Abstract: Apparatus, method and code for fabrication of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a cache providing a plurality of cache lines, each cache line storing a block of data; cache access control circuitry, responsive to an access request, to determine whether a hit condition is present in the cache; and cache configuration control circuitry to set, in response to a merging trigger event, merge indication state identifying multiple cache lines to be treated as a merged cache line to store multiple blocks of data, wherein when the merge indication state indicates that the given cache line is part of the merged cache line, the cache access control circuitry is responsive to detecting the hit condition to allow access to any of the data blocks stored in the multiple cache lines forming the merged cache line.

Abstract: Described herein is a continuous coil pretreatment process used to treat the surface of an aluminum alloy sheet or coil for subsequent deposition of an acidic organophosphorus compound. The process can include applying a cleaner to a surface of an aluminum sheet or a coil; etching the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil with an acidic solution; rinsing the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil with deionized water; applying to the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil a solution of an acidic organophosphorus compound; rinsing the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil with deionized water; and drying the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil.

Abstract: Described herein is a continuous coil pretreatment process used to treat the surface of an aluminum alloy sheet or coil for subsequent deposition of an acidic organophosphorus compound. The process can include applying a cleaner to a surface of an aluminum sheet or a coil; etching the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil with an acidic solution; rinsing the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil with deionized water; applying to the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil a solution of an acidic organophosphorus compound; rinsing the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil with deionized water; and drying the surface of the aluminum sheet or the coil.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and code for fabrication of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a cache providing a plurality of cache lines, each cache line storing a block of data; cache access control circuitry, responsive to an access request, to determine whether a hit condition is present in the cache; and cache configuration control circuitry to set, in response to a merging trigger event, merge indication state identifying multiple cache lines to be treated as a merged cache line to store multiple blocks of data, wherein when the merge indication state indicates that the given cache line is part of the merged cache line, the cache access control circuitry is responsive to detecting the hit condition to allow access to any of the data blocks stored in the multiple cache lines forming the merged cache line.

Abstract: In one particular implementation, a circuit includes: a flip flop; and an AND gate, where the circuit is configured to generate edge-triggered set and reset input signals. In another implementation, a method includes: providing, by a digital locked loop (DLL), a plurality of phase outputs; determining, by respective logic circuits, respective pulses to be selected for an output clock corresponding to each of the plurality phase outputs; shifting respective selection windows of the pulses such that each of the selection windows fully overlap the corresponding respective determined pulses; and selecting the pulses.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of data processing are disclosed for processing circuitry having a pipeline of multiple stages. Value prediction storage circuitry holds value predictions, each associated with an instruction identifier. The value prediction storage circuitry performs look-ups and provides the processing circuitry with data value predictions. The processing circuitry speculatively issues a subsequent instruction into the pipeline by provisionally assuming that execution of a primary instruction will result in the generated data value prediction. Allocation of entries into the value prediction storage circuitry is based on a dynamic allocation policy, whereby likelihood of allocation into the value prediction storage circuitry of an data value prediction increases for an executed instruction when the executed instruction is associated with at least one empty processing stage in the pipeline.

Abstract: An apparatus has processing circuitry for executing instructions and fetch circuitry for fetching the instructions for execution. When a branch instruction is encountered by the fetch circuitry, it determines subsequent instructions to be fetched in dependence on an initial branch direction prediction for the branch instruction made by branch prediction circuitry. Value prediction circuitry is used to maintain a predicted result value for one or more instructions, and dispatch circuitry maintains a record of pending instructions that have been fetched by the fetch circuitry and are awaiting execution by the processing circuitry, and selects pending instructions from the record for dispatch to the processing circuitry.

Abstract: A digital processor, method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium are described, and include a load pipeline operative to access a data content and convert the data content into a load result. The digital processor also includes a value prediction check circuit that is operative to access a speculative content, determine a predicted value from the speculative content, and determine a masked value by masking the data content with a data mask. The masked value is compared to the predicted value, and an action associated with the load result is commanded based upon the comparing of the masked value and the predicted value.

Abstract: A digital processor, method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium are described, and include a load pipeline operative to access a data content and convert the data content into a load result. The digital processor also includes a value prediction check circuit that is operative to access a speculative content, determine a predicted value from the speculative content, and determine a masked value by masking the data content with a data mask. The masked value is compared to the predicted value, and an action associated with the load result is commanded based upon the comparing of the masked value and the predicted value.

Abstract: A subsection of a tower section comprises a shell segment of the tower section and at least a longitudinal flange mounted to a longitudinal side of the shell segment for connecting to a longitudinal flange of a further subsection of the tower section. Here, the longitudinal flange comprises a part of a surface contour extending from a contact surface of the longitudinal flange which is provided for a connection to a longitudinal flange of a further subsection to a connecting surface connected to the shell segment. The part of the surface contour comprises a distance to a contacting plane passing through the contact surface.

