Patents Examined by Jemele M Hollington
  • Patent number: 7408374
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling electro-migration, and reducing the deleterious effects thereof, are disclosed. Embodiments provide for reversal of an applied voltage to an integrated circuit when a measurement indicative of an extent of electro-migration indicates that a healing cycle of operation is warranted. During the healing cycle, circuits of the integrated circuit function normally, but electro-migration effects are reversed. In one embodiment, micro-electro-mechanical switches are provided at a lowest level of metallization to switch the direction of current through the levels of metallization of the integrated circuit. In another embodiment, if the measurement indicative of the extent of electro-migration exceeds a reference level by a specifiable amount, then the voltage applied to the integrated circuit is reversed in polarity to cause current to switch directions to counter electro-migration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hayden Clavie Cranford, Jr., Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, James Stephen Mason, Chih-Chao Yang