Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Smits

Kenneth R. Smits 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: 8520428
    Abstract: Various embodiments of this disclosure may describe a circuit for transmitting data from a transmitting region of an integrated circuit to a receiving region of the integrated circuit. The circuit may level-shift the data to the appropriate voltage level and may have good tolerance to clock skews. Other embodiments, including an integrated circuit having the circuit or a system with the integrated circuit, may also be disclosed or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Edward E. Helder, Brandon M. Walters, Mahesh M. Chheda, Shenggao Li, Kenneth R. Smits
  • Publication number: 20120243300
    Abstract: Various embodiments of this disclosure may describe a circuit for transmitting data from a transmitting region of an integrated circuit to a receiving region of the integrated circuit. The circuit may level-shift the data to the appropriate voltage level and may have good tolerance to clock skews. Other embodiments, including an integrated circuit having the circuit or a system with the integrated circuit, may also be disclosed or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Edward E. Helder, Brandon M. Walters, Mahesh M. Chheda, Shenggao Li, Kenneth R. Smits
  • Patent number: 6922798
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing enhanced redundancy for a cache are provided. For example, an on-die cache is disclosed which includes a first memory array having a defective array line; a second memory array having a defective array line; and a redundant memory array having a plurality of array lines. A first one of the array lines is mapped to the defective array line of the first array and a second one of the array lines is mapped to the defective array line of the second array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mahadevamurty Nemani, Kenneth R. Smits
  • Publication number: 20040057304
    Abstract: Architecture for a cache fabricated on a die with a processor including a plurality of cache banks, each containing a plurality of memory cell sub arrays. The sub arrays including a plurality of arrays of memory cells, the arrays including regular arrays and at least one redundant sub array. Logic circuitry is associated with each cache bank. A change in a single bit of the logic circuitry from a first to a second logic state causes one of the regular arrays to become disconnected from the global data bus, and the redundant array to become connected to the global data bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Smits
  • Publication number: 20040025095
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing enhanced redundancy for a cache are provided. For example, an on-die cache is disclosed which includes a first memory array having a defective array line; a second memory array having a defective array line; and a redundant memory array having a plurality of array lines. A first one of the array lines is mapped to the defective array line of the first array and a second one of the array lines is mapped to the defective array line of the second array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Mahadevamurty Nemani, Kenneth R. Smits
  • Patent number: 6662271
    Abstract: Architecture for a cache fabricated on a die with a processor including a plurality of cache banks, each containing a plurality of memory cell sub arrays. The sub arrays including a plurality of arrays of memory cells, the arrays including regular arrays and at least one redundant sub array. Logic circuitry is associated with each cache bank. A change in a single bit of the logic circuitry from a first to a second logic state causes one of the regular arrays to become disconnected from the global data bus, and the redundant array to become connected to the global data bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Smits
  • Patent number: 6647455
    Abstract: A cache memory organized into banks of subarrays includes repeaters for connecting to the data provided by the subarrays to a global data bus. The repeaters comprise a logic gate providing either a NAND or NOR function coupled in series with an inverter. The logic gate has a first input connected to receive a first logic value of a bus line, and a second input coupled to receive data output from a subarray. The inverter drives the first logic value onto the bus line when the cache bank subarray is inactive, and drives the data value from the subarray onto the bus line when the cache bank subarray is activate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Smits, Bharat Bhushan
  • Patent number: 6631444
    Abstract: Architecture for a cache fabricated on a die with a processor including a plurality of cache banks, each containing a plurality of storage cell subarrays, the cache banks being arranged in physical relationship to a central location on the die that provides a point for information transfer between the processor and the cache. A data path provides synchronous transmission of data to/from the cache banks such that data requested by the processor in a given clock cycle is received at the central location a predetermined number of clock cycles later regardless of which cache bank in the cache the data is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Smits, Bharat Bhushan, Mahadevamurty Nemani
  • Publication number: 20030084389
    Abstract: A cache memory that is flexible to allow for defect tolerance by utilizing a status bit for each cache line to indicate whether the cache line is functional or contains a defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Sailesh Kottapalli, Mahadev Nemani, Kenneth R. Smits
  • Publication number: 20030005224
    Abstract: Architecture for a cache fabricated on a die with a processor including a plurality of cache banks, each containing a plurality of storage cell subarrays, the cache banks being arranged in physical relationship to a central location on the die that provides a point for information transfer between the processor and the cache. A data path provides synchronous transmission of data to/from the cache banks such that data requested by the processor in a given clock cycle is received at the central location a predetermined number of clock cycles later regardless of which cache bank in the cache the data is stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Smits, Bharat Bhushan, Mahadevamurty Nemani
  • Publication number: 20030005225
    Abstract: Architecture for a cache fabricated on a die with a processor including a plurality of cache banks, each containing a plurality of memory cell sub arrays. The sub arrays including a plurality of arrays of memory cells, the arrays including regular arrays and at least one redundant sub array. Logic circuitry is associated with each cache bank. A change in a single bit of the logic circuitry from a first to a second logic state causes one of the regular arrays to become disconnected from the global data bus, and the redundant array to become connected to the global data bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Smits
  • Publication number: 20030005222
    Abstract: A cache memory organized into banks of subarrays includes repeaters for connecting to the data provided by the subarrays to a global data bus. The repeaters comprise a logic gate providing either a NAND or NOR function coupled in series with an inverter. The logic gate has a first input connected to receive a first logic value of a bus line, and a second input coupled to receive data output from a subarray. The inverter drives the first logic value onto the bus line when the cache bank subarray is inactive, and drives the data value from the subarray onto the bus line when the cache bank subarray is activate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Smits, Bharat Bhushan
  • Patent number: 5034687
    Abstract: A circuit for testing signatures at a pin in a CMOS device where this device is operable when it is powered by a voltage within the predetermined range. During the test mode, a task voltage whose magnitude is below that of any voltage in the operating range as applied so that parasitic diode turn-on is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eddy C. Huang, Kenneth R. Smits
  • Patent number: 5018106
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) comprises plural memory cells, a true-bit load and a complementary-bit load, a true-bit line and a complementary bit line, a sense amplifier and an address transition detector. The address transition detector is used to generate load pulses which switch off the loads just after either of the memory cells is selected. This speeds signal development during a read (or write) operation. Since provision is made for modulating the loads, they can be designed to permit larger-than-conventional currents to flow therethrough when maximally on. The loads are maximally on just after cell deselection to facilitate bit-line equalization between cell selections. Thus, the present invention provides for briefer inter-select periods, quicker reads upon cell selection, and, thus, a faster SRAM overall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed E. Ul Haq, Kenneth R. Smits