Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Richard A. Henkler
  • Patent number: 6778419
    Abstract: A method and structure for a read only memory (ROM) cell array has the first drain of a first transistor connected to a true bitline and a second drain of a second transistor connected to a complement bitline. The first transistor also includes a first source, and the second transistor includes a second source. The connection of the first source or the second source to ground programs the ROM cell. With the invention, only the first source or the second source is connected to the ground and the other is insulated from electrical connections. Further, the connection of the source to ground comprises an electrical connection formed during manufacturing of the first transistor and the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Barry, Peter F. Croce, Steven M. Eustis, Yabin Wang
  • Patent number: 6767779
    Abstract: A structure and method for a field effect transistor capable of handling high currents, comprises interleaved source and drain diffusion regions with drain diffusion contacts to a first metal level over the drain diffusions only; while a second metal level covers the full width of the device and takes current out of the source in a primarily vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Parker, Steven J. Tanghe
  • Patent number: 6762918
    Abstract: A fuse state circuit for reading the state of a fuse that is enhanced to reduce the circuits susceptibility to ESD, EOS or CDM events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Howard Voldman
  • Patent number: 6753698
    Abstract: An I/O driver comprising: a circuit adapted to be powered by a first power supply. The circuit is adapted to receive a first signal referenced to the voltage of a second power supply and is adapted to convert the first signal to a second signal of the same logical value as the first signal and referenced to the voltage of the first power supply. The circuit is adapted to maintain the second signal on an output of the I/O driver when the second power supply is powered off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Carpenter, Francis Chan, Kevin J. Nowka, Hongfei Wu
  • Patent number: 6741413
    Abstract: A common mode transient reduction circuit for use with an operational transconductance amplifier having a main amplifier and a common mode feedback amplifier coupled to a common bias voltage is disclosed. The common mode transient reduction circuit includes a delay circuit, coupled between the common bias voltage and the main amplifier, that reduces a magnitude of the main amplifier's common mode voltage output transient when the common bias voltage is changed. In an advantageous embodiment, the delay circuit includes a resistance and a capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin B. Ohlson
  • Patent number: 6742030
    Abstract: A method of monitoring transmissions across a network by recording a history of user-selected network transmission requests to a network client in a trace object, wherein the history of user-selected network transmission requests includes a trace of one or more network links, assigning a unique identifier to the trace object, and saving the trace object. In the embodiment wherein the network is the Internet, the method records a sequence of links to sites on the World Wide Web. A web browser can allow toggling between a logging mode and a non-logging mode, in order to start and stop recording of link traces. Multiple traces from different network sessions can thus be merged into a single link sequence which can thereafter be used to revisit a network link contained in the history of network transmissions. Different link sequences can be combined to form procedures. Supervisors (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Margaret Gardner MacPhail
  • Patent number: 6737894
    Abstract: An apparatus for generated impedance matched output signals for an integrated circuit is disclosed. The apparatus includes a master true driver circuit, a master complement driver circuit and multiple clone output driver circuits. The master true driver circuit includes a first driver control, a first output driver, a first impedance matching resistor and a first load. The master complement driver circuit includes a second driver control, a second output driver, a second impedance matching resistor and a second load. The clone output driver circuits, which are substantially identical to each other, can produce impedance matched output signals to their respective substantially identical loads. Each of the clone output driver circuit includes a driver control, a first unity gain amplifier, a second unity gain amplifier and a load. The inputs to the first and second unity gain amplifiers are supplied by the master true circuit and the master complement circuit via the driver control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Covino
  • Patent number: 6731154
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for buffering a signal in a voltage island that is in standby or sleep mode. The apparatus uses a buffer(s) that are powered from a global power supply voltage that is always powered, and such buffer(s) are placed within the sleeping island itself. The sleeping island can be at the same or different voltage from the global voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Richard Bednar, Scott Whitney Gould, David E. Lackey, Douglas Willard Stout, Paul Steven Zuchowski
  • Patent number: 6731179
    Abstract: A ring oscillator (and test circuit incorporating the ring oscillator and test method therefor) includes an odd number of elements interconnected in a serially-connected infinite loop, each oscillator element having an associated programmable delay feature. The circuit can be used to measure effects of Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) in p-channel MOSFETs (PFETs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi William Abadeer, Wayne Frederick Ellis, Patrick R. Hansen, Jonathan M. McKenna
  • Patent number: 6721313
    Abstract: An integrated switch fabric architecture comprises: a plurality of high speed SERializer/DESerializer (SERDES) transceiver devices adapted for operation in an Inter-Cabinet, Cabled environment (SERDES ICC-type) and, a plurality of high speed SERDES transceiver devices adapted for operation in a High Speed Backplane (HSB) environment (SERDES HSB-type) that are maximally integrated on a single IC chip die to form a modular switch element for enabling communication among nodes of a network. The switch fabric architecture includes a crossbar switch device for communicating with a communications link associated with each ICC SERDES transceiver device and HSB SERDES transceiver device for enabling communication between the links inside the modular switch element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: William F. Van Duyne
  • Patent number: 6720637
