Using Delay Patents (Class 713/401)
  • Patent number: 7146480
    Abstract: A configurable memory system is disclosed, which includes a processor-to-memory network, a memory-to-processor network, and a plurality of memory modules. Both networks in turns include a plurality of transport cells that can be configured to implement various transport networks, one for a particular memory application. To implement different memory applications in the same configurable memory system, a system designer takes several steps. The system designer identifies memory applications to be implemented in the configurable memory system. For each memory application, the designer allocates a set of memory modules and a transport network carrying data for the memory modules. Each transport network corresponding to a memory application thus establishes the data paths to and from the memory modules for that memory application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael S. Schlansker, Boon Seong Ang
  • Patent number: 7146516
    Abstract: Schemes for synchronizing networked stations using data messages and hardware pulses are described herein. In one embodiment, a method to provide time data from a first processor to at least one second processor may include transmitting a data message from the first processor to the at least one second processor, in which the data message associates a hardware pulse with a future time, and transmitting a hardware pulse from the first processor to the at least one second processor at the future time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Krishan Dhupar, Alan Gale, Alan M. Foskett, Marie Deconto-Thomas
  • Patent number: 7146517
    Abstract: A clock for a computing system. The clock includes a first pulse shaver and a first pin connected to the first pulse shaver. The first pin selectively enables the first pulse shaver to reduce the width of enabling pulses in a clock signal passing through the first pulse shaver. A method for synchronizing data flow in a computing system. The method includes generating pulses; selectively reducing the width of the pulses; and delivering the pulses to a memory element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Cray, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen B. Smetana
  • Patent number: 7143301
    Abstract: A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Motion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Pearce, David Cline
  • Patent number: 7143302
    Abstract: A pipeline structure is provided for use in a digital system. The pipeline structure includes stages arranged in a sequence from a first stage for receiving an input of the pipeline structure to a last stage for providing an output of the pipeline structure. At least one intermediate stage is interposed between the first stage and the last stage. The pipeline structure also includes a phase shifting circuit for generating at least one local clock signal for controlling the at least one intermediate stage. The first stage and the last stage are controlled by a main clock signal, the at least one local clock signal is generated from the main clock signal, and the main clock signal and the at least one local clock signal are out of phase. Also provided is a method of operating a pipeline structure that includes stages arranged in a sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Francesco Pappalardo, Agatino Pennisi
  • Patent number: 7139348
    Abstract: A distributed clock circuit for clocking high speed data at various different physical locations on a chip while improving setup and hold times. The clock circuit includes a master delay lock loop (DLL) circuit configured to lock a global clock signal with a first data signal, and output a clock delay control signal when the global clock signal is locked. The clock circuit further includes one or more slave DLL circuits, coupled to receive the clock delay control signal to lock a local clock signal with a local data signal, wherein the local clock signal is based on the global clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Micro Circuits Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Fu, Joseph J. Balardeta
  • Patent number: 7139941
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for correcting data which are generated by two asynchronous sources, the data from one source, which are present with a first clock, being conducted via a register which is clocked with a second clock assigned to the other source, the output data of the register and output data that are delayed by at least one clock period of the second clock are compared with one another. In the event of deviations which are greater than a predetermined value, temporally adjacent data, as corrected data, replace the output data of the register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Reiner Noske
  • Patent number: 7136944
    Abstract: A system and method for pacing writes to a legacy peripheral device includes a control block configured to trap on the address of the legacy peripheral device and slows the rate that the CPU posts writes to avoid backpressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sampath Kumar
  • Patent number: 7134034
    Abstract: A data path includes a downstream stage that strobes data at an input thereof responsive to a first control signal, an upstream stage that sends data to the input of the downstream stage responsive to a second control signal, and a control circuit operative to fix timing of the second control signal to timing of the first control signal. The data path may further include a second upstream stage that sends data to an input of the first upstream stage responsive to a third control signal having a timing with respect to the second control signal that varies responsive to a frequency at which data is transferred along the data path. A fixed delay circuit, e.g., a fixed delay circuit in a forward path of a DLL or PLL, may generate the first control signal from the second control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Prashant Shamarao
