Patents by Inventor Cormac Michael O'Connell

Cormac Michael O'Connell 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).

  • Publication number: 20240079257
    Abstract: Disclosed is a physical unclonable function generator circuit and method. In one embodiment, a physical unclonable function (PUF) generator comprising: a plurality of PUF cells, wherein each of the plurality of PUF cells comprises a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor, wherein terminal S of the first MOS transistor is connected to terminal D of the second MOS transistor at a dynamic node, terminal D of the first MOS transistor is coupled to a first bus and terminal G of the first NMOS transistor is coupled to a second bus, and terminals S and G of the second NMOS transistor are coupled to ground; a plurality of dynamic flip-flop (DFF) circuits wherein each of the plurality of DFF circuits is coupled to each of the plurality of PUF cells respectively; a population count circuit coupled to the plurality of DFF circuits; and an evaluation logic circuit having an input coupled to the population count circuit and an output coupled to the plurality of DFF circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Shih-Lien Linus LU, Cormac Michael O'CONNELL
  • Publication number: 20240069794
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for operating a multi-array memory that includes a left memory array and a right memory array of a memory bank. A command is received at memory input pins. A signal representative of the command is propagated to an array control inhibitor. An array inhibit command is received on one or more other pins of the memory and provided to the array control inhibitor. The array control inhibitor is used to prevent arrival of the command to one of the left memory array and the right memory array based on the array inhibit command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Sanjeev Kumar Jain, Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Patent number: 11847345
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for operating a multi-array memory that includes a left memory array and a right memory array of a memory bank. A command is received at memory input pins. A signal representative of the command is propagated to an array control inhibitor. An array inhibit command is received on one or more other pins of the memory and provided to the array control inhibitor. The array control inhibitor is used to prevent arrival of the command to one of the left memory array and the right memory array based on the array inhibit command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Sanjeev Kumar Jain, Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Publication number: 20230388135
    Abstract: Disclosed is a physical unclonable function generator circuit and testing method. In one embodiment, a physical unclonable function (PUF) generator includes: a PUF cell array comprising a plurality of bit cells configured in a plurality of columns and at least one row, wherein each of the plurality of columns is coupled to at least two pre-discharge transistors, and each of the plurality of bit cells comprises at least one enable transistor, at least two access transistors, and at least two storage nodes, and a PUF control circuit coupled to the PUF cell array, wherein the PUF control circuit is configured to access the plurality of bit cells to pre-charge the at least two storage nodes with substantially the same voltages allowing each of the plurality of bit cell having a first metastable logical state; to determine a second logical state; and based on the determined second logical states of the plurality of bit cells, to generate a PUF signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Shih-Lien Linus LU, Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Patent number: 11811953
    Abstract: Disclosed is a physical unclonable function generator circuit and testing method. In one embodiment, a physical unclonable function (PUF) generator includes: a PUF cell array comprising a plurality of bit cells configured in a plurality of columns and at least one row, wherein each of the plurality of columns is coupled to at least two pre-discharge transistors, and each of the plurality of bit cells comprises at least one enable transistor, at least two access transistors, and at least two storage nodes, and a PUF control circuit coupled to the PUF cell array, wherein the PUF control circuit is configured to access the plurality of bit cells to pre-charge the at least two storage nodes with substantially the same voltages allowing each of the plurality of bit cell having a first metastable logical state; to determine a second logical state; and based on the determined second logical states of the plurality of bit cells, to generate a PUF signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Lien Linus Lu, Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Patent number: 11676658
    Abstract: An Orthogonal Dual Port Ram (ORAM) memory cell may be provided. The ORAM memory cell may comprise a data storage element, a first port bit line, and a second port bit line that may be substantially perpendicular to first port bit line. The ORAM memory cell may further comprise a first word line that may be substantially perpendicular to first port bit line wherein the ORAM memory cell may be configured to read data from the data storage element to the first port bit line when the first word line is enabled. The ORAM memory cell may further comprise a second word line being substantially perpendicular to the second port bit line wherein the ORAM memory cell may be configured to read data from the data storage element to the second port bit line when the second word line is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Patent number: 11664258
