Patents by Inventor John McCollum

John McCollum 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: 11114348
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a plurality of low-voltage FinFET transistors each having a channel length l and a channel width w, the low-voltage FinFET transistors having a first threshold voltage channel implant and a first gate dielectric thickness. The integrated circuit also includes a plurality of high-voltage FinFET transistors each having the channel length l and the channel width w, the high-voltage FinFET transistors having a second threshold voltage channel implant greater than the first threshold voltage channel implant and second gate dielectric thickness greater than the first gate dielectric thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Microsemi SoC Corp.
    Inventors: John McCollum, Fethi Dhaoui, Pavan Singaraju
  • Patent number: 10971216
    Abstract: A random-access memory cell includes first and second voltage supply nodes, first and second complementary output nodes, first and second complementary bit lines associated with the memory cell, and a word line associated with the memory cell. Pairs of series-connected cross-coupled p-channel and n-channel hybrid FinFET transistors are connected between the voltage supply nodes, the first bit line coupled to the first output node, and the second bit line coupled to the second output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Microsemi SoC Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Greene, John McCollum
  • Patent number: 10855286
    Abstract: A resistive random-access memory device formed on a semiconductor substrate includes a first interlayer dielectric formed over the semiconductor substrate and includes a first via. A chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer is formed over the interlayer dielectric. A lower metal layer formed in the first via has a top surface extending above a top surface of the chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer. A dielectric layer is formed over the chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer and is in electrical contact with the lower metal layer. A barrier metal layer is formed over the dielectric layer. Edges of the dielectric layer and the first barrier metal layer extend beyond outer edges of the first via. A second interlayer dielectric layer including a second via is formed over the dielectric layer. An upper metal layer formed in the second via in electrical contact with the barrier metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Microsemi SoC Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan Greene, Frank Hawley, John McCollum
  • Publication number: 20200013952
    Abstract: A resistive random-access memory device formed on a semiconductor substrate includes a first interlayer dielectric formed over the semiconductor substrate and includes a first via. A chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer is formed over the interlayer dielectric. A lower metal layer formed in the first via has a top surface extending above a top surface of the chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer. A dielectric layer is formed over the chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer and is in electrical contact with the lower metal layer. A barrier metal layer is formed over the dielectric layer. Edges of the dielectric layer and the first barrier metal layer extend beyond outer edges of the first via. A second interlayer dielectric layer including a second via is formed over the dielectric layer. An upper metal layer formed in the second via in electrical contact with the barrier metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Microsemi SoC Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan Greene, Frank Hawley, John McCollum
  • Publication number: 20190172756
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a plurality of low-voltage FinFET transistors each having a channel length l and a channel width w, the low-voltage FinFET transistors having a first threshold voltage channel implant and a first gate dielectric thickness. The integrated circuit also includes a plurality of high-voltage FinFET transistors each having the channel length l and the channel width w, the high-voltage FinFET transistors having a second threshold voltage channel implant greater than the first threshold voltage channel implant and second gate dielectric thickness greater than the first gate dielectric thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: Microsemi SoC Corp.
    Inventors: John McCollum, Fethi Dhaoui, Pavan Singaraju
  • Publication number: 20190172522
    Abstract: A random-access memory cell includes first and second voltage supply nodes, first and second complementary output nodes, first and second complementary bit lines associated with the memory cell, and a word line associated with the memory cell. Pairs of series-connected cross-coupled p-channel and n-channel hybrid FinFET transistors are connected between the voltage supply nodes, the first bit line coupled to the first output node, and the second bit line coupled to the second output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: Microsemi SoC Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Greene, John McCollum
  • Patent number: 10256822
    Abstract: A resistive random-access memory device formed on a semiconductor substrate includes an interlayer dielectric formed over the semiconductor substrate and includes a first via. A chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer is formed over the interlayer dielectric. A lower metal layer formed in the first via presents a substantially planar top surface. A dielectric layer is formed over the chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer and is in electrical contact with the lower metal layer. A barrier metal layer is formed over the dielectric layer. Edges of the dielectric layer and the first barrier metal layer form an aligned stack having edges extending beyond outer edges of the first via. A dielectric barrier layer including a second via is formed over the aligned stack and at least a portion of the chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer. An upper metal layer formed in the second via in electrical contact with the barrier metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Microsemi SoC Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan Greene, Frank Hawley, John McCollum
  • Publication number: 20180241398
    Abstract: A resistive random-access memory device formed on a semiconductor substrate includes an interlayer dielectric formed over the semiconductor substrate and includes a first via. A chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer is formed over the interlayer dielectric. A lower metal layer formed in the first via presents a substantially planar top surface. A dielectric layer is formed over the chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer and is in electrical contact with the lower metal layer. A barrier metal layer is formed over the dielectric layer. Edges of the dielectric layer and the first barrier metal layer form an aligned stack having edges extending beyond outer edges of the first via. A dielectric barrier layer including a second via is formed over the aligned stack and at least a portion of the chemical-mechanical-polishing stop layer. An upper metal layer formed in the second via in electrical contact with the barrier metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathan Greene, Frank Hawley, John McCollum
  • Patent number: 9859289
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a p-channel non-volatile transistor having a source and a drain defining a channel and a gate overlying the channel and an n-channel non-volatile transistor having a source and a drain defining a channel and a gate overlying the channel. In at least one of the p-channel non-volatile transistor and the n-channel non-volatile transistor, a lightly-doped drain region extends from the drain into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Fethi Dhaoui, John McCollum