  • Patent number: 7131021
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatic delay calibration of a forward clock. According to the invention, the apparatus includes control logic to receive a normal clock, a lead clock and a lag clock. The control logic therefore generates a delay control signal based on a timing relationship among the normal, the lead and the lag clocks. The apparatus also includes a delay calibrator to receive a reference clock having the same frequency as the forward clock. The delay calibrator generates the lead, the phase lag and the normal clocks from the reference clock and provides them as feedback to the control logic. According to the delay control signal, the delay calibrator can adjust the lead and the lag clocks. Once the timing relationship meets a predetermined condition, the delay control signal is provided to calibrate a delay for the forward clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Faraday Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chien-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 7130317
    Abstract: Method and circuitry for de-skewing data in data communication networks such as a SONET. The data is sent from a system chip to a framer chip where the data is de-skewed. To detect data skew, the system chip sends a training sequence to the framer chip. The information bits sent to the framer chip are searched in order to detect the training sequence. The training sequences contain clear transition patterns at which all 16 bits of the transmit data and the TCTL signal line are inverted. If any bit does not invert, this bit must be a skewed bit. Based on the data one clock cycle before and one clock cycle after this transition, the skewed bit can be corrected back. After the data skew is detected, a multiplexing logic circuitry is used to correct the skew based on one clock cycle either before or after the transition. The multiplexing logic circuitry includes at least three registers coupled to the inputs of the multiplexing logic circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventors: Andy P. Annadurai, Feng Han, Mohammed Rahman, Chris Tsu
  • Patent number: 7121455
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for performing electronic postmarking of data, including ancillary data is provided. The method includes receiving data from a sender. The method further includes selecting ancillary data. The method further includes generating an electronic postmark including the ancillary data. The method further includes forwarding the data with the electronic postmark including the ancillary data to a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Charles R. Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 7120815
    Abstract: Clock circuitry supplies synchronized clock waves to loads on plural integrated circuit chips. The clock circuitry couples the synchronized clock waves to regions of the chips. There is a first clock wave route in a first direction from a first chip to a second chip and a second clock wave route in a second direction from the second chip to the first chip. The routes have substantially the same geometry and are in close proximity to each other so they have substantially the same effects on clock waves propagating therein in opposite directions. A phase detector and lowpass filter on the first chip responds to (1) a clock wave source and (2) a clock wave derived on a chip other than the first chip, to supply, via a common mode line, a control for voltage controlled delays of the chips other than the third chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Li Tsai
  • Patent number: 7120813
    Abstract: In one form of the invention, a method for generating a local clock signal responsive to signals on a Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) includes generating a frequency-bearing clock signal by a free running oscillator on an integrated circuitry chip of a device coupled to the USB. The oscillator runs at a frequency that is substantially stable but initially known with substantial inaccuracy. A single ended bit-serial signal is extracted from received signals sent by a USB host or hub and timing signals are responsively asserted. A bit pattern is detected in the single ended bit-serial signal and intervals are measured during which the timing signals are asserted. The period P of the local clock signal is adjusted responsive to one of the measured intervals. In one variant, the initial inaccuracy is at least partly because the oscillator consists solely of circuitry on the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Antoine Leydier, Christophe Alain Pomet
  • Patent number: 7120814
    Abstract: A system and method for aligning an input signal (24) synchronized to a first clock signal (22) with a second clock signal (26). The invention includes a mechanism (106) for generating a third clock signal (354) and an arrangement (352) for loading the input signal (24) in accordance with the third clock signal (354) and reading out an output signal in accordance with the second clock signal (26). In an illustrative embodiment, the invention is used in a sensor system (350) to align detector input data (24), which is synchronized to a data-capture clock (22), with a signal-processing clock (26). The register (352) acts as a data path transitioning stage between the actual time the input data is sampled and the time a processing system (102) clocks in the sampled data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Frank Nam Go Cheung, Richard Chin
