Abstract: A vehicular autonomous driving system includes a fault prediction unit, including a processor and memory, configured to predict a potential future fault condition by: monitoring performance data associated with the plurality of autonomous driving components; comparing the performance data associated with the plurality of autonomous driving components to a plurality of performance thresholds; and determining the potential future fault condition for one of the plurality of autonomous driving components, when the performance data associated with the one of the plurality of autonomous driving components compare unfavorably to corresponding one of the plurality of performance thresholds.

Abstract: An autonomous driving controller includes a plurality of parallel processors operating on common input data received from the plurality of autonomous driving sensors. Each of the plurality of parallel processors includes communication circuitry, a general processor, a security processor subsystem (SCS), and a safety subsystem (SMS). The communication circuitry supports communications between the plurality of parallel processors, including inter-processor communications between the general processors of the plurality of parallel processors, communications between the SCSs of the plurality of parallel processors using SCS cryptography, and communications between the SMSs of the plurality of parallel processors using SMS cryptography, the SMS cryptography differing from the SCS cryptography. The SCS and/or the SMS may each include dedicated hardware and/or memory to support the communications.

Abstract: A vehicular autonomous driving system includes a fault prediction unit, including a processor and memory, configured to predict a potential future fault condition by: monitoring performance data associated with the plurality of autonomous driving components; comparing the performance data associated with the plurality of autonomous driving components to a plurality of performance thresholds; and determining the potential future fault condition for one of the plurality of autonomous driving components, when the performance data associated with the one of the plurality of autonomous driving components compares unfavorably to a corresponding one of the plurality of performance thresholds.

Abstract: A parallel processing system includes at least three parallel processors, state monitoring circuitry, and state reload circuitry. The state monitoring circuitry couples to the at least three parallel processors and is configured to monitor runtime states of the at least three parallel processors and identify a first processor of the at least three parallel processors having at least one runtime state error. The state reload circuitry couples to the at least three parallel processors and is configured to select a second processor of the at least three parallel processors for state reload, access a runtime state of the second processor, and load the runtime state of the second processor into the first processor. Monitoring and reload may be performed only on sub-systems of the at least three parallel processors. During reload, clocks and supply voltages of the processors may be altered. The state reload may relate to sub-systems.

Abstract: A parallel processing system includes at least three processors operating in parallel, state monitoring circuitry, and state reload circuitry. The state monitoring circuitry couples to the at least three parallel processors and is configured to monitor runtime states of the at least three parallel processors and identify a first processor of the at least three parallel processors having at least one runtime state error. The state reload circuitry couples to the at least three parallel processors and is configured to select a second processor of the at least three parallel processors for state reload, access a runtime state of the second processor, and load the runtime state of the second processor into the first processor. Monitoring and reload may be performed only on sub-systems of the at least three parallel processors. During reload, clocks and supply voltages of the processors may be altered. The state reload may relate to sub-systems.

Abstract: An autonomous driving controller includes a plurality of parallel processors operating on common input data received from the plurality of autonomous driving sensors. Each of the plurality of parallel processors includes communication circuitry, a general processor, a security processor subsystem (SCS), and a safety subsystem (SMS). The communication circuitry supports communications between the plurality of parallel processors, including inter-processor communications between the general processors of the plurality of parallel processors, communications between the SCSs of the plurality of parallel processors using SCS cryptography, and communications between the SMSs of the plurality of parallel processors using SMS cryptography, the SMS cryptography differing from the SCS cryptography. The SCS and/or the SMS may each include dedicated hardware and/or memory to support the communications.

Abstract: A parallel processing system includes at least three processors operating in parallel, state monitoring circuitry, and state reload circuitry. The state monitoring circuitry couples to the at least three parallel processors and is configured to monitor runtime states of the at least three parallel processors and identify a first processor of the at least three parallel processors having at least one runtime state error. The state reload circuitry couples to the at least three parallel processors and is configured to select a second processor of the at least three parallel processors for state reload, access a runtime state of the second processor, and load the runtime state of the second processor into the first processor. Monitoring and reload may be performed only on sub-systems of the at least three parallel processors. During reload, clocks and supply voltages of the processors may be altered. The state reload may relate to sub-systems.

