Abstract: A non-inverting dynamic register includes a domino stage, a mux, and an output stage. The domino stage evaluates a logic function based on at least one input data signal and a pulsed clock signal, and opens an evaluation window when the pulsed clock signal goes low, and pulls a pre-discharged node high if it evaluates, and keeps the pre-discharged node low if it fails to evaluate. The mux pulls a feedback node high if the pre-discharged node goes high during the evaluation window, and pulls the feedback node low if the pre-discharged node is low during the evaluation window. The output stage is coupled to the pre-discharged node and the feedback node. The output stage provides an output signal based on states of the pre-discharged and the feedback nodes.

Abstract: A non-inverting dynamic register includes a domino stage, a mux, and an output stage. The domino stage evaluates a logic function based on at least one input data signal and a pulsed clock signal, and opens an evaluation window when the pulsed clock signal goes high, and pulls a pre-charged node low if it evaluates, and keeps the pre-charged node high if it fails to evaluate. The mux pulls a feedback node low if the pre-charged node goes low during the evaluation window, and pulls the feedback node high if the pre-charged node is high during the evaluation window. The output stage is coupled to the pre-charged node and the feedback node. The output stage provides an output signal based on states of the pre-charged and the feedback nodes.

Abstract: A multiple mode clock receiver including first and second input AC-coupled capacitors, first and second voltage dividers and a differential amplifier. The voltage dividers each include first and second junctions, respectively, coupled to the first and second AC-coupled capacitors, respectively. The differential amplifier has first and second inputs coupled to the first and second junctions, respectively, and an output providing an output clock signal that is aligned with an input clock signal provided through the AC-coupled capacitors. The multiple mode clock receiver is a single circuit that aligns the output clock signal to any one of multiple forms of input clock signals, including a sole single-ended clock signal, a single-ended clock signal with a corresponding reference signal, and a differential clock signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that enable a computing device to make graceful power state transitions that do no impose unnecessary power surge compensations requirements on associated power sources. The apparatus has power control logic that is configured to determine if the computing device is to enter a low power state. The power control logic includes a plurality of stop signals. Each of the plurality of stop signals sequentially indicates that a corresponding clock signal be stopped, where the corresponding clock signal is operatively coupled to a corresponding sector logic element within the computing device.

Abstract: A dynamic logic register including a complementary pair of evaluation devices, delayed inversion logic, a dynamic evaluator, latching logic, and a keeper circuit coupled to the output. The evaluation devices are responsive to a clock signal and provide a pre-charged node and an evaluation node. The delayed inversion logic outputs a complete signal that is a delayed and inverted version of the clock signal. The dynamic evaluator, coupled between the pre-charged and evaluation nodes, evaluates a logic function based on a data signal during an evaluation period between operative edges of the clock and complete signals. The latching logic enables the state of an output node to be determined by the state of the pre-charged node during the evaluation period and otherwise clamps the pre-charged node to prevent perturbations of the data signal from propagating to the output node.

Abstract: A P-domino register includes a domino stage, a write stage, an inverter, a low keeper path, a high keeper path, and an output stage. The domino stage is coupled to a pulsed clock signal, and evaluates a logic function according to the states of at least one data signal and the pulsed clock signal, where the domino stage pre-charges a pre-charged node low when the pulsed clock signal is high, and discharges the pre-charged node to a high state if the logic function evaluates when the pulsed clock signal is low, and keeps the pre-charged node low if the logic function fails to evaluate when the pulsed clock signal is low, where a setup state of the at least one data signal is provided to the domino stage when the pulsed clock signal is high.

Abstract: A P-domino latch includes a domino stage, a write stage, an inverter, a low keeper path, a high keeper path, and an output stage. The domino stage is coupled to an approximately symmetric clock signal, and evaluates a logic function according to the states of at least one data signal and the approximately symmetric clock signal, where the domino stage pre-charges a pre-charged node low when the approximately symmetric clock signal is high, and discharges the pre-charged node to a high state if the logic function evaluates when the approximately symmetric clock signal is low, and keeps the pre-charged node low if the logic function fails to evaluate when the approximately symmetric clock signal is low, where a latching state of the at least one data signal is provided to the domino stage when the approximately symmetric clock signal is low.

