Abstract: Techniques for on-chip detection of integrated circuit power supply noise are disclosed. By way of example, a technique for monitoring a power supply line in an integrated circuit includes the following steps/operations. A first signal and a second signal are preconditioned. The first signal is representative of a voltage of the power supply line being monitored. The second signal is representative of a voltage of a reference power supply line. Preconditioning includes shifting respective levels of the voltages such that the voltages are within an input voltage range of comparator circuitry. Then, the preconditioned first signal and the preconditioned second signal are compared in accordance with the comparator circuitry. Comparison includes detecting when a difference exists between the voltage level of the preconditioned first signal and the voltage level of the preconditioned second signal.

Abstract: A device temperature measurement circuit, an integrated circuit (IC) including a device temperature measurement circuit, a method of characterizing device temperature and a method of monitoring temperature. The circuit includes a constant current source and a clamping device. The clamping device selectively shunts current from the constant current source or allows the current to flow through a PN junction, which may be the body to source/drain junction of a field effect transistor (FET). Voltage measurements are taken directly from the PN junction. Junction temperature is determined from measured junction voltage.

Abstract: A device temperature measurement circuit, an integrated circuit (IC) including a device temperature measurement circuit, a method of characterizing device temperature and a method of monitoring temperature. The circuit includes a constant current source and a clamping device. The clamping device selectively shunts current from the constant current source or allows the current to flow through a PN junction, which may be the body to source/drain junction of a field effect transistor (FET). Voltage measurements are taken directly from the PN junction. Junction temperature is determined from measured junction voltage.

Abstract: A device temperature measurement circuit, an integrated circuit (IC) including a device temperature measurement circuit, a method of characterizing device temperature and a method of monitoring temperature. The circuit includes a constant current source and a clamping device. The clamping device selectively shunts current from the constant current source or allows the current to flow through a PN junction, which may be the body to source/drain junction of a field effect transistor (FET). Voltage measurements are taken directly from the PN junction. Junction temperature is determined from measured junction voltage.

Abstract: A method and circuit for static phase error measurement includes a reference clock delay chain having a selectable number of delay elements. A number of the delay elements are enabled in accordance with a select length signal to delay a reference clock signal. A feedback signal delay chain also has a selectable number of delay elements. A number of the delay elements are enabled in accordance with a select length signal to delay a feedback signal. A latch tests phase alignment between the delayed reference clock signal and the delayed feedback signal and outputs a measurement of static phase error.

Abstract: An integrated spectrum analyzer for performing on-chip power spectrum measurements, includes a digital autocorrelator that includes an analog input for inputting analog signal samples from a chip, an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog signal samples into digital signal samples, a storage register for storing a first converted digital signal sample for a period of time, a digital multiplier for multiplying the first stored digital signal after the period of time with a second undelayed digital signal sample to produce a product of multiplication, and an accumulator for accumulating a plurality of products of multiplication for each new period of time. The digital autocorrelator computes an autocorrelation function based on the analog signal samples and is integrally formed on the chip for performing power spectrum measurements on the analog signal samples to compute the autocorrelation function.

Abstract: A satellite communication system and related method for collecting data in space and transmitting it to a processing center on the earth. The communication system includes at least one satellite orbiting the earth that has a device for collecting the data. The satellite transmits the data to a plurality of receive only terminals on the earth. The terminals process the signals and transmit the data on the communications link to the processing center.

Abstract: A test system and method for integrated circuits includes an energy source having an adjustable energy rate, and a feedback device, which measures a physical quantity at a discrete position on an integrated circuit. A control circuit adjusts the power source to externally apply energy to the integrated circuit at the discrete position. A circuit tester applies test programs to the integrated circuit while the discrete position is maintained at a value of the physical quantity in accordance with the control circuit.

Abstract: Spectrum analyzer circuits and methods are provided which implement “zero-IF” (direct conversion) or “near-zero IF” (or very low IF) architectures that enable implementation of integrated (on-chip) spectrum analyzers for measuring the frequency spectrum of internal chip signals. An integrated spectrum analyzer circuit, which comprises a zero IF or near-zero IF framework, enables a low-power compact design with sufficient resolution bandwidth for on-chip implementation and diagnostics of internal chip signals.

Abstract: An automated voice response system is provided that determines the most likely reason a caller is using the response system and, without any input from the user, provides the user with a predictive message. As such, the average call time for users of the voice response system is decreased. As in one example, the telephone number used to call the voice response system can be utilized to determine if the caller has an account with a service or product associated to the voice response system. The voice response system can then scan to see if there is a problem with the account that the user. Extending this example, a user that is at home waiting since 4 pm for a cable repairman may be presented with the predictive message “your repairman is running 2 hours late and will be at your house at 6 pm” the moment the caller connects to the voice response system.