Abstract: An autonomous driving controller includes a plurality of parallel processors operating on common input data received from the plurality of autonomous driving sensors. Each of the plurality of parallel processors includes communication circuitry, a general processor, a security processor subsystem (SCS), and a safety subsystem (SMS). The communication circuitry supports communications between the plurality of parallel processors, including inter-processor communications between the general processors of the plurality of parallel processors, communications between the SCSs of the plurality of parallel processors using SCS cryptography, and communications between the SMSs of the plurality of parallel processors using SMS cryptography, the SMS cryptography differing from the SCS cryptography. The SCS and/or the SMS may each include dedicated hardware and/or memory to support the communications.

Abstract: A System-on-a-Chip includes a plurality of processing systems and channel circuitry servicing the plurality of processing systems. The channel circuitry includes a clock sprinkler circuit, a clock source, first direction data path circuitry and second direction data path circuitry. A clock sprinkler is a clock signal that propagates in a first direction only, from a source to all destinations. The first direction data path circuitry includes a plurality of first direction data flip flops and first direction combinational logic that service data flow in the first direction. The second direction data path circuitry includes a plurality of second direction data flip flops and second direction combinational logic that service data flow in the second direction.

Abstract: A parallel processing system includes at least three processors operating in parallel, state monitoring circuitry, and state reload circuitry. The state monitoring circuitry couples to the at least three parallel processors and is configured to monitor runtime states of the at least three parallel processors and identify a first processor of the at least three parallel processors having at least one runtime state error. The state reload circuitry couples to the at least three parallel processors and is configured to select a second processor of the at least three parallel processors for state reload, access a runtime state of the second processor, and load the runtime state of the second processor into the first processor. Monitoring and reload may be performed only on sub-systems of the at least three parallel processors. During reload, clocks and supply voltages of the processors may be altered. The state reload may relate to sub-systems.

Abstract: A vehicular autonomous driving system includes a fault prediction unit, including a processor and memory, configured to predict a potential future fault condition by: monitoring performance data associated with the plurality of autonomous driving components; comparing the performance data associated with the plurality of autonomous driving components to a plurality of performance thresholds; and determining the potential future fault condition for one of the plurality of autonomous driving components, when the performance data associated with the one of the plurality of autonomous driving components compares unfavorably to a corresponding one of the plurality of performance thresholds.

Abstract: An autonomous driving controller includes a plurality of parallel processors operating on common input data received from the plurality of autonomous driving sensors. Each of the plurality of parallel processors includes communication circuitry, a general processor, a security processor subsystem (SCS), and a safety subsystem (SMS). The communication circuitry supports communications between the plurality of parallel processors, including inter-processor communications between the general processors of the plurality of parallel processors, communications between the SCSs of the plurality of parallel processors using SCS cryptography, and communications between the SMSs of the plurality of parallel processors using SMS cryptography, the SMS cryptography differing from the SCS cryptography. The SCS and/or the SMS may each include dedicated hardware and/or memory to support the communications.

Abstract: A parallel processing system includes at least three processors operating in parallel, state monitoring circuitry, and state reload circuitry. The state monitoring circuitry couples to the at least three parallel processors and is configured to monitor runtime states of the at least three parallel processors and identify a first processor of the at least three parallel processors having at least one runtime state error. The state reload circuitry couples to the at least three parallel processors and is configured to select a second processor of the at least three parallel processors for state reload, access a runtime state of the second processor, and load the runtime state of the second processor into the first processor. Monitoring and reload may be performed only on sub-systems of the at least three parallel processors. During reload, clocks and supply voltages of the processors may be altered. The state reload may relate to sub-systems.

