Patents by Inventor Chihhung Liao

Chihhung Liao 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: 11935618
    Abstract: An area efficient input terminated readable and resettable configuration memory latch is disclosed. A pull-up network and a pair of pull-down networks operate to set the value of an internal node based, in part, on the state of the input terminated bit line and a word line write input. The internal node is inverted to form the output of the configuration memory latch. A reset line operates to reset the latch and a reset cycle is initiated prior to each write cycle. In some embodiments, the configuration memory latch includes a scan mode input, which, when asserted, facilitates automated testing of a programmable logic device that includes the configuration memory latch. Asserting the scan mode input enables Design for Test functionality. A sensing block is configured to sense the state of the bit when a word line read signal and a read enable signal are both asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ket Chong Yap, Chihhung Liao, Shieh Huan Yen
  • Patent number: 11848066
    Abstract: A programmable logic device (PLD) supports scan testing of configurable logical blocks using scannable word line (WL) shift register (WLSR) chains to enable writes to configurable memory bits while scan test data is input via a scan chain comprising scannable bit line (BL) shift registers (BLSRs). Input test data may be shifted onto BLs to write data into a configurable memory bit when a corresponding WL associated with the configurable memory bit is asserted. Logic blocks may comprise: latch-based configurable memory bits, scannable WLSRs forming a distinct WLSR chain in shift mode and driving corresponding WLs. Each WL, when asserted, enables writes to a corresponding configurable memory bit. A scannable BLSR receives serial scan test vector input in shift mode and drives a corresponding BL coupled to the configurable memory bit to write data to the configurable memory bit when the associated WL is asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: QuickLogic Corporation
    Inventors: Ket Chong Yap, Chihhung Liao, Shieh Huan Yen
  • Patent number: 11848671
    Abstract: An area efficient readable and resettable configuration memory latch is disclosed that maintains latch data integrity through read and write operations and includes a non-terminated inout bit line (BL). During write operations, enabled by a Word Line Write (WLW) signal, the non-terminated inout BL drives data to be written, while, during read operations, enabled by a Word Line Read (WLR) signal, the state of the BL is indicative of a data stored in the latch. A pull-down network is activated when the WLR signal is asserted and the stored data is logic one and, when activated, operates to pull down the BL to logic zero; the pull-down network is inactive otherwise. A weak pull-up operates to pull up the BL when the pull-down network is inactive. A sensing block is configured to sense the state of the BL when the WLR signal and a read enable signal are both asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: QuickLogic Corporation
    Inventors: Ket Chong Yap, Chihhung Liao
  • Publication number: 20230353156
    Abstract: A bit line (BL) may be coupled at a first end to a BL driver (BLD) and at a second end to a BL receiver (BLR). The BL include a plurality of sections and each BL section may be coupled to at least one corresponding sectional configuration memory latch controlled by: at least one sectional word line write (WLW-k) signal, which when asserted enables data to be written into the at least one corresponding sectional configuration memory latch when a corresponding tri-stateable sectional driver (SD-k) is activated, and at least one sectional word line read (WLR-k) signal, which when asserted enables data to be from the at least one corresponding sectional configuration memory latch when the corresponding sectional pull-up (PU-k) is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: QuickLogic Corporation
    Inventors: Ket Chong YAP, Chihhung LIAO
  • Publication number: 20230343372
    Abstract: An area efficient input terminated readable and resettable configuration memory latch is disclosed. A pull-up network and a pair of pull-down networks operate to set the value of an internal node based, in part, on the state of the input terminated bit line and a word line write input. The internal node is inverted to form the output of the configuration memory latch. A reset line operates to reset the latch and a reset cycle is initiated prior to each write cycle. In some embodiments, the configuration memory latch includes a scan mode input, which, when asserted, facilitates automated testing of a programmable logic device that includes the configuration memory latch. Asserting the scan mode input enables Design for Test functionality. A sensing block is configured to sense the state of the bit when a word line read signal and a read enable signal are both asserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Ket Chong Yap, Chihhung Liao, Shieh Huan Yen
  • Publication number: 20230317192
    Abstract: A programmable logic device (PLD) supports scan testing of configurable logical blocks using scannable word line (WL) shift register (WLSR) chains to enable writes to configurable memory bits while scan test data is input via a scan chain comprising scannable bit line (BL) shift registers (BLSRs). Input test data may be shifted onto BLs to write data into a configurable memory bit when a corresponding WL associated with the configurable memory bit is asserted. Logic blocks may comprise: latch-based configurable memory bits, scannable WLSRs forming a distinct WLSR chain in shift mode and driving corresponding WLs. Each WL, when asserted, enables writes to a corresponding configurable memory bit. A scannable BLSR receives serial scan test vector input in shift mode and drives a corresponding BL coupled to the configurable memory bit to write data to the configurable memory bit when the associated WL is asserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Ket Chong Yap, Chihhung Liao, Shieh Huan Yen
