Offchip Interface Patents (Class 712/38)
  • Patent number: 11255908
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes novel methods and apparatuses for directly accessing JTAG Tap domains that exist in a scan path of many serially connected JTAG Tap domains. Direct scan access to a selected Tap domain by a JTAG controller is achieved using auxiliary digital or analog terminals associated with the Tap domain and connected to the JTAG controller. During direct scan access, the auxiliary digital or analog terminals serve as serial data input and serial data output paths between the selected Tap domain and the JTAG controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 11137448
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for providing a shadow access port within a device. The shadow access port is accessed to perform operations in the device by reusing the TDI, TMS, TCK and TDO signals that are used to operate a test access port within the device. The presence and operation of the shadow access port is transparent to the presence and operation of the test access port. According to the disclosure, the shadow access port operates on the falling edge of the TCK signal while the test access port conventionally operates on the rising edge of the TCK signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 11133872
    Abstract: In a system for converting digital data into a modulated optical signal, an electrically controllable device having M actuating electrodes provides an optical signal that is modulated in response to binary voltages applied to the actuating electrodes. A digital-to-digital converter provides a mapping of input data words to binary actuation vectors of M bits and supplies the binary actuation vectors as M bits of binary actuation voltages to the M actuating electrodes, where M is larger than the number of bits in each input data word. The digital-to-digital converter maps each digital input data word to a binary actuation vector by selecting a binary actuation vector from a subset of binary actuation vectors available to represent each of the input data words.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Yossef Ehrlichman, Ofer Amrani, Shlomo Ruschin
  • Patent number: 10846251
    Abstract: An embodiment may involve determining that a first logical partition of a scratchpad memory coupled to a processor core is empty and a first application is scheduled to execute; instructing a direct memory access (DMA) engine to load the first application into the first logical partition and then instructing the processor core to execute the first application from the first logical partition; while the first application is being executed from the first logical partition, determining that a second logical partition of the scratchpad memory is empty and a second application is scheduled to execute; instructing the DMA engine to load the second application into the second logical partition; determining that execution of the first application has completed; and instructing the DMA engine to unload the first application from the first logical partition and instructing the processor core to execute the second application from the second logical partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Marco Caccamo, Rodolfo Pellizzoni, Renato Mancuso, Rohan Tabish, Saud Wasly
  • Patent number: 10803217
    Abstract: An integrated circuit capable of being automatically programmed, having an oscillator, a reference voltage module, a voltage comparator, a signal filter, an address and data identifier, a logic controller, a shift register, an output register, a clamp voltage module, an address register, an address comparator, an address memory, an address programming controller, a programming signal detector, and an LED driver circuit module etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventor: Mingling Huang
  • Patent number: 10746798
    Abstract: A system for testing complex integrated circuits in the field using updated tests, test sequences, models, and test conditions such as voltage and clock frequencies, over the life cycle of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corp.
    Inventors: Sailendra Chadalavada, Shantanu K. Sarangi, Milind Bhaiyyasaheb Sonawane, Sunil Bhavsar, Jue Wu, Bonita Bhaskaran, Venkat Abilash Reddy Nerallapally, Badrinath Srirangam
  • Patent number: 10699362
    Abstract: Embodiments provide support for divergent control flow in heterogeneous compute operations on a fused execution unit. On embodiment provides for a processing apparatus comprising a fused execution unit including multiple graphics execution units having a common instruction pointer; logic to serialize divergent function calls by the fused execution unit, the logic configured to compare a call target of execution channels within the fused execution unit and create multiple groups of channels, each group of channels associated with a single call target; and wherein the fused execution unit is to execute a first group of channels via a first execution unit and a second group of channels via a second execution unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pratik J. Ashar, Guei-Yuan Ken Lueh, Kaiyu Chen, Subramaniam Maiyuran, Brent A. Schwartz, Darin M. Starkey
  • Patent number: 10372668
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses relating to tightly-coupled heterogeneous computing are described. In one embodiment, a hardware processor includes a plurality of execution units in parallel, a switch to connect inputs of the plurality of execution units to outputs of a first buffer and a plurality of memory banks and connect inputs of the plurality of memory banks and a plurality of second buffers in parallel to outputs of the first buffer, the plurality of memory banks, and the plurality of execution units, and an offload engine with inputs connected to outputs of the plurality of second buffers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chang Yong Kang, Pierre Laurent, Hari K. Tadepalli, Prasad M. Ghatigar, T.J. O'Dwyer, Serge Zhilyaev
  • Patent number: 9818059
