Patents by Inventor Howard Maassen

Howard Maassen 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: 10444278
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, computing system, and an automated test platform for testing at least one device under test includes a test head configured to receive the at least one device under test. A processing system is configured to: provide a voltage signal having a plurality of voltages to the at least one device under test, monitor a current flow into the at least one device under test during each of the plurality of voltages, thus generating a plurality of monitored current values that correspond to the plurality of voltages, and determine if one or more of the plurality of monitored current values exceeds one or more of a plurality of current thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Xcerra Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Brown, Niraj Rangwala, David McConnell, Peter Ho, Howard Maassen
  • Publication number: 20180080979
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, computing system, and an automated test platform for testing at least one device under test includes a test head configured to receive the at least one device under test. A processing system is configured to: provide a voltage signal having a plurality of voltages to the at least one device under test, monitor a current flow into the at least one device under test during each of the plurality of voltages, thus generating a plurality of monitored current values that correspond to the plurality of voltages, and determine if one or more of the plurality of monitored current values exceeds one or more of a plurality of current thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin Brown, Niraj Rangwala, David McConnell, Peter Ho, Howard Maassen
  • Publication number: 20180080978
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, computing system, and an automated test platform for testing at least one device under test includes a test head configured to receive the at least one device under test. A processing system is configured to: provide a voltage signal having a plurality of voltages to the at least one device under test, and monitor a current flow into the at least one device under test during each of the plurality of voltages, thus generating a plurality of monitored current values that correspond to the plurality of voltages. The plurality of monitored current values are stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin Brown, Niraj Rangwala, David McConnell, Howard Maassen
  • Patent number: 8156396
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing timing errors in automated test equipment (ATE) offering increased data rates for the testing of higher-speed integrated circuits. Embodiments provide an effective mechanism for increasing the data rate of an ATE system by delegating processing tasks to multiple test components, where the resulting data rate of the system may approach the sum of the data rates of the individual components. Each component is able to perform data-dependent timing error correction on data processed by the component, where the timing error may result from data processed by another component in the system. Embodiments enable timing error correction by making the component performing the correction aware of the data (e.g., processed by another component) causing the error. The data may be shared between components using existing timing interfaces, thereby saving the cost associated with the design, verification and manufacturing of new and/or additional hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventors: Jean-Yann Gazounaud, Howard Maassen
  • Patent number: 7810005
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing timing errors in automated test equipment (ATE) offering increased data rates for the testing of higher-speed integrated circuits. Embodiments provide an effective mechanism for increasing the data rate of an ATE system by delegating processing tasks to multiple test components, where the resulting data rate of the system may approach the sum of the data rates of the individual components. Each component is able to perform data-dependent timing error correction on data processed by the component, where the timing error may result from data processed by another component in the system. Embodiments enable timing error correction by making the component performing the correction aware of the data (e.g., processed by another component) causing the error. The data may be shared between components using existing timing interfaces, thereby saving the cost associated with the design, verification and manufacturing of new and/or additional hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Yann Gazounaud, Howard Maassen
  • Patent number: 7372302
    Abstract: A driver block for a differential pin driver that supports out-of-band signaling. The driver block includes a main enable switch that is controlled by a high speed driver inhibit (DINH) signal. The main enable switch controls coupling between a main current source and a differential pin driver output stage. The main enable switch is coupled in series with an output select switch that selects between a positive output and a negative output. The driver block also includes a positive enable switch for controlling coupling between the positive output and a positive level shifter that shifts voltages of the positive output. The driver block also includes a negative enable switch for controlling coupling between the negative output and a negative level shifter that shifts voltages of the negative output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Ohshima, Toshihiro Nomura, Howard Maassen
  • Patent number: 7212941
    Abstract: A test apparatus implements a method for testing electronic devices that exhibit non-deterministic behavior. The test apparatus includes a high-speed buffer queue for storing data packets. The data packets arrive at one end of the queue and, as they exit at the other end, are compared against expect data packets stored in memory. If the data packet exiting the buffer queue corresponds to response signals generated by the device under test during a non-deterministic (e.g., idle) state, the expect data packet is not retrieved from memory and the comparison is not made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Angarai T. Sivaram, Burnell G. West, Howard Maassen
  • Publication number: 20060047463
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing electronic devices that output high-speed serial data bit streams employs a programmable device to adjust the timing of the strobe so that the data bit stream being analyzed is strobed at or near the center of the bit. The programmable device sets a number of different reference strobe points that are used to strobe the data bit streams. The different reference strobe points span a single bit interval at regular intervals. The programmable device evaluates the strobe readings generated with the different reference strobe points and selects one of them as the one to be used during testing. The selection is made during the initialization phase of testing or intermittently while the test is being carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: A. T. Sivaram, Howard Maassen
  • Publication number: 20060047461
    Abstract: A test apparatus implements a method for testing electronic devices that exhibit non-deterministic behavior. The test apparatus includes a high-speed buffer queue for storing data packets. The data packets arrive at one end of the queue and, as they exit at the other end, are compared against expect data packets stored in memory. If the data packet exiting the buffer queue corresponds to response signals generated by the device under test during a non-deterministic (e.g., idle) state, the expect data packet is not retrieved from memory and the comparison is not made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: A.T. Sivaram, Burnell West, Howard Maassen
  • Publication number: 20030156545
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for circuit testing with signal paths providing multiple test configurations. Circuitry for use in testing electronic circuits includes switching circuitry operable to be controlled to make one of a first signal path and a second signal path. The first signal path is configured to carry a signal between a first node and a second node. The second signal path is configured to carry a signal between the first node and a third node. Each of the signal paths includes a portion that is located in pin electronics. The first node is connectable to a first pin of a device under test. The second node is connectable to a second pin of a device under test. The third node is connectable to an electronic instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Masashi Shimanouchi, Howard Maassen