Patents by Inventor Brian C. Monwai

Brian C. Monwai 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).

  • Methods and apparatus for monitoring power gating circuitry and for controlling circuit operations in dependence on monitored power gating conditions
    Patent number: 7679402
    Abstract: A circuit incorporating a current starved ring oscillator is coupled to a power gate switch in an integrated circuit. The circuit incorporating the current starved ring oscillator amplifies a voltage difference between a virtual ground associated with the power gate switch and ground, and converts the difference to a frequency. Digital logic monitors the output of the ring oscillator using a counter and a reference clock. Control circuitry controls operation of the integrated circuit in dependence on the monitored conditions associated with the power gate switch. A method monitors a virtual ground voltage across a power gate switch in an integrated circuit; and controls operation of the integrated circuit in dependence on the monitored virtual ground voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: J. Adam Butts, Gary S. Ditlow, Stephen V. Kosonocky, Brian C. Monwai
  • Methods and Apparatus for Monitoring Power Gating Circuitry and for Controlling Circuit Operations in Dependence on Monitored Power Gating Conditions
    Publication number: 20090251171
    Abstract: A circuit incorporating a current starved ring oscillator is coupled to a power gate switch in an integrated circuit. The circuit incorporating the current starved ring oscillator amplifies a voltage difference between a virtual ground associated with the power gate switch and ground, and converts the difference to a frequency. Digital logic monitors the output of the ring oscillator using a counter and a reference clock. Control circuitry controls operation of the integrated circuit in dependence on the monitored conditions associated with the power gate switch. A method monitors a virtual ground voltage across a power gate switch in an integrated circuit; and controls operation of the integrated circuit in dependence on the monitored virtual ground voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: J. Adam Butts, Gary S. Ditlow, Stephen V. Kosonocky, Brian C. Monwai