Patents by Inventor Daniel M. Dreps

Daniel M. Dreps has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8543753
    Abstract: A multi-use physical (PHY) architecture that includes a PHY connection that includes one or more bit lines and that is communicatively coupled to a first processor. The PHY connection is configurable to carry signals between the first processor and a second processor, or between the first processor and a memory. The one or more bit lines are configured to carry signals bi-directionally at a first voltage when the PHY connection is configured to carry signals between the first processor and the memory. The one or more bit lines are configured to carry signals uni-directionally at a second voltage when the PHY connection is configured to carry signals between the first processor and the second processor. The second voltage is different than the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dreps, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Michael A. Sorna, Glen A. Wiedemeier
  • Patent number: 8493801
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining correct timing for receiving, in a host in a memory system, of a normal toggle transmitted by an addressed memory chip on a bidirectional data strobe. An offset in the data strobe is established, either by commanding the addressed memory chip, in a training period, to drive the data strobe to a known state, except during transmission of a normal toggle, or by providing a voltage offset between a true and a complement phase in the data strobe, or by providing a circuit bias in a differential receiver on the host the receives the data strobe. A series of read commands are transmitted by the host to the addressed memory chip, which responds by transmitting the normal toggle. Timing of reception of the normal toggle as received by the host chip is adjusted until the normal toggle is correctly received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Michael K. Kerr, Kyu-hyoun Kim, David W. Mann, James A. Mossman, Michael A. Sorna, Robert B. Tremaine, William M. Zevin
  • Patent number: 8452919
    Abstract: An advanced memory having improved performance, reduced power and increased reliability. A memory device includes a memory array, a receiver for receiving a command and associated data, error control coding circuitry for performing error control checking on the received command, and data masking circuitry for preventing the associated data from being written to the memory array in response to the error control coding circuitry detecting an error in the received command. Another memory device includes a programmable preamble. Another memory device includes a fast exit self-refresh mode. Another memory device includes auto refresh function that is controlled by the characteristic device. Another memory device includes an auto refresh function that is controlled by a characteristic of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kyu-Hyoun Kim, George L. Chiu, Paul W. Coteus, Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Warren E. Maule
  • Publication number: 20130077724
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention comprises a digital phase detector with substantially zero phase offset. The digital phase detector receives a clock signal and a reference clock signal and provides a phase indicator signal to identify whether the clock signal leads or lags the reference clock signal. An embodiment of the invention comprises a method that adds substantially zero phase offset in processing an input clock signal and a delayed clock signal to generate a control signal. The control signal is processed in a variable delay line to generate the delayed clock signal. In an embodiment, a first processor comprises a delay locked loop having a digital phase detector, the digital phase detector comprising a first differential sense amplifier cross-coupled to a second differential sense amplifier, the digital phase detector receiving a clock signal and generating one or more delayed clock signals, a control signal, and a gated data signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dreps, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Glen A. Wiedemeier
  • Patent number: 8332552
    Abstract: An integrated processor design includes physical interface macros supporting heterogeneous electrical properties. The processor design comprises a plurality of processing cores and a plurality of physical interfaces to connect to a memory interface, a peripheral component interconnect express (PCI Express or PCIe) interface for input/output, an Ethernet interface for network communication, and/or a serial attached SCSI (SAS) interface for storage. Each physical interface may be programmatically connected to a selected interface controller, such as a memory controller, a PCI Express controller, or an Ethernet controller, for example. A plurality of such controllers may be connected to a switch within the processor design, with the switch also being connected to each physical interface macro. Thus, the physical interface macros may be programmatically connected to a subset of the plurality of controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ravi K. Arimilli, Claude Basso, Jean L. Calvignac, Daniel M. Dreps, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Publication number: 20120300564
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining correct timing for receiving, in a host in a memory system, of a normal toggle transmitted by an addressed memory chip on a bidirectional data strobe. An offset in the data strobe is established, either by commanding the addressed memory chip, in a training period, to drive the data strobe to a known state, except during transmission of a normal toggle, or by providing a voltage offset between a true and a complement phase in the data strobe, or by providing a circuit bias in a differential receiver on the host the receives the data strobe. A series of read commands are transmitted by the host to the addressed memory chip, which responds by transmitting the normal toggle. Timing of reception of the normal toggle as received by the host chip is adjusted until the normal toggle is correctly received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Michael K. Kerr, Kyu-hyoun Kim, David W. Mann, James A. Mossman, Michael A. Sorna, Robert B. Tremaine, William M. Zevin
