Patents by Inventor Dale E. Pontius

Dale E. Pontius 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: 10971996
    Abstract: A charge pump circuit includes a charge pump configured to increase a voltage of an input signal to generate a voltage-boosted input signal, output the voltage-boosted input signal in response to a determination that the voltage-boosted input signal is greater than or equal to a threshold, and connect the charge pump to a supply voltage to pre-charge the charge pump in response to a determination that the voltage-boosted input signal is less than the threshold. The charge pump circuit includes bandgap reference generator configured to receive the voltage-boosted input signal and output, based on the voltage-boosted input signal, a voltage reference signal to a device that operates in accordance with the supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric D. Hunt-Schroeder, John A. Fifield, Dale E. Pontius
  • Publication number: 20200295653
    Abstract: A charge pump circuit includes a charge pump configured to increase a voltage of an input signal to generate a voltage-boosted input signal, output the voltage-boosted input signal in response to a determination that the voltage-boosted input signal is greater than or equal to a threshold, and connect the charge pump to a supply voltage to pre-charge the charge pump in response to a determination that the voltage-boosted input signal is less than the threshold. The charge pump circuit includes bandgap reference generator configured to receive the voltage-boosted input signal and output, based on the voltage-boosted input signal, a voltage reference signal to a device that operates in accordance with the supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Eric D. HUNT-SCHROEDER, John A. Fifield, Dale E. Pontius
  • Patent number: 10699771
    Abstract: A voltage boost circuit for eDram using thin oxide field effect transistors (FETs) is disclosed. The voltage boost circuit includes a boost capacitor which is precharged with a precharge voltage in a precharge stage and which provides a boosted supply voltage to a thin oxide FET during a pump phase. The voltage boost circuit further include a drive capacitor which provides a turn on voltage to the thin oxide FET so that the boosted supply voltage can pass to an output node in the pump phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. Fifield, Dale E. Pontius
  • Patent number: 10673321
    Abstract: Methods produce IC devices that include a multiplexor that is electrically connected to a bandgap reference generator and a charge pump. The multiplexor receives voltage levels of a voltage-boosted clock signal being output by the charge pump to the bandgap reference generator. The multiplexor outputs, to the charge pump, either: a retry signal (if the voltage levels of the voltage-boosted clock signal being output by the charge pump are below a voltage threshold) or a pump signal (if the voltage levels of the voltage-boosted clock signal being output by the charge pump are not below the voltage threshold). The pump signal causes the charge pump to output the voltage-boosted clock signal to the bandgap reference generator. The retry signal causes the charge pump to not output the voltage-boosted clock signal to the bandgap reference generator, and instead to precharge the charge pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Hunt-Schroeder, John A. Fifield, Dale E. Pontius
  • Publication number: 20190333568
    Abstract: A voltage boost circuit for eDram using thin oxide field effect transistors (FETs) is disclosed. The voltage boost circuit includes a boost capacitor which is precharged with a precharge voltage in a precharge stage and which provides a boosted supply voltage to a thin oxide FET during a pump phase. The voltage boost circuit further include a drive capacitor which provides a turn on voltage to the thin oxide FET so that the boosted supply voltage can pass to an output node in the pump phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: John A. Fifield, Dale E. Pontius
  • Patent number: 10438652
    Abstract: A voltage boost circuit for eDram using thin oxide field effect transistors (FETs) is disclosed. The voltage boost circuit includes a boost capacitor which is precharged with a precharge voltage in a precharge stage and which provides a boosted supply voltage to a thin oxide FET during a pump phase. The voltage boost circuit further include a drive capacitor which provides a turn on voltage to the thin oxide FET so that the boosted supply voltage can pass to an output node in the pump phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. Fifield, Dale E. Pontius
  • Publication number: 20190165669
    Abstract: Methods produce IC devices that include a multiplexor that is electrically connected to a bandgap reference generator and a charge pump. The multiplexor receives voltage levels of a voltage-boosted clock signal being output by the charge pump to the bandgap reference generator. The multiplexor outputs, to the charge pump, either: a retry signal (if the voltage levels of the voltage-boosted clock signal being output by the charge pump are below a voltage threshold) or a pump signal (if the voltage levels of the voltage-boosted clock signal being output by the charge pump are not below the voltage threshold). The pump signal causes the charge pump to output the voltage-boosted clock signal to the bandgap reference generator. The retry signal causes the charge pump to not output the voltage-boosted clock signal to the bandgap reference generator, and instead to precharge the charge pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Eric Hunt-Schroeder, John A. Fifield, Dale E. Pontius
