Patents by Inventor Lloyd A. Walls

Lloyd A. Walls 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: 20140167886
    Abstract: A technique is provided to increase signal bandwidth of data processing signals by providing a plating stub as a filter using multiple line segments of different widths to filter the reflected high frequency components bouncing from the stub end toward the signal path. This stub-filter shifts the resonance point to a much higher frequency, placing that point of resonance beyond the bandwidth of interest without sacrificing a low frequency loss. Accordingly, there is provided an apparatus comprising a stub filter of a substrate, comprising a multi-segmented stub comprising a plurality of stub portions, where one of the stub portions has a different impedance than another of the stub portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nanju Na, Nam H. Pham, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Patent number: 8743558
    Abstract: An information handling system device includes a plurality of electronic components; an electric circuit including at least one trace for connecting two or more of the plurality of electronic components and transmitting data between the plurality of electronic components via at least one electric signal; and a substrate including an insulating material for serving as a base for the electric circuit, wherein each of the at least one electric signal transmitted between the plurality of electronic components is transmitted utilizing slope manipulation by manipulating each of the at least one electric signal to provide a slope substantially proportional to a discrete integer data value of n discrete integer data values, n being a positive integer greater than or equal to 3, said discrete integer data value represented by using one of n distinct slopes transmitted utilizing a particular reference voltage of n predetermined reference voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Bills, Mahesh Bohra, Jinwoo Choi, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Patent number: 8722536
    Abstract: A circuit substrate uses post-fed top side power supply connections to provide improved routing flexibility and lower power supply voltage drop/power loss. Plated-through holes are used near the outside edges of the substrate to provide power supply connections to the top metal layers of the substrate adjacent to the die, which act as power supply planes. Pins are inserted through the plated-through holes to further lower the resistance of the power supply path(s). The bottom ends of the pins may extend past the bottom of the substrate to provide solderable interconnects for the power supply connections, or the bottom ends of the pins may be soldered to “jog” circuit patterns on a bottom metal layer of the substrate which connect the pins to one or more power supply terminals of an integrated circuit package including the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Douriet, Francesco Preda, Brian L. Singletary, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Patent number: 8716851
    Abstract: A mechanism for continuously referencing signals over multiple layers in laminate packages provides a continuous path for signals from one layer to another while using the ideal voltage reference for all areas of the package and still avoiding discontinuities in the voltage reference. A reference plane adjustment engine analyzes a package design and identifies an ideal top plane for all areas of the package, including areas under particular chip die(s) and areas that are not under a chip die. The reference plane adjustment engine then modifies the package design to reposition ground planes, source voltage planes, signal planes, and vias between layers to maintain a continuous voltage reference regardless of the top layer. The reference plane adjustment engine provides the resulting mixed voltage plane package design to a design analysis engine. A package fabrication system fabricates the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco Preda, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Publication number: 20140097918
    Abstract: A printed circuit board is disclosed. The printed circuit board includes a first signal transmission layer, a via and a second signal transmission layer. The via connects the first signal transmission layer to the second signal transmission layer. The via includes a first region made of a first dielectric material having a first dielectric constant, and a second region made of a second dielectric material having a second dielectric constant lower than the first dielectric constant. The via allows AC Component of an electro-magnetic signal to be transmitted from the first signal transmission layer to the second signal transmission layer while blocking any DC component of the electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jose A. Hajase, Nanju Na, Nam H. Pham, Lloyd Walls
  • Publication number: 20140075748
    Abstract: An improved electrical connector for connecting bus lines to a card such as a memory card or media card, including a multi-level connector comprising a latching device having a plurality of insertable latch positions that advantageously allows for selectively connecting or isolating an electrical path to an adjoining connector. The connectors of unpopulated DIMM slots are disconnected from the network along with the traces that would normally form a stub with associated undesirable signal reflections that would otherwise disturb the signal transmitted to the receiving end if not properly terminated. The contacts of the edge connector itself are used as a means to selectively connect or disconnect adjacent/downstream cards in a serially cascaded architecture. The burden of the stubs due to unpopulated card slots and the need to place one card at the far end of the network are thus eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael D. Hasse, Nanju Na, Nam H. Pham, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Publication number: 20130330940
    Abstract: An improved electrical connector for connecting bus lines to a card such as a memory card or media card, including a multi-level connector comprising a latching device having a plurality of insertable latch positions that advantageously allows for selectively connecting or isolating an electrical path to an adjoining connector. The connectors of unpopulated DIMM slots are disconnected from the network along with the traces that would normally form a stub with associated undesirable signal reflections that would otherwise disturb the signal transmitted to the receiving end if not properly terminated. The contacts of the edge connector itself are used as a means to selectively connect or disconnect adjacent/downstream cards in a serially cascaded architecture. The burden of the stubs due to unpopulated card slots and the need to place one card at the far end of the network are thus eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael D. Hasse, Nanju Na, Nam H. Pham, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Publication number: 20130328645
