Other

Mentor Graphics Corporation

Jonathan Weiss

Patrick D Fortner

Angled hand plow

A method for controlling crosstalk, power and yield in nanometer-technology integrated circuits ('ICs') is based on a performance driven space optimization technique that minimizes the coupling capacitance between the interconnecting wires. Given a routed IC design, virtual compression-springs are inserted between all the elements of the design creating a mesh of springs. The design is then perturbed, or shaken, by transforming the spring system into a minimum-energy problem, a solution for which reduces or eliminates crosstalk violations, minimizes power and increases yield as the springs reach minimum energy state. In a described method, the primitives of a given IC layout are defined in terms of object points. In a first step, a mesh of virtual compression springs connecting all the layout primitives is generated from the object points. The spring constant for each virtual spring embedded between interconnecting wires is chosen to follow a relationship between a slack function and the separation distance between the interconnecting wires. In a second step, the design is shaken by minimizing the energy of the virtual compression-spring-loaded-system, resulting in new object points and new positions for the springs and the interconnecting wires.

Method and apparatus for controlling crosstalk, power and yield in nanometer technology ICs

An automatic pedal is composed of a bracket member adapted to be supported by the pedal arm of a conventional bicycle, and a peg member adapted to be supported by a conventional riding shoe. The bracket member has an aperture configured to receive the peg member and to secure the peg member to the bracket when the bicycle rider places the riding shoe in a riding position. The aperture is configured to release the peg member upon the riding shoe being turned out of the riding position. The peg member is provided with two mating portions which allow the riding position (the position at which the peg member is secured to the riding shoe) to be adjusted.

Automatic pedal

A peg is securable to each shoe and is releasably attachable to a bracket secured to each bicycle pedal. The bracket is securable to a conventional bicycle pedal for example by using screws and screw holes normally provided on conventional pedals for mounting reflectors, or the like, thereon. The peg is securable to the bottom of a conventional riding shoe for example by using the screw holes and screws normally provided on conventional riding shoes for mounting a cleat, or the like, thereon. The peg is shaped so as to fit into an aperture formed in the bracket and to constantly abut the edge of the aperture upon insertion. In one embodiment, the peg is provided with spiral shaped slots and the bracket with tabs, which operate together to releasably attach the peg to the bracket in a screw-threading manner.

The method of mesh generation comprises a two-step automatic process that requires no user input once a geometric representation of the object has been provided to the apparatus. In the method, the object geometry is first defined in terms of object (subdomain) points, wherein each subdomain is a separate geometric region of the object such as a printed circuit board, a hole in the board, and a component mounted on the board. Bounding points defining a frame around the object geometry are then generated for producing a mesh consisting of at least one element. From the object points and the bounding points an initial mesh of elements is automatically generated according to a unique algorithm. In the second step of the process, each element in this mesh is then individually examined to determine if it meets a predetermined standard of acceptability and, if not, is refined. This process step employs a rule-based expert system to add additional points to the mesh at automatically determined locations for further mesh generation according to the unique algorithm employed. The steps of refinement repeat until each element in the mesh meets the acceptability standard or is considered no longer refinable.

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Lake Oswego, OR, United States of America

Jonathan Weiss