Patents by Inventor Duncan Gurley

Duncan Gurley 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: 10025648
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor test control system includes a computer system having a plurality of hardware resources; a hypervisor installed on the computer system; and a test floor controller installed on the computer system. The hypervisor virtualizes the hardware resources and provides each of at least one virtual appliance with access to a respective virtual set of hardware resources. Each virtual set of hardware resources places its respective virtual appliance in controlling communication with at least a first aspect of a semiconductor test system, thereby enabling the respective virtual appliance to test a respective type of semiconductor device. The test floor controller is in controlling communication with i) at least a second aspect of the semiconductor test system, and ii) each of the at least one virtual appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Hilliges, Jia-Wei Lin, Duncan Gurley, Xiaomin Jin, Erik Volkerink
  • Patent number: 9317351
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor test control system includes a computer system having a plurality of hardware resources; a hypervisor installed on the computer system; and a test floor controller installed on the computer system. The hypervisor virtualizes the hardware resources and provides each of at least one virtual appliance with access to a respective virtual set of the hardware resources. Each virtual set of the hardware resources places its respective virtual appliance in controlling communication with at least a first aspect of a semiconductor test system, thereby enabling the respective virtual appliance to test a respective type of semiconductor device. The test floor controller is in controlling communication with i) at least a second aspect of the semiconductor test system, and ii) each of the at least one virtual appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Hilliges, Jia-Wei Lin, Duncan Gurley, Jim-my Jin, Eric Vokerink
  • Publication number: 20150370248
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor test control system includes a computer system having a plurality of hardware resources; a hypervisor installed on the computer system; and a test floor controller installed on the computer system. The hypervisor virtualizes the hardware resources and provides each of at least one virtual appliance with access to a respective virtual set of hardware resources. Each virtual set of hardware resources places its respective virtual appliance in controlling communication with at least a first aspect of a semiconductor test system, thereby enabling the respective virtual appliance to test a respective type of semiconductor device. The test floor controller is in controlling communication with i) at least a second aspect of the semiconductor test system, and ii) each of the at least one virtual appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Hilliges, Jia-Wei Lin, Duncan Gurley, Jim-my Jin, Eric Volkerink
  • Patent number: 9146274
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method and apparatus are provided for testing a wafer while the wafer is disposed in a wafer carrier. The test results can be utilized to adjust the manufacturing process and thereby increase processing yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ajay Khoche, Duncan Gurley
  • Publication number: 20140189430
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor test control system includes a computer system having a plurality of hardware resources; a hypervisor installed on the computer system; and a test floor controller installed on the computer system. The hypervisor virtualizes the hardware resources and provides each of at least one virtual appliance with access to a respective virtual set of the hardware resources. Each virtual set of the hardware resources places its respective virtual appliance in controlling communication with at least a first aspect of a semiconductor test system, thereby enabling the respective virtual appliance to test a respective type of semiconductor device. The test floor controller is in controlling communication with i) at least a second aspect of the semiconductor test system, and ii) each of the at least one virtual appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: VERIGY (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Hilliges, Jia-Wei Lin, Duncan Gurley, Jimmy Xiaomin Jin, Erik H. Volkerink
  • Patent number: 7707468
    Abstract: A testing device may include a memory controller managing a transfer of data; and a plurality of interface boards. Each interface board includes a controller buffer. Each controller buffer transfers data between the memory controller and at least one memory module. The memory controller tests the at least one memory module. The testing device is operable to test the at least one memory module independent of an operating rate of the at least one memory module. The memory controller receives operating data of the at least one memory module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Verigy (Singapore) Pte. Ltd
    Inventors: Erik Volkerink, Duncan Gurley
  • Publication number: 20090053837
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method and apparatus are provided for testing a wafer while the wafer is disposed in a wafer carrier. The test results can be utilized to adjust the manufacturing process and thereby increase processing yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Verigy (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ajay Khoche, Duncan Gurley
  • Publication number: 20080235537
    Abstract: A testing device may include a memory controller managing a transfer of data; and a plurality of interface boards. Each interface board includes a controller buffer. Each controller buffer transfers data between the memory controller and at least one memory module. The memory controller tests the at least one memory module. The testing device is operable to test the at least one memory module independent of an operating rate of the at least one memory module. The memory controller receives operating data of the at least one memory module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Erik Volkerink, Duncan Gurley
  • Publication number: 20080235542
    Abstract: Described are an electronic testing device for memory devices and related methods. The testing device, comprises a memory controller managing a transfer of data and a controller buffer disposed within the memory controller. The controller buffer transfers data between the memory controller and a memory module. The memory controller tests the memory module. The testing device is operable to test the memory module independent of an operating rate of the memory module. The memory controller receives operating data of the memory module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Duncan Gurley
  • Patent number: 7378860
    Abstract: A wafer test head and ATE for testing semiconductor wafers. The wafer test head having a plurality of sides that can each be used to test a different semiconductor wafer. The architecture of the wafer test head enables electrical connections to probe card located on two different sides of the wafer test head. Multiple silicon wafers can be tested for proper functionality at the same time or in an interleaved fashion via a single multi-sided wafer test head. The internal architecture of an exemplary wafer test head allows printed circuit cards to be able to electrically connected to multiple wafer test locations on a single wafer test head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Verigy (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Erik Volkerink, Duncan Gurley, Ajay Khoche
  • Publication number: 20080088326
    Abstract: A wafer test head and ATE for testing semiconductor wafers. The wafer test head having a plurality of sides that can each be used to test a different semiconductor wafer. The architecture of the wafer test head enables electrical connections to probe card located on two different sides of the wafer test head. Multiple silicon wafers can be tested for proper functionality at the same time or in an interleaved fashion via a single multi-sided wafer test head. The internal architecture of an exemplary wafer test head allows printed circuit cards to be able to electrically connected to multiple wafer test locations on a single wafer test head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Erik Volkerink, Duncan Gurley, Ajay Khoche
  • Patent number: 7250892
    Abstract: An improved clocked data converter with a vibrating microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resonator. The MEMS resonator is used as part of the clock circuitry of an analog to digital converter or a digital to analog converter. The MEMS resonator may be used as the frequency determining element of an on-chip oscillator, or as a bandpass filter used to clean up an external clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Verigy (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael J. Weinstein, Duncan Gurley
  • Publication number: 20070052565
    Abstract: An improved clocked data converter with a vibrating microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resonator. The MEMS resonator is used as part of the clock circuitry of an analog to digital converter or a digital to analog converter. The MEMS resonator may be used as the frequency determining element of an on-chip oscillator, or as a bandpass filter used to clean up an external clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Weinstein, Duncan Gurley
  • Publication number: 20060174177
    Abstract: A mixed-signal integrated circuit testing device includes test electronics for generating a test signal for input to a device under test and receiving a response signal from the device under test, and an interface connected between the test electronics and the device under test. The interface includes at least one Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) filter for filtering an analog signal associated with one of the test signal and the response signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Weinstein, Duncan Gurley