Abstract: A method for designing a power distribution system including: receiving a cross section file that contains the layout of a PCB including a location of one or more power sinks and sources on the PCB; creating an initial power distribution system; evaluating the initial power distribution system against a cost function; creating a new power distribution system; evaluating the new power distribution system against the cost function; determining if the cost function associated with the new power distribution system is equal to or greater than a stop criterion; and creating another new power distribution system if the cost function associated with the new power distribution system is greater than the stop criterion.

Abstract: Analyzing impedance discontinuities in a printed circuit board, where the printed circuit board is made up of layers of dielectric substrate having signal traces and power planes disposed upon the layers of substrate, the signal traces include trace segments, and the printed circuit board described by a computer-aided design (‘CAD’), including creating, by an impedance discontinuity analysis module from the CAD, a geometric description of each power plane, including representing each geometric description of each power plane as a set of non-overlapping rectangles; creating a geometric description of each signal trace, including projecting the signal traces of one side of a layer of dielectric substrate onto at least one signal plane on the other side of the same layer of substrate; and identifying at least one impedance discontinuity of a signal trace in dependence upon the geometric description of each signal trace and the geometric description of each power plane.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for automatically enhancing a power distribution system (PDS) in a ceramic integrated circuit package. The package includes multiple layers. The entire package is divided into a three-dimensional grid that includes multiple different grid cells. Information is associated with each one of the cells. For each one of the cells, the information included in the cell describes characteristics of the physical location of that cell relative to the other cells in the three-dimensional package. The information also describes any via or trace that already passes through said that cell. Potential new via and/or trace locations are automatically located throughout all of the entire package utilizing the information.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting noise events in a system with time variable operating points is provided. A first voltage, which is averaged over time, is compared to a second voltage. A signal is generated to instruct circuits within a processor to initiate actions to keep a voltage from drooping further.

Abstract: A system for mitigating power supply and power distribution system noise response by throttling execution units based upon voltage sensing in a circuit is provided. A sensing unit senses the voltage of a circuit. The sensing unit determines if the execution of another execution unit will cause the circuit voltage to drop below a threshold level. In response to a determination that the execution of another execution unit will cause the circuit voltage to drop below the threshold level, the execution unit is throttled.

Abstract: A method of power delivery analysis and design for a hierarchical system including building a model corresponding to each element of the hierarchical system, compiling a repository that contains the models corresponding to each element of the hierarchical system, assembling a system model from the models contained in the repository, flattening the system model, and running a simulation on the flattened system model.

Abstract: A method for designing a power distribution system including: receiving a cross section file that contains the layout of a PCB including a location of one or more power sinks and sources on the PCB; creating an initial power distribution system; evaluating the initial power distribution system against a cost function; creating a new power distribution system; evaluating the new power distribution system against the cost function; determining if the cost function associated with the new power distribution system is equal to or greater than a stop criterion; and creating another new power distribution system if the cost function associated with the new power distribution system is greater than the stop criterion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring the voltage available in each domain of multiple voltage domains of a partitioned electronic chip. In embodiments of the invention, only a single pair of C4 pins is required for all voltage monitoring activity. One useful embodiment is directed to apparatus for monitoring the level of voltage associated with each domain in a partitioned chip. The apparatus comprises a single conductive link coupled to the chip, and further comprises a domain selection network having a single output and a plurality of switchable inputs, the output being connected to the single conductive link, and two inputs being connected to monitor respective voltage levels of two of the plurality of voltage domains.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for automatically enhancing a power distribution system (PDS) in a ceramic integrated circuit package. The package includes multiple layers. The entire package is divided into a three-dimensional grid that includes multiple different grid cells. Information is associated with each one of the cells. For each one of the cells, the information included in the cell describes characteristics of the physical location of that cell relative to the other cells in the three-dimensional package. The information also describes any via or trace that already passes through said that cell. Potential new via and/or trace locations are automatically located throughout all of the entire package utilizing the information.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing high frequency return current paths utilizing decoupling capacitors within electronic packages. Electronic package physical design data are received for identifying a board layout. For each of a plurality of cells in a grid of a set cell size within the identified board layout, a respective number of signal vias are identified. A ratio of signal vias to return current paths is calculated for each of the plurality of cells. Each cell having a calculated ratio greater than a target ratio is identified. One or more decoupling capacitors are selectively added within each of the identified cells to provide high frequency return current paths.

Abstract: A low inductance via arrangement for multilayer ceramic (MLC) substrates is provided. With the MLC substrate and via arrangement of the illustrative embodiments, the via-field inductance for a given contact pad array is reduced. This reduction is achieved by the introduction of T-jogs and additional vias. These T-jogs and additional vias form additional current paths that cause additional parallel inductances that reduce the via-field inductance. In one illustrative embodiment, the additional T-jogs and vias are added to a center portion of a contact pad array. The T-jogs are comprised of two jogs in a wiring layer of the MLC, each jog being toward a via associated with an adjacent contact pad in the contact pad array. These additional T-jogs and vias form additional current loops parallel to the existing ones which thus, reduce the total inductance of the via-field.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for automatically enhancing a power distribution system (PDS) in a ceramic integrated circuit package. The package includes multiple layers. The entire package is divided into a three-dimensional grid that includes multiple different grid cells. Information is associated with each one of the cells. For each one of the cells, the information included in the cell describes characteristics of the physical location of that cell relative to the other cells in the three-dimensional package. The information also describes any via or trace that already passes through said that cell. Potential new via and/or trace locations are automatically located throughout all of the entire package utilizing the information.

Abstract: A power connector that uses ambient air to cool exposed power conductors through the use of either passive or forced air convection. The power conductors in the power connector are distributed for maximum contact with the cooling air. The power connector's housing is designed to cause maximum air flow across and/or against the power conductors.

Abstract: A method, structure and computer program product are provided for implementing high frequency return current paths within electronic packages. Electronic package physical design data is received for identifying a design layout. For each of a plurality of cells in a grid of a set cell size within the identified design layout, a respective number of signal vias, reference voltage vias, and ground vias are identified. A signal to reference via ratio is calculated for each of the plurality of cells. Each cell having a calculated signal to reference via ratio greater than a target ratio is identified. Vias are selectively added within each of the identified cells for providing high frequency return current paths.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing high frequency return current paths utilizing decoupling capacitors within electronic packages. Electronic package physical design data are received for identifying a board layout. For each of a plurality of cells in a grid of a set cell size within the identified board layout, a respective number of signal vias are identified. A ratio of signal vias to return current paths is calculated for each of the plurality of cells. Each cell having a calculated ratio greater than a target ratio is identified. One or more decoupling capacitors are selectively added within each of the identified cells to provide high frequency return current paths.

Abstract: A method, structure and computer program product are provided for implementing high frequency return current paths within electronic packages. Electronic package physical design data is received for identifying a design layout. For each of a plurality of cells in a grid of a set cell size within the identified design layout, a respective number of signal vias, reference voltage vias, and ground vias are identified. A signal to reference via ratio is calculated for each of the plurality of cells. Each cell having a calculated signal to reference via ratio greater than a target ratio is identified. Vias are selectively added within each of the identified cells for providing high frequency return current paths.

Abstract: A multiple resonant frequency decoupling capacitor is presented. The decoupling capacitor comprises a plurality of capacitive elements, each having a different resonant frequency to define a frequency bandwidth for noise supression. One of the capacitive elements having a resonant frequency indicative of the clock frequency of an integrated circuit being decoupled by the capacitor. Further, at least one other capacitive element having a resonant frequecny indicative of a harmonic frequency of the clock frequency.