Patents by Inventor Billy W. Garrett

Billy W. Garrett 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: 9998305
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes an output driver having a data signal terminal, logic circuitry, and a driver circuit coupled to the logic circuitry and data signal terminal. The driver circuit is configured to drive a signal corresponding to a symbol onto the data signal terminal, wherein the symbol is an N-bit symbol, having one of 2N predefined values, N is an integer greater than 1, and the signal corresponding to the symbol has one of 2N signal levels. The driver circuit includes first, second and third driver sub-circuits, each driven by an input corresponding to one or more bits of the N-bit symbol, wherein the second and third driver sub-circuits are weighted, relative to the first driver sub-circuit, to reduce gds distortion in the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Bruno W. Garlepp, Pak S. Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Mark A. Horowitz, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Carl W. Werner
  • Publication number: 20170222845
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes an output driver having a data signal terminal, logic circuitry, and a driver circuit coupled to the logic circuitry and data signal terminal. The driver circuit is configured to drive a signal corresponding to a symbol onto the data signal terminal, wherein the symbol is an N-bit symbol, having one of 2N predefined values, N is an integer greater than 1, and the signal corresponding to the symbol has one of 2N signal levels. The driver circuit includes first, second and third driver sub-circuits, each driven by an input corresponding to one or more bits of the N-bit symbol, wherein the second and third driver sub-circuits are weighted, relative to the first driver sub-circuit, to reduce gds distortion in the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Bruno W. Garlepp, Pak S. Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Mark A. Horowitz, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Billy W. Garrett, Carl W. Werner
  • Patent number: 9544169
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a sense amplifier with an input to receive a present signal representing a present bit. The sense amplifier is to produce a decision regarding a logic level of the present bit. The integrated circuit device also includes a circuit to precharge the input of the sense amplifier by applying to the input of the sense amplifier a portion of a previous signal representing a previous bit. The integrated circuit device further includes a latch, coupled to the sense amplifier, to output the logic level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Bruno W. Garlepp, Pak S. Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Mark A. Horowitz, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Carl W. Werner
  • Publication number: 20140286389
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a sense amplifier with an input to receive a present signal representing a present bit. The sense amplifier is to produce a decision regarding a logic level of the present bit. The integrated circuit device also includes a circuit to precharge the input of the sense amplifier by applying to the input of the sense amplifier a portion of a previous signal representing a previous bit. The integrated circuit device further includes a latch, coupled to the sense amplifier, to output the logic level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Bruno W. Garlepp, Pak S. Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Mark A. Horowitz, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Billy W. Garrett, JR., Carl W. Werner
  • Patent number: 8634452
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a first circuit to receive bits associated with a first data cycle of an electrical input signal, operable to produce a decision regarding logic state of the bits associated with the first data cycle, and a second circuit to receive bits associated with a second cycle of the electrical input signal, to produce a decision regarding logic state of the bits associated with the second data cycle. An equalizing circuit compensates for intersymbol interference affecting the second circuit dependent on an output of the first circuit and compensates for intersymbol interference affecting the first circuit dependent on an output of a circuit other than the first circuit operable to produce a decision regarding logic state of bits of the electrical input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Bruno W. Garlepp, Pak S. Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Mark A. Horowitz, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Carl W. Werner
  • Publication number: 20130010855
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a first circuit to receive bits associated with a first data cycle of an electrical input signal, operable to produce a decision regarding logic state of the bits associated with the first data cycle, and a second circuit to receive bits associated with a second cycle of the electrical input signal, to produce a decision regarding logic state of the bits associated with the second data cycle. An equalizing circuit compensates for intersymbol interference affecting the second circuit dependent on an output of the first circuit and compensates for intersymbol interference affecting the first circuit dependent on an output of a circuit other than the first circuit operable to produce a decision regarding logic state of bits of the electrical input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Bruno W. Garlepp, Pak S. Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Mark A. Horowitz, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Billy W. Garrett, JR., Carl W. Werner
