Abstract: An arbiter circuit (100) can include a latch circuit (102) that latches competing input signals (MATCH1 and MATCH2) to generate signals on latch output (110-0 and 110-1). A filter section (104) can prevent metastable states of latch output signals from propagating through to output signals (BUSY2 and BUSY1). In addition, filter section (104) can generate output signals (BUSY2 and BUSY1) having one set of values when both inputs are inactive, and a second set of values when latch (102) is in the metastable state.

Abstract: A circuit, system, and method are provided for generating edge-aligned, complementary output signals from complementary input signals. The output and input signals can, according to one example, be clock signals. The circuit, system, and method can use the rising edges of the complementary pair of input signals to trigger transitions on the complementary pair of output signals. More specifically, the rising edge of a true input clock signal will trigger the rising edge of the true output clock signal and the falling edge of the inverted output clock signal. A rising edge of the inverted input clock signal will trigger the falling edge of the true output clock signal, and the rising edge of the inverted output clock signal. Moreover, the circuit, system, and method ensures that at any time only one transition occurs on the active inputs of a final logic stage of the clock generation circuit.

Abstract: A data path (200) can be configured to accommodate different clocking arrangements. In one mode, data values may be output at a single data rate: one data value every clock cycle. In another mode, data values may be output at a double data rate: two data values every clock cycle. A data path (200) can be compact circuit structure, needing only an additional mode multiplexer (206) and inverter over a conventional D-type master-slave flip-flop.

Abstract: A multi-port memory cell (200) can be formed from seven transistors. Single ended write operations can be performed without a boosted word line voltage or variable power supply. A data value (D/DB) stored in the memory cell (200) can be cleared by shorting complementary data nodes (204-0 and 204-1) together. Write data can then be placed on a bit line. Complementary data nodes (204-0 and 204-1) can then be isolated once again, resulting in the write data being latched within the memory cell (300). An access method (700) for a multi-port memory cell is also described.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a delay lock loop to cover a wide delay range. In one method embodiment, the present invention receives a reference clock pulse. Next, in a first loop, a phase variation is adjusted between the feedback clock pulse and the reference clock pulse utilizing a coarse delay in conjunction with a first fine delay. The resulting pulse is then output to a chip delay and then sent back to the delay lock loop as a feedback clock pulse. Additionally, in a second loop, the phase variation is adjusted between said second loop and said first loop utilizing the coarse delay in conjunction with a second fine delay, wherein the second fine delay has a delay range for adjusting the phase variation which overlaps the delay range of the first fine delay of the first loop.

Abstract: A circuit and method comprising (a) a first circuit configured to generate an output signal having a variable pulse width in response to an (i) input signal and (ii) a control signal and (b) a second circuit configured to generate the control signal in response to (i) the input signal and (ii) a test input. In one example, the first circuit may comprise a register configured to present the output signal and an edge detection circuit configured to present a second control signal to said second circuit. In another example, the second circuit may comprise a plurality of first gates that may generate the output signal in further response to the second control signal.

Abstract: A write control circuit for a semiconductor memory device includes a conventional write path responsive to a control input (e.g., an external write enable signal) to control the beginning of a write operation for a write driver, whilst a separate dedicated write disable path, responsive to the same control input, controls the end of the write operation for the write driver. The invention separates the end of write from the beginning of write by introducing a fast dedicated path designed primarily for ending the write. This dedicated path contains dedicated logic to generate an end of write signal at the disabling edge of the control input to disable the write driver quickly before a new memory cell is selected.