Patents by Inventor Benjamin J. Bowers

Benjamin J. Bowers 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: 9558308
    Abstract: Embodiments that design integrated circuits using a 1×N compiler in a closed-loop 1×N methodology are disclosed. Some embodiments create a physical design representation based on a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit. The behavioral representation may comprise RTL HDL with one or more 1×N building blocks. The embodiments may alter elements of the 1×N building block by using logic design tools, synthesis tools, physical design tools, and timing analysis tools. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a first generator to generate a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit, a second generator to generate a logical representation of the design, and a third generator to generate a physical design representation of the design, wherein the representation generators may create updated versions of the representations which reflect alterations made to 1×N building block elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: MENTOR GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Bowers, Matthew W. Baker, Anthony Correale, Jr., Irfan Rashid, Paul M. Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20150169792
    Abstract: Embodiments that design integrated circuits using a 1×N compiler in a closed-loop 1×N methodology are disclosed. Some embodiments create a physical design representation based on a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit. The behavioral representation may comprise RTL HDL with one or more 1×N building blocks. The embodiments may alter elements of the 1×N building block by using logic design tools, synthesis tools, physical design tools, and timing analysis tools. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a first generator to generate a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit, a second generator to generate a logical representation of the design, and a third generator to generate a physical design representation of the design, wherein the representation generators may create updated versions of the representations which reflect alterations made to 1×N building block elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: MENTOR GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Bowers, Matthew W. Baker, Anthony Correale, JR., Irfan Rashid, Paul M. Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 8887113
    Abstract: Embodiments that design integrated circuits using a 1×N compiler in a closed-loop 1×N methodology are disclosed. Some embodiments create a physical design representation based on a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit. The behavioral representation may comprise RTL HDL with one or more 1×N building blocks. The embodiments may alter elements of the 1×N building block by using logic design tools, synthesis tools, physical design tools, and timing analysis tools. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a first generator to generate a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit, a second generator to generate a logical representation of the design, and a third generator to generate a physical design representation of the design, wherein the representation generators may create updated versions of the representations which reflect alterations made to 1×N building block elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Bowers, Matthew W. Baker, Anthony Correale, Jr., Irfan Rashid, Paul M. Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 8739086
    Abstract: Embodiments that design integrated circuits using a 1×N compiler in a closed-loop 1×N methodology are disclosed. Some embodiments create a physical design representation based on a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit. The behavioral representation may comprise RTL HDL with one or more 1×N building blocks. The embodiments may alter elements of the 1×N building block by using logic design tools, synthesis tools, physical design tools, and timing analysis tools. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a first generator to generate a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit, a second generator to generate a logical representation of the design, and a third generator to generate a physical design representation of the design, wherein the representation generators may create updated versions of the representations which reflect alterations made to 1×N building block elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Bowers, Matthew W. Baker, Anthony Correale, Jr., Irfan Rashid, Paul M. Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 8516428
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to improve the manufacturability of cells and structures within cells of an integrated circuit are disclosed. Embodiments comprise a method of arranging programmable cells, routing the programmable cells, analyzing the cell arrangement and interconnect wiring for manufacturing improvement opportunities, and modifying the programmable cell structures to incorporate the manufacturing improvements. In some embodiments, wires are spread to prevent shorting. In other embodiments, the reliability of contacts and vias is improved by adding additional metallization to the areas surrounding the contacts and vias, or by adding redundant contacts and vias. In one embodiment, a series of manufacturing improvements are made to integrated circuit cells in an iterative fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Bowers, Anthony Correale