  • Patent number: 7120774
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing overlay data requests are disclosed. One embodiment of an apparatus includes a request unit and a timer. A request is made by a graphics controller to the request unit for a line of overlay data. The request unit divides the request from the graphics controller into a series of smaller requests. The smaller requests are issued to a memory controller. Delays are inserted between each of the smaller requests in order to allow other system resources to more easily gain access to memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Todd M. Witter, Aditya Sreenivas, Kim Meinerth
  • Patent number: 7117382
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and circuit for variably controlling a delay line for a read data capture timing window. In one embodiment, the circuit includes a variably controlled delay circuit coupled to a FIFO. The variably controlled delay circuit receives an input strobe signal. The variably controlled delay circuit also receives a multibit control code. The variably controlled delay circuit transmits the input strobe signal after a time delay, wherein the time delay varies according to the multibit control code. The FIFO is coupled to the variably controlled delay circuit and receives the time delayed strobe signal therefrom. The FIFO receives an input data bit signal. The FIFO stores the input data bit signal in response to receiving the time delayed strobe signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Cong Q. Khieu, Louise Gu
  • Patent number: 7117378
    Abstract: There is disclosed a digital circuit comprising a digital processing component, an adjustable power supply and power supply adjustment circuitry. The digital processing component is capable of operating at a plurality of selected clock frequencies, wherein a maximum delay time of a critical path in the digital processing component is determined by a level of a power supply, VDD, of the digital processing component. The adjustable power supply is capable of supplying VDD to the digital processing component. The power supply adjustment circuitry is operable to receive a first selected clock signal and adjusts the level of VDD such that the maximum delay time of the critical path of the digital processing component is less than a pulse-width duration between a first clock edge of the first selected clock signal and a second clock edge of the first selected clock signal immediately following the first clock edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Dragan Maksimovic, Sandeep Dhar, Bruno Kranzen, Ravindra Ambatipudi
  • Patent number: 7111184
    Abstract: A clock distribution and control system (10) includes one counter (30) in a clock generation domain and another counter (40) in a phase-delayed clock domain. The phase-delayed domain counter (40) output is combined with a programmable offset value chosen based on the phase delay of the clock distribution system. The result is used to insure that communication between logic in the clock generation clock domain and logic in the phase-delayed clock domain occurs deterministically on the correct clock edge for a range of clock frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Thomas, Jr., Daniel W. Knox
  • Patent number: 7111185
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing signals. For memory devices, such as SDRAMs, implementing a synchronization device to synchronize one signal, such as an external clock signal with a second signal, such as a data signal, tuning elements may be provided at various points in the signal path of the synchronization device. The tuning elements are designed to be identical, such that a single design may be used to a signal mismatch that is produced in either direction, using a single design. The tuning elements may be implemented to provide uniformity in the access time through a range of conditions, such as drain voltages and temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler J. Gomm, Gary M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7110446
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing effect of jitter is described. More particularly, one or more taps of a delay line are selected for a reference clock signal. These selected taps each have an associated index, which is stored, and stored indices are statistically processed to select a tap of another delay line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Eccles, Austin H. Lesea
  • Patent number: 7107475
    Abstract: A digital delay locked loop uses a delay array to delay an input signal by an amount indicated by a delay code. A phase of the resulting delayed signal is compared to a corresponding phase of the input signal, and dependent on the comparison, the delay code is updated to indicate whether the delay array needs to provide more delay or less delay. The digital delay locked loop also uses a detection circuit that monitors for a predetermined condition of the delay code. In response to detection of the predetermined condition, the delay code is automatically reset to a value different than a value of the delay code present at a previous reset or initial startup of the digital delay locked loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Amick, Dong Joon Yoon, Tri Tran, Gajendra Singh, Aparna Ramachandran, Claude Gauthier
  • Patent number: 7107477
