Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a multi-layer structure having alternating metal interconnection layers and via layers superimposed on a base layer having electronic components, functional blocks, or both. At least two of the via layers may be customizable and may be used to form customized interconnections that may customize functionality of the resulting integrated circuit. In a variant, at least some of the layers may have a default structure that may result in a default integrated circuit functionality; the default structure may be changed to customize functionality. One or more metal interconnection layers may also be customizable. Additionally, transistors of the base layer may be customized for speed and/or power consumption by adjusting voltage thresholds and/or gate lengths.

Abstract: A method of storing sensitive data by generating randomization values, transforming the sensitive data and the randomization values into a result, and storing separate portions of the result on at least two storage devices, such that the sensitive data cannot be disclosed if any one of the storage devices is compromised.

Abstract: A via-configurable circuit block may contain chains of p-type and n-type transistors that may or may not be interconnected by means of configurable vias. Configurable vias may also be used to connect various transistor terminals to a ground line, a power line and/or to various terminals that may provide connections outside of the circuit block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using a memory timing database. A plurality of characterization memories are defined, which can be mapped to a memory resource. Each characterization memory has different memory parameters. A plurality of variants of tiling each characterization memory to the memory resource are also defined. Timing characteristics of each tiling variant of each characterization memory are stored in the memory timing database for the memory resource based on sets of input ramptimes and output loads.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for reducing signal skew. The method includes receiving a netlist having components and connections among the components. Each connection has at least one signal wire. A plurality of net groups is identified, each net group including at least some of the connections and for which equivalent routing is desired. For each net group, the method includes systematically routing connection paths between the components for the connections, each connection path extending between an output of one of the components and an input to at least one other of the components and including at least one path fragment. Routing includes, for at least one of the connections of the net group, routing at least one grounded shielding wire in a routing channel adjacent and parallel to at least one of the path fragments of the connection path.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for reducing signal skew. The method includes receiving a netlist having components and connections among the components. Each connection has at least one signal wire. A plurality of net groups is identified, each net group including at least some of the connections and for which equivalent routing is desired. For each net group, the method includes systematically routing connection paths between the components for the connections, each connection path extending between an output of one of the components and an input to at least one other of the components and including at least one path fragment. Routing includes, for at least one of the connections of the net group, routing at least one grounded shielding wire in a routing channel adjacent and parallel to at least one of the path fragments of the connection path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using a memory timing database. A plurality of characterization memories are defined, which can be mapped to a memory resource. Each characterization memory has different memory parameters. A plurality of variants of tiling each characterization memory to the memory resource are also defined. Timing characteristics of each tiling variant of each characterization memory are stored in the memory timing database for the memory resource based on sets of input ramptimes and output loads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for creating and using a memory timing database. A plurality of characterization memories are defined, which can be mapped to a memory resource. Each characterization memory has different memory parameters. A plurality of variants of tiling each characterization memory to the memory resource are also defined. Timing characteristics of each tiling variant of each characterization memory are stored in the memory timing database for the memory resource based on sets of input ramptimes and output loads.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for reducing the signal delay skew is disclosed, according to a variety of embodiments. One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a method. According to one illustrative embodiment, the method includes receiving an initial netlist having components and connection paths among the components; identifying a first connection path in the initial netlist that comprises path fragments for which there are no equivalent path fragments in a second connection path in the initial netlist; generating a skew-corrected netlist wherein the second connection path is re-routed to have path fragments equivalent to the path fragments of the first connection path; and outputting the skew-corrected netlist.

Abstract: A via-configurable circuit block may contain chains of p-type and n-type transistors that may or may not be interconnected by means of configurable vias. Configurable vias may also be used to connect various transistor terminals to a ground line, a power line and/or to various terminals that may provide connections outside of the circuit block.