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a computing device, input activations and determining, by a controller of the computing device, whether each of the input activations has either a zero value or a non-zero value. The method further includes storing, in a memory bank of the computing device, at least one of the input activations. Storing the at least one input activation includes generating an index comprising one or more memory address locations that have input activation values that are non-zero values. The method still further includes providing, by the controller and from the memory bank, at least one input activation onto a data bus that is accessible by one or more units of a computational array. The activations are provided, at least in part, from a memory address location associated with the index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Hyuk Woo, Ravi Narayanaswami
  • Patent number: 9733995
    Abstract: A method comprising receiving control information at a first processing element from a second processing element, synchronizing objects within a shared global memory space of the first processing element with a shared global memory space of a second processing element in response to receiving the control information and generating a completion event indicating the first processing element has been synchronized with the second processing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Clement T. Cole, James Dinan, Gabriele Jost, Stanley C. Smith, Robert W. Wisniewski, Keith D. Underwood
  • Patent number: 9696997
    Abstract: A method of an aspect includes generating real time instruction trace (RTIT) packets for a first logical processor of a processor. The RTIT packets indicate a flow of software executed by the first logical processor. The RTIT packets are stored in an RTIT queue corresponding to the first logical processor. The RTIT packets are transferred from the RTIT queue to memory predominantly with firmware of the processor. Other methods, apparatus, and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tsvika Kurts, Ofer Levy, Itamar Kazachinsky, Gabi Malka, Zeev Sperber, Jason W. Brandt
  • Patent number: 9575121
    Abstract: An IC includes an IEEE 1149.1 standard test access port (TAP) interface and an additional Off-Chip TAP interface. The Off-Chip TAP interface connects to the TAP of another IC. The Off Chip TAP interface can be selected by a TAP Linking Module on the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 9465620
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a scalable compute fabricare provided herein. The method includes determining a workflow for processing by the scalable compute fabric, wherein the workflow is based on an instruction set. A pipeline in configured dynamically for processing the workflow, and the workflow is executed using the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Krig, Teresa Morrison
  • Patent number: 9417681
    Abstract: One embodiment of an apparatus includes a semiconductor chip having a processor and an on-die non-volatile storage resource. The on-die non-volatile storage may store different, appropriate performance related information for different configurations and usage cases of the processor for a same performance state of the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ankush Varma, Krishnakanth V. Sistla, Martin T. Rowland, Chris Poirier, Eric J. Dehaemer, Avinash N. Ananthakrishnan, Jeremy J. Shrall, Xiuting C. Man, Stephen H. Gunther, Krishna K. Rangan, Devadatta V. Bodas, Don Soltis, Hang T. Nguyen, Cyprian W. Woo, Thi Dang
  • Patent number: 9323672
    Abstract: A scatter/gather technique optimizes unstructured streaming memory accesses, providing off-chip bandwidth efficiency by accessing only useful data at a fine granularity, and off-loading memory access overhead by supporting address calculation, data shuffling, and format conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Daehyun Kim, Christopher J. Hughes, Yen-Kuang Chen, Partha Kundu
  • Patent number: 9258033
    Abstract: A method and system for configuring a mobile computing device to a docking station using near field communication is disclosed. A mobile computing device may scan an NFC tag integrated with the docking station to gather docking-station information. This docking-station information may be used by the mobile computing device to (i) configure its interface connector to match the docking connector, (ii) establish a communication link with the docking station and/or a host computer connected to the docking station, or (iii) authenticate the docking station to the mobile computing device or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Edward Showering
  • Patent number: 9152430
    Abstract: A microcontroller includes a clock generator having an internal reference clock, a system mode controller establishing an operating mode, a flash memory having an internal clock and a non-volatile option register, and a boot mode selection logic circuit coupled to the system mode controller and the flash memory. The logic circuit outputs a boot mode selection signal instructing the microcontroller to boot in a very low power run (VLPR) mode or a RUN mode. The system mode controller enters the VLPR or RUN mode in response. The flash memory bypasses and disables its internal clock prior to calibration of the flash memory in the VLPR mode and prior to initialization of the flash memory in the RUN mode. The flash memory subsequently uses an external clock signal based on the output of the internal reference clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Prashant Bhargava, Mohit Arora, Martin Mienkina, Sudhi R. Proch
  • Patent number: 9053408
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-core processor based high-speed digital textile printing processing system, comprising a gigabit Ethernet interface, a I2C interface, a Stream IO interface and a multi-core processor; the multi-core processor comprises a command receiving unit, a command processing unit, a command output unit, a data receiving unit, a compressed data buffer unit, a data decompression unit, a decompressed data buffer unit and a data output unit; meanwhile, the present invention also disclosed a multi-core processor based high-speed digital textile printing processing method. The present invention is centered on high-performance multi-core processor, which aims to implement high-speed transmission of printing data from PC to printing nozzle via the gigabit Ethernet and Stream IO interface as well as processing and transfer of printing commands via the gigabit Ethernet and I2C interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yaowu Chen, Rongxin Jiang, Pengjun Wang, Fan Zhou
