Abstract: Multiple interfaces dedicated to individual logic circuits such as memory arrays are capable of being dynamically reconfigured from operating separately and in parallel to operating in a more collective manner to ensure that data associated with all of the logic circuits will be communicated irrespective of a failure in any of the interfaces. Specifically, a plurality of interfaces, each of which being ordinarily configured to communicate data associated with an associated logic circuit in parallel with the other interfaces, may be dynamically reconfigured, e.g., in response to a detected failure in one or more of the interfaces, to communicate data associated with each of the interfaces over each of at least a subset of the interfaces in a time multiplexed and replicated manner.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method is provided for efficient memory usage. The first method includes the steps of (1) determining whether data retrieved from a first storage device is characterized as data that is primarily read; and (2) if data retrieved from the first storage device is characterized as data that is primarily read (a) writing the retrieved data in a temporary storage device with short write latency; and (b) writing the retrieved data in a high-density memory. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: An electronic assembly and system and method implementing the same are disclosed herein. The electronic assembly includes an IC carrier package having circuitry contained within a housing unit. The IC carrier package includes a connector interface for electrically coupling the IC carrier package circuitry to a printed circuit board. The connector interface is further characterized as having a graduated step surface contour with one or more electrical contacts disposed on at least two graduated step connector surfaces of the connector interface. The electronic assembly further includes a multilayer printed circuit board having a mounting site cavity for mounting the IC carrier package. The mounting site cavity includes having at least two seating surfaces offset in a graduated step manner for receivably seating the at least two graduated step connector surfaces of the IC carrier package connector interface.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement, method and apparatus utilize communication links that are selectively configurable to operate in both unidirectional and bidirectional modes to communicate data between multiple nodes that are interconnected to one another in a daisy chain configuration. As a result, in many instances communications may be maintained with nodes located both before and after a discontinuity in a daisy chain configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing direct attenuation loss measurement in an electronic package. A sinusoidal voltage source signal of a selected frequency is coupled to an embedded transmission line test structure in the electronic package. Receive circuitry is coupled to the transmission line test structure for detecting amplitude of a received sinusoidal voltage source signal to identify attenuation loss through the transmission line test structure. An identified attenuation loss of the transmission line test structure is compared with a threshold value for verifying acceptable attenuation of the electronic package transmission line test structure.

Abstract: A method and stiffener-embedded waveguide structure are provided for implementing enhanced data transfer for printed circuit board applications. At least one microwave channel is defined within a stiffener. The microwave channel provides a high frequency path for data transfers. Use of the waveguide channel in the stiffener for data transfers can replace or supplement otherwise required transmission paths in an associated printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing enhanced electronic packaging and printed circuit board (PCB) layout. A diagonal via is formed at a selected angle between a first side and an opposite second side of a printed circuit board at a selected printed circuit board location. The diagonal via is plated with an electrically conductive material. Diagonal vias are used to interconnect between a high-density pitch on the first side and a larger pitch on the opposite second side of the printed circuit board. The diagonal vias can be used to selectively interconnect electrical patterns of selected layers and eliminate the use of blind and buried vias.

Abstract: A high frequency connector utilizes flex strip signal/reference conductor pairs extending in channels formed in a dielectric connector body between terminations at connector ends. The flex strips are formed as signal and reference conductor traces separated by a flexible dielectric wherein the impedance can be influenced by the width of the signal and reference traces and the thickness and selected material of the dielectric separating the adjoining conductor traces. Design of the flex strip assemblies is used to vary the capacitance which enables the connector impedance to match the impedance of the circuits and/or cables connected to the connector and mitigate any discontinuities among the sequence of circuit paths. The close proximity of signal and reference traces within the pair and the separation of signal lines in the connector body reduces cross talk by minimizing mutual inductance between signal lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing automated electronic package transmission line characteristic impedance verification. A sinusoidal voltage source is coupled to a transmission line test structure for generating a selected frequency. Impedance measuring circuitry is coupled to the transmission line test structure for measuring an input impedance with an open-circuit termination and a short-circuit termination. Characteristic impedance calculation circuitry is coupled to the impedance measuring circuitry receiving the input impedance measured values for the open-circuit termination and the short-circuit termination for calculating characteristic impedance. Logic circuitry is coupled to the characteristic impedance calculation circuitry for comparing the calculated characteristic impedance with threshold values for verifying acceptable electronic package transmission line characteristic impedance.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing a column attach coupled noise suppressor for a solder column structure of the type used to join a substrate to a circuit card. The electrical noise suppressor structure includes a plurality of elongated through openings that are arranged in a predefined pattern. The elongated through openings have electrically conductive sidewalls and are electrically connected together. The predefined pattern of the elongated, electrically conductive through openings corresponds to a layout of solder columns. The solder columns are attached at one end to either a substrate or a circuit card and are inserted through the elongated through openings of the electrical noise suppressor structure, spaced apart from the electrically conductive sidewalls. Then the solder columns are attached at the other end to the other one of the substrate or circuit card.

Abstract: A method and a probe structure are provided for implementing multiple signals probing of a printed circuit board. A probe structure is formed on an outside surface of the printed circuit board. A resistor is electrically connected with an associated via with a signal to be monitored. A path to a predefined probe location for monitoring the signal is defined from the resistor using the probe structure.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for creating customized mesh planes in electronic packages. Electronic package physical design data is received and signal traces in each adjacent plane to a mesh plane are compared with the mesh layout. Signal traces adjacent to mesh holes are identified. One or more fill methods are selected to modify the mesh layout to replace selected mesh holes with added mesh structure aligned with the identified signal traces.