Abstract: A routing multiplexer system provides p outputs based on a selected permutation of p inputs. Each of a plurality of modules has two inputs, two outputs and a control input and is arranged to supply signals at the two inputs to the two outputs in a direct or transposed order based on a value of a bit at the control input. A first p/2 group of the modules are coupled to the n inputs and a second p/2 group of the modules provide the n outputs. A plurality of control bit tables each contains a plurality of bits in an arrangement based on a respective permutation. The memory is responsive to a selected permutation to supply bits to the respective modules based on respective bit values of a respective control bit table, thereby establishing a selected and programmable permutation of the inputs to the outputs.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for reducing the signal delay skew is disclosed, according to a variety of embodiments. One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a method. According to one illustrative embodiment, the method includes receiving an initial netlist having components and connection paths among the components; identifying a first connection path in the initial netlist that comprises path fragments for which there are no equivalent path fragments in a second connection path in the initial netlist; generating a skew-corrected netlist wherein the second connection path is re-routed to have path fragments equivalent to the path fragments of the first connection path; and outputting the skew-corrected netlist.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for programmable decoding of a plurality of code types. A method is provided for decoding data encoded using one of a plurality of code types, where each of the code types correspond to a communication standard. The code type associated with the data is identified and the data is allocated to a plurality of programmable parallel decoders. The programmable parallel decoders can be reconfigured to decode data encoded using each of the plurality of code types. A method is also provided for interleaving data among M parallel decoders using a communications network. An interleaver table is employed, wherein each entry in the interleaver table identifies one of the M parallel decoders as a target decoder and a target address of a communications network for interleaved data. Data is interleaved by writing the data to the target address of the communications network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for receiving a list of design memories, wherein each type of design memory in the list has a name and at least one instance. A pre-placement model is associated with each named memory type in the list. The design memories in the list are mapped to an integrated circuit layout pattern, wherein at least one memory type comprises first and second instances that are mapped differently from one another. After mapping, at least one of the first and second instances is renamed to have a different name than the other. A post-placement model is then associated with each named memory type in the list, including a separate model for each renamed design memory.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for outputting a sequence of commands and data described by a flowchart. The method includes steps as follows. A flowchart describing a sequence of commands and data is received. The flowchart includes a plurality of flowchart symbols. Each of the plurality of flowchart symbols is assigned a ROM (read only memory) record. Assigned ROM records are stored in a ROM. A processor is generated to include the ROM, wherein the processor receives as input a CLOCK signal, a RESET signal, an ENABLE signal and N binary inputs x1, x2, . . . xN, and outputs the sequence of commands and data.

Abstract: A system for reducing the signal delay skew is disclosed, according to a variety of embodiments. One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a method. According to one illustrative embodiment, the method includes receiving an initial netlist comprising components and connection paths among the components. The method further includes identifying one or more skew-influencing features in a first connection path in the initial netlist that lack corresponding skew-influencing features in a second connection path in the initial netlist. The method also includes generating a skew-corrected netlist wherein the second connection path includes one or more added skew-influencing features corresponding to those of the first connection path. The method further includes outputting the skew-corrected netlist.

Abstract: An arbitrary function may be represented as an optimized decision tree. The decision tree may be calculated, pruned, and factored to create a highly optimized set of equations, much of which may be represented by simple circuits and little, if any, complex processing. A circuit design system may automate the decision tree generation, optimization, and circuit generation for an arbitrary function. The circuits may be used for processing digital signals, such as soft decoding and other processes, among other uses.

Abstract: A memory testing system for testing a plurality of memory locations in an electronic memory device is provided. The system includes a programmable memory device integrated into the electronic memory device capable of receiving and storing a compiled memory testing program. A processor is in communication with the programmable memory device to read and execute instructions from the compiled testing program stored in the programmable memory device and a command interpreter is configured to receive data from the processor related to commands to be executed during memory testing.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus including a modular memory and an address locator circuit. The modular memory may be configured to generate a current address signal, a first data output signal and a second data output signal in response to a first port address signal, a second port address signal, an initial state parameter, a target state parameter, a first port enable signal, a second port enable signal, a write enable signal, a data input signal, a first location signal and a second location signal. The address locator circuit may be configured to generate the first location signal and the second location signal in response to the first port address signal, the second port address signal and the current address signal.

Abstract: A method of configuring a random access memory matrix containing partially configured memories in the matrix. The method includes the steps of independently calculating a memory enable signal and a configuration signal for a partially configured memory in each memory tile of the memory matrix. Memory tiles not supported by a memory compiler are determined. A memory wrapper is provided for each tile not supported by the memory compiler. An address controller is inserted in the memory matrix for each tile in a group of tiles. Output signals from each memory location in a memory group having a common group index are combined into a single output signal. A first stripe of memory tiles containing non-configured memory having a first width is selected. A second strip of memory tiles containing configured memory having a second width is also selected.