Abstract: A semiconductor device for generating first and second internal clocks complementary with each other from an external clock and usable for both a system of a type using a complementary clock and a system of a type generating a 180° phase clock internally, is disclosed. A first clock input circuit (buffer) is supplied with a first external clock and outputs a first internal clock. A second clock input circuit (buffer) is supplied with a second external clock complementary with the first external clock and outputs a second clock. A ½ phase clock generating circuit generates a ½ phase shift signal 180° out of phase with the first internal clock. A second external clock state detection circuit judges whether the second external clock is input to the second clock input buffer.

Abstract: A phase interpolater circuit includes a first adjustable current supply to generate a first current that is based on the amplitude of a first controlled voltage and a first current mirror circuit to generate a second current that is based on the first current. The phase interpolater circuit further includes a first current steering switch to steer the second current to one of first and second nodes to generate a first voltage transition at one of the first and second nodes, the second current being steered to the first node when a first input signal is in a first state and to the second node when the first input signal is in a second state.

Abstract: A method for eliminating races commences with the testing of an integrated circuit for races. If a clock signal which is produced by the integrated circuit is deemed to be a cause of races, at least one transistor region is clipped from an output driver of a clock gater which produces the clock signal. The clipping is performed by reconstructing at least one mask which is used to define the output driver during fabrication of the integrated circuit. In a similar fashion, a method for increasing the rise/fall time of clock edges in an integrated circuit commences with the identification of a clock signal with a clock edge having a poor rise/fall time. The rise/fall time of such a clock edge is increased by clipping at least one transistor region from an output driver of a clock gater which produces the clock signal. Once again, the clipping is performed by reconstructing at least one mask which is used to define the output driver during fabrication of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes a control signal generator for generating a first control signal, a second control signal, and a third control signal; a first inverter for receiving an external address in accordance with the first control signal; a latch enabled by the second control signal and latching an output of the first inverter; and an address signal generator enabled by the third control signal, the address signal generator generating complementary address signals by using outputs of the first inverter and the latch.

Abstract: A buffer stage for buffering an input signal generated by a current controlled oscillator comprising: an input terminal that receives the input signal, an output terminal that outputs a buffered signal, at least one buffer, coupled between the input and output terminals that buffers the input signal to generate the buffered signal, the at least one buffer having a current control terminal; and at least one current source having an output coupled to the current control terminal of the at least one buffer, the at least one current source further including at least one control terminal that receives a buffer control signal so that the current output from the current source substantially equals the current sourced by the at least one buffer.

Abstract: Techniques for providing improved memory flip-flops and other logic circuits are described. A flip-flop uses only one p-channel transistor to drive the output node strongly to achieve fast results. To reduce diffusion area, parallel logic is substantially eliminated and only series branches are used, in critical areas. This allows all pull-up transistors and/or all pull-down transistors to be formed from contiguous active areas. The D-to-Q path is reduced, and the clock is used to control the output. The clock becomes the dominant controller of the output when it is located closest to the output. Placing the clock devices closest to the clocked nodes reduces clock skew. The rising D response time and falling D response time are caused to be as close as possible to reduce the overall cycle time. To reduce parasitics in the circuit, complex-gates are used which are asymmetric. Even multiples of series branches per gate are used to share contacts and eliminate breaks in the layout diffusion.

Abstract: A high gain, low input capacitance clock buffer includes a plurality of transistors configured to supply an inverted representation of an input reference signal by alternatively switching to provide the output. While either of the transistors is operating to switch the input clock signal, the other transistor is in a stable state. Furthermore, by using n-type FET's, significant power reduction and space savings may be achieved.

Abstract: A comparator compares phases of an input data supplied from an input terminal and a synchronizing clock signal output by a variable counter, and outputting a comparison result signal indicative of any of a "lead", a "lag" and a "non-detection" of the edge of the input data with respect to the up edge of the synchronizing clock signal. A state detector circuit detects the numbers of "leads" and "lags" in comparison result signals output by the comparator, and outputting a state detected signal indicative of any of "the number of leads is larger", "the number of lags is larger" and "the number of leads is equal to the number of lags". A dividing ratio selection circuit outputs a dividing ratio signal indicative of any of a "dividing ratio smaller than a reference dividing ratio", a "dividing ratio greater than the reference dividing ratio" and the "reference dividing ratio", based on the comparison result signals output by the comparator and state detected signals output by the state detector circuit.

