fit with the first PCB via holes formed in the first PCB. An predetermined surface of the connector opposite from the surface defined by the first PCB is co-planar with the surface of a second PCB, to enable fastening of the connector to a corresponding area on the surface of the second PCB using surface mount technology (SMT).

Abstract: A method and corresponding structure having conductors fastened in an offset fashion to appropriately patterned traces on the PCB to surround a single magnetic core positioned on the surface of the printed circuit board so as to create an inductor coil. The inventive method and structure reduces component and manufacturing cost by providing substantially pie-slice shaped conductors shaped for efficient automated production since the inventive shaped conductors can be soldered in place during the reflow process for the entire printed circuit board. As a result, a low profile surface mounted inductor is provided. Flux leakage is also reduced compared to known magnetic core winding structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic power connector for PCB-to-PCB attachment using surface mount technology. The connector has a cross section that is in the shape of a hollow trapezoid. Parallel sides of the trapezoid are adapted for connecting to contact pads on the PCBs with differently shaped footprints. The non-parallel sides of the trapezoid provide structural stability and rigidity not found in prior art SMT connectors. The inventive metallic SMT power connector allows for power and heat flow from a first PCB to a second PCB, and is compatible with automated SMT processes.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical formulation is provided in powder form by spray drying to form a polymeric coated core element which coating both masks the taste of the active ingredient present in the core and provides sustained release properties.

Abstract: The material is in a fluid state at a predetermined temperature above the ambient temperature. According to the invention: a) at least two different compositions of this material in the fluid state are prepared; b) simultaneously and concentrically both the core of the rod with the aid of one of the compositions and a sheath enveloping this core with the aid of another composition are cast; and c) the casting is then taken to a temperature at which it solidifies to constitute the rod. Advantageously, the section of the casting is made to grow by its passing through a cylindrical mold shaped to define the final section of the rod. Application to the manufacture of a glass rod presenting a cross-sectional refractive index gradient.

Abstract: A device for shaping rods, in particular, of a glassy material, by casting said material in a molten state in a mold, characterized by the fact that said mold comprises a) a cylindrical internal wall of a porous material and b) a means to inject a gas in this wall and cause it to come out of the wall on the side facing the glassy material accumulated in the mold, so as to constitute an interstitial flow of a film of gas that separates the glassy material from the inside wall of the mold.