Abstract: In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system on a chip (SoC) including a first clock divider configured to: receive an oscillator signal at a first frequency; produce, based on the oscillator signal: a first clock signal at the first frequency; and a second clock signal at a second frequency, the second frequency being a division of the first frequency. The first clock divider can selectively provide the first clock signal or the second clock signal as a first output clock signal based on a scaling configuration signal. The first clock divider can produce a frequency indication signal indicating, in combination with the first output clock signal, a start of a new clock period of the second clock signal. The SoC can include a second clock divider configured to provide a second clock output signal based on the first output clock signal and the frequency indication signal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable medium described herein relate to techniques for characterizing and/or anomaly detection in integrated circuits such as, but not limited to, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). In one example aspect of certain example embodiments, a fully digital technique relies on the pulse width of signals propagated through a path under test. In another example aspect, the re-configurability of the integrated circuit is leveraged to combine the pulse propagation technique with a delay characterization technique to yield better detection of certain type of Trojans and the like. Another example aspect provides for running the test through reconfigurable path segments in order to isolate and identify anomalous circuit elements. Yet another example aspect provides for performing the characterization and anomaly detection without requiring golden references and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments included herein are directed towards a fractional feedback divider circuit and associated method. The circuit may include a programmable feedback divider including a plurality of flip-flops arranged in series. The programmable feedback divider may be configured to receive an input clock signal and a reset signal comprising at least one pulse and to generate a divided clock. The circuit may include reset logic configured to receive an input from the programmable feedback divider and to generate a reset signal. The circuit may include a first D flip-flop configured to receive the reset signal and to generate an output and a second D flip-flop configured to receive the output from the first D flip-flop and to generate a second output. The circuit may further include a multiplexer configured to receive the second output and to generate an output clock signal.

Abstract: A frequency divider circuit includes a counter configured to generate a counter signal responsive to a frequency of a clock signal and a frequency ratio, and a compensation circuit coupled to the counter, and configured to generate an output signal. The output signal has a frequency equal to the frequency of the clock signal divided by a frequency ratio, and a duty cycle lower than 50% and greater than 1/r, where r is the frequency ratio.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a signal synchronizing device and a digital signal output device. A digital circuit counts a first frequency signal to generate a count value, and generates an output voltage according to the count value. An analog circuit generates a feedback signal according to the output voltage. A synchronization circuit samples the feedback signal according to a second frequency signal to generate a synchronization signal. A control circuit generates a voltage control signal according to the second frequency signal and the synchronization signal to control the digital circuit to stop counting the first frequency signal, and a frequency of the first frequency signal is lower than a frequency of the second frequency signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a frequency divider circuit that includes a superharmonically injection-locked ring oscillator, injection circuitry, and various switches. The input can include a collection of signal components at different phases that are all at the same, but changeable, frequency. The divider's division ratio can be changed during the divider's operation by, for example, utilizing one or more switches to change: the number of stages in the ring oscillator, and/or which stage(s) of the ring oscillator are injected into by which input signal components.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to multi-modulus frequency dividers, devices including the same, and associated methods of operation. A method of operating a multi-modulus divider (MMD) may include receiving, at the MMD, an input signal at a first frequency. The method may also include generating, via the MMD, an output signal at a second, lower frequency based on a divisor value. Further, the method may include receiving, at the MMD, an integer value. Moreover, the method may include setting the divisor value equal to the integer value in response to a current state of the MMD matching a common state for the MMD, wherein the MMD is configured to enter the common state regardless of the divisor value.

Abstract: A playback synchronization method and device and a USB sound card are disclosed. In the technical solutions according to the present disclosure, the number of writes for writing data into the audio data buffer by the write pointer of the master device and the number of reads for reading data from the audio data buffer by the read pointer of the slave device are acquired, and it is determined whether the data transmission of the master and slave devices is synchronized or not by judging the magnitude relationship between the number of writes and the number of reads. If it is not synchronized, the position of the read pointer is adjusted so that the write pointer and the read pointer are synchronized again, i.e., the write data and the read data are synchronized again. Thus, the problem that the clocks of the master and slave devices are relatively independent and the data transmission is not synchronized due to the clock deviation is solved.

