Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes one or more active transistors and multiple series-coupled dummy transistors. The dummy transistors are coupled between two active transistors and/or at the ends of each active transistor. When the dummy transistors are coupled between two active transistors, apart from two conductive regions that are coupled to two active transistors, each remaining conductive region of the dummy transistors is maintained in a floating state to control a leakage current between the two active transistors. Similarly, when the dummy transistors are coupled at an end of one active transistor, apart from one conductive region that is coupled to the active transistor, each remaining conductive region of the dummy transistors is maintained in the floating state to control a leakage current between the active transistor and the dummy transistors.

Abstract: An apparatus including a dielectric layer; and a set of thin-film resistors arranged in a row extending in a first direction on the dielectric layer, wherein lengths of the set of thin-film resistors in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction are substantially the same, wherein the set of thin-film resistors includes a first subset of one or more thin-film resistors with respective terminals spaced apart by a first distance, and wherein the set of thin-film resistors includes a second subset of one or more thin-film resistors with respective terminals spaced apart by a second distance, the first distance being different than the second distance.

Abstract: An apparatus including a dielectric layer; and a set of thin-film resistors arranged in a row extending in a first direction on the dielectric layer, wherein lengths of the set of thin-film resistors in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction are substantially the same, wherein the set of thin-film resistors includes a first subset of one or more thin-film resistors with respective terminals spaced apart by a first distance, and wherein the set of thin-film resistors includes a second subset of one or more thin-film resistors with respective terminals spaced apart by a second distance, the first distance being different than the second distance.

Abstract: An apparatus including a dielectric layer; and a set of thin-film resistors arranged in a row extending in a first direction on the dielectric layer, wherein lengths of the set of thin-film resistors in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction are substantially the same, wherein the set of thin-film resistors includes a first subset of one or more thin-film resistors with respective terminals spaced apart by a first distance, and wherein the set of thin-film resistors includes a second subset of one or more thin-film resistors with respective terminals spaced apart by a second distance, the first distance being different than the second distance.

Abstract: An apparatus including a dielectric layer; and a set of thin-film resistors arranged in a row extending in a first direction on the dielectric layer, wherein lengths of the set of thin-film resistors in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction are substantially the same, wherein the set of thin-film resistors includes a first subset of one or more thin-film resistors with respective terminals spaced apart by a first distance, and wherein the set of thin-film resistors includes a second subset of one or more thin-film resistors with respective terminals spaced apart by a second distance, the first distance being different than the second distance.

Abstract: Co-placement of resistor and other devices to improve area and performance is disclosed. In one implementation, a semiconductor circuit includes a resistor residing on a back end of line (BEOL) resistor layer, a plurality of interlevel metal vias coupling the BEOL resistor layer to one or more metal layers underneath the BEOL resistor layer, and a diode residing on a silicon substrate underneath the one or more metal layers, wherein a planar surface of the diode and a planar surface of the resistor at least partially overlap with each other, and the diode and the resistor are coupled to each other through the plurality of interlevel metal vias.

Abstract: Test architectures for multi-die chips are provided herein according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, an exemplary test architecture enables an external tester to perform various tests on a multi-die chip that includes multiple dies. In a first test mode, the test architecture enables the external tester to currently perform die-level tests on the multiple dies. In a second test mode, the test architecture enables the external tester to perform a chip-level test on the multi-die chip. The chip-level test may include die-to-die tests for testing interconnections between the multiple dies on the multi-die chip. The chip-level test may also include a boundary input/output (I/O) test for testing external connections between the multi-die chip and one or more devices external to the multi-die chip.

Abstract: Test architectures for multi-die chips are provided herein according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, an exemplary test architecture enables an external tester to perform various tests on a multi-die chip that includes multiple dies. In a first test mode, the test architecture enables the external tester to currently perform die-level tests on the multiple dies. In a second test mode, the test architecture enables the external tester to perform a chip-level test on the multi-die chip. The chip-level test may include die-to-die tests for testing interconnections between the multiple dies on the multi-die chip. The chip-level test may also include a boundary input/output (I/O) test for testing external connections between the multi-die chip and one or more devices external to the multi-die chip.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for loopback testing are provided. A die incorporates a receiver (RX) to each transmitter (TX) as well as a TX to each RX. This architecture is applied to each bit so, e.g., a die that transmits or receives 32 data bits during operation would have 32 transceivers (one for each bit). Focusing on one of the transceivers, a loopback architecture includes a TX data path and an RX data path that are coupled to each other through an external contact, such as a via at the transceiver. The die further includes a transmit clock tree feeding the TX data path and a receive clock tree feeding the RX data path. The transmit clock tree feeds the receive clock tree through a conductive clock node that is exposed on a surface of the die. Some systems further include a variable delay in the clock path.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for loopback testing are provided. A die incorporates a receiver (RX) to each transmitter (TX) as well as a TX to each RX. This architecture is applied to each bit so, e.g., a die that transmits or receives 32 data bits during operation would have 32 transceivers (one for each bit). Focusing on one of the transceivers, a loopback architecture includes a TX data path and an RX data path that are coupled to each other through an external contact, such as a via at the transceiver. The die further includes a transmit clock tree feeding the TX data path and a receive clock tree feeding the RX data path. The transmit clock tree feeds the receive clock tree through a conductive clock node that is exposed on a surface of the die. Some systems further include a variable delay in the clock path.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for loopback testing are provided. A die incorporates a receiver (RX) to each transmitter (TX) as well as a TX to each RX. This architecture is applied to each bit so, e.g., a die that transmits or receives 32 data bits during operation would have 32 transceivers (one for each bit). Focusing on one of the transceivers, a loopback architecture includes a TX data path and an RX data path that are coupled to each other through an external contact, such as a via at the transceiver. The die further includes a transmit clock tree feeding the TX data path and a receive clock tree feeding the RX data path. The transmit clock tree feeds the receive clock tree through a conductive clock node that is exposed on a surface of the die. Some systems further include a variable delay in the clock path.