  • Patent number: 8966226
    Abstract: A method and system of verifying proper execution of a secure mode entry sequence. At least some of the exemplary embodiments may be a method comprising delivering an instruction from a memory to a processor across an instruction bus (the instruction at least partially configures the processor for secure mode of operation different that privilege modes of the processor), verifying delivery of the instruction across the instruction bus, and checking for proper execution of the instruction using a trace port of the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory Remy Philippe Conti, Jerome Laurent Azema
  • Patent number: 8924688
    Abstract: A computing and communication chip architecture is provided wherein the interfaces of processor access to the memory chips are implemented as a high-speed packet switched serial interface as part of each chip. In one embodiment, the interface is accomplished through a gigabit Ethernet interface provided by protocol processor integrated as part of the chip. The protocol processor encapsulates the memory address and control information like Read, Write, number of successive bytes etc, as an Ethernet packet for communication among the processor and memory chips that are located on the same motherboard, or even on different circuit cards. In one embodiment, the communication over head of the Ethernet protocol is further reduced by using an enhanced Ethernet protocol with shortened data frames within a constrained neighborhood, and/or by utilizing a bit stream switch where direct connection paths can be established between elements that comprise the computing or communication architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Psimast, Inc
    Inventor: Viswa Sharma
  • Patent number: 8788732
    Abstract: An advanced processor comprises a plurality of multithreaded processor cores each having a data cache and instruction cache. A data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores and configured to pass information among the processor cores. A messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores and a plurality of communication ports. The data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective data cache, and the messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective message station. In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the messaging network connects to a high-bandwidth star-topology serial bus such as a PCI express (PCIe) interface capable of supporting multiple high-bandwidth PCIe lanes. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide high bandwidth communications between computer systems and memory in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: NetLogic Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Julianne J. Zhu, David T. Hass
  • Patent number: 8666720
    Abstract: An extension to a simulator (801) that allows the user to specify real numbers, voltages, and currents (808) on ports of an electrical net is presented. The computer using the analog wire functionality routines (805), the routines for determining nets (804), the net manager (803), and the pin manager (802) resolves unspecified values on said electrical nets. The user may specify at least one value on said port and may specify whether said port is driven. The extension includes additional math functions (1901).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Henry Chung-herng Chang, Kenneth Scott Kundert
  • Patent number: 8543747
    Abstract: An advanced processor comprises a plurality of multithreaded processor cores each having a data cache and instruction cache. A data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores and configured to pass information among the processor cores. A messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores and a plurality of communication ports. The data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective data cache, and the messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective message station. In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the messaging network connects to a high-bandwidth star-topology serial bus such as a PCI express (PCIe) interface capable of supporting multiple high-bandwidth PCIe lanes. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide high bandwidth communications between computer systems and memory in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: NetLogic Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Julianne Jiang Zhu, David T. Hass
  • Patent number: 8533716
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for resource management in a multicore processor is disclosed. A system management controller (130) provides omnipresent scheduling, synchronization, load balancing, and power and memory management services to each processing resource (150) within in a multicore processor (10), via a plurality of system management clients (120) implemented in hardware or software. The controller (130) allocates the tasks executing in each processing resource (150) by means of interrupt control signals, which interact directly with the system management clients (120), enabling processing resources (150) to autonomously create, execute and distribute tasks around a parallel system architecture whilst monitoring and policing the use of shared system resources (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Synopsys, Inc., Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Mark David Lippett
  • Patent number: 8380966