Abstract: Techniques for on-chip detection of integrated circuit power supply noise are disclosed. By way of example, a technique for monitoring a power supply line in an integrated circuit comprises the following steps/operations. A first signal and a second signal are preconditioned. The first signal is representative of a voltage of the power supply line being monitored. The second signal is representative of a voltage of a reference power supply line. Preconditioning comprises shifting respective levels of the voltages such that the voltages are within an input voltage range of comparator circuitry. Then, the preconditioned first signal and the preconditioned second signal are compared in accordance with the comparator circuitry. Comparison comprises detecting when a difference exists between the voltage level of the preconditioned first signal and the voltage level of the preconditioned second signal.

Abstract: A programmable jitter signal generator is provided that includes a jitter distribution control unit, a selection unit in signal communication with the jitter distribution control unit, and a delay unit in signal communication with the selection unit; and a corresponding method of generating a programmable jitter signal includes programming a control unit, receiving a reference signal, delaying the received reference signal by a multiple of a base time increment, and selecting a delayed reference signal delayed by a desired multiple of the base time increment in accordance with the programmed control unit.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to method and apparatus for isolating sensitive regions of a semiconductor device by providing a thermal path or an electromagnetic shield. The thermal path may include vias having different length, depth and configuration such that the thermal path between the two regions is lengthened. In addition, the vias may be fully or partially filled with an insulating material having defined conductive properties to further retard heat electromagnetic or heat transmission between the regions. In another embodiment, electrical isolation between two regions is achieved by etching a closed loop or an open loop trench at the border of the regions and filling the trench with a conductive material to provide proper termination of electromagnetic fields within the substrate.

Abstract: A test system and method for integrated circuits includes an energy source having an adjustable energy rate, and a feedback device, which measures a physical quantity at a discrete position on an integrated circuit. A control circuit adjusts the power source to externally apply energy to the integrated circuit at the discrete position. A circuit tester applies test programs to the integrated circuit while the discrete position is maintained at a value of the physical quantity in accordance with the control circuit.

Abstract: Spectrum analyzer circuits and methods are provided which implement “zero-IF” (direct conversion) or “near-zero IF” (or very low IF) architectures that enable implementation of integrated (on-chip) spectrum analyzers for measuring the frequency spectrum of internal chip signals. An integrated spectrum analyzer circuit, which comprises a zero IF or near-zero IF framework, enables a low-power compact design with sufficient resolution bandwidth for on-chip implementation and diagnostics of internal chip signals.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to method and apparatus for isolating sensitive regions of a semiconductor device by providing a thermal path or an electromagnetic shield. The thermal path may include vias having different length, depth and configuration such that the thermal path between the two regions is lengthened. In addition, the vias may be fully or partially filled with an insulating material having defined conductive properties to further retard heat electromagnetic or heat transmission between the regions. In another embodiment, electrical isolation between two regions is achieved by etching a closed loop or an open loop trench at the border of the regions and filling the trench with a conductive material to provide proper termination of electromagnetic fields within the substrate.

Abstract: A device temperature measurement circuit, an integrated circuit (IC) including a device temperature measurement circuit, a method of characterizing device temperature and a method of monitoring temperature. The circuit includes a constant current source and a clamping device. The clamping device selectively shunts current from the constant current source or allows the current to flow through a PN junction, which may be the body to source/drain junction of a field effect transistor (FET). Voltage measurements are taken directly from the PN junction. Junction temperature is determined from measured junction voltage.

Abstract: A programmable jitter signal generator is provided that includes a jitter distribution control unit, a selection unit in signal communication with the jitter distribution control unit, and a delay unit in signal communication with the selection unit; and a corresponding method of generating a programmable jitter signal includes programming a control unit, receiving a reference signal, delaying the received reference signal by a multiple of a base time increment, and selecting a delayed reference signal delayed by a desired multiple of the base time increment in accordance with the programmed control unit.

Abstract: An on-chip jitter measurement circuit and corresponding method are provided for receiving a reference clock and a signal of interest, including a latch for comparing the arrival time of the signal of interest to the reference clock, a delay chain in signal communication with the reference clock for varying the arrival time of the reference clock, the delay chain having a first stage, a middle stage, and a last stage, a voltage controller in signal communication with the middle stage of the delay chain for controlling the delay of the arrival time of the reference clock while permitting the first and last stages of the delay chain to retain a full voltage swing independent of the delay.

Abstract: Novel apparatus for simultaneous spatial modulation of a set of angularly multiplexed individually coherent but mutually incoherent optical beams is disclosed, comprising means for generating a set of two or more individually coherent beams that have at least one optical wavelength in common, pairwise, and are assured to be mutually incoherent, and means for directing the set of individually coherent but mutually incoherent beams to a spatial modulation means, such that a spatially overlapping group of individually coherent but mutually incoherent beams overlap spatially in at least one region of the spatial modulation means and are angularly multiplexed within the region. Such simultaneous spatial modulation is a key feature, for example, in highly multiplexed photonic interconnection, memory, and display systems with maximum optical throughput efficiency and minimum crosstalk, based on parallel incoherent/coherent double angularly multiplexed holographic recording and readout principles.