  • Patent number: 9754948
    Abstract: A non-volatile programmable memory cell suitable for use in a programmable logic array includes a non-volatile MOS transistor of a first conductivity type in series with a volatile MOS transistor of a second conductivity type. The non-volatile MOS transistor may be a floating gate transistor, such as a flash transistor, or may be another type of non-volatile transistor such as a floating charge-trapping SONOS, MONOS transistor, or a nano-crystal transistor. A volatile MOS transistor, an inverter, or a buffer may be driven by coupling its gate or input to the common connection between the non-volatile MOS transistor and the volatile MOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSEMI SoC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fethi Dhaoui, John McCollum, Frank Hawley, Leslie Richard Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20160181262
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a p-channel non-volatile transistor having a source and a drain defining a channel and a gate overlying the channel and an n-channel non-volatile transistor having a source and a drain defining a channel and a gate overlying the channel. In at least one of the p-channel non-volatile transistor and the n-channel non-volatile transistor, a lightly-doped drain region extends from the drain into the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Microsemi SoC Corporation
    Inventors: Fethi Dhaoui, John McCollum
  • Publication number: 20160181263
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a p-channel non-volatile transistor having a source and a drain defining a channel and a gate overlying the channel and an n-channel non-volatile transistor having a source and a drain defining a channel and a gate overlying the channel. In at least one of the p-channel non-volatile transistor and the n-channel non-volatile transistor, a lightly-doped drain region extends from the drain into the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Microsemi SoC Corporation
    Inventors: Fethi Dhaoui, John McCollum
  • Patent number: 9368623
    Abstract: A high-voltage transistor includes an active region including a diffused region of a first conductivity type defined by inner edges of a border of shallow trench isolation. A gate having side edges and end edges is disposed over the active region. Spaced apart source and drain regions of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type are disposed in the active region outwardly with respect to the side edges of the gate. Lightly-doped regions of the second conductivity type more lightly-doped than the source and drain regions surround the source and drain regions and extend inwardly between the source and drain regions towards the gate to define a channel, and outwardly towards all of the inner edges of the shallow trench isolation. Outer edges of the lightly-doped region from at least the drain region are spaced apart from the inner edges of the shallow trench isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Microsemi SoC Corporation
    Inventors: Fengliang Xue, Fethi Dhaoui, John McCollum
  • Patent number: 9325321
    Abstract: A method for automatically refreshing a non-volatile memory array in the background without memory interruption includes selecting an unrefreshed segment of the memory, reading data from each row in the selected segment during memory dead time and storing the data read from each row in a local temporary storage memory until an entire segment is read out, remapping all memory addresses in the selected segment to the temporary storage memory, isolating column lines in the selected segment from global column lines, erasing the data in the selected segment without disturbing the column lines, rewriting memory data in each row of the selected segment, remapping all memory addresses in the selected segment to the memory, and repeating the process until all segments have been refreshed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Microsemi SoC Corporation
    Inventor: John McCollum
  • Patent number: 9287278
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a p-channel non-volatile transistor having a source and a drain defining a channel and a gate overlying the channel and an n-channel non-volatile transistor having a source and a drain defining a channel and a gate overlying the channel. In at least one of the p-channel non-volatile transistor and the n-channel non-volatile transistor, a lightly-doped drain region extends from the drain into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Microsemi SoC Corporation
    Inventors: Fethi Dhaoui, John McCollum
  • Publication number: 20150306928
    Abstract: A system for operating alarm features of a trailer towed by a tractor in the event of unintended decoupling of the trailer from the tractor. The system may include a breakaway switch or its functional equivalent, a flasher, and a source of emergency power such as a battery. The output of the system may operate only lights though the flasher, or optionally, also at least one electric brake of the trailer. Where braking is provided, the supply of electrical power is uninterrupted as by the flasher. Importantly, an anti-feedback feature prevents unintended operation of the lights and brake due to back-feeding from the electrical system of the tractor under ordinary operating conditions. A pressure switch deploys an alarm feature if pneumatic pressure in the vehicle pneumatic brake system is deficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: John McCollum
  • Patent number: 9159428
    Abstract: A method for performing auto-refresh of a SONOS memory in a field programmable gate array in a system, includes sensing an auto-refresh condition, selecting a memory segment that has not yet been refreshed, storing the contents of memory segment, erasing the memory cells in the memory segment, and reprogramming the memory cells in the memory segment, until all of the memory segments have been reprogrammed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Microsemi SoC Corporation
    Inventor: John McCollum
  • Patent number: 9147836
    Abstract: A layout arrangement for a resistive random access memory cell includes an active area, a polysilicon row address line over the active region, a metal column address line running orthogonal to the row address line and having an active region contact portion extending over the active region and having a contact to the active region. A metal output line runs parallel to the column address line over the active region. A first cell contact region intersects with the output line and has a contact to the active region. A first metal cell contact region forms an intersection with the first cell contact region. A first resistive random access memory device is formed at the intersection of the first cell contact region and the output line. A second resistive random access memory device is formed at the intersection of the first cell contact region and the first cell contact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Microsemi SoC Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Greene, Frank Hawley, John McCollum
  • Patent number: 9106232
    Abstract: A method for fast data erasing an FPGA including a programmable logic core controlled by a plurality of SONOS configuration memory cells, each SONOS configuration memory cell including a p-channel SONOS memory transistor in series with an n-channel SONOS memory transistor, which includes detecting tampering with the FPGA, disconnecting power from the programmable logic core, and simultaneously programming the n-channel device and erasing the p-channel device in all cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Microsemi SoC Corporation
    Inventor: John McCollum
  • Patent number: D905795
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventor: John McCollum