  • Publication number: 20180350424
    Abstract: A voltage boost circuit for eDram using thin oxide field effect transistors (FETs) is disclosed. The voltage boost circuit includes a boost capacitor which is precharged with a precharge voltage in a precharge stage and which provides a boosted supply voltage to a thin oxide FET during a pump phase. The voltage boost circuit further include a drive capacitor which provides a turn on voltage to the thin oxide FET so that the boosted supply voltage can pass to an output node in the pump phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: John A. FIFIELD, Dale E. PONTIUS
  • Patent number: 10127970
    Abstract: A voltage boost circuit for eDram using thin oxide field effect transistors (FETs) is disclosed. The voltage boost circuit includes a boost capacitor which is precharged with a precharge voltage in a precharge stage and which provides a boosted supply voltage to a thin oxide FET during a pump phase. The voltage boost circuit further include a drive capacitor which provides a turn on voltage to the thin oxide FET so that the boosted supply voltage can pass to an output node in the pump phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. Fifield, Dale E. Pontius
  • Patent number: 9996648
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to customization of a circuit layout using information from a netlist, and more particularly, to customization of a circuit layout using embedded formulas and a netlist. The system includes a CPU, a computer readable memory, and a computer readable storage device. The system also includes first program instructions to generate a graphical layout of a circuit, second program instructions to place a text formula on the graphical layout of the circuit, and third program instructions to activate the text formula in order to customize the graphical layout of the circuit. The first program instructions, the second program instructions, and the third program instructions of the system are stored on the computer readable storage device for execution by the CPU via the computer readable memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventor: Dale E. Pontius
  • Publication number: 20170316136
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to customization of a circuit layout using information from a netlist, and more particularly, to customization of a circuit layout using embedded formulas and a netlist. The system includes a CPU, a computer readable memory, and a computer readable storage device. The system also includes first program instructions to generate a graphical layout of a circuit, second program instructions to place a text formula on the graphical layout of the circuit, and third program instructions to activate the text formula in order to customize the graphical layout of the circuit. The first program instructions, the second program instructions, and the third program instructions of the system are stored on the computer readable storage device for execution by the CPU via the computer readable memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Dale E. Pontius
  • Publication number: 20170194044
    Abstract: A voltage boost circuit for eDram using thin oxide field effect transistors (FETs) is disclosed. The voltage boost circuit includes a boost capacitor which is precharged with a precharge voltage in a precharge stage and which provides a boosted supply voltage to a thin oxide FET during a pump phase. The voltage boost circuit further include a drive capacitor which provides a turn on voltage to the thin oxide FET so that the boosted supply voltage can pass to an output node in the pump phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: John A. FIFIELD, Dale E. PONTIUS
  • Patent number: 9634557
    Abstract: A voltage boost circuit for eDram using thin oxide field effect transistors (FETs) is disclosed. The voltage boost circuit includes a boost capacitor which is precharged with a precharge voltage in a precharge stage and which provides a boosted supply voltage to a thin oxide FET during a pump phase. The voltage boost circuit further include a drive capacitor which provides a turn on voltage to the thin oxide FET so that the boosted supply voltage can pass to an output node in the pump phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. Fifield, Dale E. Pontius
  • Publication number: 20160013718
    Abstract: A voltage boost circuit for eDram using thin oxide field effect transistors (FETs) is disclosed. The voltage boost circuit includes a boost capacitor which is precharged with a precharge voltage in a precharge stage and which provides a boosted supply voltage to a thin oxide FET during a pump phase. The voltage boost circuit further include a drive capacitor which provides a turn on voltage to the thin oxide FET so that the boosted supply voltage can pass to an output node in the pump phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: John A. FIFIELD, Dale E. PONTIUS
