Abstract: A stacked die system includes at least three dies. A first die has a same design as a second die. The first die includes a first circuit, and the second die includes a corresponding second circuit. A signal is received at the first die and sent to the third die via the second die. The signal is routed through either the first circuit or the second circuit but not both. Accordingly, an operation is performed on the signal prior to the signal reaching the third die but the operation is not performed by both the first circuit and the second circuit.

Abstract: A cache includes an upstream port, a cache memory for storing cache lines each having a line width, and a cache controller. The cache controller is coupled to the upstream port and the cache memory. The upstream port transfers data words having a transfer width less than the line width. In response to a cache line fill, the cache controller selectively determines data bus inversion information for a sequence of data words having the transfer width, and stores the data bus inversion information along with selected inverted data words for the cache line fill in the cache memory.

Abstract: A semiconductor assembly includes a first die having a front side metallization layer. The semiconductor assembly also includes a second side having a front side metallization layer that is bonded to the front side metallization layer of the first die.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and integrated circuit dies include TSVs laid out in symmetrical patterns. Because of the symmetrical arrangement of the TSVs and associated routing patterns, an integrated circuit is able to support operation of multiple similar dies that are placed in different positions in the integrated circuit. This in turn simplifies the design and production of the multiple similar dies, thus reducing development and manufacturing costs for the corresponding integrated circuits.

Abstract: A cache includes an upstream port, a cache memory for storing cache lines each having a line width, and a cache controller. The cache controller is coupled to the upstream port and the cache memory. The upstream port transfers data words having a transfer width less than the line width. In response to a cache line fill, the cache controller selectively determines data bus inversion information for a sequence of data words having the transfer width, and stores the data bus inversion information along with selected inverted data words for the cache line fill in the cache memory.

Abstract: A method for operating a memory device includes initiating an access operation to a corresponding row of an array of bit cells of the memory device. Responsive to an expansion mode signal having a first state, the method further includes dynamically operating each column of a plurality of columns of the array to access each bit cell of a corresponding row within the plurality of columns during the access operation. Alternatively, responsive to the expansion mode state signal having a second state different than the first state, the method includes dynamically operating each column of a first subset of columns of the plurality of columns to access each bit cell of a corresponding row within the first subset of columns during the access operation, and maintaining each column of a second subset of columns of the plurality of columns in a static state during the access operation.

Abstract: A chip for multi-die communications couplings using a single bridge die, includes: a plurality of dies each including one or more functional circuit blocks; and a first bridge die directly communicatively coupling two or more pairs of dies of the plurality of dies.

Abstract: A stacked die system includes at least three dies. A first die has a same design as a second die. The first die includes a first circuit, and the second die includes a corresponding second circuit. A signal is received at the first die and sent to the third die via the second die. The signal is routed through either the first circuit or the second circuit but not both. Accordingly, an operation is performed on the signal prior to the signal reaching the third die but the operation is not performed by both the first circuit and the second circuit.

Abstract: A method for operating a memory device includes initiating an access operation to a corresponding row of an array of bit cells of the memory device. Responsive to an expansion mode signal having a first state, the method further includes dynamically operating each column of a plurality of columns of the array to access each bit cell of a corresponding row within the plurality of columns during the access operation. Alternatively, responsive to the expansion mode state signal having a second state different than the first state, the method includes dynamically operating each column of a first subset of columns of the plurality of columns to access each bit cell of a corresponding row within the first subset of columns during the access operation, and maintaining each column of a second subset of columns of the plurality of columns in a static state during the access operation.

Abstract: Various semiconductor chip devices with stacked chips are disclosed. In one aspect, a semiconductor chip device is provided. The semiconductor chip device includes a first semiconductor chip that has a floor plan with a high heat producing area and a low heat producing area. At least one second semiconductor chip is stacked on the low heat producing area. The semiconductor chip device also includes means for transferring heat from the high heat producing area.

Abstract: A method for operating a memory device includes initiating an access operation to a corresponding row of an array of bit cells of the memory device. Responsive to an expansion mode signal having a first state, the method further includes dynamically operating each column of a plurality of columns of the array to access each bit cell of a corresponding row within the plurality of columns during the access operation. Alternatively, responsive to the expansion mode state signal having a second state different than the first state, the method includes dynamically operating each column of a first subset of columns of the plurality of columns to access each bit cell of a corresponding row within the first subset of columns during the access operation, and maintaining each column of a second subset of columns of the plurality of columns in a static state during the access operation.