    Abstract: A programmable logic device has programmable phase-shifting circuitry. The phase-shifting circuitry is used to generate a set of skewed clock signals that is used to adjust the relative timing of device elements in a circuit synthesized in the programmable logic device. By suitably adjusting the relative timing of the device elements, the circuit critical path lengths are effectively reduced leading to improved circuit frequency performance. Algorithms are provided for establishing clock skew values that lead to improved circuit performance. The algorithms are incorporated in computer aided design tools to enable automatic optimization of circuit designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Deshanand Singh, Andrew Hall
  • Patent number: 7107474
    Abstract: A data transfer unit (13) is provided for use in a clock swapping system which controls data transfer with a data transmission permit signal (rwo) and data reception permit signal (rro). The data transfer unit (13) includes a data latch (21) which latches transfer data in time with a transmission enable signal (ewi) and from which the data is read in time with a reception enable signal (eri), a first FR-FF circuit (31) which delays the transmission enable signal (ewi) for at least one period of a transmission clock (ckw), and a third SR-FF circuit 33 which delays the reception enable signal (eri) for a period of a reception clock (ckr). In the data transfer unit (13), a signal latched by the first SR-FF circuit (31) is latched a series of two times in time with the reception clock (ckr) to generate the reception permit signal (rro) and a signal latched by the third SR-FF circuit (33) is latched a series of two times in time with the transmission clock (ckw) to generate the transmission permit signal (rwo).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Ogawa, Seiichi Emoto
  • Patent number: 7107424
    Abstract: A method for determining a read strobe pulse delay for data read from a memory having a plurality of memory chips. Each one of the chips provides data along with an associated read strobe pulse. The data read from each one of the plurality of chips is stored in a corresponding one of a plurality of storage devices in response to the read strobe pulse associated with such one of the plurality of chips. A training system determines a delay which when applied in to the plurality of read strobe pulses enables valid read data from the plurality of memory chips to be stored in each one of the plurality of the storage device in response to the read strobe pulses being delayed by the read pulse strobe delay. A process is used to enable preservation of the user data during the training process for use subsequent to the training process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Armen D. Avakian, Adam C. Peltz, Krzysztof Dobecki, Gregory S. Robidoux
  • Patent number: 7103815
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a data buffer, coupled to an external connector, providing a data signal on the external connector. A test buffer, coupled to the data buffer, receives the data signal and provides a testing output signal to a delay circuit. The delay circuit receives the testing output signal at a first clock rate internal to the integrated circuit device and compares test data in the testing output signal to expected test signal values. The delay circuit provides a result to an external connector at a second clock rate that is slower than the first clock rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Inapac Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian E. Ong, Fan Ho
  • Patent number: 7103694
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is a tuned stub, SCSI topology comprising a SCSI bus, a breakout node on the SCSI bus, an external SCSI connector on the SCSI bus at a first point defined by a first propagation delay; an internal SCSI connector on the SCSI bus at a second point defined by a second propagation delay, the first and second propagation delays being substantially equal; a SCSI adapter electrically tapping the breakout node; and a terminator electrically tapping the breakout node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Schumacher, M. Scott Bunker
  • Patent number: 7103791
    Abstract: An interleaved delay line for use in phase locked and delay locked loops is comprised of a first portion providing a variable amount of delay substantially independently of process, temperature and voltage (PVT) variations while a second portion, in series with the first portion, provides a variable amount of delay that substantially tracks changes in process, temperature, and voltage variations. By combining, or interleaving, the two types of delay, single and dual locked loops constructed using the present invention achieve a desired jitter performance under PVT variations, dynamically track the delay variations of one coarse tap without a large number of delay taps, and provide for quick and tight locking. Methods of operating delay lines and locked loops are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 7103758
    Abstract: A microcontroller has a memory storing a program with an instruction that causes the microcontroller's central processing unit to enter a standby mode, in which data output from the memory is halted. The standby mode is exited by input of an interrupt. The microcontroller also has a control circuit that, by storing the next few program instructions internally before placing the memory in standby, or by delaying the interrupt signal, provides extra time for memory operation to stabilize on exit from the standby mode. Malfunctions on recovery from standby are thereby prevented, and the microcontroller can conserve power by placing the memory in a deep standby mode with a comparatively long recovery time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshinori Goto