Abstract: A phase interpolator with noise immunity. The phase interpolator includes a voltage-to-current conversion circuit that receives a differential voltage and generates a differential current. The differential current is mirrored and provided to a phase Max/Min detector circuit and current switches. The phase Max/Min detectors may generate signals for a phase selector circuit. The current switches provide the mirrored current to a phase comparator and a load circuit in response to input vectors and a quadrant select signal. The phase comparator generates output waveforms from the phase interpolator.

Abstract: An input circuit includes a pair of common-base circuits having respective transistors including respective bases to which differential signals transmitted through a transmission line are input and constant current sources connected to the emitters of the transistors, and a level shift circuit for inputting, to the emitters of the common-base circuits, differential signals with anti-phase relation to the differential signals input to the bases of the common-base circuits. This input circuit has lower power consumption and can be used to match impedance.

Abstract: Phase shift amplifier formed by a differential pair of input transistors each collector of which transistors is connected to a respective phase shift resistor and to a phase shift capacitor, whereas the other ends of each phase shift resistor form nodes A and B respectively, while the other ends of the phase shift capacitors are connected in a cross-coupling. According to the invention, the nodes A and B are connected to the input of amplifiers of the transimpedance type at the output of which amplifiers a differential signal is available which is phase shifted relative to the differential input signal.

Abstract: A multi-phase clock generator for receiving an external clock signal through a PLL and for generating a plurality of internal clock signals differing in phase from each other. The multi-phase clock generator includes two large gates whose outputs are the two internal clock signals, and two latch circuits for controlling the logic gate outputs. The output from the PLL is fed forward to the logic gates so that the rise of one internal clock signal is separated from a prior fall of the other internal clock signal by a period related to the frequency of the PLL output.

Abstract: A frequency multiplier circuit receives an input signal and generates an output signal. The input waveform (110) has a frequency F.sub.1. The output waveform (112) has a frequency nF.sub.1 wherein n is an even integer. The frequency multiplier circuit comprises first and second transistors T.sub.1 and T.sub.2, each transistor having a base, emitter, and collector. The emitters of each transistor are coupled together and are connected to an output load (108). The collectors of each transistor are coupled together and are connected to a voltage potential (109). The base of each transistor receives an input waveform, wherein a first input waveform (110) at the first transistor base is 180.degree. out of phase with a second input waveform (111) at the second transistor base.

Abstract: A remote clock signal generation means is provided which allows a plurality of clock signals to be generated remotely at the "leaf" level thereby removing the need to have multiple clock signals at the system, or "tree" level. More particularly, this system is designed for use in an LBIST circuit featuring LSSD master-slave clock control. This disclosure teaches a clock control method and structure in which the master and slave clocks are generated directly from the system clock after the clock powering logic to thereby avoid intrusion or modification effects associated with logical manipulation of the clock signals.

Abstract: This invention provides a frequency converting circuit that does not require balance adjustment, can be used in a broad frequency band, and is well-suited to implementation in the form of an integrated circuit. A first input signal undergoes a phase shift into 2.sup.o (where n is a natural number of 2 or greater) respective channel signals, each with a different phase, for output. A second input signal is used to generate switch signals 10 numbered 1 . . . n. The 2.sup.n channel signals are switched according to the first switch signal, reducing the number of channels by 1/2, for output. The output of the (m-1) th switch (where m is a natural number of 2 . . . n) is switched according to the mth switch signal, reducing the number of channels by 1/2 for output, at switch m. This process is repeated continuously from switches 2-n until the signal is output as a single channel signal.

Abstract: A complementary clock system is disclosed for producing antiphase clock signals. The system includes a clock generator for producing a first clock signal (t3) and a second clock signal (t4). A first and second driver stage coupled to the clock generator for driving respective clock lines having a capacitive load that corresponds to a first load capacitance and a second load capacitance, respectively. A switchable current path coupled between the first and second clock lines which contains a gating circuit and at least one inductive element. The gating circuit being in a conducting state essentially during the switching intervals (ti) of the first and second clock signals (t3, t4).