Abstract: A counter, a counting method and an apparatus for image sensing are introduced in the present disclosure. The counter includes a plurality of dual phase clock generators and a plurality of column counters. Each of the plurality of dual phase clock generator receives a common clock signal and generates dual phase clock signals which comprise a first clock signal and a second clock signal according to the common clock signal. Each of the plurality of column counters is coupled to one of the plurality of dual phase clock generators to receive the first clock signal and the second clock signal, and is configured to output a counting value according to the first clock signal and the second clock signal. Each of the plurality of dual phase clock generators provides the first clock signal and the second clock signal to a group of the plurality of column counters.

Abstract: One or more processors determine a first amount of data that was provided to a program by a data source. One or more processors analyze a degree of usage of the first amount of data by the program. One or more processors determine a second amount of data that was used by the program based, at least in part, on the degree of usage. The second amount of data is a portion of the first amount of data.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention discloses a frequency divider. The frequency divider comprises a ripple counter unit, a reload signal output unit and a state extend unit. The ripple counter unit is configured to output a plurality of frequency divided signals according to a clock signal. The reload signal is output unit, coupled to the ripple counter unit, and is configured to determine whether the ripple counter unit is in a termination state and output a reload signal according to the frequency divided signals and a mask signal. The state extend unit is coupled to the ripple counter unit and the reload signal output unit, and is configured to output the mask signal according to the reload signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to multi-modulus frequency dividers, devices including the same, and associated methods of operation. A method of operating a multi-modulus divider (MMD) may include determining a common state for the MMD, wherein the MMD is configured to enter the common state regardless of a divisor value applied to the MMD. The method may further include receiving an integer value at the MMD. Further, the method may include setting the divisor value equal to the integer value. The method may also include receiving an input signal at a first frequency and generating an output signal at a second, lower frequency based on the divisor value. The method may also include receiving a second integer value at the MMD. The method may further include setting the divisor value equal to the second integer value in response to a detected current state of the MMD matching the common state for the MMD.

Abstract: Present invention relate to a wideband signal source. The wideband signal source comprises a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a first buffer and a programmable frequency extender. The VCO outputs a signal with at least N:1 frequency tuning ratio, with N being an integer or a non-integer number larger than 1. The frequency extender receives the signal via the buffer to generate a final output, which has a wider frequency band than the signal. The buffer isolates the final output from interfering VCO for VCO operation stability. The frequency extender comprises at least a 1/N frequency divider, which matches the N:1 frequency tuning ratio of the signal, such that the final output has a gapless frequency band wider than the VCO output signal.

Abstract: Provided is a periodic signal generation circuit including: a clock generation unit suitable for generating first to Nth clocks which have a basic period and have a phase increasing sequentially by a time interval obtained by dividing the basic period by “N”; a pulse generation unit suitable for generating first to Nth periodic pulses having an equal pulse width and having a phase increasing sequentially by a time interval obtained by dividing the basic period by “N” by combining two or more clocks among the first to Nth clocks; and a periodic signal generation unit suitable for generating a periodic signal by combining one or more periodic pulses among the first to Nth periodic pulses depending on combination information.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a first oscillator having an oscillation frequency dependent on an input signal at a first input, where the first oscillator is configured to oscillate when an enable input is in a first state and freeze its phase or reduce its frequency when the enable input is in a second state. The circuit also includes a first time-to-digital converter having an input coupled to an output of the first oscillator, and a pulse generator having an input coupled to a first clock input of the circuit and an output coupled to the enable input of the first oscillator, where the pulse generator is configured to produce a pulse having pulse width less than a period of a clock signal at the first clock input.

Abstract: A method of operating a data storage device includes fetching a first plurality of commands from at least one submission queue generated in a host memory, determining whether a ratio of a second plurality of commands from among the fetched first plurality of commands exceeds a reference ratio, and adjusting a number of a plurality of pointers being fetched at substantially a same time based on determining whether the ratio exceeds the reference ratio. The second plurality of commands has a same property, the plurality of pointers indicates a physical address of the host memory corresponding to the first plurality of commands, and the data storage device includes a storage controller configured to perform an interfacing operation with a host including the host memory.