    Abstract: Techniques for the design and use of a digital signal processor, including (but not limited to) for processing transmissions in a communications (e.g., CDMA) system. Stuffing instructions in a processing pipeline of a multi-threaded digital signal processor provides for operating a core processor process and a debugging process within a debugging mechanism. Writing a stuff instruction into a debugging process registry and a stuff command in a debugging process command register provides for identifying a predetermined thread of the multi-threaded digital signal processor in which to execute the stuff instruction. The instruction stuffing process issues a debugging process control resume command during a predetermined stage of executing on the predetermined thread and directs the core processor to perform the stuff instruction during the debugging process. The core processor may then execute the stuffed instruction in association with the core processor process and the debugging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Lucian Codrescu, William C. Anderson, Suresh Venkumahanti, Louis Achille Giannini, Manojkumar Pyla, Xufeng Chen
  • Publication number: 20130007414
    Abstract: A computing and communication chip architecture is provided wherein the interfaces of processor access to the memory chips are implemented as a high-speed packet switched serial interface as part of each chip. In one embodiment, the interface is accomplished through a gigabit Ethernet interface provided by protocol processor integrated as part of the chip. The protocol processor encapsulates the memory address and control information like Read, Write, number of successive bytes etc, as an Ethernet packet for communication among the processor and memory chips that are located on the same motherboard, or even on different circuit cards. In one embodiment, the communication over head of the Ethernet protocol is further reduced by using an enhanced Ethernet protocol with shortened data frames within a constrained neighborhood, and/or by utilizing a bit stream switch where direct connection paths can be established between elements that comprise the computing or communication architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: PSIMAST, INC
    Inventor: VISWA SHARMA
  • Patent number: 8234483
    Abstract: A computing and communication chip architecture is provided wherein the interfaces of processor access to the memory chips are implemented as a high-speed packet switched serial interface as part of each chip. In one embodiment, the interface is accomplished through a gigabit Ethernet interface provided by protocol processor integrated as part of the chip. The protocol processor encapsulates the memory address and control information like Read, Write, number of successive bytes etc, as an Ethernet packet for communication among the processor and memory chips that are located on the same motherboard, or even on different circuit cards. In one embodiment, the communication over head of the Ethernet protocol is further reduced by using an enhanced Ethernet protocol with shortened data frames within a constrained neighborhood, and/or by utilizing a bit stream switch where direct connection paths can be established between elements that comprise the computing or communication architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Psimast, Inc
    Inventor: Viswa Nath Sharma
  • Patent number: 8234482
    Abstract: A subprocessor is used to interface between subsystems and to reduce the amount of dedicated hardware used to implement the subsystems in a hand-held computer. The subprocessor includes basic processing system resources such as random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a processor, input/output (I/O) facilities, etc. Selected functions in subsystems are achieved by firmware instructions executed by the subprocessor as opposed to a main processor that is also used in the computer. This approach can provide efficiencies such as low power consumption, less required space, less routing overhead, easier transfer of inter-subsystem information, and other advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Kelley
  • Patent number: 8190858
    Abstract: There is disclosed an interface device for interfacing between a main processor and one or more processing engines. The interface device is configurable, so that it may be used with a wide range of processing engines without being redesigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Topside Research, LLC
    Inventors: Yaxin Shui, Phil Terry, Kevin Robertson, Quang Hong, Bao K. Vuong
  • Patent number: 8161217
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a RFIC master are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include configuring an on-chip programmable device that may function as a master on a bus that has at least one device interface, for example, RFIC interface, coupled to the bus. The on-chip programmable device may generate at least one signal to control at least one device coupled to at least one device interface. The on-chip programmable device may communicate the generated signal via the bus upon receiving an input timer signal and may be configured by writing at least one event data and an index-sample data to the on-chip programmable device. The index-sample data may comprise at least a count value and an event data index. When the count value equals a value of the timer signal, event data may be fetched and executed starting with the one specified by the event data index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Hayem, Andrew du Preez, Louis Botha, Johan (Hendrik) Conroy
  • Patent number: 8090929
    Abstract: A digital system and method of operating the same. The system comprises a processor chip including a first elastic interface domain, wherein the first elastic interface domain comprises a first processor X logic and a first processor Y logic, wherein the first processor X and Y logic comprise first X and Y latches, respectively; and a first ASIC chip electrically coupled to the processor chip, wherein the first processor X and Y logics are configured to be simultaneously in a functional mode, wherein the first processor X logic is configured to switch from the functional mode to a scanning mode while the first processor Y logic remains in the functional mode, and wherein in response to the first processor Y logic being in the functional mode, the first processor Y logic is configured to generate a first reference ASIC clock signal to the first ASIC chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Magee, Timothy Gerard McNamara, Walter Niklaus, Scott Barnett Swaney, Tobias Webel
  • Patent number: 8089795
