Patents by Inventor Lewis K. Russell

Lewis K. Russell 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: 4233674
    Abstract: In a method of configuring an integrated circuit provided in a semiconductor body having a surface and spaced semiconductor circuits formed in the body, intercoupling means are formed in the body adjacent each of said circuits, and connected to said circuits. A plurality of conductive paths are formed between said intercoupling means and carried by the body. Each intercoupling means includes a plurality of semiconductor regions formed in the semiconductor body, said regions in combination capable of assuming a first low impedance condition and a second high impedance condition to thereby selectively couple each of said circuits to selected conductive paths or decouple each of said circuits from said conductive paths. In a specific embodiment of the invention a massive monolithic integrated circuit is configured using intercoupling means in combination with small scale random access memory semiconductor circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis K. Russell, David Kleitman
  • Patent number: 4160988
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure, and method for fabrication, including a semiconductor body of one conductivity type having a major surface. A layer of opposite conductivity material is formed on said surface, said layer having an upper planar surface generally parallel to said major surface. Spaced first and second collector regions are carried by said layer. A third one conductivity region is formed in said layer spaced from said first and second region and extending to an exposed surface of said layer. A fourth region of opposite conductivity type is formed within said third region and extends to an exposed surface of said layer. The layer, third and forth regions form the respective regions of an opposite conductivity--one conductivity--opposite conductivity type source transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1979
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventor: Lewis K. Russell
  • Patent number: 4140920
    Abstract: Logic circuitry provides predetermined logic outputs in response to logical combinations of inputs. The circuitry includes a plurality of input devices for receiving logic inputs and capable of assuming conduction states in response to the logic levels of said inputs. At least one output device is connected to two or more input devices. Means having predetermined logic levels is provided connected intermediate the input and output devices for controlling the conduction state of the output devices as a function of the input devices and the predetermined logic levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1979
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventors: Tich T. Dao, Lewis K. Russell, Edward J. McCluskey
  • Patent number: 4122540
    Abstract: In an integrated circuit, a semiconductor body having a surface, spaced semiconductor circuits formed in the body, intercoupling means formed in the body adjacent each of said circuits, and connected to said circuits. A plurality of conductive paths are formed between said intercoupling means and carried by the body. Each intercoupling means includes a plurality of semiconductor regions formed in the semiconductor body, said regions in combination capable of assuming a first low impedance condition and a second high impedance condition to thereby selectively couple each of said circuits to selected conductive paths or decouple each of said circuits from said conductive paths. In a specific embodiment of the invention a massive monolithic integrated circuit is configured using intercoupling means in combination with small scale random access memory semiconductor circuits. A static MOS random access memory having a 2,048 word capacity, with 9 bits/word and an 11 bit address is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis K. Russell, David Kleitman
  • Patent number: 4097888
    Abstract: A high density semiconductor structure and method is disclosed including a semiconductor body of one conductivity having a substantially planar surface. A first region of one conductivity is formed in the body and extends to the surface. A layer of opposite conductivity is interposed between the first region and the body said layer having relatively thin and uniform walls which extend to separate the first region from the body. At least one opposite conductivity region is formed entirely within the first region and extends to the surface. An opposite conductivity region is formed in the body and overlaps a portion of the layer. Lead means are provided for contacting each of the respctive regions and the body. The collector-up injection logic structure thus formed requires little or no surface area for the injection source transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventor: Lewis K. Russell
  • Patent number: 4065680
    Abstract: Unidirectional and bidirectional bipolar logic transmission gates have an input, an output, a gate control, supply and common terminals. The unilateral transmission gate circuit includes first and second switching transistors and associated first and second source tranisistors. The transistors each have collector, base and emitter electrodes, said first source transistor emitter being connected to said supply terminal. The collector of the first switching transistor is connected to the base of the second switching transistor and defines a gate logic node. The base of the first switching transistor is connected to the first input terminal and the collector of the second switching transistor is connected to the output terminal with both switching transistor emitters being connected to the common terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventor: Lewis K. Russell
  • Patent number: 4005470
    Abstract: In a semiconductor structure, a semiconductor body of one conductivity type having a planar surface and a first region of opposite conductivity formed in said body and extending to said surface. Spaced second, third and fourth regions of one conductivity type are formed in said first region and extend to said surface. Fifth and sixth regions of opposite conductivity are respectively formed entirely within said second and third regions and extend to said surface. In addition a seventh region of one conductivity type may be formed spaced from said second, third and fourth regions and an eighth region of opposite conductivity type formed entirely within said seventh region. A method for forming the semiconductor logic structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1977
