Patents by Inventor Jeffrey M. Scherer
Jeffrey M. Scherer 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).
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Patent number: 10311966Abstract: A system and integrated circuits are provided for determining performance metrics over a plurality of cycles of an input signal using on-chip diagnostic circuitry. The system comprises a trigger generation module configured to generate a trigger signal, and diagnostic circuitry coupled with the trigger generation module. The diagnostic circuitry comprises a memory comprising a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of delay elements, each delay element of the plurality of delay elements connected between consecutive data lines of the plurality of data lines. The diagnostic circuitry is configured to receive at least one input signal, and write, upon receiving the trigger signal, values on the plurality of data lines to the memory, thereby acquiring samples of a plurality of cycles of the input signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Anthony G. Aipperspach, Derick G. Behrends, Todd A. Christensen, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Publication number: 20170242066Abstract: A system and integrated circuits are disclosed for determining performance metrics over a plurality of cycles of an input signal using on-chip diagnostic circuitry. The system comprises a trigger generation module configured to generate a trigger signal, and diagnostic circuitry coupled with the trigger generation module. The diagnostic circuitry comprises a memory comprising a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of delay elements, each delay element of the plurality of delay elements connected between consecutive data lines of the plurality of data lines. The diagnostic circuitry is configured to receive at least one input signal, and write, upon receiving the trigger signal, values on the plurality of data lines to the memory, thereby acquiring samples of a plurality of cycles of the input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Anthony G. AIPPERSPACH, Derick G. BEHRENDS, Todd A. CHRISTENSEN, Jeffrey M. SCHERER
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Patent number: 9715905Abstract: A computing system, processing unit, and method are disclosed for detecting a maximum voltage power supply for performing memory testing. The method includes generating, using a sense amplifier of a processing unit and based on a timing of a received pulse signal, first and second drive signals that collectively indicate which of first and second voltages is greater, the first and second voltages produced by respective first and second power supplies. The method also includes coupling, based on the first and second drive signals, the power supply corresponding to the relatively greater voltage of the first and second voltages with the memory.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Anthony G. Aipperspach, Derick G. Behrends, Todd A. Christensen, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Publication number: 20170047099Abstract: A computing system, processing unit, and method are disclosed for detecting a maximum voltage power supply for performing memory testing. The method includes generating, using a sense amplifier of a processing unit and based on a timing of a received pulse signal, first and second drive signals that collectively indicate which of first and second voltages is greater, the first and second voltages produced by respective first and second power supplies. The method also includes coupling, based on the first and second drive signals, the power supply corresponding to the relatively greater voltage of the first and second voltages with the memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Anthony G. AIPPERSPACH, Derick G. BEHRENDS, Todd A. CHRISTENSEN, Jeffrey M. SCHERER
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Patent number: 9087607Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing sense amplifiers for sensing local write driver with bootstrap write assist for Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) arrays, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The circuit includes a sense amplifier used in both read and write operations with a write assist boost circuitry. The sense amplifier captures and amplifies write data at a selected SRAM cell column and drives the write data onto local bit lines. The write assist boost circuitry temporarily supplies an increased device voltage differential to the SRAM cell during write operations to significantly increase SRAM cell write ability.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Chad A. Adams, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Publication number: 20150131368Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing sense amplifiers for sensing local write driver with bootstrap write assist for Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) arrays, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The circuit includes a sense amplifier used in both read and write operations with a write assist boost circuitry. The sense amplifier captures and amplifies write data at a selected SRAM cell column and drives the write data onto local bit lines. The write assist boost circuitry temporarily supplies an increased device voltage differential to the SRAM cell during write operations to significantly increase SRAM cell write ability.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Chad A. Adams, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Patent number: 9007857Abstract: An SRAM includes a global bit line, an SRAM cell, precharge logic, discharge logic, and sense logic. The SRAM cell stores a first logical value or a second logic value and is coupled to the global bit line. The precharge logic may charge the global bit line to a precharge voltage for a non-read operation and a boosted voltage that is greater than a reference voltage for a read operation. The discharge logic may either maintain the global bit line at the boosted voltage for the first logical value or discharge the global bit line to a discharge voltage that is less than the reference voltage for the second logical value. The sense logic may output the first logical value when the global bit line has the boosted voltage or may output the second logical value when the global bit line has the discharge voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Chad A. Adams, Sharon H. Cesky, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Patent number: 9007858Abstract: An SRAM includes a global bit line, an SRAM cell, precharge logic, discharge logic, and sense logic. The SRAM cell stores a first logical value or a second logic value and is coupled to the global bit line. The precharge logic may charge the global bit line to a precharge voltage for a non-read operation and a boosted voltage that is greater than a reference voltage for a read operation. The discharge logic may either maintain the global bit line at the boosted voltage for the first logical value or discharge the global bit line to a discharge voltage that is less than the reference voltage for the second logical value. The sense logic may output the first logical value when the global bit line has the boosted voltage or may output the second logical value when the global bit line has the discharge voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Chad A. Adams, Sharon H. Cesky, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Publication number: 20140112060Abstract: An SRAM includes a global bit line, an SRAM cell, precharge logic, discharge logic, and sense logic. The SRAM cell stores a first logical value or a second logic value and is coupled to the global bit line. The precharge logic may