Abstract: A dynamic logic return-to-zero (RTZ) latching mechanism including a complementary pair of evaluation devices responsive to a clock signal, a dynamic evaluator, delayed inversion logic, and latching logic. The dynamic evaluator is coupled between the complementary pair of evaluation devices at a pre-charged node and evaluates a logic function based on at least one input data signal. The latching logic asserts the logic state of an output node based on the state of the pre-charged node during an evaluation period between an operative edge of the clock signal and the next edge of an evaluation complete signal, which is a delayed and inverted version of the clock signal. The output node is returned to zero between evaluation periods. A footless latching domino circuit may be added to convert the RTZ output to a registered output signal.

Abstract: A microprocessor with multiple random bit generators is disclosed. The multiple random bit generators each generate a stream of random bits. One of the streams of random bits is selected to be used to accumulate into random bytes for provision to application programs. Which of the multiple random bit generator random bit streams is selected is determined by a selection value stored in a control register of the microprocessor. The selection value is programmable by an instruction executed by the microprocessor.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit for a receiver including first and second pass devices and a protection control circuit. The receiver detects the state of a high voltage level input signal using a switching threshold based on a low voltage level source voltage. The receiver has a maximum voltage limit between the low and high voltage levels. The first pass device passes the input signal up to a first voltage level below the source voltage. The second pass device is effectively coupled in parallel with the first pass device. The protection control circuit controls the second pass device to allow the input signal to rise above the first voltage level up to a threshold voltage that is above the source voltage sufficient to meet the logic switching threshold yet below the maximum voltage limit.

Abstract: An IC including skew-programmable clock buffers, fixed skew logic circuit, an external interface and a skew controller. Each skew-programmable clock buffer receives a distributed clock signal and provides a corresponding local clock signal having a programmed skew. The fixed logic circuit enables permanent programming of static skew values and the external interface enables programming of dynamic skew values. The skew controller selects between the static and dynamic skew values and programs the skew-programmable clock buffers based on selected skew values. In one embodiment, the skew controller is operative to detect a skew over-ride command upon reset of the IC and to select between the static and dynamic skew values based on the skew over-ride command. The programmable memory may be integrated on the IC or externally coupled via the external interface. The fixed skew logic circuit is implemented as any type of permanent programmable block, such as laser-blown fuses, an EPROM, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for accelerating the evaluated output of an P-domino latch. The apparatus includes evaluation P-logic, latching logic, keeper logic, and acceleration logic. The evaluation P-logic is coupled to a first N-channel device at a pre-charged node, and is configured to evaluate a logic function based on at least one input data signal. The latching logic is coupled and responsive to a clock signal and the pre-charged node. The latching logic controls the state of a latch node based on the state of the pre-charged node during an evaluation period between a first edge of said clock signal and a second edge of the clock signal. The latching logic otherwise presents a tri-state condition to the latch node. The keeper logic is coupled to the latch node. The keeper logic maintains the state of the latch node when the tri-state condition is presented, and provides a complementary state of the latch node at a complementary latch node.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for accelerating the evaluated output of an N-domino latch. The apparatus includes evaluation N-logic, latching logic, keeper logic, and acceleration logic. The evaluation N-logic is coupled to a first P-channel device at a pre-charged node, and is configured to evaluate a logic function based on at least one input data signal. The latching logic is coupled and responsive to a clock signal and the pre-charged node. The latching logic controls the state of a latch node based on the state of the pre-charged node during an-evaluation period between a first edge of said clock signal and a second edge of the clock signal. The latching logic otherwise presents a tri-state condition to the latch node. The keeper logic is coupled to the latch node. The keeper logic maintains the state of the latch node when the tri-state condition is presented, and provides a complementary state of the latch node at a complementary latch node.