  • Patent number: 7103790
    Abstract: A double data rate memory controller is provided with a plurality of data and strobe pads, means for receiving data and strobe signals via said pads at 1× double data rate memory speed, and means for receiving data and strobe signals via said pads at M× double data rate memory speed (M?2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric M. Rentschler, Jeffrey G. Hargis, Leith L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7098696
    Abstract: The invention provides a logic circuit to identify time difference between signals having a variation in delay, and an integrated circuit which can evaluate variations in delay among internal signals. By using a logic circuit which outputs different number of pulse depending on a relationship of delay when a first signal and a second signal which are a pair of digital signals having a time difference are inputted, variations in delay of internal signals of an integrated circuit can be evaluated. Specifically, an output signal is generated by a logical operation of values of the first signal and second signal in a period in which the first signal is High and the second signal is Low, and values of a first signal and a second signal immediately before them by using a latch circuit. Further, by using a delay circuit which can set a delay time of an input signal, time difference between signals can be evaluated quantitavely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 7096376
    Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit device (700) in which variation in a minimum propagation time of a transmission signal from a source node (SN) to a destination node (DN) is sufficiently large, relative to a clock period (T) at an intended clock frequency of the device, to cause variation in a clock cycle in which the transmission signal reaches the destination node (DN) a plurality of clocked elements (8000 to 8003) are connected in series between the source and destination nodes for causing a shift signal (SS0 to SS4), representing the transmission signal present at the source node (SN) in a first clock cycle, to be shifted from the source node (SN) to the destination node (DN) through the series of clocked elements (8000 to 8003) one clocked element (800i) per predetermined number of clock cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Finbar Naven
  • Patent number: 7096375
    Abstract: A circuit for data transfer includes a first buffer operating at a first clock frequency, a plurality of second buffers operating at a second clock frequency, and a selector circuit which receives data at the first clock frequency, and supplies the data to a selected one of the first buffer and the second buffers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shigetoshi Wakayama, Hiroshi Okano, Yoshio Hirose
  • Patent number: 7093150
    Abstract: The invention provides for the arrangement and management of timing of various domains on a large integrated circuit which introduces a phase offset between clock domains of neighboring cells to create a wavefront clock which propagates through the circuit at the same speed data propagates though the circuit. The cells of the integrated circuit are wavefront clock synchronized in that the phase offset introduced in a particular cell's clock is such that the arrival of a skewed clock and propagation delayed data from that cell's neighbor is synchronized with that particular cell's own clock. Wavefront clock synchronization mitigates at least some of the problems of clock skew and the associated effects of slowing data propagation and reduction of clock frequencies associated with large surface integrated circuits utilizing synchronized clock domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Norman, David Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 7089437
    Abstract: In order to measure the power consumed by a bus in a digital signal processor, each bus conductor has a lead electrically coupled thereto. The lead is coupled to apparatus that provides a signal each time the logic state of the bus is changed. The total number of logic signal changes for a given period of time is determined. Because power is consumed by the bus only during logic state transitions, the total number of logic state transitions can be multiplied by the power consumed by the bus during each transition to provide the total power consumed during a predetermined period of time. The power consumed by the bus during each logic state transition can be determined by simulation or other techniques. The power consumed by the operation of the bus can be further divided into power consumed by the internal (on-chip) bus and the external (off-chip) bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Gary L. Swoboda
  • Patent number: 7089439
    Abstract: An output clock for a memory device having a read latency more than one clock cycle includes a clock generator at a central location on the device. A clock channel couples the clock generator to output structures. A timing path emulates the address/data paths in the memory, and is responsive to an address emulation signal produced by the clock generator to provide dummy data near the output structures. An output clock signal with an adjustable phase and a dummy data reference clock signal on the input of the clock channel are generated. A phase detector near the output structures, determines whether the output clock is early, late or on time with respect to the dummy data. Logic signals are produced at the phase detector, and returned to the clock generator for adjusting the relative phase of the output clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: T-RAM, Inc.