  • Patent number: 8199859
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a sense amplifier with an input to receive a present signal representing a present bit. The sense amplifier is to produce a decision regarding a logic level of the present bit. The integrated circuit device also includes a circuit to precharge the input of the sense amplifier by applying to the input of the sense amplifier a portion of a previous signal representing a previous bit. The integrated circuit device further includes a latch, coupled to the sense amplifier, to output the logic level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Bruno W. Garlepp, Pak S. Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Mark A. Horowitz, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Carl W. Werner
  • Publication number: 20110140741
    Abstract: A multiphase receiver to compensate for intersymbol interference in the sampling of an input signal includes a first integrating receiver to integrate and sample data of the input signal on a first phase of a clock and a second integrating receiver to integrate and sample data of the input signal on a second phase of the clock. The multiphase receiver also includes an equalization circuit to adjust integration by the first integrating receiver dependent on a result of integration of data previously received by an integrating receiver distinct from the first integrating receiver, and to adjust integration by the second integrating receiver dependent on a result of integration of data previously received by an integrating receiver distinct from the second integrating receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Bruno W. Garlepp, Pak S. Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Mark A. Horowitz, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Billy W. Garrett, JR., Carl W. Werner
  • Patent number: 7809088
    Abstract: A multiphase receiver to compensate for intersymbol interference in the sampling of an input signal includes a first integrating receiver to integrate and sample data of the input signal on a first phase of a clock and a second integrating receiver to integrate and sample data of the input signal on a second phase of the clock. The multiphase receiver also includes an equalization circuit to adjust integration by the first integrating receiver dependent on a result of integration of data previously received by an integrating receiver distinct from the first integrating receiver, and to adjust integration by the second integrating receiver dependent on a result of integration of data previously received by an integrating receiver distinct from the second integrating receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Bruno W. Garlepp, Pak S. Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Mark A. Horowitz, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Carl W. Werner
  • Publication number: 20100134153
    Abstract: A multiphase receiver to compensate for intersymbol interference in the sampling of an input signal includes a first integrating receiver to integrate and sample data of the input signal on a first phase of a clock and a second integrating receiver to integrate and sample data of the input signal on a second phase of the clock. The multiphase receiver also includes an equalization circuit to adjust integration by the first integrating receiver dependent on a result of integration of data previously received by an integrating receiver distinct from the first integrating receiver, and to adjust integration by the second integrating receiver dependent on a result of integration of data previously received by an integrating receiver distinct from the second integrating receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Bruno W. Garlepp, Pak S. Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Mark A. Horowitz, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Billy W. Garrett, JR., Carl W. Werner
  • Patent number: 7626442
    Abstract: A memory system uses multiple pulse amplitude modulation (multi-PAM) output drivers and receivers to send and receive multi-PAM signals. A multi-PAM signal has more than two voltage levels, with each data interval now transmitting a “symbol” at one of the valid voltage levels. In one embodiment, a symbol represents two or more bits. The multi-PAM output driver drives an output symbol onto a signal line. The output symbol represents at least two bits that include a most significant bit (MSB) and a least significant bit (LSB). The multi-PAM receiver receives the output symbol from the signal line and determines the MSB and the LSB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Bruno W. Garlepp, Pak S. Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Mark A. Horowitz, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Carl W. Werner
  • Patent number: 7536494
    Abstract: A system includes a first bus, a master device coupled to the first bus, and one or more subsystems coupled to the first bus. A respective subsystem includes a second bus, one or more slave devices coupled to the second bus, a write buffer to receive incoming signals from the master device via the first bus and to transmit signals to the one or more slave devices via the second bus in response to the incoming signals, and a read buffer to receive outgoing signals from the one or more slave devices via the second bus and to transmit signals to the master device via the first bus in response to the outgoing signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno W. Garlepp, Richard M. Barth, Kevin S. Donnelly, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel, Jeffrey D. Mitchell, James A. Gasbarro, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Fredrick A. Ware, Donald V. Perino
