Abstract: A system includes a first integrated circuit device and a second integrated circuit device. The first device transmits a data sequence to the second integrated circuit device, and the second device samples the data sequence to produce receiver data. The second device then transmits the receiver data back to the first device. Within the first integrated circuit device, a comparison between the data sequence and the receiver data is performed, and based on the comparison, the first device generates information representative of a calibrated timing offset. The first device uses the information representative of the calibrated timing offset to adjust timing associated with transferring write data from the first integrated circuit to the second integrated circuit.

Abstract: A bus system comprising a master connected to one or more slave devices via a bus is disclosed. The bus system is able to effectively communicate control information during a calibration phase and to individually determine appropriate timing and/or voltage offsets for each slave device. The offsets are used to optimize transfer timing (including duty cycle characteristics), signal equalization, and voltage levels for data exchanged between the master and the slave devices.

Abstract: A current-mode bus line driver includes a primary current source and a supplemental current source. The primary current source is an open-drain NMOS transistor, whose output current decreases at low output voltages. The supplemental current source is responsive to low output voltages to provide a supplemental output current, in addition to the output current of the primary current source. The supplemental current source consists of an inverter and a current mirror. The inverter produces a correction current that is inversely related to the voltage output of the primary current source. This correction current is amplified by the current mirror to produce the supplemental output current. The current mirror is self-limiting, in that its current output falls off at very low output voltages.

Abstract: A reconfigurable dual-mode multiple stage operational amplifier circuit includes a configurable portion that can be selectively configured to operate in either a one-pole mode or a two-pole mode. Different exemplary operational amplifier circuits are provided, some of which employ a compensation portion that can be selectively coupled to the configurable portion. For example, in the one-pole operating mode the compensation portion is decoupled from an output of the configurable portion. Conversely, in the two-pole operating mode the compensation portion is coupled to the output. The compensation portion is configured to stabilize a signal on the output. The configurable portion switches between operational modes in response to at least one control signal. The operational amplifier may include a pulse generating portion that is coupled to operatively control the configurable portion in response to the at least one control signal. Such an implementation negates the need for a compensation portion.

Abstract: Dual loop phase lock loops having a high loop bandwidth with low power consumption are described. Each loop is provided with a voltage supply regulator circuit which regulates the voltage of a portion of each loop. In one embodiment, the outer loop employs a regulation circuit comprising a two stage operational amplifier which is compensated by a compensation circuit that is configured to ensure that the dominant pole of the operational amplifier is associated with the first stage of the operational amplifier.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process-tracking clock duty cycle integrator. Common mode feedback is used to set a common mode output voltage that varies with the voltage threshold of MOS elements that implement the circuit. In addition, a buffer is used to control the common mode input voltage to the differential amplifier circuit, and to vary the common mode input voltage with the voltage threshold.

Abstract: A synchronous dynamic random access memory device having an array of dynamic memory cells. The memory device includes input receiver circuitry to sample a value that is representative of a range of temperatures. In addition, the memory device includes a programmable register, coupled to the input receiver circuitry, to store the value that is representative of the range of temperatures.

Abstract: A memory system architecture/interconnect topology that includes at least one point-to-point link between a master, and at least one memory subsystem. The memory subsystem includes a buffer device coupled to a plurality of memory devices. The memory system may be upgraded through dedicated point-to-point links and corresponding memory subsystems.

Abstract: A reconfigurable dual-mode multiple stage operational amplifier circuit includes a configurable portion that can be selectively configured to operate in either a one-pole mode or a two-pole mode. Different exemplary operational amplifier circuits are provided, some of which employ a compensation portion that can be selectively coupled to the configurable portion. For example, in the one-pole operating mode the compensation portion is decoupled from an output of the configurable portion. Conversely, in the two-pole operating mode the compensation portion is coupled to the output. The compensation portion is configured to stabilize a signal on the output. The configurable portion switches between operational modes in response to at least one control signal. The operational amplifier may include a pulse generating portion that is coupled to operatively control the configurable portion in response to the at least one control signal. Such an implementation negates the need for a compensation portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the performance of a memory system is provided. A memory system comprises a master device and a slave device. A memory channel couples the master device to the slave device such that the slave device receives the system operating information from the master device via the memory channel. The slave device further includes means for tuning circuitry within the slave device such that the performance of the memory system is improved.

Abstract: Dual loop phase lock loops having a high loop bandwidth with low power consumption are described. Each loop is provided with a voltage supply regulator circuit which regulates the voltage of a portion of each loop. In one embodiment, the outer loop employs a regulation circuit comprising a two stage operational amplifier which is compensated by a compensation circuit that is configured to ensure that the dominant pole of the operational amplifier is associated with the first stage of the operational amplifier.