Abstract: A frequency divider circuit comprises a first divider chain including at least one first divider cell and a second divider chain coupled to the first divider chain to form an extendable divider chain. The second divider chain includes at least one second divider cell with a respective reset control. An effective length of the extendable divider chain may be altered, dynamically, via the respective reset control. Altering the effective length, dynamically, enables a division ratio of the frequency divider circuit to be changed, dynamically. The frequency divider circuit may be advantageously employed by applications that rely upon a dynamic division ratio, such as a fractional-N (frac-N) phase-locked loop (PLL).

Abstract: An apparatus and a computer-implemented method for generating pulses synchronized to a rising edge of a tachometer signal from rotating machinery are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, a pulse state machine may be configured to generate a plurality of pulses, and a period state machine may be configured to determine a period for each of the plurality of pulses.

Abstract: A digital phase-and-frequency controller. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) a first segment accumulator operable to accumulate errors while an accumulation-selection signal has a first value and (2) a second segment accumulator operable to accumulate errors while said accumulation-selection signal has a second value, and (3) circuitry operable to produce the control signal using the errors accumulated in the first segment accumulator while a use-selection signal has a first value and the errors accumulated in the second segment accumulator while the use-selection signal has a second value.

Abstract: An optical transmitter includes: a digital signal process unit that generates a drive signal for generating multi-carrier signals through a plurality of independent digital signal processes, the multi-carrier signals having a cyclic prefix and to be transmitted by a parallel transmission; a synchronization unit that synchronizes clocks of the plurality of digital signal processes; and an adjust unit that reduces a delay difference of the cyclic prefix between the multi-carrier signals after the parallel transmission.

Abstract: A divided clock signal is generated from an input clock signal. The duty cycle of the divided clock signal is programmed by generating a compare value based on values of duty cycle input and a divide value of the input clock signal. The compare value is compared to a count value to generate short and long pulse signals. The divided clock signal is generated based on the short and long pulse signals. The duty cycle of the divided clock signal varies in accordance with the compare value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for synchronizing dividers in different LO paths using pulse swallowing. One example apparatus generally includes a first path having a first frequency divider configured to generate a first divided signal from a first periodic signal; a second path having a second frequency divider configured to generate a second divided signal from a second periodic signal; a phase detector configured to compare phases of a first sensing signal based on the first divided signal and a second sensing signal based on the second divided signal and to generate a first trigger signal if the first and second sensing signals are out-of-phase; and a first pulse suppressor configured to suppress a pulse of the first periodic signal for at least one cycle in response to the first trigger signal to adjust a phase of the first divided signal.

Abstract: A fractional-N frequency divider includes a half-integer frequency divider and a duty cycle adjustment circuit. The half-integer frequency divider includes a multi-modulus divider containing a cascaded chain of div2/3 cells, which is responsive to a multi-bit modulus control signal, and a phase control circuit configured support half-integer frequency division by the multi-modulus divider, by providing an input terminal of the multi-modulus divider with a periodically phase-flipped input signal having a first frequency. The duty-cycle adjustment circuit is configured to generate a divider output signal with a 50% duty cycle in response to a periodic signal generated by the half-integer frequency divider.

Abstract: A programmable high-speed frequency divider architecture is provided that is programmable to divide an input clock signal frequency by a selectable division N. The frequency divider architecture has a shift register circuit having N/2 shift register stages, connected in series when N is an even integer and trunc[N/2]+1 shift register stages when N is an odd integer. The frequency divider architecture includes a feedback logic circuit that performs a logical NAND of the output clock signal with the logical ORed result of a pre-output signal provided from a shift register stage prior to the output stage and another signal that indicates whether the selectable divisor N is odd or even.