  • Patent number: 7222209
    Abstract: A bus system for use with addressable memory has a global bus of bidirectional signal lines. The global bus has a first end and a second end. A master device transmits data to and receives data from the global bus at the first end. A global bus terminator is coupled to the global bus at the second end. One or more slave devices, including a last slave device at a furthest distance from the master device, each includes an active terminator coupled to at least some of the bidirectional signal lines of the global bus. The active terminator of only the last slave device is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Rambus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno W. Garlepp, Richard M. Barth, Kevin S. Donnelly, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel, Jeffrey D. Mitchell, James A. Gasbarro, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Fredrick A. Ware, Donald V. Perino
  • Patent number: 7170314
    Abstract: Various module structures are disclosed which may be used to implement modules having 1 to N channels. Bus systems may be formed by the interconnection of such modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Belgacem Haba, Richard E. Perego, David Nguyen, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Ely Tsern, Crag E. Hampel, Wai-Yeng Yip
  • Patent number: 7124221
    Abstract: A memory system uses multiple pulse amplitude modulation (multi-PAM) output drivers and receivers to send and receive multi-PAM sigsnals. A multi-PAM signal has more than two voltage levels, with each data interval now transmitting a “symbol” at one of the valid voltage levels. In one embodiment, a symbol represents two or more bits. The multi-PAM output driver drives an output symbol onto a signal line. The output symbol represents at least two bits that include a most significant bit (MSB) and a least significant bit (LSB). The multi-PAM receiver receives the output symbol from the signal line and determines the MSB and the LSB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Bruno W. Garlepp, Pak S. Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Mark A. Horowitz, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Carl W. Werner
  • Patent number: 6898085
    Abstract: Various module structures are disclosed which may be used to implement modules having 1 to N channels. Bus systems may be formed by the interconnection of such modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Belgacem Haba, Richard E. Perego, David Nguyen, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Ely Tsern, Craig E. Hampel, Wai-Yeung Yip
  • Publication number: 20040196064
    Abstract: A bus system for use with addressable memory has a global bus of bidirectional signal lines. The global bus has a first end and a second end. A master device transmits data to and receives data from the global bus at the first end. A global bus terminator is coupled to the global bus at the second end. One or more slave devices, including a last slave device at a furthest distance from the master device, each includes an active terminator coupled to at least some of the bidirectional signal lines of the global bus. The active terminator of only the last slave device is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno W. Garlepp, Richard M. Barth, Kevin S. Donnelly, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel, Jeffrey D. Mitchell, James A. Gasbarro, Billy W. Garrett, Fredrick A. Ware, Donald V. Perino
  • Patent number: 6765800
    Abstract: Various module structures are disclosed which may be used to implement modules having 1 to N channels. Bus systems may be formed by the interconnection of such modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Belgacem Haba, Richard E. Perego, David Nguyen, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Ely Tsern, Craig E. Hampel, Wai-Yeung Yip
  • Publication number: 20040105240
    Abstract: Various module structures are disclosed which may be used to implement modules having 1 to N channels. Bus systems may be formed by the interconnection of such modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Belgacem Haba, Richard E. Perego, David Nguyen, Billy W. Garrett, Ely Tsern, Craig E. Hampel, Wai-Yeung Yip
  • Patent number: 6687780
    Abstract: A bus system for use with addressable memory has a global bus of uni-directional signal lines. The global bus has a first end and a second end. A master device transmits data to and receives data from the global bus. First and second global bus terminators are coupled to the first and second ends of the global bus, respectively. One or more subsystems are connected in parallel to each other and to the master device via the global bus. Each subsystem includes a local bus, one or more slave devices coupled to the local bus, a write buffer that receives incoming signals from the master device via the global bus and transmits the incoming signals to the one or more slave devices via the local bus, and a read buffer that receives outgoing signals from the one or more slave devices via the local bus and transmits the outgoing signals to the master device via the global bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno W. Garlepp, Richard M. Barth, Kevin S. Donnelly, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel, Jeffrey D. Mitchell, James A. Gasbarro, Billy W. Garrett, Jr., Fredrick A. Ware, Donald V. Perino