    Abstract: A memory module, which includes at least one memory stack, comprises a plurality of DRAM integrated circuits and an interface circuit. The interface circuit interfaces the memory stack to a host system so as to operate the memory stack as a single DRAM integrated circuit. In other embodiments, a memory module includes at least one memory stack and a buffer integrated circuit. The buffer integrated circuit, coupled to a host system, interfaces the memory stack to the host system so to operate the memory stack as at least two DRAM integrated circuits. In yet other embodiments, an interface circuit maps virtual addresses from the host system to physical addresses of the DRAM integrated circuits in a linear manner. In a further embodiment, the interface circuit maps one or more banks of virtual addresses from the host system to a single one of the DRAM integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh N. Rajan, Keith R Schakel, Michael J. S. Smith, David T Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 7934075
    Abstract: A computer array (10) has a plurality of computers (12). The computers (12) communicate with each other asynchronously and operate in a generally asynchronous manner internally. When one computer (12) attempts to communicate with another it goes to sleep until the other computer (12) is ready to complete the transaction, thereby saving power and reducing heat production. The instructions executed by the computers (12) can include a micro-loop (100) which is capable of performing a series of operations repeatedly. In one application, the sleeping computer (12) is awakened by an input such that it commences an action that would otherwise required an interrupt of an otherwise active computer. For example, one computer (12f) can be used to monitor an input/output port of the computer array (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: VNS Portfolio LLC
    Inventors: Charles H. Moore, Jeffrey Arthur Fox, John W. Rible
  • Patent number: 7917730
    Abstract: A multi-chip processor apparatus includes multiple processor chips on a substrate. At least one of the multiple processor chips includes a die with a primary interconnect trunk that communicates information between multiple compute elements situated along the primary interconnect trunk. That multiple processor chip includes a secondary interconnected trunk that may be oriented perpendicular with respect to the primary interconnect trunk. The secondary interconnect trunk communicates information off-chip via a number of I/O interfaces at the perimeter of that multiple processor chip. The secondary interconnect trunk intersects the primary interconnect trunk at an intersection at which a bus control element is located. The bus control element includes a primary trunk interface that couples to the primary interconnect trunk at the intersection to enable the bus control element to control on-chip communication among the compute elements via coherency signals on the primary interconnect trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Francis Marino, John Thomas Holloway, Jr., Praveen S. Reddy, William John Starke
  • Publication number: 20110035571
    Abstract: A computing and communication chip architecture is provided wherein the interfaces of processor access to the memory chips are implemented as a high-speed packet switched serial interface as part of each chip. In one embodiment, the interface is accomplished through a gigabit Ethernet interface provided by protocol processor integrated as part of the chip. The protocol processor encapsulates the memory address and control information like Read, Write, number of successive bytes etc, as an Ethernet packet for communication among the processor and memory chips that are located on the same motherboard, or even on different circuit cards. In one embodiment, the communication over head of the Ethernet protocol is further reduced by using an enhanced Ethernet protocol with shortened data frames within a constrained neighborhood, and/or by utilizing a bit stream switch where direct connection paths can be established between elements that comprise the computing or communication architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: PSIMAST, INC
    Inventor: VISWA SHARMA
  • Patent number: 7822946
    Abstract: A computing and communication chip architecture is provided wherein the interfaces of processor access to the memory chips are implemented as a high-speed packet switched serial interface as part of each chip. In one embodiment, the interface is accomplished through a gigabit Ethernet interface provided by protocol processor integrated as part of the chip. The protocol processor encapsulates the memory address and control information like Read, Write, number of successive bytes etc, as an Ethernet packet for communication among the processor and memory chips that are located on the same motherboard, or even on different circuit cards. In one embodiment, the communication over head of the Ethernet protocol is further reduced by using an enhanced Ethernet protocol with shortened data frames within a constrained neighborhood, and/or by utilizing a bit stream switch where direct connection paths can be established between elements that comprise the computing or communication architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: PSIMAST, Inc
    Inventor: Viswa Sharma
  • Patent number: 7664928
    Abstract: A technique that improves both processor performance and associated data bandwidth through user-defined interfaces that can be added to a configurable and extensible microprocessor core. These interfaces can be used to communicate status or control information and to achieve synchronization between the processor and any external device including other processors. These interfaces can also be used to achieve data transfer at the rate of one data element per interface in every clock cycle. This technique makes it possible to design multiprocessor SOC systems with high-speed data transfer between processors without using the memory subsystem. Such a system and design methodology offers a complete shift from the standard bus-based architecture and allows designers to treat processors more like true computational units, so that designers can more effectively utilize programmable solutions rather than design dedicated hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Tensilica, Inc.