Abstract: An output driver impedance controller for controlling pull-down impedance of at least one output based on a reference value including a programmable reference impedance generator, at least one output driver coupled to a corresponding output, and an impedance matching controller. The programmable reference impedance generator develops a reference impedance controlled by a reference impedance control input. Each output driver includes a programmable output impedance generator coupled to an output and controlled by an output impedance control input. The impedance matching controller continually adjusts the reference impedance control input to match the reference impedance with the reference value within a predetermined tolerance and generates the output impedance control input based on the reference impedance control input. Each of the programmable generators may be implemented with a binary array of matched impedance devices.

Abstract: An input receiver with hysteresis including a differential sense amplifier, a reference circuit having a reference node providing a reference signal at a nominal threshold voltage level, and a switching stack device. The amplifier has a first input which receives an input signal, a second input coupled to the reference node, and an output which provides an output signal having first and second states indicative of the input signal. The switching stack device operates to adjust the reference signal based on the output signal between upper and lower threshold levels in an opposite direction of the input signal. The reference circuit may be a voltage divider that divides a power voltage signal to develop the reference signal. The switching stack device may include a P-channel device and an N-channel device coupled to the voltage divider to adjust the threshold voltage level of the reference signal.

Abstract: An impedance controller that controls termination impedance of at least one output based on a reference value including a programmable reference impedance generator, at least one termination logic element, and an impedance matching controller. The programmable reference impedance generator develops a reference impedance controlled by a reference impedance control input. Each termination logic element includes a programmable termination impedance generator coupled to a corresponding output and controlled by termination impedance control input. The impedance matching controller continually adjusts the reference impedance control input to match the reference impedance with the reference value within a predetermined tolerance and generates the termination impedance control input based on the reference impedance control input.

Abstract: A dynamic logic register including a dynamic circuit, a delayed inverter, a latching circuit, and a keeper circuit. The dynamic circuit pre-charges a pre-charged node while a clock signal is low and evaluates a logic function to control the state of the pre-charged node when the clock goes high. The delayed inverter provides an inverted and delayed clock. The latching circuit controls the state of an output node based on the pre-charged node during an evaluation period beginning when the clock goes high and ending when the inverted delayed clock next goes low. The latching circuit presents a tri-state condition to the output node and the keeper circuit maintains the state of the output node between evaluation periods. The register is very fast with zero setup and short data-to output-time, and may be used between stages in a pipeline system.

Abstract: An output impedance bias compensation system for adjusting output impedance of at least one output including a reference impedance generator, an impedance matching controller, at least one output impedance generator, and a programmable bias controller. The reference impedance generator develops a reference impedance based on a reference value. The impedance matching controller continually adjusts an input of the reference impedance generator to match the reference value within a predetermined tolerance. Each output impedance generator is coupled to a corresponding output and is controlled by an output impedance control input. The programmable bias controller combines a bias amount with the value of the input of the reference impedance generator to provide the output impedance control input. The bias controller is programmable to provide a bias amount to compensate for any process variations between the reference impedance generator and each output impedance generator.

Abstract: A timing debug tool for an IC that enables varying the skew of selected edges of a primary clock signal for a controllable number of clock cycles. The debug tool enables identification, isolation and analysis of timing problems on the IC. An IC including programmable clock skew logic that applies a programmed skew amount to selected edges of a clock signal. A debug system including clock control logic further including a delay block and test logic. The delay block delays a selected number of transitions of a first clock signal to provide a second clock signal, where each selected transition of the second clock signal is delayed, based on a sync signal, by either one of a default skew amount and a programmed skew amount. The test logic enables dynamic control of the sync signal and dynamic programming of the selected skew amount.

Abstract: A hardware-based random number generator is provided for incorporation within an integrated circuit. The random number generator includes a first variable frequency oscillator, a second variable frequency oscillator, and frequency variation logic. The first variable frequency oscillator generates a first oscillatory signal at a first frequency. The second variable frequency oscillator generates a second oscillatory signal that is asynchronous to the first oscillatory signal and has a second frequency less than the first frequency. Bits of the random number are configured from samples of the first oscillatory signal taken at the second frequency. The frequency variation logic is coupled to the second variable frequency oscillator. The frequency variation logic generates a noise signal that directs the second variable frequency oscillator to vary the second frequency.