Abstract: A digital interconnect system transmits pulses across a differential transmission line in response to transitions in an input data signal.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention involves a system having a first group of integrated circuits connected in a truncated ring fashion, wherein the truncated ring includes a truncated region to allow for additional integrated circuits to be added to the ring. In some embodiments, the invention involves a system having a group of integrated circuits connected in a pseudo ring fashion, wherein the pseudo ring is created by data flow of bi-directional signaling between the integrated circuits. In some embodiments, the invention involves a system having a group of integrated circuits connected in a pseudo differential arrangement in which multiple conductors carrying signals share a common reference signal conductor.

Abstract: A memory system provides includes multiple memory devices or banks of memory devices that are assigned frequency pass-bands. Each memory device includes frequency translation circuitry to up-convert and down-convert data signals to and from the assigned frequency pass-band. Some embodiments include simultaneous bidirectional communications between memory devices and a controller by assigning multiple frequency pass-bands to each memory device or bank of memory devices. A memory system substrate is provided with bandpass filters between memory device footprints and other device footprints.

Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic device while preventing photoresist poisoning. Various layers of conductive metals and dielectric materials are deposited onto a substrate in selective sequence to form an integrated circuit. Vias and trenches are formed throughout the structure by exposing and patterning a photoresist material. The dielectric materials of the insulating layers are protected from the photoresist to prevent chemical reactions which lead to photoresist poisoning. This is done by forming a modified surface layer on the dielectric material by either depositing an additional layer that covers the dielectric material, or by modifying the exposed surface of the dielectric material to a plasma or chemical treatment.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention involves a system having a first group of integrated circuits connected in a truncated ring fashion, wherein the truncated ring includes a truncated region to allow for additional integrated circuits to be added to the ring. In some embodiments, the invention involves a system having a group of integrated circuits connected in a pseudo ring fashion, wherein the pseudo ring is created by data flow of bi-directional signaling between the integrated circuits. In some embodiments, the invention involves a system having a group of integrated circuits connected in a pseudo differential arrangement in which multiple conductors carrying signals share a common reference signal conductor.

Abstract: An amplifier includes multiple stages. Early stages of the multi-stage amplifier have low gain and preserve bandwidth.

Abstract: A method for minimizing jitter using substantially matched, controlled, delay elements is disclosed. The method includes generating an internal loop-timing reference, and controlling elements outside of the loop with the internal loop-timing reference generated. In one embodiment the outside elements are substantially identical to those internal to the closed-loop. Controlled delay elements for preconditioning and distributing closed-loop inputs and outputs, using the same control reference used by internal loop elements are disclosed.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a circuit provides a first set of one or more flip-flops to receive a low-swing differential clock, and a second set of one or more flip-flops to receive the low-swing differential clock. One of the one or more flip-flops of the first set is to generate a first CMOS-level sampling pulse for each cycle of the low-swing differential clock, and wherein one of the one or more flip-flops of the second set is to generate a second CMOS-level sampling pulse for each cycle of the low-swing differential clock.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention involves multiple integrated circuit stubs coupled in series. At least one of the integrated circuit stubs including first conductors to receive signals from a first adjacent one of the integrated circuit stubs, second conductors to provide signals to a second adjacent one of the integrated circuit stubs, and third conductors to provide signals to an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit stubs include first drivers and second drivers coupled to the first, second, and third conductors, wherein the first drivers receive the external signals from the first conductors and drive them onto the second conductors and the second drivers receive signals from the first conductors and drive them onto the third conductors.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a circuit provides a first set of one or more flip-flops to receive a low-swing differential clock, and a second set of one or more flip-flops to receive the low-swing differential clock. One of the one or more flip-flops of the first set is to generate a first CMOS-level sampling pulse for each cycle of the low-swing differential clock, and wherein one of the one or more flip-flops of the second set is to generate a second CMOS-level sampling pulse for each cycle of the low-swing differential clock.