    Inventors: Nupur B. Andrews, James Kim, Himanshu A. Sanghavi, William A. Huffman, Eileen Margaret Peters Long
  • Patent number: 7660968
    Abstract: A reconfigurable processor includes a processor core for operating on a set of instructions to carry out predefined processes and includes a plurality of input/output pins in addition to a plurality of functional input/output blocks. These functional blocks allow the processing core to interface with the plurality of input/output pins, each of the functional input/output blocks having an associated and predetermined functionality. This functionality comprises the output as a function of the input, the function defined by the functionality. Each of the functional input/output blocks has a requirement for a defined number of the plurality of input/output pins wherein the total of the defined number for all of the plurality of functional input/output blocks exceeds the number of the plurality of input/output pins and wherein the processor core is interfaced with one of the input or output of each of the functional blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventors: Donald E. Alfano, Danny J. Allred, Douglas S. Piasecki, Kenneth W. Fernald, Ka Y. Leung, Brian Caloway, Alan Storvik, Paul Highley, Douglas R. Holberg
  • Patent number: 7617386
    Abstract: A processor has an interface portion and an interior environment. The interface portion comprises: at least one port arranged to receive a current time value; a first register associated with the port and arranged to store a trigger time value; and comparison logic configured to detect whether the current time value matches the trigger time value and, provided that said match is detected, to transfer data between the port and an external environment and alter a ready signal to indicate the transfer. The internal environment comprises: an execution unit for transferring data between the at least one port and the internal environment; and a thread scheduler for scheduling a plurality of threads for execution by the execution unit, each thread comprising a sequence of instructions. The scheduling includes scheduling one or more of said threads for execution in dependence on the ready signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: XMOS Limited
    Inventors: Michael David May, Peter Hedinger, Alastair Dixon
  • Patent number: 7613909
    Abstract: A processor has an interface portion and an internal environment. The interface portion comprises at least one port. The internal environment comprises an execution unit arranged to execute instructions in dependence on a first timing signal and to transfer data between the interior portion and the at least one port in dependence on the first timing signal; and a thread scheduler for scheduling a plurality of threads for execution by the execution unit, each thread comprising a sequence of instructions and the thread scheduler being arranged to schedule the threads in dependence on the first timing signal. The port is arranged to transfer data between the port and an external environment in dependence on a second timing signal, and to alter a ready signal in dependence on the second timing signal to indicate a transfer of data with the external environment. The thread scheduler is configured to schedule one or more associated threads for execution in dependence on the ready signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: XMOS Limited
    Inventors: Michael David May, Peter Hedinger, Alastair Dixon
  • Patent number: 7587579
    Abstract: A processor core architecture includes a cluster having at least a register file and predefined functional units having access to the register file. The architecture also includes an interface to one or more arbitrary functional units external to the processor core. The interface is to provide the arbitrary functional units with access to the register file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Ceva D.S.P. Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Boukaya, Roy Glasner, Eran Briman
  • Patent number: 7577779
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a RFIC master are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include configuring an on-chip programmable device that may function as a master on a bus that has at least one device interface, for example, RFIC interface, coupled to the bus. The on-chip programmable device may generate at least one signal to control at least one device coupled to at least one device interface. The on-chip programmable device may communicate the generated signal via the bus upon receiving an input timer signal and may be configured by writing at least one event data and an index-sample data to the on-chip programmable device. The index-sample data may comprise at least a count value and an event data index. When the count value equals a value of the timer signal, event data may be fetched and executed starting with the one specified by the event data index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Hayem, Andrew du Preez, Louis Botha, Johan (Hendrik) Conroy
  • Patent number: 7515453
    Abstract: A memory device comprises a first and second integrated circuit dies. The first integrated circuit die comprises a memory core as well as a first interface circuit. The first interface circuit permits full access to the memory cells (e.g., reading, writing, activating, pre-charging and refreshing operations to the memory cells). The second integrated circuit die comprises a second interface that interfaces the memory core, via the first interface circuit, an external bus, such as a synchronous interface to an external bus. A technique combines memory core integrated circuit dies with interface integrated circuit dies to configure a memory device. A speed test on the memory core integrated circuit dies is conducted, and the interface integrated circuit die is electrically coupled to the memory core integrated circuit die based on the speed of the memory core integrated circuit die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: MetaRAM, Inc.