    Inventors: Shahram Abdollahi-Alibeik, Chaofeng Huang
  • Patent number: 7089440
    Abstract: A data processing system includes first, second, and third agents connected to a shared bus. The third agent is able to receive information via the shared bus from the first agent or from the second agent. The third agent includes a skew compensation circuit to determine signal skew in signal received via the shared bus and to compensate for the skew by adding delay into selected signals of the bus. The skew compensation circuit determines whether the first agent or the second agent is the sender of information received by the third agent via the shared bus. The skew compensation circuit alters the skew compensation based on the identity of the sender such that the delay into the bus signals is specific to the corresponding sender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Leon Li-Heng Wu
  • Patent number: 7085948
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing time synchronization correction in computer systems. A service processor includes a battery-backed hardware clock, and a hypervisor includes a hypervisor system clock. A common timer resource is accessible by the hypervisor and the service processor. To synchronize the battery-backed hardware clock and the hypervisor system clock, the common timer resource is used to measure the latency in the communication medium between the hypervisor and the service processor. The latency is then added onto the time value received in time of day messages between the hypervisor and the service processor for time synchronization correction in the computer systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Dean Anderson, Adam Charles Lange-Pearson, Thomas Joseph Warne
  • Patent number: 7080275
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating address and control lines to account for clock delays within a memory device is disclosed. Latches are located directly within a the storage area of the memory device, so that the parasitic capacitance inherent within the address and control lines can be advantageously employed for introducing delay. The parasitic delay enables the clock, address, and control lines to be synchronized, yet does not require introducing delay blocks and so the overall speed of the memory device is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ebrahim Abedifard, Frankie Roohparvar, Dean Nobunaga
  • Patent number: 7076678
    Abstract: A memory system and method according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a memory and an adaptive timing system for controlling access to the memory. The adaptive timing system captures data in a data valid window (DVW) in a data signal. In one embodiment, the adaptive timing system comprises a delay circuit for sampling the data signal at a midpoint of the DVW. The adaptive timing system may also comprise an identifying circuit for identifying whether the midpoint of the DVW corresponds to an actual midpoint of the DVW and adjusting the delay circuit accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. LaBerge
  • Patent number: 7076680
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that provides skew compensation for communications across a source-synchronous self-timed network. During each clock period, the system allows multiple synchronous transmitters to each transmit one data element and to assert one acknowledgement on a transmit clock line into the self-timed network. In doing so, the multiple synchronous transmitters do not wait for requests from the self-timed network before transmitting a subsequent data element. Similarly, during each clock period, the system allows multiple synchronous receivers to accept one data element from and to assert one request on a receive clock line coupled into the self-timed network. In doing so, the multiple synchronous receivers do not wait for acknowledgments from the self-timed network before receiving a subsequent data element. The self-timed network is configured to tolerate bounded skew between the multiple synchronous transmitters and multiple synchronous receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Greenstreet
  • Patent number: 7076677
    Abstract: A source synchronous bus system is provided with a bus; a first device connected to the bus, having a driver to drive data and strobe signals, via the bus; and a second device connected to the bus, having a receiver to receive data and the strobe signals from the bus, and to select one of rising and falling edges of the strobe signals to latch a corresponding one of rising and falling edges of the data received from the bus, for subsequent data processing functions in order to compensate for systematic differences between rising and falling edges of the data received, via the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Maynard C. Falconer, Zane A. Ball
  • Patent number: 7075336
    Abstract: A method for distributing clocks to flip-flop circuits which constitute a logic circuit includes obtaining a timing slack of a first minimum delay time with respect to a minimum delay constraint time and a timing slack of a first maximum delay time with respect to a maximum delay constraint time for a clock in an input path to a flip-flop circuit, obtaining a timing slack of a second minimum delay time with respect to a minimum delay constraint time and a timing slack of a second maximum delay time with respect to a maximum delay constraint time for a clock in an output path from all the flip-flop circuits which receive the clocks from a clock terminal directly and obtaining a delay value which maximizes a minimum value of each of the first and second minimum delay time and maximum delay time of timing slacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Naohito Kojima, Fumihiro Minami, Masami Murakata, Takashi Ishioka
