Abstract: There is disclosed a tri-state buffer circuit for receiving an input signal at a buffer input node and transmitting, responsive to a buffer enable signal, an output signal at a buffer output node. The buffer circuit includes an input stage coupled to the buffer input node. The input stage is configured to receive, when the buffer enable signal is enabled, the input signal. The buffer circuit further includes a level shifter stage coupled to the input stage. The level shifter stage is arranged to output, when the buffer enable signal is enabled, a set of level shifter stage control signals responsive to the input signal. A voltage range of the set of level shifter stage control signals is higher than a voltage range associated with the input signal. The buffer circuit also includes an output stage coupled to the level shifter stage.

Abstract: A dynamic latch receiver device comprises a sequence of data latch devices arranged in parallel for enabling sequential latching of data signals communicated serially on a single data line. The device includes a first pointer signal generator for generating a sequence of one or more first pointer signals, each generated first pointer signal of a sequence corresponding to a specific latch device and overlapping in time with a prior generated first pointer signal of the sequence; and, a pulse converter device associated with a latch device for receiving a corresponding first pointer signal and generating a respective second pointer signal for input to a respective latch device, each second pointer signal generated in a non-overlapping sequence for triggering a respective latching of each data signal in synchronism with serially communicated data signals.

Abstract: A high frequency driver circuit is described. The driver produces increased current flow at its output to decrease charging time, thereby enabling higher frequency operations. Increased current flow is achieved by providing an active control signal that increases the magnitude of the overdrive voltage applied to a driver transistor.

Abstract: A method of performing overlapping operations with a memory device may have a sense amplifier circuit and two drivers connected to the sense amplifier circuit. Two data bus lines may be connected to the sense amplifier circuit to receive data signals. The method may include applying a first equalize signal and second equalize signal to the sense amplifier circuit to allow the sense amplifier circuit to receive the data signals across the data bus lines, applying a switch signal to the sense amplifier circuit to connect the data bus lines to a read data bus, and changing a state of the first equalize signal such that the data bus lines either receive new data or the data bus lines are equalized to a predetermined voltage while the data is on the read data bus and is capable of being read.

Abstract: A process applicable to the restoration of defective or rejected semiconductor wafers to a defect-free form uses etchants and a variation of the Smart-Cut.RTM. process. Because of the use of the variation on the Smart-Cut.RTM. process, diffusion regions are removed without significantly affecting the specifications of the semiconductor wafer. Therefore, a defective or rejected wafer can be restored to near original condition for use in semiconductor manufacturing.

Abstract: A rock detachment evaluation device (10) having an energy transducer unit 1) for sensing vibrations imparted to a subject rock (172) for converting the sensed vibrations into electrical signals, a low band pass filter unit (12) for receiving the electrical signal and transmitting only a low frequency segment thereof, a high band pass filter unit (13) for receiving the electrical signals and for transmitting only a high frequency segment thereof, a comparison unit (14) for receiving the low frequency and high frequency signals and for determining the difference in power between the signals, and a display unit (16) for displaying indicia of the difference, which provides a quantitative measure of rock detachment.