  • Publication number: 20120300563
    Abstract: An advanced memory having improved performance, reduced power and increased reliability. A memory device includes a memory array, a receiver for receiving a command and associated data, error control coding circuitry for performing error control checking on the received command, and data masking circuitry for preventing the associated data from being written to the memory array in response to the error control coding circuitry detecting an error in the received command. Another memory device includes a programmable preamble. Another memory device includes a fast exit self-refresh mode. Another memory device includes auto refresh function that is controlled by the characteristic device. Another memory device includes an auto refresh function that is controlled by a characteristic of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyu-Hyoun Kim, George L. Chiu, Paul W. Coteus, Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Warren E. Maule
  • Publication number: 20120300570
    Abstract: An advanced memory having improved performance, reduced power and increased reliability. A memory device includes a memory array, a receiver for receiving a command and associated data, error control coding circuitry for performing error control checking on the received command, and data masking circuitry for preventing the associated data from being written to the memory array in response to the error control coding circuitry detecting an error in the received command. Another memory device includes a programmable preamble. Another memory device includes a fast exit self-refresh mode. Another memory device includes auto refresh function that is controlled by the characteristic device. Another memory device includes an auto refresh function that is controlled by a characteristic of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyu-Hyoun Kim, George L. Chiu, Paul W. Coteus, Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Warren E. Maule
  • Patent number: 8307270
    Abstract: An advanced memory having improved performance, reduced power and increased reliability. A memory device includes a memory array, a receiver for receiving a command and associated data, error control coding circuitry for performing error control checking on the received command, and data masking circuitry for preventing the associated data from being written to the memory array in response to the error control coding circuitry detecting an error in the received command. Another memory device includes a programmable preamble. Another memory device includes a fast exit self-refresh mode. Another memory device includes auto refresh function that is controlled by the characteristic device. Another memory device includes an auto refresh function that is controlled by a characteristic of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kyu-Hyoun Kim, George L. Chiu, Paul W. Coteus, Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Warren E. Maule
  • Publication number: 20120260016
    Abstract: A multi-use physical (PHY) architecture that includes a PHY connection that includes one or more bit lines and that is communicatively coupled to a first processor. The PHY connection is configurable to carry signals between the first processor and a second processor, or between the first processor and a memory. The one or more bit lines are configured to carry signals bi-directionally at a first voltage when the PHY connection is configured to carry signals between the first processor and the memory. The one or more bit lines are configured to carry signals uni-directionally at a second voltage when the PHY connection is configured to carry signals between the first processor and the second processor. The second voltage is different than the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dreps, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Michael A. Sorna, Glen A. Wiedemeier
  • Patent number: 8284621
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining correct timing for receiving, in a host in a memory system, of a normal toggle transmitted by an addressed memory chip on a bidirectional data strobe. An offset in the data strobe is established, either by commanding the addressed memory chip, in a training period, to drive the data strobe to a known state, except during transmission of a normal toggle, or by providing a voltage offset between a true and a complement phase in the data strobe, or by providing a circuit bias in a differential receiver on the host the receives the data strobe. A series of read commands are transmitted by the host to the addressed memory chip, which responds by transmitting the normal toggle. Timing of reception of the normal toggle as received by the host chip is adjusted until the normal toggle is correctly received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Michael K. Kerr, Kyu-hyoun Kim, David W. Mann, James A. Mossman, Michael A. Sorna, Robert B. Tremaine, William M. Zevin
  • Patent number: 8257092
    Abstract: A memory module configured to connect to a slot of a data processing system. A set of tabs is connected to the module and configured to electrically connect the module to the slot and to electrically connect the module to a clock of the data processing system. The set of tabs includes a first tab, a second tab, a third tab, and a fourth tab. The first tab and the second tab are opposite the third tab and the fourth tab. The first tab comprises a positive type tab, the second tab comprises a negative type tab, the third tab comprises a positive type tab, and the fourth tab comprises a negative type tab. The first and third tabs are configured to provide a first electrical connection to the clock. The second and fourth tabs are configured to provide a second electrical connection to the clock. Together, the first, second, third, and fourth tabs comprise two dual tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sungjun Chun, Daniel M. Dreps, Dierk Kaller, Rohan U. Mandrekar, Lei Shan
  • Publication number: 20120120577