  • Patent number: 7073086
    Abstract: The clock signal is the dominant source of electromagnetic interference (EMI) for many electronic devices. EMI generated by an electronic device must be suppressed to avoid interference with other electronic devices and to satisfy FCC regulations. EMI emissions are reduced by phase-modulating the clock signal using tunable delay lines. Phase modulation causes a spreading of the energy spectrum of the clock signal thereby reducing EMI emissions. Implementations of the tunable delay lines are provided. In one implementation, a tunable delay line includes a first pipeline, a second pipeline, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the first pipeline to the second pipeline at various transfer points. The forward latency of the second pipeline is longer than that of the first pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Greenstreet
  • Patent number: 7072433
    Abstract: A digital delay locked loop (DLL) includes a coarse delay segment and fine delay segment. The coarse delay segment includes a coarse delay range. The fine delay segment includes a fine delay range. The coarse delay segment and the fine delay segment apply a coarse delay and a fine delay to an external clock signal to generate an internal clock signal. To keep the external and internal clock signals synchronized, the DLL adjusts the fine delay or coarse delay by increasing or decreasing the fine delay or the coarse delay. The coarse delay is adjusted only when the fine delay is at a minimum or maximum delay of the fine delay range and an increase or decrease in delay is needed respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Debra M. Bell
  • Patent number: 7073085
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor circuit device including a synchronous frequency divider which counts input clock signals and outputs a counted value, a selector circuit which receives signals of bits of the counted value output from the synchronous frequency divider and outputs a carry look-ahead signal of predetermined bits as an operation-processing effective-state signal in accordance with a selector signal, and an integrated circuit portion which uses a clock signal input to the synchronous frequency divider as a source clock and whose operating frequency is switched in accordance with the operation-processing effective-state signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Seiichi Tomita
  • Patent number: 7069458
    Abstract: A parallel data interface and method is provided herein, which adjusts a timing relationship of a clock signal to not only minimize clock skew, but to also compensate for noise components that may affect one or more paths of a parallel data bus. In some embodiments, the parallel data interface includes a first phase generator coupled to generate a first plurality of time delay pulses, and a first phase selector adapted to select one of the first plurality of time delay pulses to adjust the timing of a clock signal to sample each and every one of the plurality of data signals between minimum setup and hold time thresholds. In some embodiments, the parallel data interface includes a second phase generator coupled to generate a second plurality of time delay pulses, and a second phase selector adapted to select one of the second plurality of time delay pulses to adjust the timing of the clock signal to output the plurality of data signals from the data interface at least an amount of time (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Mohamed Sardi, Gabriel M. Li
  • Patent number: 7069459
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting clock skew involves using a plurality of oscillators distributed across the apparatus where at least one of the plurality of oscillators has a frequency dependent on a characteristic of the apparatus. A processor is arranged to adjust a bias generator dependent on the frequency. The bias generator is arranged to adjust a delay through a tunable buffer. The tunable buffer is arranged to propagate a clock signal dependent on the adjustment of the delay through the tunable buffer dependent on the bias generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude R. Gauthier, Shaishav Desai
  • Patent number: 7064590
    Abstract: It is difficult to optimize the timing of the forward and reverse direction for high frequency bi-directional digital signals. Therefore, a digital system is provided that improves the adjustability of the timing by the emission of an additional clock pulse, together with the output clock pulse for the receiver and the feedback clock pulse for the PLL. The additional clock pulse is re-circulated using a delay line and is used to set the clock pulse of the reverse direction signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Falk Höhnel
  • Patent number: 7064994
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory controller is coupled to a memory subsystem and controls accesses to the memory subsystem. In addition, a temperature sensor is positioned to detect a temperature associated with the memory subsystem. In this embodiment, the memory controller is configured to selectively insert one or more idle clock cycles between a first memory access and a second memory access depending upon the sensed temperature. In a further embodiment, a sensor is positioned to detect a power condition associated with the memory subsystem. In this embodiment, the memory controller is configured to selectively insert one or more idle clock cycles between a first memory access and a second memory access depending upon the detected power condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chung-Hsiao R. Wu