Patents by Inventor David R. Gifford

David R. Gifford 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: 11853683
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to learning-based analyzers (both supervised and unsupervised) for mitigating latch-up in integrated circuits are provided. An example method includes obtaining latch-up data concerning at least one integrated circuit configured to operate under a range of temperature conditions, where the at least one integrated circuit comprises a core portion including at least a plurality of devices each having one or more structural features formed using a lithographic process, and an input/output portion. The method further includes training the learning-based system based on training data derived from the latch-up data and a first layout rule concerning a first spacing between the core portion and the input/output portion. The method further includes using the learning-based system generating a second layout rule concerning the first spacing between the core portion and the input/output portion, where the second layout rule is different from the first layout rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Silicon Space Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Patrice M. Parris, David R. Gifford, Bernd Lienhard
  • Publication number: 20230088804
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to learning-based analyzers (both supervised and unsupervised) for mitigating latch-up in integrated circuits are provided. An example method includes obtaining latch-up data concerning at least one integrated circuit configured to operate under a range of temperature conditions, where the at least one integrated circuit comprises a core portion including at least a plurality of devices each having one or more structural features formed using a lithographic process, and an input/output portion. The method further includes training the learning-based system based on training data derived from the latch-up data and a first layout rule concerning a first spacing between the core portion and the input/output portion. The method further includes using the learning-based system generating a second layout rule concerning the first spacing between the core portion and the input/output portion, where the second layout rule is different from the first layout rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Patrice M. Parris, David R. Gifford, Bernd Lienhard
  • Patent number: 11587822
    Abstract: Structures and processes for improving radiation hardness and eliminating latch-up in integrated circuits are provided. An example process includes forming a first doped buried layer, a first well, and a second well, and using a first mask, forming a second doped buried layer only in a first region above the first doped buried layer and between at least the first well and the second well, where the first mask is configured to control spacing between the wells and the doped buried layers. The process further includes using a second mask, forming a vertical conductor located only in a second region above the first region and between at least the first well and the second well, where the vertical conductor is doped to provide a low resistance link between the second doped buried layer and at least a top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Silicon Space Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Gifford, Patrice M. Parris
  • Patent number: 11461531
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to learning-based analyzers (both supervised and unsupervised) for mitigating latch-up in integrated circuits are provided. An example method includes obtaining latch-up data concerning at least one integrated circuit configured to operate under a range of temperature conditions, where the at least one integrated circuit comprises a core portion including at least a plurality of devices each having one or more structural features formed using a lithographic process, and an input/output portion. The method further includes training the learning-based system based on training data derived from the latch-up data and a first layout rule concerning a first spacing between the core portion and the input/output portion. The method further includes using the learning-based system generating a second layout rule concerning the first spacing between the core portion and the input/output portion, where the second layout rule is different from the first layout rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Silicon Space Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Patrice M. Parris, David R. Gifford, Bernd Lienhard
  • Publication number: 20210043496
    Abstract: Structures and processes for improving radiation hardness and eliminating latch-up in integrated circuits are provided. An example process includes forming a first doped buried layer, a first well, and a second well, and using a first mask, forming a second doped buried layer only in a first region above the first doped buried layer and between at least the first well and the second well, where the first mask is configured to control spacing between the wells and the doped buried layers. The process further includes using a second mask, forming a vertical conductor located only in a second region above the first region and between at least the first well and the second well, where the vertical conductor is doped to provide a low resistance link between the second doped buried layer and at least a top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: David R. Gifford, Patrice M. Parris
  • Patent number: 10825715
    Abstract: Structures and processes for improving radiation hardness and eliminating latch-up in integrated circuits are provided. An example process includes forming a first doped buried layer, a first well, and a second well, and using a first mask, forming a second doped buried layer only in a first region above the first doped buried layer and between at least the first well and the second well, where the first mask is configured to control spacing between the wells and the doped buried layers. The process further includes using a second mask, forming a vertical conductor located only in a second region above the first region and between at least the first well and the second well, where the vertical conductor is doped to provide a low resistance link between the second doped buried layer and at least a top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Silicon Space Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Gifford, Patrice M. Parris
  • Publication number: 20200342070
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to learning-based analyzers (both supervised and unsupervised) for mitigating latch-up in integrated circuits are provided. An example method includes obtaining latch-up data concerning at least one integrated circuit configured to operate under a range of temperature conditions, where the at least one integrated circuit comprises a core portion including at least a plurality of devices each having one or more structural features formed using a lithographic process, and an input/output portion. The method further includes training the learning-based system based on training data derived from the latch-up data and a first layout rule concerning a first spacing between the core portion and the input/output portion. The method further includes using the learning-based system generating a second layout rule concerning the first spacing between the core portion and the input/output portion, where the second layout rule is different from the first layout rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Patrice M. Parris, David R. Gifford, Bernd Lienhard
  • Publication number: 20200152578
    Abstract: Structures and processes for improving radiation hardness and eliminating latch-up in integrated circuits are provided. An example process includes forming a first doped buried layer, a first well, and a second well, and using a first mask, forming a second doped buried layer only in a first region above the first doped buried layer and between at least the first well and the second well, where the first mask is configured to control spacing between the wells and the doped buried layers. The process further includes using a second mask, forming a vertical conductor located only in a second region above the first region and between at least the first well and the second well, where the vertical conductor is doped to provide a low resistance link between the second doped buried layer and at least a top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: David R. Gifford, Patrice M. Parris