  • Patent number: 8298888
    Abstract: Techniques for using gate arrays to create capacitive structures within an integrated circuit are disclosed. Embodiments comprise placing a gate array of P-type field effect transistors (P-fets) and N-type field effect transistors (N-fets) in an integrated circuit design, coupling drains and sources for one or more P-fets and gates for one or more N-fets to a power supply ground, and coupling gates for the one or more P-fets and the drains and sources for one or more N-fets to a positive voltage of the power supply. In some embodiments, source-to-drain leakage current for capacitive apparatuses of P-fets and N-fets are minimized by biasing one or more P-fets and one or more N-fets to the positive voltage and the ground, respectively. In other embodiments, the capacitive structures may be implemented using fusible elements to isolate the capacitive structures in case of shorts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Correale, Jr., Benjamin J. Bowers, Douglass T. Lamb, Nishith Rohatgi
  • Publication number: 20120190165
    Abstract: Techniques for using gate arrays to create capacitive structures within an integrated circuit are disclosed. Embodiments comprise placing a gate array of P-type field effect transistors (P-fets) and N-type field effect transistors (N-fets) in an integrated circuit design, coupling drains and sources for one or more P-fets and gates for one or more N-fets to a power supply ground, and coupling gates for the one or more P-fets and the drains and sources for one or more N-fets to a positive voltage of the power supply. In some embodiments, source-to-drain leakage current for capacitive apparatuses of P-fets and N-fets are minimized by biasing one or more P-fets and one or more N-fets to the positive voltage and the ground, respectively. In other embodiments, the capacitive structures may be implemented using fusible elements to isolate the capacitive structures in case of shorts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony Correale, JR., Benjamin J. Bowers, Douglass T. Lamb, Nishith Rohatgi
  • Publication number: 20120192128
    Abstract: Embodiments that design integrated circuits using a 1×N compiler in a closed-loop 1×N methodology are disclosed. Some embodiments create a physical design representation based on a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit. The behavioral representation may comprise RTL HDL with one or more 1×N building blocks. The embodiments may alter elements of the 1×N building block by using logic design tools, synthesis tools, physical design tools, and timing analysis tools. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a first generator to generate a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit, a second generator to generate a logical representation of the design, and a third generator to generate a physical design representation of the design, wherein the representation generators may create updated versions of the representations which reflect alterations made to 1×N building block elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Bowers, Matthew W. Baker, Anthony Correale, JR., Irfan Rashid, Paul M. Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20120192129
    Abstract: Embodiments that design integrated circuits using a 1×N compiler in a closed-loop 1×N methodology are disclosed. Some embodiments create a physical design representation based on a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit. The behavioral representation may comprise RTL HDL with one or more 1×N building blocks. The embodiments may alter elements of the 1×N building block by using logic design tools, synthesis tools, physical design tools, and timing analysis tools. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a first generator to generate a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit, a second generator to generate a logical representation of the design, and a third generator to generate a physical design representation of the design, wherein the representation generators may create updated versions of the representations which reflect alterations made to 1×N building block elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Bowers, Matthew W. Baker, Anthony Correale, JR., Irfan Rashid, Paul M. Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 8188516
    Abstract: Techniques for using gate arrays to create capacitive structures within an integrated circuit are disclosed. Embodiments comprise placing a gate array of P-type field effect transistors (P-fets) and N-type field effect transistors (N-fets) in an integrated circuit design, coupling drains and sources for one or more P-fets and gates for one or more N-fets to a power supply ground, and coupling gates for the one or more P-fets and the drains and sources for one or more N-fets to a positive voltage of the power supply. In some embodiments, source-to-drain leakage current for capacitive apparatuses of P-fets and N-fets are minimized by biasing one or more P-fets and one or more N-fets to the positive voltage and the ground, respectively. In other embodiments, the capacitive structures may be implemented using fusible elements to isolate the capacitive structures in case of shorts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Correale, Jr., Benjamin J. Bowers, Douglass T. Lamb, Nishith Rohatgi
