Analog Devices,inc.

Paul D Krivacek

Frederic Boutaud

Palle Birk

J&oslash;rn S&oslash;rensen

Sean M FitzPatrick

Rainer R Hadwiger

Mark Banse

Joern Soerensen

Michael S Allen

Joerg Schwemmlein

Jørn Sørensen

A high speed program tracer providing compression using linear increment run length values, displacement values corresponding to discontinuities, and loop compression. A program count sequencer receives program count values from a processor, and outputs various program count values and signals to allow compression calculations to be made based upon linear increment run lengths, discontinuity detection, and detection of repeating instruction loops. Compression may be achieved using selected numbers of words to represent various compression values.

High-speed program tracing

Methods and apparatus for accessing flash memory in a continued burst mode are provided. The apparatus includes a processor for executing instructions including memory access instructions, the processor generating a next access signal that indicates if a next memory access is in sequence with a current memory access, a memory having a continued burst mode of operation, and a bus interface for controlling access to the memory in response to the memory access instructions. The bus interface unit enables the continued burst mode of the memory while the next access signal is asserted.

Methods and apparatus for utilizing flash burst mode to improve processor performance

A multiple bus architecture includes multiple processors, and one or more shared peripherals such as memory. The architecture includes plural bus masters, each connected to its own bus. There are also plural bus slaves, each connected to its own bus. A bus arbitration module selectively interconnects the buses, so that when the plural bus masters each access a different bus slave, no blocking occurs, and when the plural bus masers each access a same bus slave, bandwidth starvation is avoided. The architecture is supported by a bus arbitration method including hierarchical application of an interrupt-based method, an assigned slot rotation method and a round-robin method, which avoids both bandwidth starvation and lockout during extended periods of bus contention.

Bus arbitration method employing a table of slots suitably distributed amongst bus masters

Bus architecture and shared bus arbitration method for a communication device

A digital signal processing system includes multiple processors, and one or more shared peripherals such as memory. The architecture includes plural bus masters, each connected to its own bus. There are also plural bus slaves, each connected to its own bus. A bus arbitration module selectively interconnects the buses, so that when the plural bus masters each access a different bus slave, no blocking occurs, and when the plural bus masters each access a same bus slave, bandwidth starvation is avoided. The architecture is supported by a bus arbitration method including hierarchical application of an interrupt-based method, an assigned slot rotation method and a round-robin method, which avoids both bandwidth starvation and lockout during extended periods of bus contention. The system further includes a cache memory system allowing one process to perform real-time digital signal processing according to a modifiable program stored in a modifiable non-volatile memory by temporarily loading portions of the program into a fast, local memory.

Cache memory system and method for a digital signal processor

Described is an apparatus and a method for pulling an integrated circuit I/O pad to a known state and providing a current path between the pad and a source of potential during periods when an I/O voltage is likely to be floating. At least one I/O transistor coupled between the I/O pad and a source of potential is provided. Also provided is a combinatorial circuit connected to the I/O transistor to turn on the I/O transistor during periods that the I/O voltage is likely to be floating.

Method and an apparatus to actively sink current in an integrated circuit with a floating I/O supply voltage

Described is a Schmitt trigger cell that can be disabled under conditions of unknown gate voltages (e.g., floating or toggling input) such that the core is isolated from the Schmitt trigger input. This is accomplished by circuitry that disables current flow through those transistors whose gate voltages are unknown during such conditions and that forces a known output onto the output terminal.

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Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Paul D Krivacek