    Abstract: A technique is provided to increase signal bandwidth of data processing signals by providing a plating stub as a filter using multiple line segments of different widths to filter the reflected high frequency components bouncing from the stub end toward the signal path. This stub-filter shifts the resonance point to a much higher frequency, placing that point of resonance beyond the bandwidth of interest without sacrificing a low frequency loss. Accordingly, there is provided an apparatus comprising a stub filter of a substrate, comprising a multi-segmented stub comprising a plurality of stub portions, where one of the stub portions has a different impedance than another of the stub portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nanju Na, Nam H. Pham, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Publication number: 20130316534
    Abstract: A circuit substrate uses post-fed top side power supply connections to provide improved routing flexibility and lower power supply voltage drop/power loss. Plated-through holes are used near the outside edges of the substrate to provide power supply connections to the top metal layers of the substrate adjacent to the die, which act as power supply planes. Pins are inserted through the plated-through holes to further lower the resistance of the power supply path(s). The bottom ends of the pins may extend past the bottom of the substrate to provide solderable interconnects for the power supply connections, or the bottom ends of the pins may be soldered to “jog” circuit patterns on a bottom metal layer of the substrate which connect the pins to one or more power supply terminals of an integrated circuit package including the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Douriet, Francesco Preda, Brian L. Singletary, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Patent number: 8586476
    Abstract: A circuit substrate uses post-fed top side power supply connections to provide improved routing flexibility and lower power supply voltage drop/power loss. Plated-through holes are used near the outside edges of the substrate to provide power supply connections to the top metal layers of the substrate adjacent to the die, which act as power supply planes. Pins are inserted through the plated-through holes to further lower the resistance of the power supply path(s). The bottom ends of the pins may extend past the bottom of the substrate to provide solderable interconnects for the power supply connections, or the bottom ends of the pins may be soldered to “jog” circuit patterns on a bottom metal layer of the substrate which connect the pins to one or more power supply terminals of an integrated circuit package including the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Douriet, Francesco Preda, Brian L. Singletary, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Patent number: 8425115
    Abstract: A compact resistive thermal sensor is provided for an integrated circuit (IC), wherein different sensor components are placed on different layers of the IC. This allows the lateral area needed for the sensor resistance wire on any particular IC layer to be selectively reduced. In a useful embodiment, first linear conductive members are positioned in a first IC layer, in parallel relationship with one another. Second linear conductive members are positioned in a second IC layer in parallel relationship with one another. Conductive elements connect the first linear members into a first conductive path, and the second linear members into a second conductive path. A third conductive element extending between the first and second layers connects the first and second conductive paths into a single conductive path, wherein the path resistance varies with temperature. The path resistance is used to determine temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aquilur Rahman, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Patent number: 8358509
    Abstract: An information handling system device includes a plurality of electronic components; an electric circuit including at least one trace for connecting two or more of the plurality of electronic components and transmitting data between the plurality of electronic components via at least one electric signal; and a substrate including an insulating material for serving as a base for the electric circuit and the plurality of electronic components, wherein the at least one electric signal transmitted between the plurality of electronic components is transmitted utilizing slope manipulation to provide a slope directly proportional to a data value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Bills, Mahesh Bohra, Jinwoo Choi, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Publication number: 20130010445
    Abstract: An information handling system device includes a plurality of electronic components; an electric circuit including at least one trace for connecting two or more of the plurality of electronic components and transmitting data between the plurality of electronic components via at least one electric signal; and a substrate including an insulating material for serving as a base for the electric circuit, wherein each of the at least one electric signal transmitted between the plurality of electronic components is transmitted utilizing slope manipulation by manipulating each of the at least one electric signal to provide a slope substantially proportional to a discrete integer data value of n discrete integer data values, n being a positive integer greater than or equal to 3, said discrete integer data value represented by using one of n distinct slopes transmitted utilizing a particular reference voltage of n predetermined reference voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin J. Bills, Mahesh Bohra, Jinwoo Choi, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Publication number: 20120174047
