Patents by Inventor Manfred Proll

Manfred Proll 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: 7482644
    Abstract: Semiconductor memories (1) have segmented word lines (5a, 5b), which in each case have a main word line (10a, 10b) made of a conductive metal and a plurality of interconnect segments (15a, 15b) coupled to the main word line (10a, 10b), which are coupled to the respective main word line (10a, 10b) in each case via at least one contact hole filling (11). If one of the contact hole fillings (11) is defective or at high resistance then functional errors of the semiconductor memory occur. The interconnect segments (15a, 15b) of two respective word lines (5a, 5b) can be short-circuited in pairs with the aid of switching units (20), whereby a static current (I) that flows via the contact hole fillings (11) can be used for electrically stressing the contact hole fillings (11). Electrical stressing of contact hole fillings of segmented word lines is thus made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Georg Erhard Eggers, Stephan Schröder, Manfred Pröll, Herbert Benzinger
  • Patent number: 7443713
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory device includes at least one memory cell, at least one sense amplifier and a pair of bit lines connected to each sense amplifier, where each memory cell includes a selection transistor and a storage capacitor. The storage capacitor of each memory cell includes a first capacitor electrode and a second capacitor electrode, and the selection transistor of each memory cell includes a first source/drain region that is connected by a first contact connection to one bit line of a pair of bit lines corresponding with the memory cell, and a second source/drain region that is conductively connected to the first capacitor electrode of the storage capacitor of the memory cell. The second capacitor electrode of the storage capacitor of each memory cell is connected to the other bit line of the pair of bit lines corresponding with the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stephan Schröder, Herbert Benzinger, Georg Erhard Eggers, Manfred Pröll, Jörg Kliewer
  • Publication number: 20070247944
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory with refreshing of memory cells includes a temperature sensor to detect a chip temperature of the integrated semiconductor memory, a connection to apply a command signal, a frequency generation unit to generate a frequency signal, and a memory cell to store a data item, the stored data item being refreshed at the frequency of the frequency signal. The frequency generation unit generates the frequency signal at a first frequency on the basis of a chip temperature detected by the temperature sensor when a first state of the command signal is applied and the frequency generation unit generates the frequency signal at a second frequency, which is changed in comparison with the first frequency, at the same chip temperature when a second state of the command signal is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: QIMONDA AG
    Inventors: Frank Fischer, Manfred Proll, Thilo Schaffroth, Stephan Schroder
  • Patent number: 7266027
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory includes word lines connected to a first voltage potential via a respective first controllable switch and a respective third controllable switch and to a second voltage potential via a respective second controllable switch. In order to test whether one of the word lines is connected to the first voltage potential via its respective first and third controllable switches, the one of the word lines is connected to a comparator circuit via the respective second controllable switch and a driver line. After the respective first and third controllable switches have been controlled into the on state, in a test operating state of the integrated semiconductor memory, the respective second controllable switch is controlled into the on state and a potential state on the word line is evaluated by the comparator circuit. The result of the evaluation is fed to an external data terminal by an evaluation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Ralf Schneider, Stephan Schröder, Manfred Pröll, Herbert Benzinger
  • Patent number: 7263633
    Abstract: An integrated circuit, in particular, an integrated memory, contains a control circuit for ascertaining an operating state of the circuit. A self-repair circuit, which is connected to the control circuit, is used to implement self-test and self-repair operation for checking the functioning of, and repairing, defective circuit sections of the integrated circuit. After a supply voltage has been applied to the integrated circuit, the control circuit ascertains an operating state of the integrated circuit and, in a manner dependent thereon, the self-repair circuit is activated by the control circuit in a self-controlling manner in order to put the integrated circuit into a self-repair mode for implementing self-test and self-repair operation. The integrated circuit can be tested for its functionality and repaired even after being soldered onto a module substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Evangelos Stavrou, Stephan Schröder, Manfred Pröll, Koen Van der Zanden
  • Patent number: 7251772
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement can have a number of integrated circuit components, which are arranged on a carrier substrate. A reception circuit for receiving a control signal can be coupled to one of the connection pads on the input side and can be connected to each of the circuit components on the output side. A bridging circuit controlled by a test mode signal can electrically bridge the reception circuit. In a testing method, a plurality of connection pads can be connected to a first potential and at least one of the connection pads can be connected to a second potential. The bridging circuit can be activated and the current measured, by a test arrangement, at the at least one of the connection pads. Inspection for leakage currents in connections between input-side reception circuits and the circuit components can be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies, AG
