Test Quality Analysis and Improvement for an Embedded Asynchronous FIFO

Embedded First-InFirst-Out (FIFO) memories are increasingly used in many IC designs.We have created a new full-custom embedded FIFO module withasynchronous read and write clocks, which is at least a factor twosmaller and also faster than SRAM-based and standard-cell-basedcounterparts. The detection qualities of the FIFO test for bothhard and weak resistive shorts and opens have been analyzed by anIFA-like method based on analog simulation. The defect coverage ofthe initial FIFO test for shorts in the bit-cell matrix has beenimproved by inclusion of an additional data background andlow-voltage testing; for low-resistant shorts, 100% defect coverageis obtained. The defect coverage for opens has been improved by anew test procedure which includes waitingperiods

Drosophila Genome-Wide RNAi Screen Identifies Multiple Regulators of HIF–Dependent Transcription in Hypoxia

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are a family of evolutionary conserved alpha-beta heterodimeric transcription factors that induce a wide range of genes in response to low oxygen tension. Molecular mechanisms that mediate oxygen-dependent HIF regulation operate at the level of the alpha subunit, controlling protein stability, subcellular localization, and transcriptional coactivator recruitment. We have conducted an unbiased genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screen in Drosophila cells aimed to the identification of genes required for HIF activity. After 3 rounds of selection, 30 genes emerged as critical HIF regulators in hypoxia, most of which had not been previously associated with HIF biology. The list of genes includes components of chromatin remodeling complexes, transcription elongation factors, and translational regulators. One remarkable hit was the argonaute 1 (ago1) gene, a central element of the microRNA (miRNA) translational silencing machinery. Further studies confirmed the physiological role of the miRNA machinery in HIF–dependent transcription. This study reveals the occurrence of novel mechanisms of HIF regulation, which might contribute to developing novel strategies for therapeutic intervention of HIF–related pathologies, including heart attack, cancer, and stroke

Designing a performance measurement system: a case study

Performance measurement (PM) by means of local performance indicators (PIs) is developing into performance management at a company-wide scale. But how should PIs at various levels in the organization be incorporated into one system that can help managers, working at levels that range from operational to strategic? How do we convince potential users and obtain their support when starting to develop such a system? How can we aggregate PIs? How do we present results? This paper addresses these and related questions. It is based on a case study carried out at the European Operations department of Nike, a company producing and selling sportswear worldwide. The study resulted in a prototype system that basically is a balanced scorecard tailored to the needs of the company. The empirical findings differ in some ways from the literature on developing performance measurement systems (PMSs) in Operations. Discussing these differences provides new theoretical and practical insights. They relate to the role of parallel initiatives for PM, the role of standardized metrics, the continuous improvement of PMSs, and the normalization and aggregation of measures. Our findings suggest that developing PMSs should to a large extent be understood as a co-ordination effort rather than a design effort. The lessons learned cannot have universal validity, but may be helpful in similar kinds of initiatives

Abstract

Embedded First-In First-Out (FIFO) memories are increasingly used in many IC designs. We have created a new full-custom embedded ripple-through FIFO module with asynchronous read and write clocks. The implementation is based on a micropipeline architecture and is at least a factor two smaller than SRAM-based and standard-cell-based counterparts. This paper gives an overview of the most important design features of the new FIFO module and describes its test and design-for-test approach.

Test Quality Analysis . . .

Embedded First-In First-Out (FIFO) memories are increasingly used in many IC designs. We have created a new full-custom embedded FIFO module with asynchronous read and write clocks, which is at least a factor two smaller and also faster than SRAM-based and standard-cell-based counterparts. The detection qualities of the FIFO test for both hard and weak resistive shorts and opens have been analyzed by an IFA-like method based on analog simulation. The defect coverage of the initial FIFO test for shorts in the bit-cell matrix has been improved by inclusion of an additional data background and low-voltage testing; for low-resistant shorts, 100 % defect coverage is obtained. The defect coverage for opens has been improved by a new test procedure which includes waiting periods

Parameters Affecting Transient Oxide Formation on FeCrAl Based Foil and Fibre Materials

The effects of oxidation temperature and atmosphere on the formation of alumina scales on two commercial FeCrAl foil materials have been investigated. The oxidized specimens were characterized using a range of surface analysis techniques including SEM, XRD, laser induced optical spectrometry (LIOS), AES and XPS. During oxidation at temperatures exceeding 1000degreesC, the protective oxide scales formed on FeCrAl-alloys consist mainly of alpha alumina. At lower temperatures, however, formation of transient alumina modifications, has been observed. Although after longer oxidation times transformation into the stable alpha alumina occurs, the high initial growth rate of the metastable oxide phases could lead to a critical depletion of the Al-reservoir in thin walled (e.g. 20 (m) components, resulting in early breakaway failure. The occurrence of metastable oxides cannot simply be correlated with alloy composition