Abstract: Various semiconductor chip devices with stacked chips are disclosed. In one aspect, a semiconductor chip device is provided. The semiconductor chip device includes a first semiconductor chip that has a floor plan with a high heat producing area and a low heat producing area. At least one second semiconductor chip is stacked on the low heat producing area. The semiconductor chip device also includes means for transferring heat from the high heat producing area.

Abstract: Various semiconductor chip devices with stacked chips are disclosed. In one aspect, a semiconductor chip device is provided. The semiconductor chip device includes a first semiconductor chip that has a floor plan with a high heat producing area and a low heat producing area. At least one second semiconductor chip is stacked on the low heat producing area. The semiconductor chip device also includes means for transferring heat from the high heat producing area.

Abstract: A method for operating a memory device includes initiating an access operation to a corresponding row of an array of bit cells of the memory device. Responsive to an expansion mode signal having a first state, the method further includes dynamically operating each column of a plurality of columns of the array to access each bit cell of a corresponding row within the plurality of columns during the access operation. Alternatively, responsive to the expansion mode state signal having a second state different than the first state, the method includes dynamically operating each column of a first subset of columns of the plurality of columns to access each bit cell of a corresponding row within the first subset of columns during the access operation, and maintaining each column of a second subset of columns of the plurality of columns in a static state during the access operation.

Abstract: A timing circuit includes an input for receiving the control signal from a logic circuit operating with a first supply voltage and an output for supplying a control signal to a circuit operating with a second supply voltage different from the first supply voltage. The timing circuit also includes a plurality of delay elements connected in series between the input and output and supplied with the first supply voltage, and one or more NFET footer transistors that couple respective delay elements to a negative supply rail, the NFET footer transistors having the second supply voltage applied to their gates. A memory apparatus employing such a circuit is provided.

Abstract: A timing circuit includes an input for receiving the control signal from a logic circuit operating with a first supply voltage and an output for supplying a control signal to a circuit operating with a second supply voltage different from the first supply voltage. The timing circuit also includes a plurality of delay elements connected in series between the input and output and supplied with the first supply voltage, and one or more NFET footer transistors that couple respective delay elements to a negative supply rail, the NFET footer transistors having the second supply voltage applied to their gates. A memory apparatus employing such a circuit is provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a memory device includes initiating an access operation to a corresponding row of an array of bit cells of the memory device. Responsive to an expansion mode signal having a first state, the method further includes dynamically operating each column of a plurality of columns of the array to access each bit cell of a corresponding row within the plurality of columns during the access operation. Alternatively, responsive to the expansion mode state signal having a second state different than the first state, the method includes dynamically operating each column of a first subset of columns of the plurality of columns to access each bit cell of a corresponding row within the first subset of columns during the access operation, and maintaining each column of a second subset of columns of the plurality of columns in a static state during the access operation.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes first and second through-silicon via (TSV) circuits and a steering logic circuit. The first TSV circuit has a first TSV and a first multiplexer for selecting between a first TSV data signal received from the first TSV and a first local data signal for transmission to a first TSV output terminal. The second TSV circuit includes a second TSV and a second multiplexer for selecting between a second TSV data signal received from the second TSV and the first local data signal for transmission to a second TSV output terminal. The steering logic circuit controls the first multiplexer to select the first local data signal and the second multiplexer to select the second TSV data signal in a first mode, and the first multiplexer to select the first TSV data signal and the second multiplexer to select the first local data signal in a second mode.

Abstract: Various semiconductor chip devices with stacked chips are disclosed. In one aspect, a semiconductor chip device is provided. The semiconductor chip device includes a first semiconductor chip that has a floor plan with a high heat producing area and a low heat producing area. At least one second semiconductor chip is stacked on the low heat producing area. The semiconductor chip device also includes means for transferring heat from the high heat producing area.

Abstract: Various semiconductor chip devices with stacked chips are disclosed. In one aspect, a semiconductor chip device is provided. The semiconductor chip device includes a first semiconductor chip that has a floor plan with a high heat producing area and a low heat producing area. At least one second semiconductor chip is stacked on the low heat producing area. The semiconductor chip device also includes means for transferring heat from the high heat producing area.