Abstract: An method, a computer readable medium and a system for an automated design of a controllable oscillator are provided, wherein the method includes: receiving a set of input data through an automated design procedure, wherein the set of input data includes an initial circuit description file and a criteria file, and the initial circuit description file records initial values of parameters of one or more components within the controllable oscillator; performing simulation according to the set of input data through the automated design procedure to generate a simulation result; and selectively modifying at least one parameter within the parameters of the one or more components according to the simulation result through the automated design procedure. In addition, in the process of modifying the at least one parameter, connection relationships of all components within the controllable oscillator are unchanged.

Abstract: A memory controller, a method for read control of a memory, and an associated storage system are provided. The memory controller includes a data latch circuit, a mask generating circuit, a clock control logic electrically coupled to the mask generating circuit, and a demultiplexer electrically coupled to the data latch circuit and the clock control logic. The data latch circuit latches a series of data within a data signal from the memory according to a data strobe signal from the memory. The mask generating circuit generates a mask signal according to the data strobe signal. The clock control logic generates a receiving clock signal according to the mask signal. The demultiplexer determines valid data within the series of data with aid of the receiving clock signal.

Abstract: A memory controller, a method for read control of a memory, and an associated storage system are provided. The memory controller includes a data latch circuit, a mask generating circuit, a clock control logic electrically coupled to the mask generating circuit, and a demultiplexer electrically coupled to the data latch circuit and the clock control logic. The data latch circuit latches a series of data within a data signal from the memory according to a data strobe signal from the memory. The mask generating circuit generates a mask signal according to the data strobe signal. The clock control logic generates a receiving clock signal according to the mask signal. The demultiplexer determines valid data within the series of data with aid of the receiving clock signal.

Abstract: An method, a computer readable medium and a system for an automated design of a controllable oscillator are provided, wherein the method includes: receiving a set of input data through an automated design procedure, wherein the set of input data includes an initial circuit description file and a criteria file, and the initial circuit description file records initial values of parameters of one or more components within the controllable oscillator; performing simulation according to the set of input data through the automated design procedure to generate a simulation result; and selectively modifying at least one parameter within the parameters of the one or more components according to the simulation result through the automated design procedure. In addition, in the process of modifying the at least one parameter, connection relationships of all components within the controllable oscillator are unchanged.

Abstract: A method, a computer readable medium and a system for a semi-automated design of an integrated circuit are provided, wherein the integrated circuit includes a first partial circuit and a second partial circuit. The method includes: directly using a set of predetermined circuit information that is designed in advance to act as circuit information of the first partial circuit; and generating circuit information of the second partial circuit through an automated design procedure.

Abstract: A control method for a delay locked loop includes: delaying an input signal to generate an internal signal; delaying the internal signal to generate an output signal; and selectively providing a reference clock signal or the output signal as the input signal according to the output signal and the internal signal.

Abstract: A control method for a delay locked loop includes: delaying an input signal to generate an internal signal; delaying the internal signal to generate an output signal; and selectively providing a reference clock signal or the output signal as the input signal according to the output signal and the internal signal.

Abstract: A signal transmission method suitable for a signal transmitter includes: providing a plurality of clock signals with different phases, selecting some of the clock signals as a plurality of intermediate signals; transmitting the intermediate signals to a signal output circuit via a clock distribution network; selecting one of the intermediate signals as a reference clock of the signal output circuit to output data.

Abstract: An output driver for driving a pad includes a pull-up circuit and a pull-down circuit. The pull-up circuit includes first, second and third first-type transistors. The first and second first-type transistors are commonly controlled by a first logic signal. The third first-type transistor is connected in parallel to the second first-type transistor. The pull-down circuit includes first, second and third second-type transistors. The first and second second-type transistors are commonly controlled by a second logic signal. The third second-type transistor is connected in parallel to the second second-type transistor. The pull-up circuit is configured such that a response speed of the first first-type transistor to the first logic signal is lower than that of the second first-type transistor to the first logic signal.

Abstract: A driving circuit includes a first driving module, configured to operate at a first operating voltage in a first mode and configured to be deactivated in a second mode; and a second driving module, wherein at least part of the second driving module operates at a protection voltage in the first mode and operates at a second operating voltage in the second mode, wherein the second operating voltage and the protection voltage are lower than the first operating voltage.