Abstract: A signal delay device is provided which enhances noise immunity by using a differential circuit, but also maintains the phase of the input clock signals. This device will also correct the phase of clock signals which are input to the delay device in an out of phase condition. The present invention is a delay circuit that includes functionally connecting each of the output signals with each of the input signals. Thus, the output signals are dependent on the same input and the steady state condition is the point where the leading edge of a first output signal intersects the trailing edge of a second output signal at the point which corresponds to one half of the pulse height of both signals. Since the signals are complements of one another, they will cross at 50% of their pulse height when they are "in phase". Thus, the present invention will maintain "in phase" input signals and seek an "in phase" condition for signals that are input to the delay circuit which are "out of phase".

Abstract: A method of setting the polarity of a digital signal coming from a first integrated circuit, said digital signal being representative of data generated within the integrated circuit and requiring application to an input of a second integrated circuit that requires a predetermined polarity. The method comprises storing the required polarity externally to said first integrated circuit at its digital signal output, an acquisition sequence for acquiring the stored polarity while the data is inactive, and an application sequence for applying the acquired polarity to the information when active in order to generate on an output of said first integrated circuit the digital signal for application to the input of said second integrated circuit. The method is applicable in digital systems that include integrated circuits that may come from different sources.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a balanced set of inputs and a phase splitting circuit. The phase splitting circuit has a first input terminal that is coupled to the balanced set of inputs and a second input terminal that is coupled to the balanced set of inputs. The phase splitting circuit further comprises a balanced phase shifting network, a first set of output terminals, and a second set of output terminals. The balanced phase shifting network is coupled to the first: input terminal and the second input terminal. The first set of output terminals provides a voltage representative of a first voltage across a resistive portion of the balanced phase shifting network in response to an input voltage at the balanced set of inputs. The second set of output terminals provides a voltage representative of a second voltage across a reactive portion of the balanced phase shifting network in response to the input voltage at the balanced set of inputs.

Abstract: A polarity control circuit for selectively providing a signal received at a data port to a first output port, and a second complementary output port, with a state as determined by a polarity selection signal provided to the polarity control circuit. The polarity control circuit includes circuitry configured to reduce gate delays.

Abstract: An inverter stage includes a supply voltage terminal and a reference potential terminal. An npn transistor has a base terminal for receiving an input signal, a collector terminal for supplying an output signal, and an emitter terminal. A controllable current source is connected between the emitter terminal of the transistor and the reference potential terminal. A series circuit of at least two diodes is connected between the supply voltage terminal and the collector terminal of the transistor. A symmetrical inverter stage assembly includes two of the inverter stages being connected in parallel with the emitters of the transistors of each of the inverter stages being connected to one another. A ring oscillator includes n (n.gtoreq.1) of the inverter stages connected in series. The inverter stages include first and last inverter stages, each of the inverter stages has an output and an input, and the output of the last inverter stage is connected to the input of the first inverter stage.

Abstract: A data inverting circuit which operates stably at high speed without a negative-feedback loop includes operational amplifier 13 for generating, from inverting reference voltage VREF applied from an external source, a voltage which is twice the inverting reference voltage, and outputting the generated voltage between node N1 and ground line 4. Bipolar transistor Q1 has a base supplied with analog input signal VIN and a collector connected to resistor R6, which is connected to the emitter of transistor Q2 connected as a diode and having a base connected to node N1. The emitter of transistor Q1 is connected to ground line 4 through resistor R7 having the same resistance as resistor R6.

Abstract: An input buffer circuit is provided that has improved speed performance. The input buffer circuit has a voltage swing of V.sub.DD -V.sub.th to V.sub.SS. In so doing, the speed of the input buffer signal from input to output is significantly increased. In addition, the circuit also incorporates an additional current leaker transistor that limits the output high voltage from going above V.sub.DD -V.sub.th.

Abstract: A clock generator for producing a pair of nonoverlapping clock signals. Each of a pair of output clock signals is generated by an associated AND gate having a first input connected directly to a clock input and having a second input connected through a delay element. Mechanisms are included to sense the amount of delay introduced by this delay element and to select a new delay value when the sensed delay is outside of an operating range.

Abstract: A data transmitting/receiving apparatus comprises a master clock signal and a slave clock signal which differ in phase with each other according to a basic clock signal. Serial data is input according to the produced master clock signal or slave clock signal, a protocol process is applied to the input serial data, and the serial data subjected to the protocol process is output according to the master clock signal or the slave clock signal. A start delimiter detecting signal is generated when a start delimiter indicating the first frame is detected in the input serial data and phases are exchanged between the master clock signal and the slave clock signal when there arises a shift on a bit boundary of the serial data when the start delimiter detecting signal is generated.