Patents by Inventor Kevin C. Gower

Kevin C. Gower 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).

  • Publication number: 20040205433
    Abstract: A high reliability dual inline memory module with a fault tolerant address and command bus for use in a server. The memory module is a card approximately 151.35 mm or 5.97 inches long provided with about a plurality of contacts of which some are redundant, a plurality of DRAMs, a phase lock loop, a 2 or 32K bit serial EE PROM and a 28 bit and a 1 to 2 register having error correction code (ECC), parity checking, a multi-byte fault reporting circuitry for reading via an independent bus, and real time error lines for determining and reporting both correctable errors and uncorrectable error conditions coupled to the server's memory interface chip and memory controller or processor such that the memory controller sends address and command information to the register via address/command lines together with check bits for error correction purposes to the ECC/Parity register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Bruce Hazelzet, Mark W. Kellogg, David J. Perlman
  • Patent number: 6757857
    Abstract: A memory subsystem package has a memory controller interface ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) and a plurality of memory modules. The ASIC has a bi-directional serial protocol i2C communication bus to off chip drivers for monitoring temperature and for adjusting the environment surrounding the package by controlling fans using fan switches and variable voltage controls. In addition there is provided an Alternating Current Built in Self Test (AC BIST) with variable data receiver voltage reference for performing high-speed AC memory subsystem self-test for that ASIC enabling writing of pseudo-random patterns to memory, reading them back and comparing the expected results at hardware speeds. Vref can be made to vary across its allowable range during AC self test to provide improved coverage. The system monitors vddq during normal system operation using an ADC. The system varies Vref as a function of Vddq, using a combination of a DAC and ADC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk D. Lamb, Kevin C. Gower, Paul W. Coteus
  • Publication number: 20040037158
    Abstract: A circuit and method for reading data transfers that are sent with a source synchronous clock signal. The circuit has a data input for receiving data signals carrying data being transferred, a clock input for receiving synchronous clock signals, and a delay circuit connected to the clock input for generating a delayed clock signal which is delayed from said synchronous clock signal a predetermined time period. The circuit also includes a pipeline connected to the data input for sampling the data on the data input in response to said delayed clock signal thereby stretching the sampling of incoming data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Coteus, Frank D. Ferraiolo, Kevin C. Gower
  • Patent number: 6662136
    Abstract: A memory subsystem package has a memory controller interface ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) and a plurality of memory modules. The ASIC has a bi-directional serial protocol i2C communication bus to off chip drivers for monitoring temperature and for adjusting the environment surrounding the package by controlling fans using fan switches and variable voltage controls. In addition there is provided an Alternating Current Built in Self Test (AC BIST) with variable data receiver voltage reference for performing high-speed AC memory subsystem self-test for that ASIC enabling writing of pseudo-random patterns to memory, reading them back and comparing the expected results at hardware speeds. Vref can be made to vary across its allowable range during AC self test to provide improved coverage. The system monitors Vddq during normal system operation using an ADC. The system varies Vref as a function of Vddq, using a combination of a DAC and ADC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk D. Lamb, Kevin C. Gower
  • Publication number: 20030188046
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an elastic interface is provided to automatically achieve a minimal cycle delay through the interface. An existing self-alignment interface (i.e. elastic interface) is used to de-skew within a cycle and stage the data to have it arrive on a given, programmed target cycle. However, this target cycle must be calculated in advance and may be larger than it needs to be, causing more latency on the interface. This method is used to determine the earliest target cycle (with or without additional guard-band). This target cycle is used to adjust the interface automatically to achieve this earliest target cycle. The determination of earliest target cycle can be done once, continuously, or using a sample window. The method also can be used for interfaces that have frequency multipliers or phase shifts at its boundaries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Y. Chen, Frank D. Ferraiolo, Kevin C. Gower, Patrick J. Meaney, William J. Scarpero
  • Publication number: 20030070123
    Abstract: An SMP computer system has an apparatus and method for recalibrating a self-timed, source-synchronous, pipelined interface while the computer system is running. The apparatus allows for quiescing the interface (ie. idling the processors to allow for no data transfers), raising fences (blocking interfaces), allowing for a quick clock centering recalibration step, and then unfencing and unquiescing to allow for the use of the interface again. The recalibration allows for compensating for drift over time on the interface to compensate for temperature, voltage, cycle time, and end-of-life degradation without bringing down and restarting the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Meaney, Jonathan Chen, Frank D. Ferraiolo, Kevin C. Gower, Glenn E. Holmes
  • Patent number: 6515917
    Abstract: A memory subsystem package has a memory controller interface ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) and a plurality of Memory modules. The ASIC has a bi-directional serial protocol i2C communication bus to off chip drivers for monitoring temperature and for adjusting the environment surrounding the package by controlling fans using fan switches and variable voltage controls. In addition there is provided an Alternating Current Built in Self Test (AC BIST) with variable data receiver voltage reference for performing high-speed AC memory subsystem self-test for that ASIC enabling writing of pseudo-random patterns to memory, reading them back and comparing the expected results at hardware speeds. Vref can be made to vary across its allowable range during AC self test to provide improved coverage. The system monitors Vddq during normal system operation using an ADC. The system varies Vref as a function of Vddq, using a combination of a DAC and ADC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk D. Lamb, Kevin C. Gower, Edward N. Cohen