Abstract: Metal thermal grounds are used for dissipating heat from integrated-circuit resistors. The resistors may be formed using a front end of line layer, for example, a titanium-nitride layer. A metal region (e.g., in a first metal layer) is located over the resistors to form a heat sink. An area of thermal posts connected to the metal region is also located over the resistor. The metal region can be connected to the substrate of the integrated circuit to provide a low impedance thermal path out of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A programmable equalizer and related method are provided. The equalizer includes a pair of current-setting field effect transistors (FETs) coupled in series with a pair of input FETs and a pair of load resistors, respectively, between a first voltage rail (Vdd) and a second voltage rail (ground). A programmable equalization circuit is coupled between the sources of the input FETs, comprising a plurality of selectable resistive paths and a variable capacitor, which could also be configured as a plurality of selectable capacitive paths. Each of the selectable resistive paths (as well as each of the selectable capacitive paths) include a selection FET for selectively coupling the corresponding resistive (or capacitive) path between the sources of the input FETs. In the case where one of the input FETs is biased with a reference gate voltage, the source of each selection FET is coupled to the source of such input FET.

Abstract: An electronic circuit and methods of operating the electronic circuit are provided. The electronic circuit includes a pull-up transistor for pulling up an input/output (I/O) node of the output circuit to a first voltage and a first isolation transistor for coupling the pull-up transistor to the I/O node. The electronic circuit also includes a pull-down transistor for pulling down the I/O node to a second voltage and a second isolation transistor for coupling the pull-down transistor to the I/O node. In the electronic circuit, the pull-up and the pull-down transistors are transistors supporting a first drain-to-source voltage and a first gate-to-source voltage, while the first and the second isolation transistors are transistors supporting the first drain-to-source voltage and a second gate-to-source voltage greater than the first gate-to-source voltage.

Abstract: Circuits for die-to-die clock distribution are provided. A system includes a transmit clock tree on a first die and a receive clock tree on a second die. The transmit clock tree and the receive clock tree are the same, or very nearly the same, so that the insertion delay for a given bit on the transmit clock tree is the same as an insertion delay for a bit corresponding to the given bit on the receive clock tree. While there may be clock skew from bit-to-bit within the same clock tree, corresponding bits on the different die experience the same clock insertion delays.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and circuits for providing reception and capture of data using a mismatched impedance and an equalizer to save power are disclosed. A data receiver in communication with a transmission line, the data receiver having a termination impedance that is mismatched with respect to a characteristic impedance of the transmission line; and an equalizer in communication with the data receiver, the equalizer configured to receive a channel-transmitted data signal from the data receiver and to re-shape the signal to reduce distortion RC attenuation; wherein the circuit is configured to selectably operate in a first mode wherein the termination impedance is matched with respect to the characteristic impedance of the transmission line and a second mode wherein the termination impedance is mismatched with respect to the characteristic impedance of the transmission line and the signal is not recoverable but- for the equalizer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and circuits for providing reception and capture of data using a mismatched impedance and an equalizer to save power are disclosed. A data receiver in communication with a transmission line, the data receiver having a termination impedance that is mismatched with respect to a characteristic impedance of the transmission line; and an equalizer in communication with the data receiver, the equalizer configured to receive a channel-transmitted data signal from the data receiver and to re-shape the signal to reduce distortion RC attenuation; wherein the circuit is configured to selectably operate in a first mode wherein the termination impedance is matched with respect to the characteristic impedance of the transmission line and a second mode wherein the termination impedance is mismatched with respect to the characteristic impedance of the transmission line and the signal is not recoverable but for the equalizer.

Abstract: Circuits for die-to-die clock distribution are provided. A system includes a transmit clock tree on a first die and a receive clock tree on a second die. The transmit clock tree and the receive clock tree are the same, or very nearly the same, so that the insertion delay for a given bit on the transmit clock tree is the same as an insertion delay for a bit corresponding to the given bit on the receive clock tree. While there may be clock skew from bit-to-bit within the same clock tree, corresponding bits on the different die experience the same clock insertion delays.

Abstract: A programmable equalizer and related method are provided. The equalizer includes a pair of current-setting field effect transistors (FETs) coupled in series with a pair of input FETs and a pair of load resistors, respectively, between a first voltage rail (Vdd) and a second voltage rail (ground). A programmable equalization circuit is coupled between the sources of the input FETs, comprising a plurality of selectable resistive paths and a variable capacitor, which could also be configured as a plurality of selectable capacitive paths. Each of the selectable resistive paths (as well as each of the selectable capacitive paths) include a selection FET for selectively coupling the corresponding resistive (or capacitive) path between the sources of the input FETs. In the case where one of the input FETs is biased with a reference gate voltage, the source of each selection FET is coupled to the source of such input FET.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and circuits for providing reception and capture of data using a mismatched impedance and an equalizer to save power are disclosed. A data receiver in communication with a transmission line, the data receiver having a termination impedance that is mismatched with respect to a characteristic impedance of the transmission line; and an equalizer in communication with the data receiver, the equalizer configured to receive a channel-transmitted data signal from the data receiver and to re-shape the signal to reduce distortion RC attenuation; wherein the circuit is configured to selectably operate in a first mode wherein the termination impedance is matched with respect to the characteristic impedance of the transmission line and a second mode wherein the termination impedance is mismatched with respect to the characteristic impedance of the transmission line and the signal is not recoverable but-for the equalizer.