  • Publication number: 20160246675
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes a first memory array including a first plurality of data groups, each such data group including a respective plurality of data bits. The integrated circuit also includes a first error detection and correction (EDAC) circuit configured to detect and correct an error in a data group read from the first memory array. The integrated circuit also includes a first scrub circuit configured to access in a sequence each of the first plurality of data groups to correct any detected errors therein. Both the first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit include spatially redundant circuitry. The first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit may include buried guard ring (BGR) structures, and may include parasitic isolation device (PID) structures. The spatially redundant circuitry may include dual interlocked storage cell (DICE) circuits, and may include temporal filtering circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: DAVID R. GIFFORD, KEVIN E. ATKINSON, JAMES A. JENSEN
  • Patent number: 9268637
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes a first memory array including a first plurality of data groups, each such data group including a respective plurality of data bits. The integrated circuit also includes a first error detection and correction (EDAC) circuit configured to detect and correct an error in a data group read from the first memory array. The integrated circuit also includes a first scrub circuit configured to access in a sequence each of the first plurality of data groups to correct any detected errors therein. Both the first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit include spatially redundant circuitry. The first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit may include buried guard ring (BGR) structures, and may include parasitic isolation device (PID) structures. The spatially redundant circuitry may include dual interlocked storage cell (DICE) circuits, and may include temporal filtering circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: SILICON SPACE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David R. Gifford, Kevin E. Atkinson, James A. Jensen
  • Patent number: 9201726
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes a first memory array including a first plurality of data groups, each such data group including a respective plurality of data bits. The integrated circuit also includes a first error detection and correction (EDAC) circuit configured to detect and correct an error in a data group read from the first memory array. The integrated circuit also includes a first scrub circuit configured to access in a sequence each of the first plurality of data groups to correct any detected errors therein. Both the first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit include spatially redundant circuitry. The first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit may include buried guard ring (BGR) structures, and may include parasitic isolation device (PID) structures. The spatially redundant circuitry may include dual interlocked storage cell (DICE) circuits, and may include temporal filtering circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: SILICON SPACE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wesley H. Morris, David R. Gifford, Rex E. Lowther
  • Publication number: 20150169400
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes a first memory array including a first plurality of data groups, each such data group including a respective plurality of data bits. The integrated circuit also includes a first error detection and correction (EDAC) circuit configured to detect and correct an error in a data group read from the first memory array. The integrated circuit also includes a first scrub circuit configured to access in a sequence each of the first plurality of data groups to correct any detected errors therein. Both the first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit include spatially redundant circuitry. The first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit may include buried guard ring (BGR) structures, and may include parasitic isolation device (PID) structures. The spatially redundant circuitry may include dual interlocked storage cell (DICE) circuits, and may include temporal filtering circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: WESLEY H. MORRIS, DAVID R. GIFFORD, REX E. LOWTHER
  • Patent number: 8972819
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes a first memory array including a first plurality of data groups, each such data group including a respective plurality of data bits. The integrated circuit also includes a first error detection and correction (EDAC) circuit configured to detect and correct an error in a data group read from the first memory array. The integrated circuit also includes a first scrub circuit configured to access in a sequence each of the first plurality of data groups to correct any detected errors therein. Both the first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit include spatially redundant circuitry. The first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit may include buried guard ring (BGR) structures, and may include parasitic isolation device (PID) structures. The spatially redundant circuitry may include dual interlocked storage cell (DICE) circuits, and may include temporal filtering circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Space Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Wesley H. Morris, David R. Gifford, Rex E. Lowther
  • Publication number: 20140281810
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes a first memory array including a first plurality of data groups, each such data group including a respective plurality of data bits. The integrated circuit also includes a first error detection and correction (EDAC) circuit configured to detect and correct an error in a data group read from the first memory array. The integrated circuit also includes a first scrub circuit configured to access in a sequence each of the first plurality of data groups to correct any detected errors therein. Both the first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit include spatially redundant circuitry. The first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit may include buried guard ring (BGR) structures, and may include parasitic isolation device (PID) structures. The spatially redundant circuitry may include dual interlocked storage cell (DICE) circuits, and may include temporal filtering circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: DAVID R. GIFFORD, KEVIN E. ATKINSON, JAMES A. JENSEN
  • Publication number: 20130166990
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes a first memory array including a first plurality of data groups, each such data group including a respective plurality of data bits. The integrated circuit also includes a first error detection and correction (EDAC) circuit configured to detect and correct an error in a data group read from the first memory array. The integrated circuit also includes a first scrub circuit configured to access in a sequence each of the first plurality of data groups to correct any detected errors therein. Both the first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit include spatially redundant circuitry. The first EDAC circuit and the first scrub circuit may include buried guard ring (BGR) structures, and may include parasitic isolation device (PID) structures. The spatially redundant circuitry may include dual interlocked storage cell (DICE) circuits, and may include temporal filtering circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Wesley H. Morris, David R. Gifford, Rex E. Lowther
  • Patent number: 4929995
    Abstract: A bipolar transistor with a laterally elongated emitter and base so a laser can diffuse dopant from that emitter through that base to the corresponding collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Gifford
  • Patent number: 4849365
    Abstract: A bipolar transistor with a laterally elongated emitter and base so a laser can diffuse dopant from that emitter through that base to the corresponding collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Gifford