    Abstract: A memory module configured to connect to a slot of a data processing system. A set of tabs is connected to the module and configured to electrically connect the module to the slot and to electrically connect the module to a clock of the data processing system. The set of tabs includes a first tab, a second tab, a third tab, and a fourth tab. The first tab and the second tab are opposite the third tab and the fourth tab. The first tab comprises a positive type tab, the second tab comprises a negative type tab, the third tab comprises a positive type tab, and the fourth tab comprises a negative type tab. The first and third tabs are configured to provide a first electrical connection to the clock. The second and fourth tabs are configured to provide a second electrical connection to the clock. Together, the first, second, third, and fourth tabs comprise two dual tabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sungjun Chun, Daniel M. Dreps, Dierk Kaller, Rohan U. Mandrekar, Lei Shan
  • Publication number: 20120081873
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter are directed to a first circuit board configured to include an electronic component. The electronic component includes a plurality of leads. The first circuit board includes first wires configured to connect to a first portion of the plurality of leads. The second circuit board is affixed to the first circuit board. The second circuit board includes second wires. The second circuit board is smaller in size than the first circuit board. A plurality of electrical connectors extend through a thickness of the first circuit board and are configured to connect a second portion of the plurality of leads to the second wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Baska, Daniel M. Dreps, Rohan U. Mandrekar, Roger D. Weekly
  • Patent number: 8089813
    Abstract: A voltage reference driver includes a voltage divider circuit with a voltage reference output node to output a voltage between a first voltage and a second voltage. The voltage reference driver also includes a first selectable impedance circuit coupled to a node at the first voltage and further coupled to the voltage reference output node, and a second selectable impedance circuit coupled to a node at the second voltage and further coupled to the voltage reference output node. Combinations of the first selectable impedance circuit and the second selectable impedance circuit are selectable such that a constant impedance is maintained at the voltage reference output node within a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel M. Dreps
  • Patent number: 8082475
    Abstract: Shadow selection logic is used to select a driver bit position as a shadowed driver value, and line drivers to transmit data for the selected driver bit position and the shadowed driver value on separate link segments of a bus. In addition shadow compare logic is used to compare a selected received value with a shadowed received value from the bus and identify a miscompare in response to a mismatch of the compare, and shadow counters to count a rate of the miscompare relative to a bus error rate over a period of time. A defective link segment is identified in response to the rate of the miscompare within a predefined threshold of the bus error rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frank D. Ferraiolo, Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Robert J. Reese
  • Patent number: 8082474
    Abstract: Shadow selection logic is used to select a driver bit position as a shadowed driver value, and line drivers to transmit data for the selected driver bit position and the shadowed driver value on separate link segments of a bus. In addition, shadow compare logic is used to compare a selected received value with a shadowed received value from the bus and identify a miscompare in response to a mismatch of the compare Shadow counters are used to count a rate of the miscompare relative to a bus error rate over a period of time. A defective link segment is identified in response to the rate of the miscompare within a predefined threshold of the bus error rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frank D. Ferraiolo, Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Robert J. Reese
  • Publication number: 20110289270
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure a method and technique for managing data transfer is disclosed. The method includes comparing, by a processor unit of a data processing system, data to be written to a memory subsystem to a stored data pattern and, responsive to determining that the data matches the stored data pattern, replacing the matching data with a pattern tag corresponding to the matching data pattern. The method also includes transmitting the pattern tag to the memory subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Robert H. Bell, JR., Louis Bennie Capps, JR., Daniel M. Dreps, Luis A. Lastras-Montano, Michael Jay Shapiro
  • Patent number: 8051228
    Abstract: An integrated processor design includes physical interface macros supporting heterogeneous electrical properties. The processor design comprises a plurality of processing cores and a plurality of physical interfaces to connect to a memory interface, a peripheral component interconnect express (PCI Express or PCIe) interface for input/output, an Ethernet interface for network communication, and/or a serial attached SCSI (SAS) interface for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ravi K. Arimilli, Daniel M. Dreps, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Patent number: 8050174
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing a set of signal paths for a chip. A defective signal path within the set of signal paths for the chip is detected. Signals are re-routed through the set of signal paths such that the defective signal path is removed from the set of signal paths and sending signals using remaining data signal paths in the set of signal paths and using an extra signal path in response to detecting the defective signal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wiren D. Becker, Daniel M. Dreps, Frank D. Ferraiolo, Anand Haridass, Robert J. Reese