Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a match circuit for implementation in a general purpose performance counter (“GPPC”) connected to a bus carrying debug data. The match circuit comprises logic for activating a match signal when a selected N-bit portion of the debug data matches an N-bit threshold for all bits selected by an N-bit match mask (“mmask”).

Abstract: Circuitry for use with a general purpose performance counter (“GPPC”) connected to a bus carrying a plurality of encoded state coverage signals indicative of test coverage in a logic design, wherein the circuitry is operable to decode and capture the encoded coverage information. A selection circuit associated with the GPPC is operable to select the encoded state coverage signals from a multi-bit event signal on the bus. A line decoder coupled to the selection circuit decodes the encoded state coverage signals into N one-hot signals, which are asserted based on coverage of corresponding states during test. A capture circuit is operable to capture the N one-hot signals for further processing.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating for skew in a programmable clock synchronizer for effectuating data transfer between first circuitry disposed in a first clock domain and second circuitry disposed in a second clock domain. In a system embodiment, a phase detector is provided for detecting a phase between the first and second clock signals. A skew state detector disposed in communication with the phase detector is operable to generate a skew state signal which tracks a phase relationship between the clock signals. A synchronizer control signal generator responds to the skew state signal by generating at least one control signal to compensate for the skew between the first clock signal and the second clock signal.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a stable synchronization state in a programmable clock synchronizer for effectuating data transfer between first circuitry disposed in a first clock domain and second circuitry disposed in a second clock domain. In a system embodiment, a first circuit portion generates a load signal indicative of a known acceptable state for which a cycle can be loaded. A second circuit portion is in communication with the first circuit portion in order to generate a lock signal indicative of a tolerable tracked skew between a first clock signal of the first clock domain and a second clock signal of the second clock domain. A third circuit portion, responsive to the load signal, the lock signal and a zero skew point indicator, generates a synchronization stable state signal indicative of locking between the first clock signal and the second clock signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for determining time-outs with respect to a plurality of transactions comprising utilizing a first time-out clock for simultaneously determining time-out states with respect to a first set of transactions of the plurality of transactions, and determining when transactions of the first set of transactions have reached a timed-out state of the time-out states.

Abstract: A programmable synchronizer system for effectuating data transfer across a clock boundary between a core clock domain and a bus clock domain, wherein the core clock domain is operable with a core clock signal and the bus clock domain is operable with a bus clock signal, the core and bus clock signals having a ratio of N core clock cycles to M bus clock cycles, where N/M?1. A first synchronizer is provided for synchronizing data transfer from a core clock domain logic block to a bus clock domain logic block. A second synchronizer is operable to synchronize data transfer from the bus clock domain logic block to the core clock domain logic block. Control means are included for controlling the first and second synchronizers, the control means operating responsive at least in part to configuration means that is configurable based on skew tolerance and latency parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinating synchronizer controllers disposed in different clock domains, e.g., a core clock domain and a bus clock domain, wherein a clock synchronizer arrangement is employed for effectuating data transfer across a clock boundary therebetween. A bus clock synchronizer controller operable in the bus clock domain includes circuitry for generating a set of inter-controller clock relationship control signals, which are provided to a core clock synchronizer controller. Responsive to the inter-controller clock relationship control signals, circuitry in the core clock synchronizer controller is operable to synchronize the core clock signal's cycle and sequence information relative to the bus clock signal.

Abstract: A phase detector and phase detection method for a sync pulse generator operable in a clock synchronizer that effectuates data transfer between first circuitry disposed in a first clock domain and second circuitry disposed in a second clock domain. The first clock domain is operable with a first clock signal and the second clock domain is operable with a second clock signal. At least one first flip flop is operable to sample the first clock signal with a rising edge of the second clock signal and at least one second flip flop is operable to sample the first clock signal with a falling edge of the second clock signal. The sampling produces transitions indicative of the coincident rising edges between the first and second signals.

Abstract: A controller arrangement for effectuating data transfer across a clock boundary between a core clock domain and a bus clock domain, wherein the core clock domain is operable with a core clock signal and the bus clock domain is operable with a bus clock signal. A bus clock synchronizer controller portion is operable to generate a set of clock relationship control signals, at least a portion of which signals are used in generating a set of bus domain synchronizer control signals towards bus-to-core and core-to-bus synchronizers. A core clock synchronizer controller portion is provided for generating a set of core domain synchronizer control signals towards the synchronizers. The core clock synchronizer controller portion is operable responsive to the clock relationship control signals as well as configuration information signals indicative of different skew tolerances and latency values associated with the clock signals.

