Abstract: A reference generator circuit has a resistor string between the potentials of the power supply voltage that is partitioned into a top string, a middle string, and a bottom string. PFET devices are used to couple the positive power supply voltage a selected node of the top string in response to first control signals and complementary second control signals are used to control NFET devices that couple the ground power supply voltage to a selected node of the bottom string. If a resistor is effectively removed from the top string a corresponding resistor is effectively added in the bottom string keeping the total resistance in the resistor string substantially constant. A pass gate network is used to select between nodes of the middle string as a vernier for generating small step sizes.

Abstract: Signaling between two or more ICs use a signaling scheme wherein a reference signal is generated at the driver side and the receiver side. The driver side reference signal is coupled to the receiver side reference signal with a transmission line channel forming a reference channel. Data signal channels are paired with a reference channel between each two adjacent data channels. Adjacent pairs of data signal channels are each separated with an empty wiring channel. The paired data signals are received in one input of a differential receiver. The reference signal of the reference channel between the two paired data channels is coupled to the other input of the two differential receivers. Coupling from the paired data channels to the reference channel appears a common mode noise and is rejected by the differential receivers. The number of channels is reduced from a full differential signaling scheme.

Abstract: A driver circuit is configured as a frequency compensated differential amplifier having one input coupled to a first data signal and a second input coupled to a second data signal. Each stage of the differential amplifier is biased with a current source. The driver circuit generates a first output signal coupled to the input of a first transmission line and a second output signal coupled to the input of a second transmission line. The first and second output signals are generated as the difference between the first and second data signals amplified by a compensated gain. A compensation network that attenuates the low frequency components of the input signals relative to the high frequency components is coupled between current sources biasing the differential amplifier. The outputs of the first and second transmission lines are coupled to the inputs of a differential receiver that may or may not be frequency compensated.

Abstract: A line driver for off-chip communication comprises multiple parallel stages each with separate inputs. The parallel stages each have a controlled impedance when driving the line driver output node to a logic zero or a logic one. A line driver controller is used to select what combination of driver stages are used to drive the output node based on whether the output node is transitioning between logic state or is remaining static. During power-up, a test program tries different combinations of driver stages for particular symbol patterns and determines what is the optimal ratio between line driver resistance for the dynamic and static cases and stores the optimum combination. The data stream feeding the line driver is sampled in real time to determine the transition states and selects the optimal number of driver stages for each case.

Abstract: The slew rate of signals output from an integrated circuit is selectively controlled to optimize the quality of the output data signal depending upon whether the communication channels require a faster or slower slew rate. Faster slew rates may be utilized when the communication channels are prone to attenuation, while slower slew rates may be implemented in the communication channels when crosstalk is more of a concern.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to test a code segment of a source file are disclosed. Various embodiments machine-render a source code skeleton in response to a selection of the code segment, incorporate the code segment into the source code skeleton to generate a temporary source file, insert a monitoring statement into the temporary source file, and compile the temporary source file into a compiled program to output a result. Embodiments may further include executing the compiled program and outputting the result. In addition, some embodiments also initiate compilation of the temporary source file, attempt to resolve a compilation error, and output the compilation error. Some embodiments terminate execution in response to selection of a cancel button. Further, some embodiments delete the temporary source file. Several embodiments also include a file creator, a code gatherer, a code generator, an adaptive compiler, a processor, and an output device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing high frequency return current paths utilizing decoupling capacitors within electronic packages. Electronic package physical design data are received for identifying a board layout. For each of a plurality of cells in a grid of a set cell size within the identified board layout, a respective number of signal vias are identified. A ratio of signal vias to return current paths is calculated for each of the plurality of cells. Each cell having a calculated ratio greater than a target ratio is identified. One or more decoupling capacitors are selectively added within each of the identified cells to provide high frequency return current paths.

Abstract: A method, structure and computer program product are provided for implementing high frequency return current paths within electronic packages. Electronic package physical design data is received for identifying a design layout. For each of a plurality of cells in a grid of a set cell size within the identified design layout, a respective number of signal vias, reference voltage vias, and ground vias are identified. A signal to reference via ratio is calculated for each of the plurality of cells. Each cell having a calculated signal to reference via ratio greater than a target ratio is identified. Vias are selectively added within each of the identified cells for providing high frequency return current paths.