Abstract: System and method for using fast response heaters to pre-heat metal before entering a metal treatment furnace, which may improve control over metal processing, especially in response to changes in material, mass flow rate, line speed, and/or desired treatment process. Fast response heaters may be used with control systems to adjust the output of the fast response heater based on operator inputs, direct or indirect sensing of process parameters, and/or the use of thermal models to quickly adjust fast response heater output while a metal treatment furnace remains at a constant temperature or slowly transitions into a new operating state. The resulting gains in process control result in higher quality products, reduced scrap, and increases in line speed and output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aluminum alloy products that can be riveted and possess excellent ductility and toughness properties. The present invention also relates to a method of producing the aluminum alloy products. In particular, these products have application in the automotive industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aluminum alloy products that can be riveted and possess excellent ductility and toughness properties. The present invention also relates to a method of producing the aluminum alloy products. In particular, these products have application in the automotive industry.

Abstract: An apparatus has processing circuitry for executing instructions and fetch circuitry for fetching the instructions for execution. When a branch instruction is encountered by the fetch circuitry, it determines subsequent instructions to be fetched in dependence on an initial branch direction prediction for the branch instruction made by branch prediction circuitry. Value prediction circuitry is used to maintain a predicted result value for one or more instructions, and dispatch circuitry maintains a record of pending instructions that have been fetched by the fetch circuitry and are awaiting execution by the processing circuitry, and selects pending instructions from the record for dispatch to the processing circuitry.

Abstract: System and method for using fast response heaters to pre-heat metal before entering a metal treatment furnace, which may improve control over metal processing, especially in response to changes in material, mass flow rate, line speed, and/or desired treatment process. Fast response heaters may be used with control systems to adjust the output of the fast response heater based on operator inputs, direct or indirect sensing of process parameters, and/or the use of thermal models to quickly adjust fast response heater output while a metal treatment furnace remains at a constant temperature or slowly transitions into a new operating state. The resulting gains in process control result in higher quality products, reduced scrap, and increases in line speed and output.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for using predicted result values. The apparatus has a processing unit that comprises processing circuitry for executing a sequence of instructions, and value prediction circuitry for identifying a predicted result value for at least one instruction. A result producing structure is provided that is responsive to a request issued from the processing unit when the processing circuitry is executing a first instruction, to produce a result value for the first instruction and return that result value to the processing unit. While waiting for the result value from the result producing structure, the processing circuitry can be arranged to speculatively execute at least one dependent instruction using a predicted result value for the first instruction as obtained from the value prediction circuitry.

Abstract: A subsection of a tower section comprises a shell segment of the tower section and at least a longitudinal flange mounted to a longitudinal side of the shell segment for connecting to a longitudinal flange of a further subsection of the tower section. Here, the longitudinal flange comprises a part of a surface contour extending from a contact surface of the longitudinal flange which is provided for a connection to a longitudinal flange of a further subsection to a connecting surface connected to the shell segment. The part of the surface contour comprises a distance to a contacting plane passing through the contact surface.

Abstract: System and method for using fast response heaters to pre-heat metal before entering a metal treatment furnace, which may improve control over metal processing, especially in response to changes in material, mass flow rate, line speed, and/or desired treatment process. Fast response heaters may be used with control systems to adjust the output of the fast response heater based on operator inputs, direct or indirect sensing of process parameters, and/or the use of thermal models to quickly adjust fast response heater output while a metal treatment furnace remains at a constant temperature or slowly transitions into a new operating state. The resulting gains in process control result in higher quality products, reduced scrap, and increases in line speed and output.

Abstract: A subsection 100 of a tower section comprises a shell segment 120 of the tower section and at least a longitudinal flange 130 mounted to a longitudinal side of the shell segment 120 for connecting to a longitudinal flange of a further subsection of the tower section. Here, the longitudinal flange 130 comprises a part 132 of a surface contour extending from a contact surface 136 of the longitudinal flange 130 which is provided for a connection to a longitudinal flange of a further subsection to a connecting surface 134 connected to the shell segment 120. The part 132 of the surface contour comprises a distance to a contacting plane 106 passing through the contact surface 136.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for using predicted result values. The apparatus has processing circuitry for executing a sequence of instructions, and value prediction storage that comprises a plurality of entries, where each entry is used to identify a predicted result value for an instruction allocated to that entry. Dispatch circuitry maintains a record of pending instructions awaiting execution by the processing circuitry, and selects pending instructions from the record for dispatch to the processing circuitry for execution. The dispatch circuitry is arranged to enable at least one pending instruction to be speculatively executed by the processing circuitry using as a source operand a predicted result value provided by the value prediction storage. Allocation circuitry is arranged to apply a default allocation policy to identify a first instruction to be allocated an entry in the value prediction storage.