    Abstract: An SiGe device configured to exhibit high velocity saturation resistance characteristic for buffering large voltages at low currents, wherein for circuit applications, the SiGe device is connected in series with a circuit element for protection of the circuit element. Advantageously, the device may be exploited as a buffer element providing ESD circuit protection for receiver devices, power supply clamp circuits and I/O driver circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Howard Voldman
  • Patent number: 6720673
    Abstract: A circuit for fencing input signals to circuits in a voltage island when switching between a normal and a standby power supply is disclosed. A voltage detector detects the switch over in power source and generates a power switch signal. The power switch signal is synchronized to a standby clock and a normal clock. The synchronized standby clock signal is delayed by a counter to allow circuit stabilization. The normal and standby clock signals are logically combined and used to fence input signals to the circuits on the voltage islands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rafael Blanco, Sebastian T. Ventrone
  • Patent number: 6721927
    Abstract: A method of designing an integrated circuit chip includes preparing a first macro to have a first power consumption rate, preparing a second macro to have a second power consumption rate different than the first power consumption rate, designing the circuit, measuring performance characteristics of the circuit, and substituting the second macro for the first macro to improve the performance characteristics. The first macro and the second macro have the same function, devices, surface area size, external wiring pattern, and timing characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter F. Croce, Steven M. Eustis, Yabin Wang
  • Patent number: 6694417
    Abstract: A data processing system may include an interconnect and first and second components coupled to the interconnect for data transfer therebetween. The first component contains a write pipeline that includes an address register and a queue including storage locations for a plurality of data granules. In response to receipt of a plurality of data granules that are each associated with a single address specified by the address register, the queue loads the plurality of data granules into sequential storage locations in order of receipt. Upon the queue being filled with a predetermined number of data granules, the queue outputs, to the second component via the interconnect, the predetermined number of data granules at least two at a time according to the order of receipt. Thus, data transfer efficiency is enhanced while maintaining the relative ordering of the data granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Chung Liao, Peter Anthony Sandon
  • Patent number: 6680520
    Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus and method for fabrication of a precision circuit elements. In particular, the circuit elements are fabricated as part of an integrated circuit assembly. The processing of the circuit elements is such to provide a nominal circuit element value close in value to the desired value. Additional trim circuit elements are joined to the nominal circuit element through links. The links are fusible links or antifuses. By selectively blowing the fusible links or fusing the antifuses, trim circuit elements are added or subtracted to personalize the value of the nominal circuit element. A capacitor is used in an illustrative example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven H. Voldman, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 6675273
    Abstract: A memory circuitry is designed to efficiently obtain a predictable array output when an invalid address is requested. The memory circuit comprises an invalid word line path in addition to the standard valid word line path. In order to provide correct output, a dummy word line output of a first decode logic is delayed and the delayed dummy word line output is ANDed with a word line output to update the data out latch. Further, the invalid word line output of a second decode logic is also delayed, and the delayed invalid word line output is ORed with the delayed dummy word line output to reset the control logic. ORing the delayed signals allows the predictable output to be provided at a same clock time, irrespective of whether a valid address or an invalid address is decoded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Michael Eustis, Robert Lloyd Barry, Peter Francis Croce
  • Patent number: 6674139
    Abstract: A field effect transistor has an inverse-T gate conductor having a thicker center portion and thinner wings. The wings may be of a different material different than the center portion. In addition, gate dielectric may be thicker along edges than in the center. Doping can also be different under the wings than along the center portion or beyond the gate. Regions under the wings may be doped differently than the gate conductor. With a substantially vertical implant, a region of the channel overlapped by an edge of the gate is implanted without implanting a center portion of the channel, and this region is blocked from receiving at least a portion of the received by thick portions of the gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jack A. Mandelman, Carl J. Radens, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 6670683
    Abstract: A metal oxide semiconductor transistor having a slew-rate control is disclosed. The transistor having a slew-rate control includes an elongated diffusion area and an elongated gate overlying the diffusion area. The elongated diffusion area has at least two diffusion regions, each having a threshold voltage that is different from each other. The elongated gate has a gate contact at only one side of the elongated diffusion area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kerry Bernstein, Anthony Correale, Jr., Terence Blackwell Hook, Douglas Willard Stout
  • Patent number: 6667648
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising a first circuit powered by a first power supply. The first circuit sends a first signal referenced to the voltage of the first power supply to a second circuit powered by a second power supply. The second circuit receives the first signal and converts the first signal to a second signal of the same logical value as the first signal and is referenced to the voltage of the second power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Stout, Scott T. Wameling, Charles H. Windisch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6665754
    Abstract: An elastic-type first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer network for an input/output interface to enable higher link layer clock frequencies given fixed transmit clock frequencies of these “parallel-serial” high speed link interfaces. The network is particularly applicable to interface components used in InfiniBand type hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory J. Mann