  • Patent number: 8156458
    Abstract: Embodiments that create parent-child relationships for reuse of 1×N building blocks in a closed-loop 1×N system are disclosed. Some methods comprise generating a representation of an IC design, inserting a first 1×N building block into the representation, and creating an association between the first 1×N building block and a second 1×N building block. The association enables the first 1×N building block to inherit alterations of attributes of the second 1×N building block and enables unique alterations of attributes of the first 1×N building block which differ from the second 1×N building block. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having an equivalency determiner to determine a logical equivalence between a two 1×N building blocks, an attribute creator that creates a set of attributes and enables one of the 1×N building blocks to inherit parent attributes and comprise child attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Baker, Benjamin J. Bowers, Anthony Correale, Jr., Irfan Rashid, Paul M. Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 8141016
    Abstract: Embodiments that make DFM alterations to cells of 1×N building blocks via a closed-loop 1×N compiler are disclosed. Some embodiments comprise using a 1×N compiler to detect a relationship between two adjacent cells of a 1×N building block. Based on the relationship, the embodiments select a DFM alteration and apply the alteration to a physical design representation. The embodiments may apply various types of DFM alterations depending on the relationship, such as adding polysilicon, adding metal to create redundant connections, and merging diffusion areas to increase capacitance on supply nodes. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a cell examiner to examine two adjacent cells of a 1×N building block and determine a relationship of the two cells. The apparatus also comprises a DFM selector to select a DFM alteration based on the relationship and a DFM applicator to apply the selected DFM alteration to one of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Correale, Jr., Benjamin J. Bowers, Matthew W. Baker, Irfan Rashid, Paul M. Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 8136062
    Abstract: Embodiments that reassemble hierarchical representations in a closed-loop 1×N system are disclosed. Some embodiments comprise creating a flat netlist from a hierarchical representation of a 1×N building block, creating attributes for the flat netlist, and altering one or more elements of the flat netlist, such as by an operation of a logic design tool, a synthesis tool, a physical design tool, or a timing analysis tool. The embodiments further comprise generating a second hierarchical representation of the 1×N building block that reflects the altered element. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a 1×N compiler and a reassembler. The 1×N compiler may create attributes for a flat netlist of elements of a hierarchical representation of a 1×N building block. The reassembler may use the attributes to create a second hierarchical representation of the 1×N building block that reflects alteration of elements to the flat netlist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Steinmetz, Benjamin J. Bowers, Anthony Correale, Jr., Irfan Rashid, Matthew W. Baker
  • Patent number: 8132134
    Abstract: Embodiments that design integrated circuits using a closed loop 1×N methodology are disclosed. Some embodiments create a physical design representation based on a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit. The behavioral representation may comprise RTL HDL with one or more 1×N building blocks. The embodiments may alter elements of the 1×N building block by using logic design tools, synthesis tools, physical design tools, and timing analysis tools. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a viewer and a 1×N compiler. The viewer may generate displays of behavioral representations of 1×N building blocks, with the behavioral representations comprising RTL definitions. The 1×N compiler may create physical design representations of the 1×N building block and create behavioral representations from the physical design representations, wherein the physical design representations have elements altered by one or more tools of a tool suite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Correale, Jr., Matthew W. Baker, Benjamin J. Bowers, Irfan Rashid, Paul M. Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 8122399
    Abstract: Embodiments that design integrated circuits using a 1×N compiler in a closed-loop 1×N methodology are disclosed. Some embodiments create a physical design representation based on a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit. The behavioral representation may comprise RTL HDL with one or more 1×N building blocks. The embodiments may alter elements of the 1×N building block by using logic design tools, synthesis tools, physical design tools, and timing analysis tools. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a first generator to generate a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit, a second generator to generate a logical representation of the design, and a third generator to generate a physical design representation of the design, wherein the representation generators may create updated versions of the representations which reflect alterations made to 1×N building block elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Bowers, Matthew W. Baker, Anthony Correale, Jr., Irfan Rashid, Paul M. Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 7966598