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Tucci, Lewis K. Russell
  • Patent number: 3970865
    Abstract: A decode driver useful in decoders for memory circuits. A plurality of transistors are connected in series between a first reference potential terminal and an output terminal. A second plurality of transistors are connected in parallel between a second reference potential terminal and the output terminal. Each of the transistors receives an input which functions to turn the transistors either on or off. The coding of the inputs determines whether the transistors to which the respective inputs are connected are turned on or off which in turn controls whether or not the output terminal is coupled to the first reference potential terminal or the second reference potential terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1976
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventor: Lewis K. Russell
  • Patent number: 3967307
    Abstract: An integrated circuit and method for forming the same including a lateral bipolar transistor having an increased current gain. Floating islands are formed in the emitter of the lateral transistor to have a conductivity type opposite that of the emitter and which act to channel current towards the periphery of the emitter, thereby directing the current towards the collector region. In addition, the integrated circuit includes a buried layer underlying the lateral transistor with the buried layer pinched very thin along a region which outlines the edge of the emitter for enhancing lateral current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard S. Muller, Lewis K. Russell
  • Patent number: 3953866
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell, and a method for fabrication, including a one conductivity semiconductor body having a major surface and an opposite conductivity layer formed on said major surface said layer having a planar surface. Means extend from said planar surface through said layer to contact said body for isolating portions of said layer into first and second device regions. First and second device regions each include a one conductivity region formed in said device region extending to said planar surface, an opposite conductivity region formed within said one conductivity regions extending to said surface, and a metal-to-semiconductor contact carried by said device region at said planar surface. Lead means include means for ohmic interconnection of opposite conductivity regions formed in said first and second device regions, means for interconnecting said first device region and said one conductivity region formed in said second device region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1976
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventor: Lewis K. Russell
  • Patent number: 3947865
    Abstract: A collector-up binary structure of the type having spaced semiconductor regions forming a plurality of active devices for interconnection as a binary circuit is disclosed. The structure includes a semiconductor body of one conductivity having a planar surface, and spaced first, second, third and fourth transistors formed in said body. Fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth transistors are included, said fifth and sixth transistors being formed in the base regions of said second transistor and said seventh and eighth transistors being formed in the base region of said fourth transistor. Lead means provides ohmic contact to each of the respective regions of the respective transistors and interconnecting means is provided for connecting the plurality of active devices as a binary circuit. A structure further including ninth and tenth source transistors is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1976
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventor: Lewis K. Russell
  • Patent number: 3943554
    Abstract: A high speed threshold switching integrated circuit including a transistor and an integrally formed tunnel diode connected in parallel between the base and emitter of the transistor. The heavy doping necessary for the tunnel diode is achieved through the use of ion implantation. A current pulse applied to the emitter-base contact of the integrated circuit causes no collector current to flow until the point at which the rising current pulse exceeds the peak current of the tunnel diode. As the tunnel diode goes into the negative resistance region the transistor is turned on and rapidly pushed into near saturation with a consequent rapidly rising collector current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1976
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis K. Russell, Tich T. Dao, Richard S. Muller
  • Patent number: 3931617
    Abstract: A bipolar collector-up dynamic memory cell of the type utilized for storing information by writing and alternately reading information on a word line in response to a bit signal input. The memory cell includes a semiconductor body of one conductivity type having a planar surface, and a first transistor formed in the body having emitter, base and collector regions. The emitter is coupled to the word line and the base is coupled to the bit signal input. The collector region is of opposite conductivity type and is formed in the body extending to the surface to form a junction boundary between the collector and the body capable of exhibiting capacitance thereacross. A second transistor is formed in the body having emitter, base and collector regions. The base region is coupled to the bit signal input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1976
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventor: Lewis K. Russell
  • Patent number: RE29962
    Abstract: A collector-up binary structure of the type having spaced semiconductor regions forming a plurality of active devices for interconnection as a binary circuit is disclosed. The structure includes a semiconductor body of one conductivity having a planar surface, and spaced first, second, third and fourth transistors formed in said body. Fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth transistors are included, said fifth and sixth transistors being formed in the base regions of said second transistor and said seventh and eighth transistors being formed in the base region of said fourth transistor. Lead means provides ohmic contact to each of the respective regions of the respective transistors and interconnecting means is provided for connecting the plurality of active devices as a binary circuit. A structure further including ninth and tenth source transistors is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: Signetics Corporation
    Inventor: Lewis K. Russell