Abstract: A phase detector in a programmable clock synchronizer for effectuating data transfer between first circuitry disposed in a first clock domain that is clocked with a first clock signal and second circuitry disposed in a second clock domain that is clocked with a second clock signal. The phase detector includes means for sampling the second clock signal with the first clock signal to generate a sampled clock signal. By tracking movement in a predetermined transition in the sampled clock signal, the phase detector is operable to determine the phase difference between the first and second clock signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods generate transaction identifiers. A plurality of available transaction identifiers are generated for use in identifying future transactions from a first bus. A new transaction identifier is generated upon receipt of each received transaction from the first bus. One of the available transaction identifiers is assigned to each received transaction prior to generation of the new transaction identifier so that the received transaction communicated on a second bus is identified by the one transaction identifier.

Abstract: A phase detector in a programmable clock synchronizer for effectuating data transfer between first circuitry disposed in a first clock domain and second circuitry disposed in a second clock domain. The phase detector includes a series of flip flops disposed in parallel that sample the second clock signal with both a rising edge of the first clock signal and a falling edge of the first clock signal. By tracking movement in one-to-zero or zero-to-one transitions in the sampled clock signals, the phase detector is operable to determine the phase difference between the first and second clock signals.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention provides a system and method for indicating the orientation of a packaged IC in a socket. An LED is physically mounted to a socket. One lead of the LED is electrically connected to a positive voltage through a socket hole on the socket. When the orientation of the IC package in the socket is correct, the other lead of the LED is connected to a ground path on the packaged IC. As a result, the LED is activated indicating the orientation of the packaged IC is correct.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention provides a system and method for indicating the orientation of a packaged IC in a socket. An LED is physically mounted to a socket. One lead of the LED is electrically connected to a positive voltage through a socket hole on the socket. When the orientation of the IC package in the socket is correct, the other lead of the LED is connected to a ground path on the packaged IC. As a result, the LED is activated indicating the orientation of the packaged IC is correct.

Abstract: A coverage circuit for use with a general purpose performance counter (“GPPC”) connected to a bus for capturing test coverage information encoded as N one-hot signals indicative of coverage in a logic design. An OR logic block is included for bit-wise ORing the N one-hot signals with a N-bit mask value stored in a register block so that an N-bit output may be generated by the OR logic block depending on the logic transitions of the one-hot signals. A Multiplexer (MUX) block is provided for selecting the N-bit output from the OR logic block under control of at least one control signal, wherein the N-bit output is operable to be stored into the register block when selected by the MUX block.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for determining time-outs with respect to a plurality of transactions comprising utilizing a first time-out clock for simultaneously determining time-out states with respect to a first set of transactions of the plurality of transactions, and determining when transactions of the first set of transactions have reached a timed-out state of the time-out states.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a data selection circuit for a general purpose performance counter (“GPPC”) connected to a bus carrying debug data. The data selection circuit is connected to receive the debug data and comprises logic for receiving the debug data as a plurality of N-bit portions of block-aligned data and outputting a designated one of the N-bit portions; and circuitry for providing to the receiving logic a control signal for designating one of the N-bit portions.

Abstract: An increment/decrement circuit for use with a general purpose performance counter (“GPPC”) connected to a bus carrying debug data. In one embodiment, the increment/decrement circuit includes a delay circuit block operable to receive and align the debug data. First and second mask circuits are connected in parallel to the delay circuit block in order to select and assert portions of the aligned debug data for incrementing and decrementing, respectively. An accumulation circuit is connected to the first mask circuit and the second mask circuit for generating an accumulated value based on the outputs of the mask circuits.

Abstract: A system and method for effectuating the transfer of data blocks including a header block across a clock boundary between a first clock domain and a second clock domain. In one embodiment, a first circuit portion provides the data blocks including the header block to a second circuit portion. Control logic associated with the second circuit portion is operable to process the header block and generate in response to the header block a hint signal which is transferred via a synchronizer at least one data cycle prior to the transfer of the data blocks to a third circuit portion disposed in the second clock domain. A control block associated with the third circuit portion operates responsive to the hint signal to generate data transfer control signals for controlling the third circuit portion in order to control output of the data blocks in a particular ordered grouping.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a zeroing circuit for a general purpose performance counter (“GPPC”) connected to a bus carrying debug data. The zeroing circuit comprises logic for zeroing out a specified number of most significant bits (“MSBs”) of a selected portion of the debug data based on a mask generated by a mask generator block. A selection control signal provided to the mask generator block is operable to be decoded to a particular mask.