  • Patent number: 8300489
    Abstract: Charge pump circuit includes a plurality of boost capacitors. An output charge of the charge pump circuit is adjusted by selecting a number of the boost capacitors at least one of using a digital control word and programming of a wiring level. A method of boosting supply voltage uses a charge pump circuit. The method includes adjusting an output charge of the charge pump circuit by selecting a number of boost capacitors at least one of using a digital control word and by programming of a wiring level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Fifield, Thomas M. Maffitt, Dale E. Pontius
  • Publication number: 20110170368
    Abstract: Charge pump circuit includes a plurality of boost capacitors. An output charge of the charge pump circuit is adjusted by selecting a number of the boost capacitors at least one of using a digital control word and programming of a wiring level. A method of boosting supply voltage uses a charge pump circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. FIFIELD, Thomas M. MAFFITT, Dale E. PONTIUS
  • Patent number: 6882583
    Abstract: A method and structure is disclosed for serially storing and retrieving fuse information to and from a non-scannable static random access memory (SRAM) array within an embedded DRAM structure. The SRAM array is part of a scan chain and is connected to upstream and downstream latches that make up the scan chain. Various data is serially scanned into the scan chain. As the data flows through the entire scan chain, the invention counts the number of bits scanned into the embedded DRAM structure using a counter. The counter can be included within the embedded DRAM structure. After the counter counts to an amount equal to the number of bits of storage of all downstream scan latches in the scan chain, the invention loads the fuse information into a shift register. When the shift register is full, the invention loads the contents of the shift register to a SRAM line. The lengths of the shift register and the SRAM line are equal to a fuse word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gorman, Dale E. Pontius
  • Publication number: 20040218454
    Abstract: A method and structure is disclosed for serially storing and retrieving fuse information to and from a non-scannable static random access memory (SRAM) array within an embedded DRAM structure. The SRAM array is part of a scan chain and is connected to upstream and downstream latches that make up the scan chain. Various data is serially scanned into the scan chain. As the data flows through the entire scan chain, the invention counts the number of bits scanned into the embedded DRAM structure using a counter. The counter can be included within the embedded DRAM structure. After the counter counts to an amount equal to the number of bits of storage of all downstream scan latches in the scan chain, the invention loads the fuse information into a shift register. When the shift register is full, the invention loads the contents of the shift register to a SRAM line. The lengths of the shift register and the SRAM line are equal to a fuse word.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gorman, Dale E. Pontius
  • Patent number: 6674673
    Abstract: A column redundancy system including a column redundancy apparatus for performing a redundancy swapping operation of column elements within the individual micro-cells. The column redundancy apparatus further includes a fuse information storage device, a first bank address decoding mechanism decodes a read bank address corresponding to a first micro-cell accessed for a read operation, and a second bank address decoding mechanism decodes a write bank address corresponding to a second micro-cell accessed for a write operation. If there is at least one defective column element contained within the first micro-cell, then the column redundancy apparatus generates an internal column address corresponding to the at least one defective column element in the first micro-cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Gregory Fredeman, Chorng-Lii Hwang, Toshiaki Kirihata, Dale E. Pontius
  • Patent number: 6674676
    Abstract: A column redundancy system including a column redundancy apparatus for performing a redundancy swapping operation of column elements within the individual micro-cells. The column redundancy apparatus further includes a fuse information storage device, a first bank address decoding mechanism decodes a read bank address corresponding to a first micro-cell accessed for a read operation, and a second bank address decoding mechanism decodes a write bank address corresponding to a second micro-cell accessed for a write operation. If there is at least one defective column element contained within the first micro-cell, then the column redundancy apparatus generates an internal column address corresponding to the at least one defective column element in the first micro-cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Gregory Fredeman, Chorng-Lii Hwang, Toshiaki Kirihata, Dale E. Pontius