Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacture are provided. The semiconductor device includes one or more layers having channels adapted to carry signals or deliver power. The semiconductor device may include at least two channels having a substantially equivalent cross-sectional area. Conductors in separate channels may have different cross-sectional areas. A spacer dielectric on a side of a channel may be included. The method of manufacture includes establishing a signal conductor layer including a first channel and a second channel having a substantially equivalent cross-sectional area, introducing a spacer dielectric on a side of the second channel, introducing a first conductor in the first channel having a first cross-sectional area, and introducing a second conductor in the second channel having a second cross-sectional area where the second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A method and structures are provided for implementing deep trench enabled high current capable bipolar transistor for current switching and output driver applications. A deep oxygen implant is provided in a selected region of substrate. A first deep trench and second deep trench are formed above the deep oxygen implant. The first deep trench is a generally large rectangular box deep trench of minimum width and the second deep trench is a second small area deep trench centered within the first rectangular box deep trench. Ion implantation at relatively high ion pressure and annealing is utilized to form highly doped N+ regions or P+ regions both inside and outside the outside the first deep trench and around the outside the second deep trench region. These regions provide the collector and emitter respectively, and the existing substrate region provides the base region between the collector and emitter regions.

Abstract: A method and structures are provided for implementing deep trench enabled high current capable bipolar transistor for current switching and output driver applications. A deep oxygen implant is provided in a selected region of substrate. A first deep trench and second deep trench are formed above the deep oxygen implant. The first deep trench is a generally large rectangular box deep trench of minimum width and the second deep trench is a second small area deep trench centered within the first rectangular box deep trench. Ion implantation at relatively high ion pressure and annealing is utilized to form highly doped N+ regions or P+ regions both inside and outside the outside the first deep trench and around the outside the second deep trench region. These regions provide the collector and emitter respectively, and the existing substrate region provides the base region between the collector and emitter regions.

Abstract: A multiple-patterned semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes one or more layers with signal tracks defined by masks and a structure for transferring a signal between signal tracks and repowering the signal.

Abstract: A multiple-patterned semiconductor device and a method of manufacture are provided. The semiconductor device includes one or more layers with signal tracks. The signal tracks have a quality characteristic. The semiconductor device also includes repeater banks to repower signals. The method of manufacture includes defining portions of layers with photomasks having signal track patterns, determining a quality characteristic of the signal track patterns, and selecting a photomask for etching vias.

Abstract: A multiple-patterned semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes one or more layers with signal tracks defined by masks and a structure for transferring a signal between signal tracks and repowering the signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first clock island, a second clock island, a clock generator, and a first programmable delay element. The first clock island is configured to receive a first clock signal. The second clock island is configured to receive a second clock signal. The clock generator is configured to provide a generated clock signal and the first and second clock signals are based on the generated clock signal. The first programmable delay element is coupled between the clock generator and the first clock island. The first programmable delay element is configured to receive the generated clock signal and provide the first clock signal. The integrated circuit is configured to account for a clock skew between the first and second clock signals when information is transferred between the first and second clock islands.

Abstract: A monitor bank consists of test one time programmable memory that is programmed distinctively from functional one time programmable memory in order to determine whether the functional one time programmable memory has or will program successfully. In a specific embodiment, each monitor bank consists of a first eFuse configured to expectedly never blow, a second eFuse configured to expectedly always blow, and at least a third eFuse configured to be more difficult to blow than the first eFuse, but easier to blow than the second eFuse. The method of determining whether functional eFuses have or will be programmed successfully is described: programming a monitor bank; sensing whether the test eFuses have blown; creating a monitor bank bit line blow pattern; determining an anticipated bit line blow pattern; comparing the two patterns; and determining that the functional eFuses will not blow successfully if the patterns do not match.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first clock island, a second clock island, a clock generator, and a first programmable delay element. The first clock island is configured to receive a first clock signal. The second clock island is configured to receive a second clock signal. The clock generator is configured to provide a generated clock signal and the first and second clock signals are based on the generated clock signal. The first programmable delay element is coupled between the clock generator and the first clock island. The first programmable delay element is configured to receive the generated clock signal and provide the first clock signal. The integrated circuit is configured to account for a clock skew between the first and second clock signals when information is transferred between the first and second clock islands.

Abstract: A computer program product stored on machine readable media including machine readable instructions for collecting input of a user from a personal media player, the product having instructions for playing a data file using the personal media player; recording the input on the personal media player; and transmitting the input to a processing system. Also disclosed is a computer program product for receiving input from a personal media player; and transmitting the input to the another party.

Abstract: A monitor bank consists of test one time programmable memory that is programmed distinctively from functional one time programmable memory in order to determine whether the functional one time programmable memory has or will program successfully. In a specific embodiment, each monitor bank consists of a first eFuse configured to expectedly never blow, a second eFuse configured to expectedly always blow, and at least a third eFuse configured to be more difficult to blow than the first eFuse, but easier to blow than the second eFuse. The method of determining whether functional eFuses have or will be programmed successfully is described: programming a monitor bank; sensing whether the test eFuses have blown; creating a monitor bank bit line blow pattern; determining an anticipated bit line blow pattern; comparing the two patterns; and determining that the functional eFuses will not blow successfully if the patterns do not match.

