Abstract: A pressure control system includes a digital communication network between a pressure sensor and a pressure controller. The digital communication network is configured to communicate signals between the pressure sensor and the pressure controller. The pressure sensor is configured to measure pressure within a vacuum chamber in a processing tool. The pressure controller is responsive to pressure measurements made by the pressure sensor and communicated to the pressure controller through the digital communication network, to control the pressure within the vacuum chamber so as to maintain the pressure in the vacuum chamber at a pressure set point received from the tool.

Abstract: The invention provides for the arrangement and management of timing of various domains on a large integrated circuit which introduces a phase offset between clock domains of neighboring cells to create a wavefront clock which propagates through the circuit at the same speed data propagates though the circuit. The cells of the integrated circuit are wavefront clock synchronized in that the phase offset introduced in a particular cell's clock is such that the arrival of a skewed clock and propagation delayed data from that cell's neighbor is synchronized with that particular cell's own clock. Wavefront clock synchronization mitigates at least some of the problems of clock skew and the associated effects of slowing data propagation and reduction of clock frequencies associated with large surface integrated circuits utilizing synchronized clock domains.

Abstract: A microelectronic complex including a body of semi-conductor material containing an integrated circuit, and a plurality of contact pads on the body for receiving signal conducting members for connection to an external substrate. The contact pads allow signals to be exchanged between the integrated circuit and the external substrate via the signal conducting members. A majority of the contact pads are disposed on the body of the microelectronic complex according to a configuration whereby the stress effects on the signal conducting members caused by thermal expansion mismatch between the microelectronic complex and the external substrate are minimized. In a specific configuration, a majority of the contact pads form a cluster circumscribing a predetermined area of the microelectronic complex body, whereby the cluster is characterized by a minimum inter-pad distance among the majority of contact pads on the body of the microelectronic complex.

Abstract: The disclosed tool includes a process chamber, a communications network, a pressure sensor, a tool controller, and a pressure controller. The communications network is configured to transmit messages to and from a plurality of devices coupled to the network. At least some of the messages include a header portion and a data portion. The header portion of a particular message indicates a sender of the particular message and at least one intended recipient of the particular message. The pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure within the process chamber. The pressure sensor, tool controller, and pressure controller are all coupled to the communication network. The pressure controller is configured to control the pressure within the process chamber in response to measurements of the pressure within the process chamber provided by the pressure sensor and in response to a set point provided by the tool controller. The set point represents a desired pressure within the process chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides for the arrangement and management of timing of various domains on a large integrated circuit which introduces a phase offset between clock domains of neighboring cells to create a wavefront clock which propagates through the circuit at the same speed data propagates though the circuit. The cells of the integrated circuit are wavefront clock synchronized in that the phase offset introduced in a particular cell's clock is such that the arrival of a skewed clock and propagation delayed data from that cell's neighbor is synchronized with that particular cell's own clock. Wavefront clock synchronization mitigates at least some of the problems of clock skew and the associated effects of slowing data propagation and reduction of clock frequencies associated with large surface integrated circuits utilizing synchronized clock domains.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connecting device for connection to a body of semiconductor material. The body of semiconductor material includes an integrated circuit that contains a plurality of clusters of signal transmissive connector elements arranged in a predetermined disposition. The connecting device includes a plurality of groups of signal transmissive connector members for connection to an associated cluster of signal transmissive connector elements. The disposition of the signal transmissive connector members in each group matches the disposition of the signal transmissive connector elements in that group's associated cluster. The connecting device further includes flexible portions between its respective groups of signal transmissive connector members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connecting device for connection to a body of semiconductor material. The body of semiconductor material includes an integrated circuit that contains a plurality of clusters of signal transmissive connector elements arranged in a predetermined disposition. The connecting device includes a plurality of groups of signal transmissive connector members for connection to an associated cluster of signal transmissive connector elements. The disposition of the signal transmissive connector members in each group matches the disposition of the signal transmissive connector elements in that group's associated cluster. The connecting device further includes flexible portions between its respective groups of signal transmissive connector members.

Abstract: A tossable strategy-type game comprising a body adapted to be tossed and caught during play, the body including a playing surface. A plurality of playing pieces are associated with the playing surface, the playing pieces each having attachment means for releasably attaching the playing pieces to the surface with sufficient strength to retain the playing pieces attached to the surface during tossing while enabling the playing pieces to be manually detached from the surface. The strategy-type game, according to the invention, enables players to interact on a common playing surface without the players being forced to remain in close proximity to one another while the game is in progress.

Abstract: A tossable, tri-dimensional strategy-type game comprising a tri-dimensional body adapted to be tossed and caught during playing, the body including a playing surface enclosing the body with the playing surface being divided into distinct areas defining a regular pattern of at least first and second visually distinguishable surface areas. A plurality of flexible playing pieces are associated with at least the first surface areas, the playing pieces each having attachments for releasably attaching the playing pieces to selected surface areas with sufficient strength to retain the playing pieces attached to the selected surface areas during tossing while enabling the playing pieces to be manually detached from the selected surface areas. The strategy-type game according to the invention enables players to interact on a common tri-dimensional playing surface without the players being forced to remain in close proximity to one another while the game is in progress.