Abstract: An RF transceiver circuit is disclosed herein. In accordance with one example of the disclosure the RF transceiver circuit includes a phase-locked-loop (PLL) with a fractional-N multi-modulus divider. The PLL operates in accordance with a PLL clock frequency and generates a frequency modulated RF output signal. The RF transceiver circuit further includes a modulator unit, which is configured to generate a sequence of division values dependent on a set of modulation parameters. The modulator operates in accordance with a system clock frequency, which is lower than the PLL clock frequency. A sample rate conversion unit is coupled between the modulator unit and a fractional-N multi-modulus divider. The sample rate conversion unit is configured to interpolate the sequence of division ratios to provide an interpolated sequence of division ratios at a rate corresponding to the PLL clock frequency.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method for controlling a motor. The apparatus for controlling a motor includes a signal detection unit detecting a first signal, a sampling unit acquiring the number of pulses of the first signal included in a predetermined sampling period, and an operation unit dividing the sampling period into a predetermined number of, a plurality of sub periods, and computing a speed of a motor by allocating predetermined weights to the number of pulses of the first signal included in the plurality of respective sub periods, wherein the operation unit computes the speed of the motor by controlling at least one of the weights and the number of sub periods when the number of pulses of the first signal included in the plurality of respective sub periods is different.

Abstract: A system-on-chip includes a clock controller configured to decrease an operating frequency of at least one function block based on a change in an operating state of the at least one function block from an active state to an idle state. In a method of operating a system-on-chip including at least one function block, an operating frequency of the at least one function block is decreased based on a change in an operating state of the at least one function block from an active state to an idle state. The decreased operating frequency is greater than zero.

Abstract: A frequency divider circuit includes an adder circuit, multiplexer circuits, and a phase interpolator circuit. The adder circuit generates a summed value. The multiplexer circuits receive first periodic signals and generate second periodic signals by selecting among the first periodic signals based on the summed value. The phase interpolator circuit generates a third periodic signal using a weighted average of the second periodic signals that is determined based on the summed value.

Abstract: One of the most important RF building blocks today is the frequency synthesizer, or more particularly the programmable frequency divider (divider). Such dividers preferably would support unlimited range with continuous division without incorrect divisions or loss of PLL lock. The inventors present multi-modulus dividers (MMDs) providing extended division range against the prior art and without incorrect divisions as the division ratio is switched back and forth across the boundary between two different ranges. Accordingly, the inventors present MMD frequency dividers without the drawbacks within the prior art.

Abstract: A digital fractional frequency divider for fractionally dividing a digital frequency signal can include a plurality of clock division counter modules, a plurality of sampling modules, and a summing module. The plurality of clock division counter modules can each receive an input clock signal that is phase-shifted from a remaining plurality of input clock signals. Each clock division counter module can generate a long periodic pulse from the received input clock signal. Each sampling module can couple to an output of one of the plurality of clock division counter modules and can generate a short periodic pulse from the long periodic pulse. The summing module can sum the plurality of short periodic pulses to generate a fractional frequency clock signal.

Abstract: An open loop clock divider circuit includes (a) a first divider configured to receive an incoming clock signal and output a first divided clock signal, (b) a flying-adder synthesizer configured to fractionally divide the first divided clock signal and output a fractionally divided clock signal, and (c) a second divider configured to receive the fractionally divided clock signal and output a second divided clock signal. The open loop clock divider circuit advantageously provides a fractional divider in which there is no feedback loop between the source frequency (fs) and the destination frequency (fd). Methods of generating a divided clock signal involving the open loop clock divider circuit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing the output signal phase of a plurality of frequency divider circuits in a local-oscillator (LO) or clock signal path is disclosed. The LO path includes a plurality of frequency divider circuits and a LO buffer for receiving a LO signal coupled to the plurality of frequency divider circuits. The method and system comprise adding offset voltage and setting predetermined state to each of the frequency divider circuits; and enabling the frequency divider circuits. The method and system includes enabling the LO buffer to provide the LO signal to the frequency divider circuits after they have been enabled. When the LO signal drives each of the frequency divider circuits, each of the frequency divider circuits starts an operation. Finally the method and system comprise removing the offset voltage from each of the frequency divider circuits to allow them to effectively drive other circuits.

Abstract: A counting circuit includes: a clock division unit configured to divide a reference clock signal at a preset division ratio and generate a divided clock signal, a counting unit configured to count the divided clock signal, and a counting control unit configured to enable the counting unit during an enable period corresponding to the division ratio.

Abstract: A shift frequency divider circuit includes: an inverter; N?1 registers; and N?2 logic gates; wherein each reset terminal of the register is connected to a system reset signal terminal; an output terminal of the inverter is respectively connected to an input terminal of the No. 1 register and input terminals of all the logic gates; all the logic gates are respectively connected between output terminals and input terminals of the No. 1 register to the No. N?1 register, and the output terminal of the No. 1 register is connected to another input terminal of the No. 1 logic gate, an output terminal of the No. 1 logic gate is connected to the input terminal of the No. 2 register; an output terminal of the No. N?2 logic gate is connected to the input terminal of the No. N?1 register.