Abstract: A System-on-a-Chip includes a plurality of processing systems and channel circuitry servicing the plurality of processing systems. The channel circuitry includes a clock sprinkler circuit, a clock source, first direction data path circuitry and second direction data path circuitry. A clock sprinkler is a clock signal that propagates in a first direction only, from a source to all destinations. The first direction data path circuitry includes a plurality of first direction data flip flops and first direction combinational logic that service data flow in the first direction. The second direction data path circuitry includes a plurality of second direction data flip flops and second direction combinational logic that service data flow in the second direction.

Abstract: A flip-flop circuit includes a differential stage coupled to a latch stage. The differential stage comprises cross-coupled dynamic logic and only provides a single output to the latch stage. During an evaluation phase, the state of a data input signal is sensed. Depending upon the state of the data input signal, either an output side or reference side of the differential stage is discharged. Also, during the evaluation phase, the latch stage write port is enabled while feedback is disabled, and the flip flop thereby samples and stores an output signal from the output side of the differential stage. Upon initiation of the next precharge phase, the latch stage write port is disabled and feedback is enabled, thereby retaining its present state. Only a single side of the differential stage is used to drive the latch stage and the differential stage may be implemented in an asymmetric fashion.

Abstract: A digital delay locked loop (DLL) includes a phase detector that measures the phase difference between a signal to be synchronized and a reference signal. The phase detector produces an increase or decrease signal in response to the phase difference between the two signals. This signal is received by a binary counter, which changes its count in response. The output of the binary counter is supplied to a comparator logic that implements a thermometer coding scheme. Each of the comparator output signals enables or disables a corresponding transistor stack in a delay line, thereby changing the delay of the signal propagating through the delay line.

Abstract: A clock driver is disclosed that minimizes propagation delay, and thus improves the integrity of a clock distribution network. The clock driver preferably is implemented with silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, and comprises an inverter with an nFET and pFET that are body-connected. The body connection serves to reduce the body voltage of the pFET, while increasing the body voltage of the nFET. This shifting of the voltage reduces the voltage threshold differential for both the nFET and pFET, which translates into a design that experiences less propagation delay due to voltage variations and fluctuations. If desired, the body voltages may be slightly offset from each other by placing one or more voltage drop transistors in the conductive path between the bodies of the nFET and pFET. In addition, the present invention may be used to design a programmable inverter that can operate in a low power mode, or in a high precision mode.

Abstract: A digital delay locked loop (DLL) includes a phase detector that measures the phase difference between a signal to be synchronized and a reference signal. The phase detector produces an increase or decrease signal in response to the phase difference between the two signals. This signal is received by a binary counter, which changes its count in response. The output of the binary counter is supplied to a comparator logic that implements a thermometer coding scheme. Each of the comparator output signals enables or disables a corresponding transistor stack in a delay line, thereby changing the delay of the signal propagating through the delay line.

Abstract: A clock driver is disclosed that minimizes propagation delay, and thus improves the integrity of a clock distribution network. The clock driver preferably is implemented with silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, and comprises an inverter with an nFET and pFET that are body-connected. The body connection serves to reduce the body voltage of the pFET, while increasing the body voltage of the nFET. This shifting of the voltage reduces the voltage threshold differential for both the nFET and pFET, which translates into a design that experiences less propagation delay due to voltage variations and fluctuations. If desired, the body voltages may be slightly offset from each other by placing one or more voltage drop transistors in the conductive path between the bodies of the nFET and pFET. In addition, the present invention may be used to design a programmable inverter that can operate in a low power mode, or in a high precision mode.

Abstract: A conditional clock gate is implemented that equalizes load conditions on clocked transistor gates to provide a better quality clock signal in a clock distribution network. The conditional clock gate may be implemented as either a NAND gate or a NOR gate. According to one embodiment, a pre-charge transistor is that equals clock loading when the enable signal is de-asserted. The pre-charge transistor charges a terminal of a clocked transistor during certain clock states to mimic load conditions that exist when the enable signal is asserted. In another embodiment, a pre-discharge transistor is implemented that charges a terminal of a clocked transistor during certain clock states to mimic load conditions that exist when the enable signal is asserted. Conditional clock gates may also be implemented with multiple enable inputs using these same prnciples.