Patents by Inventor David E. Lackey

David E. Lackey 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: 8589843
    Abstract: A method, system, and integrated circuit including selectively added timing margin. The method, for integrating statistical timing and automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) to selectively add timing margin in an integrated circuit, includes identifying, while a chip is in design, paths that are unable to be robustly tested “at speed” during manufacturing test, running statistical timing to calculate a margin to be applied to the paths, updating design specifications for margin to be applied to the paths, and optimizing chip logic based on updated design specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Lackey, Chandramouili Visweswariah, Paul S. Zuchowski
  • Patent number: 8543966
    Abstract: A method of test path selection and test program generation for performance testing integrated circuits. The method includes identifying clock domains having multiple data paths of an integrated circuit design having multiple clock domains; selecting, from the data paths, critical paths for each clock domain of the multiple clock domains; using a computer, for each clock domain of the multiple clock domain, selecting the sensitizable paths of the critical paths; for each clock domain of the multiple clock domain, selecting test paths from the sensitizable critical paths; and using a computer, creating a test program to performance test the test paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeanne P. Bickford, Peter A. Habitz, Vikram Iyengar, David E. Lackey, Jinjun Xiong
  • Patent number: 8504971
    Abstract: A method, system, and integrated circuit including selectively added timing margin. The method, for integrating statistical timing and automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) to selectively add timing margin in an integrated circuit, includes identifying, while a chip is in design, paths that are unable to be robustly tested “at speed” during manufacturing test, running statistical timing to calculate a margin to be applied to the paths, updating design specifications for margin to be applied to the paths, and optimizing chip logic based on updated design specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Lackey, Chandramouili Visweswariah, Paul S. Zuchowski
  • Patent number: 8490045
    Abstract: A method, system, and integrated circuit including selectively added timing margin. The method, for integrating statistical timing and automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) to selectively add timing margin in an integrated circuit, includes identifying, while a chip is in design, paths that are unable to be robustly tested “at speed” during manufacturing test, running statistical timing to calculate a margin to be applied to the paths, updating design specifications for margin to be applied to the paths, and optimizing chip logic based on updated design specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Lackey, Chandramouili Visweswariah, Paul S. Zuchowski
  • Patent number: 8490040
    Abstract: A method and system for dispositioning integrated circuit chips. The method includes performing a performance path test on an integrated circuit chip having one or more clock domains, the performance path test based on applying test patterns to selected sensitizable data paths of the integrated circuit chip at different clock frequencies; and dispositioning the integrated circuit chip based on results of the performance path test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeanne P. Bickford, Peter A. Habitz, Vikram Iyengar, David E. Lackey, Jinjun Xiong
  • Publication number: 20130125073
    Abstract: A method of test path selection and test program generation for performance testing integrated circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeanne P. Bickford, Peter A. Habitz, Vikram Iyengar, David E. Lackey, Jinjun Xiong
  • Publication number: 20130125076
    Abstract: A method and system for dispositioning integrated circuit chips. The method includes performing a performance path test on an integrated circuit chip having one or more clock domains, the performance path test based on applying test patterns to selected sensitizable data paths of the integrated circuit chip at different clock frequencies; and dispositioning the integrated circuit chip based on results of the performance path test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeanne P. Bickford, Peter A. Habitz, Vikram Iyengar, David E. Lackey, Jinjun Xiong
  • Patent number: 8423844
    Abstract: A scannable register array structure includes a plurality of individual latches, each configured to hold one bit of array data in a normal mode of operation. The plurality of individual latches operate in scannable latch pairs in a test mode of operation, with first latches of the scannable latch pairs comprising L1 latches and second latches of the scannable latch pairs comprising L2 latches. A test clock signal generates a first clock pulse signal, A, for the L1 latches and a second clock pulse signal, B, for the L2 latches. The L2 latches are further configured to selectively receive L1 data therein upon a separate activation of the B clock signal, independent of the test clock signal, such that a scan out operation of the individual latches results in observation of L1 latch data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Pamela S. Gillis, David E. Lackey, Steven F. Oakland, Jeffery H. Oppold
  • Patent number: 8423847
    Abstract: Built-in self-test (BIST) microcontroller integrated circuit adapted for logic verification. Microcontroller includes a plurality of hardware description language files representing a hierarchical description of the microcontroller, the plurality of hardware description language files including a library of circuit design elements, a plurality of library design circuit elements adapted to store a uniquely defined set of input and output signals to enable a logic BIST, and a plurality of latches adapted to store a plurality of values corresponding to a behavioral profile of a test clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Grise, David E. Lackey, Steven F. Oakland, Donald L. Wheater
  • Publication number: 20120221910
    Abstract: Built-in self-test (BIST) microcontroller integrated circuit adapted for logic verification. Microcontroller includes a plurality of hardware description language files representing a hierarchical description of the microcontroller, the plurality of hardware description language files including a library of circuit design elements, a plurality of library design circuit elements adapted to store a uniquely defined set of input and output signals to enable a logic BIST, and a plurality of latches adapted to store a plurality of values corresponding to a behavioral profile of a test clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary D. GRISE, David E. LACKEY, Steven F. OAKLAND, Donald L. Wheater
  • Patent number: 8239715
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating an interface between a first unit and a second unit supplying its data. The method includes switching control between LSSD_B and LSSD_C clocks and system clock (CLK) to provide a test mode of operation and a functional mode of operation to optimize setup and hold times depending on conditions under which the unit is operating. In the test mode, data is launched by the LSSD_C clock. In the functional mode, the data is launched by the system clock (CLK) to RAM. A method is also provided to determine which memory inputs should use a circuit that provides adequate setup and hold margins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Eustis, Kevin W. Gorman, David E. Lackey, Michael R. Ouellette
