Abstract: An integrated circuit digital device is coupled to a memory with a single-node data, address and control bus. The memory may be a non-volatile memory and/or volatile memory. The memory may be packaged in a low pin count integrated circuit package. The memory integrated circuit package may have a ground terminal, VSS; a power terminal, VDD or VCC; and a bidirectional serial input-output (I/O) terminal, SCIO. Memory block address set-up may be performed via software instructions through the SCIO terminal. In addition, hardwired memory block address selection terminals A0 and A1 may be used when more then three terminals are available on the memory integrated circuit package. The memory may have active pull-up and pull-down drivers coupled to the single-node data, address and control bus.

Abstract: An output pad for an integrated circuit includes circuitry to align the output with an on-chip clock signal, and to compensate the output such that it remains coincident with the on-chip clock signal even when changes occur in power supply voltage, manufacturing process and temperature. This output pad has a closed-loop feedback circuit which controls the delay of the output signal through a variable delay element. The loop adjust the delay until the clock edge of the on-chip clock signal is coincident with the output signal within a defined tolerance. The output pad self-compensates with every clock cycle, which is many times faster than any induced variation.

Abstract: An output pad for an integrated circuit includes circuitry to fix the output delay to a constant value even when changes occur in power supply voltage, manufacturing process and temperature. This output pad has a closed-loop feedback circuit which controls the delay of the output signal through an Adjustable Output Driver. A Fixed Delay Element provides a reference delay that does not change with induced variations. The loop adjusts the delay of the Adjustable Output Driver until the edge of the signal delayed by the Adjustable Output Driver is coincident with the edge of the signal delayed by the Fixed Delay Element within a defined tolerance. In a second embodiment the output pad has a Variable Delay Element with programmable delay values that remain constant over induced variations.

Abstract: A compensated digital delay semiconductor device is disclosed which uses two identical chains of delay elements. The first chain is the Reference Chain, which is driven by a crystal-controlled digital clock input. The second chain is the Input Signal Delay Chain, which is the delay path for the signal of interest. These two chains are located in physical proximity on the semiconductor die so that variations in the manufacturing process, temperature and power supply affect each chain the same. Circuitry monitors the delay performance of the Reference Chain, and dynamically changes the output tap of the Input Signal Delay Chain when a change in performance is detected on the Reference Chain, thereby compensating the delay of the device. This approach provides precise delays which are constant.

Abstract: A self-compensated digital delay semiconductor device is disclosed which uses two identical chains of delay elements. The first chain is the Reference Chain, which is driven by a crystal-controlled digital clock input. The second chain is the Input Signal Delay Chain, which is the delay path for the signal of interest. These two chains are located in physical proximity on the semiconductor die so that variations in manufacturing process, temperature and power supply affect each chain the same. Each of these delay chains is comprised of a series of variable delay elements which are digitally controlled by Monitor Logic, which measures the delay performance of the Reference Chain, and dynamically adjusts the delay of the variable delay elements as induced variations are induced, thereby compensating the delay of the device. Any one of these precise delays can be routed to the output by driving a tap select multiplexer to select the delay of interest.

Abstract: A low power, astable multivibrator which operates on supply voltages as low as 1.5 volts and is suitable for controlling the application of power to power consuming electrical devices in battery-powered applications is disclosed. A transistor circuit which utilizes relatively large resistance values and positive feedback is presented. Resistance values are sufficiently large to bias transistors so that operation of the transistors in their saturation regions would be prevented without the application of the positive feedback.