  • Patent number: 6489912
    Abstract: A memory subsystem package has a memory controller interface ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) and a plurality of memory modules. The ASIC has a bi-directional serial protocol i2C communication bus to off chip drivers for monitoring temperature and for adjusting the environment surrounding the package by controlling fans using fan switches and variable voltage controls. In addition there is provided an Alternating Current Built in Self Test (AC. BIST) with variable data receiver voltage reference for performing high-speed AC memory subsystem self-test for that ASIC enabling writing of pseudo-random patterns to memory, reading them back and comparing the expected results at hardware speeds. Vref can be made to vary across its allowable range during AC self test to provide improved coverage. The system monitors Vddq during normal system operation using an ADC. The system varies Vref as a function of Vddq, using a combination of a DAC and ADC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk D. Lamb, Kevin C. Gower
  • Publication number: 20020149972
    Abstract: A memory subsystem package has a memory controller interface ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) and a plurality of memory modules. The ASIC has a bi-directional serial protocol i2C communication bus to off chip drivers for monitoring temperature and for adjusting the environment surrounding the package by controlling fans using fan switches and variable voltage controls. In addition there is provided an Alternating Current Built in Self Test (AC BIST) with variable data receiver voltage reference for performing high-speed AC memory subsystem self-test for that ASIC enabling writing of pseudo-random patterns to memory, reading them back and comparing the expected results at hardware speeds. Vref can be made to vary across its allowable range during AC self test to provide improved coverage. The system monitors Vddq during normal system operation using an ADC. The system varies Vref as a function of Vddq, using a combination of a DAC and ADC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk D. Lamb, Kevin C. Gower
  • Publication number: 20020147564
    Abstract: A memory subsystem package has a memory controller interface ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) and a plurality of memory modules. The ASIC has a bi-directional serial protocol i2C communication bus to off chip drivers for monitoring temperature and for adjusting the environment surrounding the package by controlling fans using fan switches and variable voltage controls. In addition there is provided an Alternating Current Built in Self Test (AC BIST) with variable data receiver voltage reference for performing high-speed AC memory subsystem self-test for that ASIC enabling writing of pseudo-random patterns to memory, reading them back and comparing the expected results at hardware speeds. Vref can be made to vary across its allowable range during AC self test to provide improved coverage. The system monitors Vddq during normal system operation using an ADC. The system varies Vref as a function of Vddq, using a combination of a DAC and ADC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk D. Lamb, Kevin C. Gower
  • Publication number: 20020145919
    Abstract: A memory subsystem package has a memory controller interface ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) and a plurality of Memory modules. The ASIC has a bi-directional serial protocol i2C communication bus to off chip drivers for monitoring temperature and for adjusting the environment surrounding the package by controlling fans using fan switches and variable voltage controls. In addition there is provided an Alternating Current Built in Self Test (AC BIST) with variable data receiver voltage reference for performing high-speed AC memory subsystem self-test for that ASIC enabling writing of pseudo-random patterns to memory, reading them back and comparing the expected results at hardware speeds. Vref can be made to vary across its allowable range during AC self test to provide improved coverage. The system monitors Vddq during normal system operation using an ADC. The system varies Vref as a function of vddq, using a combination of a DAC and ADC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk D. Lamb, Kevin C. Gower, Edward N. Cohen
  • Publication number: 20020147949
    Abstract: A memory subsystem package has a memory controller interface ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) and a plurality of memory modules. The ASIC has a bi-directional serial protocol i2C communication bus to off chip drivers for monitoring temperature and for adjusting the environment surrounding the package by controlling fans using fan switches and variable voltage controls. In addition there is provided an Alternating Current Built in Self Test (AC BIST) with variable data receiver voltage reference for performing high-speed AC memory subsystem self-test for that ASIC enabling writing of pseudo-random patterns to memory, reading them back and comparing the expected results at hardware speeds. Vref can be made to vary across its allowable range during AC self test to provide improved coverage. The system monitors vddq during normal system operation using an ADC. The system varies Vref as a function of Vddq, using a combination of a DAC and ADC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk D. Lamb, Kevin C. Gower, Paul W. Coteus
  • Patent number: 5357523
    Abstract: A system for providing test data for testing a semiconductor memory includes generation means for successively developing generated data patterns beginning from a seed data pattern, such that every distinct data pattern of the seed data pattern is successively developed in a forward sequence and, subsequently, the distinct data patterns are successively developed in a reverse sequence relative to the forward sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Bogholtz, Jr., Louis J. Bosch, Kevin C. Gower, Thomas Mitchell