    Abstract: Disclosed is a physical unclonable function generator circuit and method. In one embodiment, a physical unclonable function (PUF) generator comprising: a plurality of PUF cells, wherein each of the plurality of PUF cells comprises a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor, wherein terminal S of the first MOS transistor is connected to terminal D of the second MOS transistor at a dynamic node, terminal D of the first MOS transistor is coupled to a first bus and terminal G of the first NMOS transistor is coupled to a second bus, and terminals S and G of the second NMOS transistor are coupled to ground; a plurality of dynamic flip-flop (DFF) circuits wherein each of the plurality of DFF circuits is coupled to each of the plurality of PUF cells respectively; a population count circuit coupled to the plurality of DFF circuits; and an evaluation logic circuit having an input coupled to the population count circuit and an output coupled to the plurality of DFF circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Lien Linus Lu, Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Publication number: 20220326875
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for operating a multi-array memory that includes a left memory array and a right memory array of a memory bank. A command is received at memory input pins. A signal representative of the command is propagated to an array control inhibitor. An array inhibit command is received on one or more other pins of the memory and provided to the array control inhibitor. The array control inhibitor is used to prevent arrival of the command to one of the left memory array and the right memory array based on the array inhibit command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Sanjeev Kumar Jain, Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Patent number: 11403033
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for operating a multi-array memory that includes a left memory array and a right memory array of a memory bank. A command is received at memory input pins. A signal representative of the command is propagated to an array control inhibitor. An array inhibit command is received on one or more other pins of the memory and provided to the array control inhibitor. The array control inhibitor is used to prevent arrival of the command to one of the left memory array and the right memory array based on the array inhibit command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Sanjeev Kumar Jain, Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Patent number: 11258596
    Abstract: A method for utilizing a plurality of physical unclonable function (PUF) cells to generate a signature key with a desired bit length is provided. The method includes setting a state of each of the plurality of PUF cells to a uniform level; obtaining an order of change in the state of at least a portion of the plurality of PUF cells; and generating the signature key at least based on the order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Lien Linus Lu, Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Publication number: 20210383860
    Abstract: An Orthogonal Dual Port Ram (ORAM) memory cell may be provided. The ORAM memory cell may comprise a data storage element, a first port bit line, and a second port bit line that may be substantially perpendicular to first port bit line. The ORAM memory cell may further comprise a first word line that may be substantially perpendicular to first port bit line wherein the ORAM memory cell may be configured to read data from the data storage element to the first port bit line when the first word line is enabled. The ORAM memory cell may further comprise a second word line being substantially perpendicular to the second port bit line wherein the ORAM memory cell may be configured to read data from the data storage element to the second port bit line when the second word line is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventor: Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Publication number: 20210296151
    Abstract: Disclosed is a physical unclonable function generator circuit and method. In one embodiment, a physical unclonable function (PUF) generator comprising: a plurality of PUF cells, wherein each of the plurality of PUF cells comprises a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor, wherein terminal S of the first MOS transistor is connected to terminal D of the second MOS transistor at a dynamic node, terminal D of the first MOS transistor is coupled to a first bus and terminal G of the first NMOS transistor is coupled to a second bus, and terminals S and G of the second NMOS transistor are coupled to ground; a plurality of dynamic flip-flop (DFF) circuits wherein each of the plurality of DFF circuits is coupled to each of the plurality of PUF cells respectively; a population count circuit coupled to the plurality of DFF circuits; and an evaluation logic circuit having an input coupled to the population count circuit and an output coupled to the plurality of DFF circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Shih-Lien Linus Lu, Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Patent number: 11100980
    Abstract: An Orthogonal Dual Port Ram (ORAM) memory cell may be provided. The ORAM memory cell may comprise a data storage element, a first port bit line, and a second port bit line that may be substantially perpendicular to first port bit line. The ORAM memory cell may further comprise a first word line that may be substantially perpendicular to first port bit line wherein the ORAM memory cell may be configured to read data from the data storage element to the first port bit line when the first word line is enabled. The ORAM memory cell may further comprise a second word line being substantially perpendicular to the second port bit line wherein the ORAM memory cell may be configured to read data from the data storage element to the second port bit line when the second word line is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Publication number: 20210250191
