Abstract: A method is disclosed for electronically processing constraints rules defined in a previously developed first PCB design having a first constraints output file, to facilitate the development of a second PCB design having a second constraints output file. The second design has substantially identical topology to the first design and the second constraints output file comprises constraints for signals with identical attributes. The method includes several steps. Firstly, the board file of the first design is compared with the net list file of the second design to identify respective differences between the designs. On the basis of the established differences, a file attributes change report is generated. At least some data from the file attributes change report is stored into an attributes change file.

Abstract: A method and apparatus implement reduced noise coupling effects on single ended clocks, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides is provided. A clock receiver includes a clock voltage reference that is generated from received clock peaks and valleys of a received input clock signal. The received clock peaks (VT) and the received clock valleys (VB) are continuously sampled. The clock voltage reference is set, for example, equal to an average of VT and VB; or ((VT+VB)/2).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for electronically processing constraints rules defined in a previously developed first PCB design having a first constraints output file, to facilitate the development of a second PCB design having a second constraints output file. The second design has substantially identical topology to the first design and the second constraints output file comprises constraints for signals with identical attributes. The method includes several steps. Firstly, the board file of the first design is compared with the net list file of the second design to identify respective differences between the designs. On the basis of the established differences, a file attributes change report is generated. At least some data from the file attributes change report is stored into an attributes change file.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing automatic-calibration of a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) probing apparatus. A calibration procedure is performed automatically each time a TDR probe is moved from a device under test (DUT). A current calibration TDR waveform is obtained and compared with a reference calibration TDR waveform, checking for deviations between the current and reference measurements. If a deviation is detected, then the user is notified and calibration is failed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing automatic-calibration of a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) probing apparatus. A calibration procedure is performed automatically each time a TDR probe is moved from a device under test (DUT). A current calibration TDR waveform is obtained and compared with a reference calibration TDR waveform, checking for deviations between the current and reference measurements. If a deviation is detected, then the user is notified and calibration is failed.

Abstract: A modular heat sink decoupling capacitor array includes a plurality of modules, each defining parallel distributed decoupling plates, and each module forming a heat sink fi. Each module includes multiple spaced apart contacts for providing low inductance connections with an associated device. A power distribution interposer module is attached to a heat sink surface of the modular decoupling capacitor. The interposer module is used for implementing power delivery without using valuable ball grid array (BGA) connections and printed circuit board (PCB) layers.