  • Publication number: 20230299773
    Abstract: An area efficient readable and resettable configuration memory latch is disclosed that maintains latch data integrity through read and write operations and includes a non-terminated inout bit line (BL). During write operations, enabled by a Word Line Write (WLW) signal, the non-terminated inout BL drives data to be written, while, during read operations, enabled by a Word Line Read (WLR) signal, the state of the BL is indicative of a data stored in the latch. A pull-down network is activated when the WLR signal is asserted and the stored data is logic one and, when activated, operates to pull down the BL to logic zero; the pull-down network is inactive otherwise. A weak pull-up operates to pull up the BL when the pull-down network is inactive. A sensing block is configured to sense the state of the BL when the WLR signal and a read enable signal are both asserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Ket Chong YAP, Chihhung Liao
  • Patent number: 11652486
    Abstract: A bit line (BL) may be coupled at a first end to a BL driver (BLD) and at a second end to a BL receiver (BLR). The BL include a plurality of sections and each BL section may be coupled to at least one corresponding sectional configuration memory latch controlled by: at least one sectional word line write (WLW-k) signal, which when asserted enables data to be written into the at least one corresponding sectional configuration memory latch when a corresponding tri-stateable sectional driver (SD-k) is activated, and at least one sectional word line read (WLR-k) signal, which when asserted enables data to be from the at least one corresponding sectional configuration memory latch when the corresponding sectional pull-up (PU-k) is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: QuickLogic Corporation
    Inventors: Ket Chong Yap, Chihhung Liao
  • Patent number: 8780604
    Abstract: An eFuse circuit may include a wordline, a first eFuse, a first logic gate, a first blowFET, and a first bitline discharge device. The first eFuse may have a first end coupled to the wordline and a second end. The first eFuse may have a first resistance when unblown and a second resistance when blown. The first logic gate may be coupled to the first end of the first eFuse. The first logic gate may be capable of driving enough current to blow the first eFuse. The first blowFET may have a source coupled to a first supply voltage, a gate coupled to a program signal, and a drain coupled to the second end of the first eFuse. The first bitline discharge device may have a gate coupled to the second end of the first eFuse, a source coupled to the first supply voltage, and a drain coupled to a first bitline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chihhung Liao, Phu Nguyen, Vimal R. Patel, George F. Paulik, Peder J. Paulson, Brian J. Reed, Salvatore N. Storino
  • Publication number: 20140003120
    Abstract: An eFuse circuit may include a wordline, a first eFuse, a first logic gate, a first blowFET, and a first bitline discharge device. The first eFuse may have a first end coupled to the wordline and a second end. The first eFuse may have a first resistance when unblown and a second resistance when blown. The first logic gate may be coupled to the first end of the first eFuse. The first logic gate may be capable of driving enough current to blow the first eFuse. The first blowFET may have a source coupled to a first supply voltage, a gate coupled to a program signal, and a drain coupled to the second end of the first eFuse. The first bitline discharge device may have a gate coupled to the second end of the first eFuse, a source coupled to the first supply voltage, and a drain coupled to a first bitline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chihhung Liao, Phu Nguyen, Vimal R. Patel, George F. Paulik, Peder J. Paulson, Brian J. Reed, Salvatore N. Storino
  • Patent number: 7215154
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provide logically controlled masking of one or more maskable data bits from a plurality of data bits that are input to a dynamic logic circuit. No masking logic and attendant delay penalty is coupled in the data path that is not needed for unmasked bits from the plurality of data bits that do not need masking. A system clock has a precharge phase and an evaluate phase. A first clock buffer is coupled to a precharge switch and precharges a dynamic node during the precharge phase. A second clock buffer having substantially the same delay from system clock input to an output of the second clock buffer is gated by a derivative of a mask. The output of the second clock buffer controls one or more switches in series with switches controlled by the maskable data bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Derick Gardner Behrends, Ryan Charles Kivimagi, Chihhung Liao
  • Publication number: 20070018690
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provide logically controlled masking of one or more maskable data bits from a plurality of data bits that are input to a dynamic logic circuit. No masking logic and attendant delay penalty is coupled in the data path that is not needed for unmasked bits from the plurality of data bits that do not need masking. A system clock has a precharge phase and an evaluate phase. A first clock buffer is coupled to a precharge switch and precharges a dynamic node during the precharge phase. A second clock buffer having substantially the same delay from system clock input to an output of the second clock buffer is gated by a derivative of a mask. The output of the second clock buffer controls one or more switches in series with switches controlled by the maskable data bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Derick Behrends, Ryan Kivimagi, Chihhung Liao