Abstract: A memory system architecture/interconnect topology that includes at least one point-to-point link between a master, and at least one memory subsystem. The memory subsystem includes a buffer device coupled to a plurality of memory devices. The memory system may be upgraded through dedicated point-to-point links and corresponding memory subsystems. The master communicates to the plurality of memory devices in each memory subsystem through the respective buffer device via each point-to-point link.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process-tracking clock duty cycle integrator. Common mode feedback is used to set a common mode output voltage that varies with the voltage threshold of MOS elements that implement the circuit. In addition, a buffer is used to control the common mode input voltage to the differential amplifier circuit, and to vary the common mode input voltage with the voltage threshold.

Abstract: A reconfigurable dual-mode multiple stage operational amplifier circuit includes a configurable portion that can be selectively configured to operate in either a one-pole mode or a two-pole mode. Different exemplary operational amplifier circuits are provided, some of which employ a compensation portion that can be selectively coupled to the configurable portion. For example, in the one-pole operating mode the compensation portion is decoupled from an output of the configurable portion. Conversely, in the two-pole operating mode the compensation portion is coupled to the output. The compensation portion is configured to stabilize a signal on the output. The configurable portion switches between operational modes in response to at least one control signal. The operational amplifier may include a pulse generating portion that is coupled to operatively control the configurable portion in response to the at least one control signal. Such an implementation negates the need for a compensation portion.

Abstract: A delay-locked loop circuit generates a first clock signal. The delay-locked loop circuit includes a first delay element coupled in a feedback path of the delay-locked loop circuit to advance the first clock signal relative to a reference clock signal by a first time period. A second delay element is coupled to receive the first clock signal from the delay-locked loop circuit. The second delay element also outputs a second clock signal that is delayed relative to the first clock signal by the first time period. The delay-locked loop circuit may include a phase detector to identify phase differences between the first clock signal and the reference clock signal. A third delay element may be coupled between the delay-locked loop circuit and the second delay element.

Abstract: A delay-locked loop circuit generates a first clock signal. The delay-locked loop circuit includes a first delay element coupled in a feedback path of the delay-locked loop circuit to advance the first clock signal relative to a reference clock signal by a first time period. A second delay element is coupled to receive the first clock signal from the delay-locked loop circuit. The second delay element also outputs a second clock signal that is delayed relative to the first clock signal by the first time period. The delay-locked loop circuit may include a phase detector to identify phase differences between the first clock signal and the reference clock signal. A third delay element may be coupled between the delay-locked loop circuit and the second delay element.

Abstract: A duty cycle converter generating a pair of output signals whose cross-point duty cycle is substantially equal to the edge duty cycle of a pair of input signals. The duty cycle converter includes an edge detector and a signal generator. The edge detector detects and indicates a first transition of a first input signal and a second transition of a second input signal. The signal generator takes the outputs of the edge detector and generates a first output signal and a second output signal. The signal generator causes the cross-point duty cycle of the first output signal to substantially equal the edge duty cycle of the first input cycle. The signal generator does so by forcing a first time delay between adjacent crossover points of the first and second output signals to be substantially equal to a second time delay between the first transition and the second transition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the performance of a memory system is provided. A memory control device comprises a master device including a frequency detector, a memory channel, and a memory device coupled to the master device via the memory channel. The memory device includes a decoder designed to receive a control signal from the master device. A clock recovery and alignment circuit receives the control signal from the decoder and adjusts the operating frequency of the memory device in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A duty cycle converter generating a pair of output signals whose cross-point duty cycle is substantially equal to the edge duty cycle of a pair of input signals. The duty cycle converter includes an edge detector and a signal generator. The edge detector detects and indicates a first transition of a first input signal and a second transition of a second input signal. The signal generator takes the outputs of the edge detector and generates a first output signal and a second output signal. The signal generator causes the cross-point duty cycle of the first output signal to substantially equal the edge duty cycle of the first input cycle. The signal generator does so by forcing a first time delay between adjacent crossover points of the first and second output signals to be substantially equal to a second time delay between the first transition and the second transition.

Abstract: A duty cycle converter generating a pair of output signals whose cross-point duty cycle is substantially equal to the edge duty cycle of a pair of input signals. The duty cycle converter includes an edge detector and a signal generator. The edge detector detects and indicates a first transition of a first input signal and a second transition of a second input signal. The signal generator takes the outputs of the edge detector and generates a first output signal and a second output signal. The signal generator causes the cross-point duty cycle of the first output signal to substantially equal the edge duty cycle of the first input cycle. The signal generator does so by forcing a first time delay between adjacent cross-over points of the first and second output signals to be substantially equal to a second time delay between the first transition and the second transition.