Abstract: A bi-directional communication system includes a driver capable of controlling a slew rate of transmitted data signals. Impedance matching can be provided to match an impedance of a driver circuit to an impedance of a communication line. The impedance is maintained constant as data is driven from the data driver. The data receiver circuit can adjust a reference voltage in response to simultaneously transmitted data. The slew rate of the receiver circuit trip point is controlled to maintain adequate noise margin during operation. Both the receiver and driver circuits can be controlled using a delay line circuit.

Abstract: A synchronous clock generator for an integrated circuit is described in which a delay lock loop circuit may be used to delay a first input signal. A delay circuit is coupled to the delay lock loop circuit and receives a control voltage from the delay lock loop circuit, which is used to delay a second input signal. The first and second input signal may be complimentary.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding and receiving data is provided. The data is encoded as a pulse amplitude modulated signal such that the amplitude signals do not transition from the highest signal level to the lowest signal level and do not transition from the lowest signal level to the highest signal level. The encoding and decoding is performed in some embodiments via a lookup table, and in further embodiments is designed to minimize the step between sequential pulse amplitude modulated symbols.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, method, and means for maintaining a constant slew rate while providing pre-emphasis, to adapt a push-pull voltage driver to the interconnect that it is driving. In an aspect, the invention modifies a driver output voltage amplitude, providing a small swing out for low frequency signals, and a large swing out for high frequency signals, such that low frequency signals and high frequency signals reach a receiver with equal amplitude. In an aspect, a slew rate control, having a delay mixer, selects and individually transmits to individual segments of a driver leg, at a desired time, one of output data and a signal for a pre-emphasis version of output data. In an aspect, the invention maintains a matched direct current termination impedance to the characteristic impedance of a transmission line being driven.

Abstract: A clock deskew method includes receiving a data signal and a clock signal, processing the data signal to generate a jitter characterization parameter, shifting the clock signal by about 90° from the jitter characterization parameter to generate a sampling clock signal, and sampling the data signal with the sampling clock signal to generate a deskewed data signal. A clock deskew unit includes a clock unit, a sampling unit, and a deskew unit. The deskew unit includes a jitter characterization unit that generates a jitter characterization parameter. The jitter characterization parameter establishes a phase location for aligning a clock signal. Shifting the clock signal by about 90° from the phase location of the jitter characterization parameter provides a location for sampling a data signal to generate a deskewed data signal.

Abstract: A memory system provides includes multiple memory devices or banks of memory devices that are assigned frequency pass-bands. Each memory device includes frequency translation circuitry to up-convert and down-convert data signals to and from the assigned frequency pass-band. Some embodiments include simultaneous bidirectional communications between memory devices and a controller by assigning multiple frequency pass-bands to each memory device or bank of memory devices. A memory system substrate is provided with bandpass filters between memory device footprints and other device footprints.

Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic device while preventing photoresist poisoning. Various layers of conductive metals and dielectric materials are deposited onto a substrate in selective sequence to form an integrated circuit. Vias and trenches are formed throughout the structure by exposing and patterning a photoresist material. The dielectric materials of the insulating layers are protected from the photoresist to prevent chemical reactions which lead to photoresist poisoning. This is done by forming a modified surface layer on the dielectric material by either depositing an additional layer that covers the dielectric material, or by modifying the exposed surface of the dielectric material to a plasma or chemical treatment.

Abstract: A digital interconnect system transmits pulses across a differential transmission line in response to transitions in an input data signal.

Abstract: A device includes a bus, a first transmitter connected to the bus and configured to transmit a first signal over the bus in a first frequency band, a second transmitter connected to the bus and configured to transmit a second signal over the bus in a second frequency band at the same time that the first transmitter is transmitting the first signal, a first receiver connected to the bus and configured to receive the first signal transmitted over the bus in the first frequency band, and a second receiver connected to the bus and configured to receive the second signal transmitted over the bus in the second frequency band. The first frequency band and the second frequency band occupy different portions of the frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A method for minimizing jitter using substantially matched, controlled, delay elements is disclosed. The method includes generating an internal loop-timing reference, and controlling elements outside of the loop with the internal loop-timing reference generated. In one embodiment the outside elements are substantially identical to those internal to the closed-loop. Controlled delay elements for preconditioning and distributing closed-loop inputs and outputs, using the same control reference used by internal loop elements are also disclosed.