Abstract: A frequency divider is disclosed. The frequency divider includes a multi-modulus prescaler to perform a frequency division by a modulus M, wherein M is an integer between N and 2*N?1 and N is a power of 2. The frequency divider also includes a programmable counter to output the digital representation of M and an output clock signal. For the frequency divider, M equals N plus D minus D\N for each edge of the multi-modulus prescaler output clock CKpr wherein the counter samples the digital representation of D and D\N denotes an integer part of D divided by N, and M equals N for each subsequent edge of the prescaler output clock CKpr wherein the counter does not sample the digital representation of D.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing a functional reset between first and second clock domains that operate on first and second clock signals, respectively. The system includes first, second and third synchronizer flip-flops that operate on the second clock signal. The first synchronizer flip-flop receives a functional reset signal generated by the first clock domain at its reset terminal and generates a low output signal. The low output signal causes the second synchronizer flip-flop and subsequently the third synchronizer flip-flop to generate low output signals at positive edges of the second clock signal. The low output signal generated by the third synchronizer flip-flop is used to reset the second clock domain.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and fabrication techniques relating to management of noise arising from capacitance in a clock tree of an integrated circuit. In some embodiments, the methods comprise receiving a signal to adjust a clock having a first rate to a second rate; and ramping, in response to receiving the signal, the clock from the first rate to the second rate, wherein the ramping comprises changing the frequency of the clock to at least one third rate between the first and second rates.

Abstract: A prescalar counter may be configured to repeatedly increment once for each cycle of a clock signal at a first frequency and reset upon reaching a threshold counter value. The prescalar counter may also include toggling logic configured to generate a clock pulse of a global time base signal upon each reset of the prescalar counter. A frequency divider may be configured to divide the global time base signal into a plurality of separate clock signals with each of the separate clock signals having a different frequency. The frequency divider may also be configured to provide, to each of a plurality of timers, one of the separate clock signals.

Abstract: Described are a multi-modulus frequency divider and event counter that are based on time-interleaved signals generated from a received signal. For the frequency divider, each time-interleaved clock signal generated from a received clock signal is provided to a bit counter and the output signal from each bit counter is provided to a multiplexer. A multiplexer selection module controls over time which one of the output signals from the bit counters is presented at the output of the multiplexer. The transition frequency of the bits in the time-interleaved clock signals allows various circuit components such as the bit counters to be implemented as CMOS components. Thus the frequency divider is more power-efficient than conventional frequency divider circuits operating at high clock frequencies.

Abstract: A frequency divider of an injection locked type capable of division by 2, division by 4, and further division by 8 with a simpler configuration is disclosed and the frequency divider includes a ring oscillator including M (M is an even number) delay elements, the tails of two delay elements M/2 delay elements apart from each other are connected to a differential pair and transistors, to the gates of which the input oscillation signal is applied, are connected to the differential pair, and the differential pair is caused to generate a differential signal of the input oscillation signal, which is a divide-by-2 signal of the input oscillation signal, and when dividing the frequency of the input oscillation signal by 8, the portion of the differential pair to be connected to the tail of the delay element is caused to have a two-stage configuration, which is a vertically stacked configuration.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a latch circuit comprising a sensing arrangement with one or more sensing transistors adapted to sense an input signal and to provide a first signal based on the sensed input signal, and a sensing arrangement switch device connected or connectable to a first current source, the sensing arrangement switch device being adapted to switch on or off a current to the one or more sensing transistors based on a first clock signal.

Abstract: A prescalar counter may be configured to repeatedly increment once for each cycle of a clock signal at a first frequency and reset upon reaching a threshold counter value. The prescalar counter may also include toggling logic configured to generate a clock pulse of a global time base signal upon each reset of the prescalar counter. A frequency divider may be configured to divide the global time base signal into a plurality of separate clock signals with each of the separate clock signals having a different frequency. The frequency divider may also be configured to provide, to each of a plurality of timers, one of the separate clock signals.