    Inventor: Suresh N. Rajan
  • Publication number: 20080209169
    Abstract: A drive circuit arrangement for a processor device comprises a non-volatile register for recording the identities of outputs of the processor device at which a same output signal is required. Configuration circuitry employs dual pairs of switching devices to couple register locations associated with a predetermined output of the processor to buffers of outputs identified in the non-volatile register, thereby resulting in a same output signal being provided at the identified outputs as at the predetermined output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc
    Inventor: Dugald Campbell
  • Patent number: 7409531
    Abstract: A single-IC subsystem controller for controlling electronic devices and subsystems within computer systems and other large electronic systems. The single-IC subsystem controller includes a micro-controller, a complex programmable logic device, an EEPROM, an SRAM, and various electronic bus interfaces and additional signal long interfaces for interfacing the single-IC subsystem controller device to electronic devices and electrical components. The single-IC subsystem controller allows for flexible partitioning of control functionality between hardware circuits programmed into the CPLD and software routines executed by the micro-controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael B. Raynham, Myron R. Tuttle, Minh Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20080168257
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a storage processor interface assembly includes a circuit board supporting a storage processor, first and second standard compliant power connectors, and first, second, and third standard compliant data connectors. The second power connector and the second data connector are positioned such that they may mate with corresponding standard compliant power and data connectors on a storage device. The storage processor is capable of operating with the second and third data connectors in at least one of a mirrored memory mode and a storage expansion mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Glenn Lawrence Marks, Terry G. Sutherland, Sean R. Lever, James P. Young
  • Patent number: 7305540
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for a data processing system are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, an exemplary apparatus includes a chip interconnect, a memory controller for controlling the host memory comprising DRAM memory, the memory controller coupled to the chip interconnect, a scalar processing unit coupled the chip interconnect wherein the scalar processing unit is capable of executing instructions to perform scalar data processing, a vector processing unit coupled the chip interconnect wherein the vector processing unit is capable of executing instructions to perform vector data processing, and an input/output (I/O) interface coupled to the chip interconnect wherein the I/O interface receives/transmits data from/to the scalar and/or vector processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sushma Shrikant Trivedi, Joseph P. Bratt, Jack Benkual, Vaughn Todd Arnold, Derek Fujio Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 7263627
    Abstract: A system and method allow for overriding of a strapping option. A strapping signal places a device (e.g., a processor) in first state or mode (e.g., client or master). An override system places the device in a second state or mode. The second state or mode can be temporary. The changing of the state or mode of the device can be used to perform testing of the chip, during which a memory is written to and read from to verify operation of the chip. The second state or mode of the device may also be used to allow the device to perform alternative functions that are not available during its first state or mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: James D Sweet, Thu T Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7237092
    Abstract: A microprocessor circuit includes a control unit, a memory for free programming with at least one program having functions, a stack for buffer-storing data, a register bank having at least one register, and an auxiliary register that stores a number of bits, each of the bits being assigned to one of the registers of the register bank and indicating whether or not a respective register of the register bank contains information items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christian May, Holger Sedlak
  • Patent number: 7171542
    Abstract: A reconfigurable processor system n an intergrated circuit includes a processor core that operates on a set of instructions to carry out predefined processes. A plurality of input/output pins are provided for interfacing with external signals. A reconfigurable interface interfaces between the processor core and the input/output pins through select ones of a plurality of functional blocks. The reconfigurable interface is operable to define how each of the plurality of input/output pins interfaces with the processor core an the functionality associated therewith. The functional blocks provide the interface of the processor core with the input/output pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Labs CP, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Alfano, Danny Allred, Douglas S. Piasecki, Kenneth W. Fernald, Ka Y Leung, Brian Caloway, Alvin Storvik, Paul Highley, Douglas R Holberg