Abstract: A Local Dynamic Power Controller (LDPC) generates and deliver to a load a full swing voltage supply signal and a reduced swing voltage supply signal. Both the full and reduce voltage supply signals are generated from a single power supply. The full swing voltage supply signal is supplied when the load is in full operational mode whereas the reduce voltage supply signal is provided when the load is in a sleep mode. As a consequence, power dissipated in the load is reduced.

Abstract: A Local Dynamic Power Controller (LDPC) generates and deliver to a load a full swing voltage supply signal and a reduced swing voltage supply signal. Both the full and reduce voltage supply signals are generated from a single power supply. The full swing voltage supply signal is supplied when the load is in full operational mode whereas the reduce voltage supply signal is provided when the load is in a sleep mode. As a consequence, power dissipated in the load is reduced.

Abstract: A latch is described that provides soft error rate protection with integrated scan capability and collision avoidance. The latch has a latch output node and a first, second, and third sublatches. Each sublatch has a respective input circuitry, output node, and feedback circuitry coupled to the output node for reinforcing an output signal of the sublatch. Each sublatch is operable to receive a data signal at its input circuitry and responsively generate a binary-state output signal on its output nodes. The first and second output nodes such that, if an output of the third sublatch changes, the first and second sublatches force the third sublatch to have a same output. This “forced” change reduces the soft error rate in the latch and the output signal of the latch output node is restored without the sublatches colliding.

Abstract: A system and method of selective row energization based on write data, with a selective row energization system including a storage array 102 having M rows 104 and N columns 106; an N-bit data word register 108; a uniform-detect circuit 110 responsive to a data word to generate a uniform word data bit having a first value when the data word is uniform; an M-bit uniform-detect register 112 having M uniform-detect latches 114, each being associated with one of the M rows 104 and storing the uniform word data bit for the data word stored in the associated M row 104; and an M-bit row driver device 116 responsive to the uniform word data bit for each of the M rows 104 to inhibit energization of the M rows 104 for which the uniform word data bit is the first value.

Abstract: A Local Dynamic Power Controller (LDPC) generates and deliver to a load a full swing voltage supply signal and a reduced swing voltage supply signal. Both the full and reduce voltage supply signals are generated from a single power supply. The full swing voltage supply signal is supplied when the load is in full operational mode whereas the reduce voltage supply signal is provided when the load is in a sleep mode. As a consequence, power dissipated in the load is reduced.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for detecting soft errors in non-dataflow circuits. In a preferred embodiment, input is received at a latch system. The latch system consists of two pairs of latches. The second pair of latches is parallel to the first pair of latches. Both pairs of latches capture the input. However, the second pair of latches captures the input later in time relative to the first pair of latches latch. The captured input is then transferred from the first latch in each pair of latches to the second latch in each pair of latches. A comparison is made of the input in the two second latches. If the input captured in the two second latches is not the same, then a message is sent to a recovery unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dependency tracking and register file bypass controls using a scannable register file are provided. With the apparatus and method, a scannable register file array is provided and used to track the stage of any instruction in the execution unit. Every entry in the target vector is updated every cycle to stay synchronized with the instructions in the execution unit. To keep the register file array synchronized with the instructions in the execution unit, a right shift of all the data in each entry of the register file array occurs every cycle. The scan port of the register file array cells is used as the shift function.

Abstract: A processor including a register file and method for computing flush masks in a multi-threaded processing system provides fast and low-logic-overhead computation of a flush result in response to multiple flush request sources. A flush mask register file is implemented by multiple cells in an array where cells are absent from the diagonal where the column index is equal to the row index. Each cell has a vertical write enable and a horizontal write enable. When a row is written to validate that row's tag value, the column having an index equal to the row selector is automatically reset (excepting the bit corresponding to the absent cell mentioned above). On a read of a row in the array, a wired-AND circuit provided at each column provides a bit field corresponding to other rows that have been written since a last reset of the row, which is a flush mask indicating newer tags and the selected tag.

Abstract: A dynamic-static logical control element for signaling an interval between the end of a control signal and a logical evaluation provides a compact circuit for blocking the indication of a non-evaluated state of a dynamic logic gate until a control signal has ended. The control signal is connected to a precharge input of the control element and a summing node is connected to one or more evaluation trees and to the control element output via an inverter. The inverter is connected to an override circuit that forces the output of the control element to a state opposite the precharge state until the control signal has ended. The output of the control element then assumes a state corresponding to the precharge state until an evaluation occurs. The control element output thus produces a window signal indicating the interval between the end of the control signal and the evaluation.

Abstract: A register file apparatus and method incorporating read-after-write blocking using detection cells provides improved read access times in high performance register files. One or more detection cells identical to the register file cells and located in the register file array are used to control the read operation in the register file by configuring the detection cells to either alternate value at each write or change to a particular value after a write and then detecting when the write has completed by detecting the state change of an active detection cell. The state change detection can be used to delay the leading edge of a read strobe or may be used in the access control logic to delay generation of a next read strobe. The register file thus provides a scalable design that does not have to be tuned for each application and that tracks over voltage and clock skew variation.

Abstract: A simple electronic horological device, termed a time cell, is presented with associated methods, systems, and computer program products. A time cell has an insulated, charge storage element that receives an electrostatic charge through its insulating medium, i.e. it is programmed. Over time, the charge storage element then loses the electrostatic charge through its insulating medium. Given the reduction of the electric potential of the programmed charge storage element at a substantially known discharge rate, and by observing the electric potential of the programmed charge storage element at a given point in time, an elapsed time period can be determined. Thus, the time cell is able to measure an elapsed time period without a continuous power source.

Abstract: A register-file bit read apparatus includes a decoder operable to receive a number of address-bit signals and responsively assert a select signal on one of M select lines. Each select line corresponds to a respective one of M register-file cells. The apparatus also includes a multiplexer having Q output nodes and M selectors. Each selector is coupled to one of the select lines and that select line's corresponding register-file cell. The selectors are in Q groups, each coupled to a respective one of the multiplexer's output nodes. The apparatus also includes an output logic gate having Q inputs, coupled to respective ones of the multiplexer output nodes. The multiplexer includes Q pull-ups, each of which is coupled to a respective one of the multiplexer output nodes and is operable to drive its multiplexer output node responsive to one of the address-bit signals.

Abstract: A bit-read apparatus includes a first decoder and N multiplexers, each having Q output nodes and Q pull-ups coupled thereto. Respective multiplexers have M selectors coupled to N×M respective select lines and register-file cells. The selectors are in Q groups coupled to respective output nodes. Each multiplexer has a logic gate with inputs coupled to respective multiplexer output nodes. A second decoder is coupled to an N+1th multiplexer having R output nodes and R pull-ups coupled thereto. The N+1th multiplexer also has N selectors, coupled to respective select lines of the second decoder and respective output logic gates of the N multiplexers. The N selectors are in R groups coupled to the R nodes. An output logic gate for N+1th multiplexer has R inputs coupled respectively to the R nodes. Each pull-up of the multiplexers drives its respective multiplexer output node responsive to an address-bit signal.