Abstract: A multi-phase frequency divider comprises first and second latches configured to receive a first input clock having a first frequency and a first phase, wherein the second latch receives the inverted first input clock. The first and second latches generate a plurality of output clocks each having a frequency that equals the first frequency divided by a predetermined divider ratio. The plurality of output clocks each have different phases staggered from the first phase. The frequency divider also comprises at least a first delay latch electrically connected between the first and second latches. The first delay latch is configured to generate, based on an output clock generated by the first latch and a second input clock at the first frequency and a second phase, two delayed output clocks. These two delayed output clocks have a frequency that equals the first frequency divided by the predetermined ratio with different staggered phases.

Abstract: A divider for use in an integrated circuit chip, such as a clock generator chip, includes a ramp generator circuit configured to generate a ramp signal and a synchronous detector circuit configured to receive the ramp signal and an input clock signal and to responsively control the ramp signal generator circuit to generate an output clock signal at an output of the synchronous detector circuit. In some embodiments, the synchronous detector circuit may include a voltage threshold detector circuit configured to receive the ramp signal and to generate a detection signal responsive thereto and a synchronous latch circuit having a clock input configured to receive the input clock signal and a data input configured to receive the detection signal. The synchronous latch circuit may be configured to control the ramp generator circuit.

Abstract: A divider for providing an output signal having an output frequency by dividing a reference frequency of a reference signal by a divider value is disclosed. The divider includes at least a first divider element configured to provide a first divider output signal having a first divider output signal frequency which is half of the reference frequency and a last divider element configured to provide a last divider output signal having a last divider output signal frequency which half of the preceding divider output signal frequency. Furthermore, the divider comprises an output signal provider for providing the output signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with low power consumption and a small area is provided. By using a transistor including an oxide semiconductor for a channel as a transistor included in a flip-flop circuit, a divider circuit in which the number of transistors is small, power consumption is low, and the area is small can be achieved. By using the divider circuit, a semiconductor device which operates stably and is highly reliable can be provided.

Abstract: A frequency includes a first edge detection unit configured to generate a first count signal responsive to detecting first edges of an input signal and a second edge detection unit configured to generate a second count signal responsive to detecting the first edges of the input signal in a first operation mode and to generate the second count signal responsive to detecting second edges of the input signal in a second operation mode. One of the first and second edges is a rising edge and the other of the first and second edges is a falling edge. A pulse triggered buffer unit generates an output signal responsive to the first and second count signals. The output signal is divided by a target division ratio with respect to the input signal that is an odd number division ratio in one mode and an even number division ratio in the other mode.

Abstract: The timing generation circuit includes a binary counter constituted of three T-flip-flop circuits, and a binary state at reset of the binary counter is also used at system reset and in generation of the output pulses, to generate eight output pulses having different timings from eight binary states generated by the binary counter and including the state at the reset. At the system reset, a reset signal to the binary counter is delayed, so that an output of a decoder circuit at the reset of the binary counter is delayed. Therefore, the output of the decoder circuit is masked with a fast reset signal, so that the output of the decoder circuit at the system reset can be prevented from being reflected in an output terminal.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing the output signal phase of a plurality of frequency divider circuits in a local-oscillator (LO) or clock signal path is disclosed. The LO path includes a plurality of frequency divider circuits and a LO buffer for receiving a LO signal coupled to the plurality of frequency divider circuits. The method and system comprise adding offset voltage and setting predetermined state to each of the frequency divider circuits; and enabling the frequency divider circuits. The method and system includes enabling the LO buffer to provide the LO signal to the frequency divider circuits after they have been enabled. When the LO signal drives each of the frequency divider circuits, each of the frequency divider circuits starts an operation. Finally the method and system comprise removing the offset voltage from each of the frequency divider circuits to allow them to effectively drive other circuits.

Abstract: An IC that performs integer and fractional divisions is disclosed. The IC comprises a plurality of shift registers that forms a shift register ring. Consecutive shift registers are coupled to each other through a multiplexer. The IC also includes a multiplexer controller that determines the shift registers to be activated within the shift register ring. The multiplexer controller determines the activation based upon a divisional factor. The IC also includes a pattern controller that generates the control signal to program the shift register.