    Abstract: A mechanism for continuously referencing signals over multiple layers in laminate packages provides a continuous path for signals from one layer to another while using the ideal voltage reference for all areas of the package and still avoiding discontinuities in the voltage reference. A reference plane adjustment engine analyzes a package design and identifies an ideal top plane for all areas of the package, including areas under particular chip die(s) and areas that are not under a chip die. The reference plane adjustment engine then modifies the package design to reposition ground planes, source voltage planes, signal planes, and vias between layers to maintain a continuous voltage reference regardless of the top layer. The reference plane adjustment engine provides the resulting mixed voltage plane package design to a design analysis engine. A package fabrication system fabricates the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco Preda, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Patent number: 8158461
    Abstract: A mechanism for continuously referencing signals over multiple layers in laminate packages provides a continuous path for signals from one layer to another while using the ideal voltage reference for all areas of the package and still avoiding discontinuities in the voltage reference. A reference plane adjustment engine analyzes a package design and identifies an ideal top plane for all areas of the package, including areas under particular chip die(s) and areas that are not under a chip die. The reference plane adjustment engine then modifies the package design to reposition ground planes, source voltage planes, signal planes, and vias between layers to maintain a continuous voltage reference regardless of the top layer. The reference plane adjustment engine provides the resulting mixed voltage plane package design to a design analysis engine. A package fabrication system fabricates the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco Preda, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Patent number: 7863724
    Abstract: A circuit substrate uses post-fed top side power supply connections to provide improved routing flexibility and lower power supply voltage drop/power loss. Plated-through holes are used near the outside edges of the substrate to provide power supply connections to the top metal layers of the substrate adjacent to the die, which act as power supply planes. Pins are inserted through the plated-through holes to further lower the resistance of the power supply path(s). The bottom ends of the pins may extend past the bottom of the substrate to provide solderable interconnects for the power supply connections, or the bottom ends of the pins may be soldered to “jog” circuit patterns on a bottom metal layer of the substrate which connect the pins to one or more power supply terminals of an integrated circuit package including the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Douriet, Francesco Preda, Brian L. Singletary, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Publication number: 20100330797
    Abstract: A circuit substrate uses post-fed top side power supply connections to provide improved routing flexibility and lower power supply voltage drop/power loss. Plated-through holes are used near the outside edges of the substrate to provide power supply connections to the top metal layers of the substrate adjacent to the die, which act as power supply planes. Pins are inserted through the plated-through holes to further lower the resistance of the power supply path(s). The bottom ends of the pins may extend past the bottom of the substrate to provide solderable interconnects for the power supply connections, or the bottom ends of the pins may be soldered to “jog” circuit patterns on a bottom metal layer of the substrate which connect the pins to one or more power supply terminals of an integrated circuit package including the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Douriet, Francesco Preda, Brian L. Singletary, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Publication number: 20100195756
    Abstract: An information handling system device includes a plurality of electronic components; an electric circuit including at least one trace for connecting two or more of the plurality of electronic components and transmitting data between the plurality of electronic components via at least one electric signal; and a substrate including an insulating material for serving as a base for the electric circuit and the plurality of electronic components, wherein the at least one electric signal transmitted between the plurality of electronic components is transmitted utilizing slope manipulation to provide a slope directly proportional to a data value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Bills, Mahesh Bohra, Jinwoo Choi, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Publication number: 20090256253
    Abstract: A mechanism for continuously referencing signals over multiple layers in laminate packages provides a continuous path for signals from one layer to another while using the ideal voltage reference for all areas of the package and still avoiding discontinuities in the voltage reference. A reference plane adjustment engine analyzes a package design and identifies an ideal top plane for all areas of the package, including areas under particular chip die(s) and areas that are not under a chip die. The reference plane adjustment engine then modifies the package design to reposition ground planes, source voltage planes, signal planes, and vias between layers to maintain a continuous voltage reference regardless of the top layer. The reference plane adjustment engine provides the resulting mixed voltage plane package design to a design analysis engine. A package fabrication system fabricates the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco Preda, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Publication number: 20090200074
    Abstract: A circuit substrate uses post-fed top side power supply connections to provide improved routing flexibility and lower power supply voltage drop/power loss. Plated-through holes are used near the outside edges of the substrate to provide power supply connections to the top metal layers of the substrate adjacent to the die, which act as power supply planes. Pins are inserted through the plated-through holes to further lower the resistance of the power supply path(s). The bottom ends of the pins may extend past the bottom of the substrate to provide solderable interconnects for the power supply connections, or the bottom ends of the pins may be soldered to “jog” circuit patterns on a bottom metal layer of the substrate which connect the pins to one or more power supply terminals of an integrated circuit package including the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Douriet, Francesco Preda, Brian L. Singletary, Lloyd A. Walls