Patents by Inventor Kevin E. Ayers

Kevin E. Ayers 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: 7873874
    Abstract: A system for testing a processor. The system includes a gold processor and a test access port (TAP). A processor that is a under test (DUT) is coupled to both the gold processor and the TAP. Test signals are simultaneously provided to both the gold processor and the DUT such that the gold processor and the DUT operate in synchronous functional lockstep. The TAP may also input test signals into the gold processor and DUT simultaneously and access data from each of these processors through separate test data out (TDO) connections. Test output data accessed from the gold processor may be compared to test output data accessed from the DUT to determine if any differences are present. The comparison data generated may then be used for analysis purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Choate, Arthur M Ryan, Kevin E. Ayers, Douglas L. Terrell
  • Patent number: 7673188
    Abstract: A system for testing a processor. The system includes a gold processor and a test access port (TAP). A processor that is a device under test (DUT) is coupled to both the gold processor and the TAP. In the first mode, the TAP provides test signals to both the gold processor and the DUT while they operate in synchronous functional lockstep. In the second mode, the TAP provides signals to the gold processor. In the third mode, the TAP provides test signals to the DUT. A host computer coupled to the interface control unit executes a software application to cause the TAP to drive test signals and to access test output data from the gold processor and the DUT. Test output data accessed from the gold processor may be compared to that accessed from the DUT to determine any differences. The comparison data generated may then be used for further analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Choate, Arthur M. Ryan, Kevin E. Ayers, Ha Nguyen, Douglas L. Terrell
  • Publication number: 20090044058
    Abstract: A system for testing a processor. The system includes a gold processor and a test access port (TAP). A processor that is a device under test (DUT) is coupled to both the gold processor and the TAP. In the first mode, the TAP provides test signals to both the gold processor and the DUT while they operate in synchronous functional lockstep. In the second mode, the TAP provides signals to the gold processor. In the third mode, the TAP provides test signals to the DUT. A host computer coupled to the interface control unit executes a software application to cause the TAP to drive test signals and to access test output data from the gold processor and the DUT. Test output data accessed from the gold processor may be compared to that accessed from the DUT to determine any differences. The comparison data generated may then be used for further analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Michael L. Choate, Arthur M. Ryan, Kevin E. Ayers, Ha Nguyen, Douglas L. Terrell
  • Publication number: 20090044057
    Abstract: A system for testing a processor. The system includes a gold processor and a test access port (TAP). A processor that is a under test (DUT) is coupled to both the gold processor and the TAP. Test signals are simultaneously provided to both the gold processor and the DUT such that the gold processor and the DUT operate in synchronous functional lockstep. The TAP may also input test signals into the gold processor and DUT simultaneously and access data from each of these processors through separate test data out (TDO) connections. Test output data accessed from the gold processor may be compared to test output data accessed from the DUT to determine if any differences are present. The comparison data generated may then be used for analysis purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Michael L. Choate, Arthur M. Ryan, Kevin E. Ayers, Douglas L. Terrell
  • Patent number: 7096385
    Abstract: A method and system for testing a microprocessor. The method includes executing debug application software on an external device, downloading diagnostic program instructions from the external device to a cache memory within the microprocessor via a serial test interface. Once the diagnostic program instructions are loaded into the cache memory, the method includes executing the diagnostic program instructions from within the cache memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Fant, Kevin E. Ayers, Paul B. Hokanson