  • Publication number: 20120179944
    Abstract: A scannable register array structure includes a plurality of individual latches, each configured to hold one bit of array data in a normal mode of operation. The plurality of individual latches operate in scannable latch pairs in a test mode of operation, with first latches of the scannable latch pairs comprising L1 latches and second latches of the scannable latch pairs comprising L2 latches. A test clock signal generates a first clock pulse signal, A, for the L1 latches and a second clock pulse signal, B, for the L2 latches. The L2 latches are further configured to selectively receive L1 data therein upon a separate activation of the B clock signal, independent of the test clock signal, such that a scan out operation of the individual latches results in observation of L1 latch data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pamela S. Gillis, David E. Lackey, Steven F. Oakland, Jeffery H. Oppold
  • Patent number: 8205124
    Abstract: Built-in self-test (BIST) microcontroller integrated circuit adapted for logic verification. Microcontroller includes a plurality of hardware description language files representing a hierarchical description of the microcontroller, the plurality of hardware description language files including a library of circuit design elements, a plurality of library design circuit elements adapted to store a uniquely defined set of input and output signals to enable a logic BIST, and a plurality of latches adapted to store a plurality of values corresponding to a behavioral profile of a test clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Grise, David E. Lackey, Steven F. Oakland, Donald L. Wheater
  • Publication number: 20120124538
    Abstract: A method, system, and integrated circuit including selectively added timing margin. The method, for integrating statistical timing and automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) to selectively add timing margin in an integrated circuit, includes identifying, while a chip is in design, paths that are unable to be robustly tested “at speed” during manufacturing test, running statistical timing to calculate a margin to be applied to the paths, updating design specifications for margin to be applied to the paths, and optimizing chip logic based on updated design specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David E. LACKEY, Chandramouili VISWESWARIAH, Paul S. ZUCHOWSKI
  • Patent number: 8181135
    Abstract: A method of hold fault modeling and test generation. The method includes first modeling a fast-to-rise and a fast-to-fall hold fault for a plurality of circuit nets. Testing a fast-to-rise hold fault is accomplished by: setting up a logic value on each of the plurality of circuit nodes to 0; transitioning each of the plurality of circuit nodes from 0 to 1 with a single clock pulse; and determining if at least one downstream node was inadvertently impacted by the transitioning from 0 to 1. Testing a fast-to-fall hold is accomplished by: setting up a logic value on each of the plurality circuit nodes to 1; transitioning each of the plurality of circuit nodes from 1 to 0 with a single clock pulse; and determining if at least one downstream node was inadvertently impacted by the transitioning from 1 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vikram Iyengar, Pamela S. Gillis, David E. Lackey, Steven F. Oakland
  • Publication number: 20120112341
    Abstract: A method, system, and integrated circuit including selectively added timing margin. The method, for integrating statistical timing and automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) to selectively add timing margin in an integrated circuit, includes identifying, while a chip is in design, paths that are unable to be robustly tested “at speed” during manufacturing test, running statistical timing to calculate a margin to be applied to the paths, updating design specifications for margin to be applied to the paths, and optimizing chip logic based on updated design specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David E. LACKEY, Chandramouili VISWESWARIAH, Paul S. ZUCHOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20120115256
    Abstract: A method, system, and integrated circuit including selectively added timing margin. The method, for integrating statistical timing and automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) to selectively add timing margin in an integrated circuit, includes identifying, while a chip is in design, paths that are unable to be robustly tested “at speed” during manufacturing test, running statistical timing to calculate a margin to be applied to the paths, updating design specifications for margin to be applied to the paths, and optimizing chip logic based on updated design specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David E. LACKEY, Chandramouili VISWESWARIAH, Paul S. ZUCHOWSKI
  • Patent number: 8122409
    Abstract: A method, system, and integrated circuit including selectively added timing margin. The method, for integrating statistical timing and automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) to selectively add timing margin in an integrated circuit, includes identifying, while a chip is in design, paths that are unable to be robustly tested “at speed” during manufacturing test, running statistical timing to calculate a margin to be applied to the paths, updating design specifications for margin to be applied to the paths, and optimizing chip logic based on updated design specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Lackey, Chandramouli Visweswariah, Paul S. Zuchowski
  • Patent number: 8117579
    Abstract: A method, system and program are provided for generating level sensitive scan design (LSSD) clock signals from a general scan design (GSD) clock buffer using an intermediate clock signal and one or more first mode control signals to generate a plurality of LSSD clock signals from an output section of the GSD clock buffer that receives the intermediate clock signal and the first mode control signal(s), where the GSD clock buffer is also configured to generate a plurality of GSD clock signals in response to receiving a GSD mode, generating an intermediate clock signal from the input section of the GSD clock buffer in response receiving a GSD mode signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Douglas Warnock, Wendel Dieter, David E. Lackey, William Vincent Huott, Leon Jacob Sigal, Louis Bernard Bushard, Sang Hoo Dhong
  • Patent number: 7996807
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a clock generation circuit, a design structure for the circuit and an associated method that provide deskewing functions and that further provide precise timing for both testing and functional operations. Specifically, the embodiments incorporate a deskewer circuit that is capable of receiving waveform signals from both an external waveform generator and an internal waveform generator. The external waveform generator can generate and supply to the deskewer circuit a pair of waveform signals for functional operations. The internal waveform generator can be uniquely configured with control logic and counter logic for generating and supplying a pair of waveform signals to the deskewer circuit for any one of built-in self-test (BIST) operations, macro-test operations, other test operations or functional operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Grise, Vikram Iyengar, David E. Lackey, David W. Milton