    Abstract: Embodiments that route 1×N building blocks using higher-level wiring information for a 1×N compiler are disclosed. Some embodiments comprise determining higher-level coordinates for a blockage of a 1×N building block, determining intra-1×N coordinates for a shape of the blockage via the higher-level coordinates, and creating routes of intra-1×N wires of the 1×N building block that avoid the intra-1×N coordinates. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a higher-level wiring examiner to examine higher-level wiring of an area near a 1×N building block of a physical design representation. The apparatus may also have a blockage determiner to determine a blockage that affects intra-1×N wiring for the 1×N building block and a coordinate calculator to calculate coordinates of a shape of the blockage, wherein the calculated coordinates may enable a routing tool to avoid the shape when creating intra-1×N wiring for the 1×N building block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony L. Polomik, Benjamin J. Bowers, Anthony Correale, Jr., Matthew W. Baker, Irfan Rashid, Paul M. Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 7908571
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to improve the manufacturability of cells and structures within cells of an integrated circuit are disclosed. Embodiments comprise a method of arranging programmable cells, routing the programmable cells, analyzing the cell arrangement and interconnect wiring for manufacturing improvement opportunities, and modifying the programmable cell structures to incorporate the manufacturing improvements. In some embodiments, wires are spread to prevent shorting. In other embodiments, the reliability of contacts and vias is improved by adding additional metallization to the areas surrounding the contacts and vias, or by adding redundant contacts and vias. In one embodiment, a series of manufacturing improvements are made to integrated circuit cells in an iterative fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Bowers, Anthony Correale, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100155800
    Abstract: Techniques for using gate arrays to create capacitive structures within an integrated circuit are disclosed. Embodiments comprise placing a gate array of P-type field effect transistors (P-fets) and N-type field effect transistors (N-fets) in an integrated circuit design, coupling drains and sources for one or more P-fets and gates for one or more N-fets to a power supply ground, and coupling gates for the one or more P-fets and the drains and sources for one or more N-fets to a positive voltage of the power supply. In some embodiments, source-to-drain leakage current for capacitive apparatuses of P-fets and N-fets are minimized by biasing one or more P-fets and one or more N-fets to the positive voltage and the ground, respectively. In other embodiments, the capacitive structures may be implemented using fusible elements to isolate the capacitive structures in case of shorts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony Correale, JR., Benjamin J. Bowers, Douglass T. Lamb, Nishith Rohatgi
  • Patent number: 7728362
    Abstract: Using gate arrays to create capacitive structures within an integrated circuit are disclosed. Embodiments comprise having a gate array of P-type field effect transistors (P-fets) and N-type field effect transistors (N-fets) in an integrated circuit design, coupling drains and sources for one or more P-fets and gates for one or more N-fets to a power supply ground, and coupling gates for the one or more P-fets and the drains and sources for one or more N-fets to a positive voltage of the power supply. In some embodiments, source-to-drain leakage current for capacitive apparatuses of P-fets and N-fets are minimized by biasing one or more P-fets and one or more N-fets to the positive voltage and the ground, respectively. In other embodiments, the capacitive structures may be implemented using fusible elements to isolate the capacitive structures in case of shorts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Correale, Jr., Benjamin J. Bowers, Douglass T. Lamb, Nishith Rohatgi
  • Publication number: 20100107130
    Abstract: Embodiments that generate 1×N building block representations for an IC design via a GUI of a 1×N block builder are disclosed. Some embodiments enable, via a GUI, selection of a logical function for a 1×N building block. The embodiments also comprise enabling selection of an implementation from a number of implementations of the logical function and automatically generating a 1×N building block representation of the logical function based on the selected implementation. The generated 1×N building block representation comprises an RTL description of the 1×N building block. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a GUI generator, a logical function selector to select a logical function, an implementation selector to select an implementation of the logical function from a number of implementations, and a 1×N building block generator to generate a 1×N building block representation of the 1×N building block based on the selected implementation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Bowers, Matthew W. Baker, Anthony Correale, JR., Irfan Rashid, Paul M. Steinmetz