Abstract: A signal transmission method suitable for a signal transmitter includes: providing a plurality of clock signals with different phases, selecting some of the clock signals as a plurality of intermediate signals; transmitting the intermediate signals to a signal output circuit via a clock distribution network; selecting one of the intermediate signals as a reference clock of the signal output circuit to output data.

Abstract: A driving circuit includes a first driving module, configured to operate at a first operating voltage in a first mode and configured to be deactivated in a second mode; and a second driving module, wherein at least part of the second driving module operates at a protection voltage in the first mode and operates at a second operating voltage in the second mode, wherein the second operating voltage and the protection voltage are lower than the first operating voltage.

Abstract: An output driver for driving a pad includes a pull-up circuit and a pull-down circuit. The pull-up circuit includes first, second and third first-type transistors. The first and second first-type transistors are commonly controlled by a first logic signal. The third first-type transistor is connected in parallel to the second first-type transistor. The pull-down circuit includes first, second and third second-type transistors. The first and second second-type transistors are commonly controlled by a second logic signal. The third second-type transistor is connected in parallel to the second second-type transistor. The pull-up circuit is configured such that a response speed of the first first-type transistor to the first logic signal is lower than that of the second first-type transistor to the first logic signal.

Abstract: A DRAM controller including a judging module, a determination module, and a transmission module is provided. The judging module judges an address content difference between a first command and a third command. The determination module determines a plurality of buffering address contents, associated with at least one second command, according to the address content difference. The transmission module then sequentially transmits the first command, the at least one second command, and the third command to the DRAM.

Abstract: A built-in self-test circuit (BIST) applied to a high speed I/O port is provided. The BIST circuit includes a detecting unit, a flag unit and a selecting unit. The detecting unit has a first input terminal for receiving a serial output signal, a second input terminal for receiving a serial enable signal, and an output terminal for generating a detection signal. The flag unit receives the detection signal and generates a flag signal. The selecting unit receives the serial output signal, the serial enable signal and the flag signal. When a reset signal is at a first level, the selecting unit transmits the serial output signal and the serial enable signal to the I/O port. When the reset signal is at a second level, the serial output signal and the serial enable signal possesses a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A driving circuit includes a first driving module, configured to operate at a first operating voltage in a first mode and configured to be deactivated in a second mode; and a second driving module, wherein at least part of the second driving module operates at a protection voltage in the first mode and operates at a second operating voltage in the second mode, wherein the second operating voltage and the protection voltage are lower than the first operating voltage.

Abstract: A universal memory I/O generating apparatus includes a defining module, a retrieving module, a generating module, and a layout module. The defining module defines a mapping table according to a pin configuration of a plurality of I/Os. The mapping table includes corresponding relationships between the plurality of IOs and a plurality of memory functions. The retrieving module retrieves control information corresponding to the mapping table from candidate information, which is associated with the corresponding relationships between the plurality of I/Os and the plurality of memory functions. The generating module generates a hardware description language (HDL) file according to the control information. The layout module programs the plurality of I/Os according to the HDL file, so that each of the I/Os can correspond to its corresponding memory function.

Abstract: A transmitter comprises a protection circuit; a first termination resistor having a first end coupled to a first voltage source, and a second end coupled to the protection circuit; a second termination resistor having a first end coupled to the first voltage source, and a second end coupled to the protection circuit, wherein the second end of the first termination resistor and the second end of the second termination resistor form a differential output pair; a current switch coupled to the protection circuit; a current source coupled to the current switch; and a pre-driver circuit coupled to the current switch, for controlling the current switch, making the differential output pair generate an output current. Wherein, the pre-driver circuit receives a second voltage source, and the first voltage source is higher than the second voltage source.

Abstract: A memory controller and an associated controlling method are provided. The memory controller is connected to a memory module, and includes a FIFO buffer for receiving valid data outputted from the memory module, a write pointer for indicating written data stored in the FIFO buffer, and a read pointer for indicating read data stored in the FIFO buffer. According to the controlling method, during a CAS latency of the memory module after a read command is generated, the value of the write pointer is controlled to have the same value as that of the read pointer.

Abstract: A phase generating apparatus generates an output clock having a desired phase according to a digital signal. The apparatus includes a phase selecting unit and a phase generating unit. The phase selecting unit selects one of a plurality of input clocks according to a portion of bits of the digital signal to generate a reference clock. Each of the input clocks respectively has a difference phase. The phase selecting unit divides the frequency of the reference clock, and selectively delays the frequency-divided reference clock according to another portion of bits of the digital signal to generate the output clock.