    Abstract: Disclosed is a physical unclonable function generator circuit and method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Publication number: 20210200462
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for operating a multi-array memory that includes a left memory array and a right memory array of a memory bank. A command is received at memory input pins. A signal representative of the command is propagated to an array control inhibitor. An array inhibit command is received on one or more other pins of the memory and provided to the array control inhibitor. The array control inhibitor is used to prevent arrival of the command to one of the left memory array and the right memory array based on the array inhibit command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Sanjeev Kumar Jain, Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Patent number: 11043404
    Abstract: Disclosed is a physical unclonable function generator circuit and method. In one embodiment, a physical unclonable function (PUF) generator comprising: a plurality of PUF cells, wherein each of the plurality of PUF cells comprises a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor, wherein terminal S of the first MOS transistor is connected to terminal D of the second MOS transistor at a dynamic node, terminal D of the first MOS transistor is coupled to a first bus and terminal G of the first NMOS transistor is coupled to a second bus, and terminals S and G of the second NMOS transistor are coupled to ground; a plurality of dynamic flip-flop (DFF) circuits wherein each of the plurality of DFF circuits is coupled to each of the plurality of PUF cells respectively; a population count circuit coupled to the plurality of DFF circuits; and an evaluation logic circuit having an input coupled to the population count circuit and an output coupled to the plurality of DFF circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Lien Linus Lu, Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Patent number: 11005669
    Abstract: Disclosed is a physical unclonable function generator circuit and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cormac Michael O'Connell
  • Patent number: 10958270
    Abstract: A physically unclonable function (PUF) device and a method for maximizing existing process variation for a physically unclonable device are provided. The method of maximizing process variation of the PUF device includes: modeling a physically unclonable function (PUF) device, comprising a plurality of PUF cells, selecting the size of transistors in the PUF device to be smaller than a predetermined size defined according to a design rule check (DRC) and generate maximum variations among the plurality of PUF cells, varying the material of the PUF device, and driving the PUF device with a predetermined voltage. The physically unclonable device includes: a plurality of PUF cells, configured to generate an output. Each of the plurality of PUF cells includes a harvester circuit, configured to generate a bit line and a complementary bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Lien Linus Lu, Cormac Michael O'Connell, Kun-Hsi Li
  • Publication number: 20210083887
    Abstract: Disclosed is a physical unclonable function generator circuit and testing method. In one embodiment, a physical unclonable function (PUF) generator includes: a PUF cell array comprising a plurality of bit cells configured in a plurality of columns and at least one row, wherein each of the plurality of columns is coupled to at least two pre-discharge transistors, and each of the plurality of bit cells comprises at least one enable transistor, at least two access transistors, and at least two storage nodes, and a PUF control circuit coupled to the PUF cell array, wherein the PUF control circuit is configured to access the plurality of bit cells to pre-charge the at least two storage nodes with substantially the same voltages allowing each of the plurality of bit cell having a first metastable logical state; to determine a second logical state; and based on the determined second logical states of the plurality of bit cells, to generate a PUF signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Shih-Lien Linus LU, Cormac Michael O'CONNELL
  • Patent number: 10880102
    Abstract: Disclosed is a physical unclonable function generator circuit and testing method. In one embodiment, a physical unclonable function (PUF) generator includes: a PUF cell array comprising a plurality of bit cells configured in a plurality of columns and at least one row, wherein each of the plurality of columns is coupled to at least two pre-discharge transistors, and each of the plurality of bit cells comprises at least one enable transistor, at least two access transistors, and at least two storage nodes, and a PUF control circuit coupled to the PUF cell array, wherein the PUF control circuit is configured to access the plurality of bit cells to pre-charge the at least two storage nodes with substantially the same voltages allowing each of the plurality of bit cell having a first metastable logical state; to determine a second logical state; and based on the determined second logical states of the plurality of bit cells, to generate a PUF signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Lien Linus Lu, Cormac Michael O'Connell