Abstract: A power supply for on-chip memory on an integrated circuit powered by a voltage source includes an on-chip logic circuit, a voltage identification bus and an on-chip variable voltage regulator. The on-chip logic circuit receives power from an off-chip variable power supply and generates a voltage identification signal that provides control information regarding a desired current state of the off-chip variable power supply. The voltage identification bus receives the voltage identification signal from the on-chip logic circuit. The on-chip variable voltage regulator receives power from the voltage source. The on-chip voltage regulator is controlled by an on-chip voltage regulator control logic circuit that is in communication with the voltage identification bus.

Abstract: A method for estimating the tenderness of a meat product is provided. The method includes determining the stress relaxation coefficient of a meat sample. One or more physical parameters of the meat sample are then determined from the stress relaxation coefficient. Diagnostic sensory characterization data, such as a numerical estimation of the meat's overall tenderness, is then determined for the meat sample. The physical parameters are then correlated to the diagnostic sensory characterization data, to allow the diagnostic sensory characterization data to be estimated solely from the measured physical parameters.

Abstract: A dynamic logic circuit operates in a normal mode, and in a safe mode for which the circuit is less susceptible to noise than with the normal mode. The dynamic logic circuit includes a logic network having at least one input, a precharge device having a storage node connected to the logic network, and a device for varying a capacitance of the storage node to provide the normal and safe modes of operation. In one embodiment, the capacitance at the storage node is varied by selectively connecting the storage node to a capacitor, particularly to a DRAM cell capacitor. The DRAM cell is advantageously fabricated on a chip in close proximity to the storage node. A logic process using a plurality of such dynamic logic circuits can have means for independently operating each of the circuits in the safe mode, and the circuits can be monitored during the normal and safe operation modes to determine whether any are failing during the normal operation mode, e.g., due to excess noise.

Abstract: One or more interrogating commander stations and an unknown plurality of responding responder stations coordinate use of a common communication medium. Each commander station and each responder station is equipped to broadcast messages and to check for error in received messages. When more than one station attempts to broadcast simultaneously, an erroneous message is received and communication is interrupted. To establish uninterrupted communication, a commander station broadcasts a command causing each responder station of a potentially large first number of responder stations to each select a random number from a known range and retain it as its arbitration number. After receipt of such a command, each addressed responder station transmits a response message containing its arbitration number. Zero, one, or several responses may occur simultaneously.

Abstract: A protocol is used to coordinate the use of a common communication medium by one or more interrogating commander stations and an unknown plurality of responding responder stations. Each commander station and each responder station is equipped to broadcast messages and to check for error in received messages. When more than one station attempts to broadcast simultaneously, an erroneous message is received and communication is interrupted. To establish uninterrupted communication, a commander station broadcasts a command causing each responder station of a potentially large first number of responder stations to each select a random number from a known range and retain it as its arbitration number. After receipt of such a command, each addressed responder station transmits a response message containing its arbitration number. Zero, one, or several responses may occur simultaneously.

Abstract: One or more interrogating commander stations and an unknown plurality of responding responder stations coordinate use of a common communication medium. Each commander station and each responder station is equipped to broadcast messages and to check for error in received messages. When more than one station attempts to broadcast simultaneously, an erroneous message is received and communication is interrupted. To establish uninterrupted communication, a commander station broadcasts a command causing each responder station of a potentially large first number of responder stations to each select a random number from a known range and retain it as its arbitration number. After receipt of such a command, each addressed responder station transmits a response message containing its arbitration number. Zero, one, or several responses may occur simultaneously.

Abstract: A protocol is used to coordinate the use of a common communication medium by one or more interrogating commander stations and an unknown plurality of responding responder stations. Each commander station and each responder station is equipped to broadcast messages and to check for error in received messages. When more than one station attempts to broadcast simultaneously, an erroneous message is received and communication is interrupted. To establish uninterrupted communication, a commander station broadcasts a command causing each responder station of a potentially large first number of responder stations to each select a random number from a known range and retain it as its arbitration number. After receipt of such a command, each addressed responder station transmits a response message containing its arbitration number. Zero, one, or several responses may occur simultaneously.

Abstract: One or more interrogating commander stations and an unknown plurality of responding responder stations coordinate use of a common communication medium. Each commander station and each responder station is equipped to broadcast messages and to check for error in received messages. When more than one station attempts to broadcast simultaneously, an erroneous message is received and communication is interrupted. To establish uninterrupted communication, a commander station broadcasts a command causing each responder station of a potentially large first number of responder stations to each select a random number from a known range and retain it as its arbitration number. After receipt of such a command, each addressed responder station transmits a response message containing its arbitration number. Zero, one, or several responses may occur simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure including parallel spaced conducting traces each physically separated by a grounding trace. The grounding traces are located in between the conducting traces to provide a shielding structure to diminish capacitive coupling between the conducting traces. At the same time, each conducting traces is capacitively coupled to each adjacent pair of grounding traces and the grounding traces are connected to a ground such as a grounded substrate. The grounding traces are formed on a different layer of the semiconductor structure from the conducting traces such that a layout area of the conducting traces is not affected.