Abstract: An integrated circuit chip can provide protection with registers of a register file. A processor can be part of general or security-oriented (e.g., root-of-trust (RoT)) circuitry. In described implementations, the processor includes multiple register blocks for storing multiple register values. The processor also includes multiple integrity blocks for storing multiple integrity codes. A respective integrity block is associated with a respective register block. The respective integrity block can store a respective integrity code that is derived from a respective register value that is stored in the respective register block. The integrity code can enable detection or correction of one or more corrupted bits in the register value. An integrity controller of the processor can monitor the register value regularly or in response to an access by an execution unit. The controller can take a protective action if corruption is detected. This enables information protection to extend to processor execution units.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises processing circuitry to process data access operations specifying a virtual address of data to be loaded from or stored to a data store, and proxy identifier determining circuitry to determine a proxy identifier for a data access operation to be processed by the data access circuitry, the proxy identifier having fewer bits than a physical address corresponding to the virtual address specified by the data access operation. The processing circuitry comprises at least one buffer to buffer information (including the proxy identifier) associated with one or more pending data access operations awaiting processing. Address translation circuitry determines the physical address corresponding to the virtual address specified for a data access operation after that data access operation has progressed beyond said at least one buffer.

Abstract: Data storage apparatus comprises detection circuitry configured to detect a match between a multi-bit reference memory address and a test address, the test address being a combination of a multi-bit base address and a multi-bit address offset, the detection circuitry comprising: a comparator configured to compare, as a first comparison, a first subset of bits of the reference memory address with a combination of the corresponding first subset of bits of the base address and the corresponding first subset of bits of the address offset; the comparator being configured to compare, as a second comparison, a second, different subset of bits of the reference memory address with the corresponding second subset of bits of the base address; a detector configured to detect the match between the reference memory address and the test address when both of the first comparison and the second comparison detect a respective match; and control circuitry configured to control operation of the data storage apparatus in dependen

Abstract: An apparatus comprises processing circuitry to process data access operations specifying a virtual address of data to be loaded from or stored to a data store, and proxy identifier determining circuitry to determine a proxy identifier for a data access operation to be processed by the data access circuitry, the proxy identifier having fewer bits than a physical address corresponding to the virtual address specified by the data access operation. The processing circuitry comprises at least one buffer to buffer information (including the proxy identifier) associated with one or more pending data access operations awaiting processing. Address translation circuitry determines the physical address corresponding to the virtual address specified for a data access operation after that data access operation has progressed beyond said at least one buffer.

Abstract: Data storage apparatus comprises detection circuitry configured to detect a match between a multi-bit reference memory address and a test address, the test address being a combination of a multi-bit base address and a multi-bit address offset, the detection circuitry comprising: a comparator configured to compare, as a first comparison, a first subset of bits of the reference memory address with a combination of the corresponding first subset of bits of the base address and the corresponding first subset of bits of the address offset; the comparator being configured to compare, as a second comparison, a second, different subset of bits of the reference memory address with the corresponding second subset of bits of the base address; a detector configured to detect the match between the reference memory address and the test address when both of the first comparison and the second comparison detect a respective match; and control circuitry configured to control operation of the data storage apparatus in dependen

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) comprising TLB entries for storing address translation data for translating virtual addresses to physical addresses. Hazard checking circuitry detects a hazard condition when two data access transactions correspond to the same physical address. The hazard checking circuitry includes a TLB entry identifier comparator to compare TLB entry identifiers identifying the TLB entries corresponding to the two data access transactions. The hazard condition is detected in dependence on whether the TLB entry identifiers match.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. The method includes avoiding the formation of islands of materials that are fed into the channel induction furnace. The method also involves breaking up islands of materials that are formed within the channel induction furnace. The method further involves adding a heat-conducting metal material into the channel induction furnace together with the feed material.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. The method involves the use a variety of feed materials that contribute to the molten metal product and/or the vapor phase metal product and/or the slag product and/or function as a binder for briquetting or pelletizing the feed material.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. The method includes applying a controlled vacuum on the headspace of the channel induction furnace to controlling the amount of ambient air that enters the furnace or adding oxygen into the channel induction furnace. The method also includes controlling the carbon concentration in the molten bath in the channel induction furnace to control the fluidity of the bath.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. A molten metal bath is maintained in the channel induction furnace and the method includes adding a reductant such as carbon or a carbon containing material directly into the molten metal bath independently of the feed material.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. The method involves maintaining a slag layer on the molten bath that has a thickness that is sufficient to support the feed material while minimizing heat transfer through the slag layer and minimizing the resistance of vapor phase components from transferring through the slag layer. The fluidity of the slag layer is controlled by heating the slag layer and adjusting the chemistry of the slag layer.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. The method includes applying a controlled vacuum on the headspace of the channel induction furnace to controlling the amount of ambient air that enters the furnace or adding oxygen into the channel induction furnace. The method also includes controlling the carbon concentration in the molten bath in the channel induction furnace to control the fluidity of the bath.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. The method includes avoiding the formation of islands of materials that are fed into the channel induction furnace. The method also involves breaking up islands of materials that are formed within the channel induction furnace. The method further involves adding a heat-conducting metal material into the channel induction furnace together with the feed material.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. The method involves maintaining a slag layer on the molten bath that has a thickness that is sufficient to support the feed material while minimizing heat transfer through the slag layer and minimizing the resistance of vapor phase components from transferring through the slag layer. The fluidity of the slag layer is controlled by heating the slag layer and adjusting the chemistry of the slag layer.

Abstract: A method of operating a channel induction furnace to process a feed material and obtain therefrom at least one of a molten metal product, a vapor phase metal product and a slag product. A molten metal bath is maintained in the channel induction furnace and the method includes adding a reductant such as carbon or a carbon containing material directly into the molten metal bath independently of the feed material.

Abstract: An expandable and retractable ramp assembly for conveying moving objects onto a cargo carrying surface of a cargo transporting apparatus comprising: a. a pair of opposed, parallel scissors assemblies, with each scissors assembly including a plurality of scissors link members pivotally attached to other scissors link members of the same scissors assembly. A plurality of tread support assemblies, extend between and are pivotally attached to one of the scissors link members of each opposed scissors assembly. Each tread support assembly is constructed of a plurality of support members pivotally attached to the scissors link members of each opposed scissors assembly. Each tread support assembly supports at least one tread plate. In an embodiment, each slidable mounting bracket includes a compressible cushion member that prevents the ramp from reaching a flat or over-center position when in the expanded position.

Abstract: An expandable and contractable ramp assembly is provided for moving handicapped persons between a first elevation and a structure such as a transport vehicle or a stationary structure at a second elevation. The ramp assembly comprises an attachment assembly adapted to removably secure a first end of the ramp assembly to the vehicle or structure, the ramp assembly being expandable and contractable in a linear direction. The attachment assembly provides pivotal movement of the ramp assembly in an arcuate direction for storage of the ramp assembly when not in use. The ramp assembly comprises a pair of parallel disposed scissors assemblies, the scissors assemblies moveable between expanded and contracted positions. A light weight tread support assembly extends between and is operatively connected to the pair of parallel scissors assemblies, the tread support assembly including a plurality of tread plates connected to a tread plate support structure that supports the tread plates.