charge the global bit line to a precharge voltage for a non-read operation and a boosted voltage that is greater than a reference voltage for a read operation. The discharge logic may either maintain the global bit line at the boosted voltage for the first logical value or discharge the global bit line to a discharge voltage that is less than the reference voltage for the second logical value. The sense logic may output the first logical value when the global bit line has the boosted voltage or may output the second logical value when the global bit line has the discharge voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Chad A. Adams, Sharon H. Cesky, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Publication number: 20140112064Abstract: An SRAM includes a global bit line, an SRAM cell, precharge logic, discharge logic, and sense logic. The SRAM cell stores a first logical value or a second logic value and is coupled to the global bit line. The precharge logic may charge the global bit line to a precharge voltage for a non-read operation and a boosted voltage that is greater than a reference voltage for a read operation. The discharge logic may either maintain the global bit line at the boosted voltage for the first logical value or discharge the global bit line to a discharge voltage that is less than the reference voltage for the second logical value. The sense logic may output the first logical value when the global bit line has the boosted voltage or may output the second logical value when the global bit line has the discharge voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Chad A. Adams, Sharon H. Cesky, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Patent number: 8659937Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing low power write disabled local evaluation for Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The circuit includes a write disable function to prevent discharge of a global bit line during a write operation. The write disable function disables a NAND gate driving a global pull down device during the write operation preventing the global pull down device from discharging the global bit line.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Chad A. Adams, Sharon H. Cesky, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Patent number: 8593890Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing write assist for Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) arrays, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The circuit includes a write driver including a common bit line supply node, and a common bit line source node. The circuit includes voltage boost circuitry that temporarily boosts the common bit line supply node above supply voltage and temporarily boosts the common bit line source node below source voltage through isolation devices for applying the boosted source and supply voltages to a selected SRAM cell during a write operation. Splitting the boost differential between the common bit lines decreases an overall device voltage differential for providing substantially enhanced reliability of the SRAM array.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Chad A. Adams, Sharon H. Cesky, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Publication number: 20130286717Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing write assist for Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) arrays, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The circuit includes a write driver including a common bit line supply node, and a common bit line source node. The circuit includes voltage boost circuitry that temporarily boosts the common bit line supply node above supply voltage and temporarily boosts the common bit line source node below source voltage through isolation devices for applying the boosted source and supply voltages to a selected SRAM cell during a write operation. Splitting the boost differential between the common bit lines decreases an overall device voltage differential for providing substantially enhanced reliability of the SRAM array.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2012Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Chad A. Adams, Sharon H. Cesky, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Publication number: 20130201753Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing low power write disabled local evaluation for Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The circuit includes a write disable function to prevent discharge of a global bit line during a write operation. The write disable function disables a NAND gate driving a global pull down device during the write operation preventing the global pull down device from discharging the global bit line.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Chad A. Adams, Sharon H. Cesky, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Patent number: 8274848Abstract: In a first aspect, a level shifter circuit for use in a memory array is provided that includes (1) a first voltage domain powered by a first voltage; (2) a second voltage domain powered by a second voltage; (3) level shifter circuitry that converts an input signal from the first voltage domain to the second voltage domain; and (4) isolation circuitry that selectively isolates the first voltage domain from the second voltage domain so as to selectively prevent current flow between the first voltage domain and the second voltage domain. Numerous other aspects are provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Chad A. Adams, Sharon H. Cesky, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Publication number: 20120033508Abstract: In a first aspect, a level shifter circuit for use in a memory array is provided that includes (1) a first voltage domain powered by a first voltage; (2) a second voltage domain powered by a second voltage; (3) level shifter circuitry that converts an input signal from the first voltage domain to the second voltage domain; and (4) isolation circuitry that selectively isolates the first voltage domain from the second voltage domain so as to selectively prevent current flow between the first voltage domain and the second voltage domain. Numerous other aspects are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2010Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Chad A. Adams, Sharon H. Cesky, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Patent number: 7983080Abstract: In a method of mitigating hysteresis effect in a sense amplifier circuit, a data value is sensed from a data source with the sense amplifier during a first period. The data value is stored in a latch. The data valued stored in the latch is inverted, thereby generating an inverted data value. The data source is isolated from the sense amplifier and the inverted data value is read with the sense amplifier during a second period immediately following the first period.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Chad A. Adams, Sharon H. Cesky, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer
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Publication number: 20100195408Abstract: In a method of mitigating hysteresis effect in a sense amplifier circuit, a data value is sensed from a data source with the sense amplifier during a first period. The data value is stored in a latch. The data valued stored in the latch is inverted, thereby generating an inverted data value. The data source is isolated from the sense amplifier and the inverted data value is read with the sense amplifier during a second period immediately following the first period.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2009Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Chad A. Adams, Sharon H. Cesky, Elizabeth L. Gerhard, Jeffrey M. Scherer