    Inventors: Christian Stocken, Gerald Resch, Manfred Pröll, Manfred Dobler
  • Patent number: 7236412
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory including memory cells which can be driven via first and second word lines and can be replaced by redundant memory cells. In the first memory cell type, data can be stored corresponding to the data present at a data input terminal. In the memory cells of a second memory cell type, data can be stored inverted with respect to data present at the data input terminal. The integrated semiconductor memory includes a circuit for data inversion, wherein the data are written to a redundant memory cell, inverted with respect to the data present at the data input terminal if the defective memory cell and the redundant memory cell replacing it are situated in different word line strips of a bit line twist, and if the defective memory cell and the redundant memory cell replacing it are associated with different memory cell types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pröll, Johann Pfeiffer, Stephan Schröder, Arndt Gruber, Georg Erhard Eggers
  • Patent number: 7206980
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory includes a memory cell array with at least one memory cell, in which a data value is stored, and an evaluation circuit with a counter. During a test of the integrated semiconductor memory, a counter reading of the counter is altered if the data value stored in the memory cell deviates from a desired value. A threshold value is predefined by a control circuit. A programming circuit compares the threshold value on the input side with the instantaneous counter reading of the counter. If the counter reading of the counter exceeds the threshold value, a programming element changes from a first programming state to a second programming state. After the conclusion of the test, the state of the programming element is read out via an output terminal. This scheme makes it possible to deduce a possible cause of failure of the integrated semiconductor memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Auge, Manfred Pröll, Jörg Kliewer, Frank Schroeppel
  • Patent number: 7198403
    Abstract: In an arrangement for determining a temperature loading during a soldering process, a semiconductor chip (1) comprises at least one contact (2) to be soldered or is electrically conductively connected to at least one contact (14d) to be soldered that is situated outside the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip (1) furthermore comprises a temperature sensor device (3), which determines a measurement quantity corresponding to the temperature. A processing device (4, 5) has an analog-to-digital converter (5), which is electrically conductively connected to the temperature sensor device (3) and converts the measurement quantity into at least one storable signal that represents the temperature loading. A voltage supply device (10), which is electrically conductively connected to the temperature sensor device (3) and the processing device (4, 5), supplies these components with an operating voltage. A data memory (6) serves for storing the at least one storable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pröll, Jürgen Auge, Stephan Schröder, Thomas Huber
  • Patent number: 7196572
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an input terminal (IN) for application of a supply voltage (Vext) and an output terminal (A) for generation of an output voltage (Vout). A first branch including a first controllable resistance (T1) and a second branch including a charge pump (10) and a second controllable resistance (T2) are connected between the input terminal (IN) and the output terminal (A). A control circuit (20) alters the resistance values of the first and second controllable resistances (T1, T2) in a manner dependent on a ratio of an actual value (Vout) of the output voltage to a desired value (VSout) of the output voltage and a ratio of an actual value (Vext) of the supply voltage to a desired value (VSext) of the supply voltage. As a result, the output voltage (Vout) can be stabilized to the desired value (VSout) virtually independently of fluctuations of the supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies, AG
    Inventors: Ralf Schneider, Stephan Schröder, Manfred Pröll, Jörg Kliewer
  • Patent number: 7196554
    Abstract: An integrated chip has a clock signal input (1.1) for application of a first clock signal (clk1) and a clock signal output (1.2–1.5). Moreover, it has a phase locked loop (2), which, on the input side, is connected to the clock signal input (1.1) and serves far generating a second clock signal (clk2). Furthermore, the chip has a multiplexer (MUX), via which the first clock signal (clk1) or the second clock signal (clk2) can optionally be switched to the clock signal output (1.2–1.5), and a unit for frequency monitoring (3), which, on the input side, is connected to the clock signal input (1.1) and is designed and can be operated in such a way that, in the event of a limiting frequency (fmin) being undershot, the multiplexer (MUX) is caused to switch the first clock signal (clk1) to the clock signal output (1.2–1.5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Nazif Taskin, Manfred Pröll, Manfred Dobler, Gerald Resch
  • Patent number: 7180820
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory includes at least one word line and a number of memory cells. Each memory cell has a selection transistor coupled to the word line. A word line driver is coupled to the word line. The word line driver provides a first electrical potential or a second electrical potential to the word line such that the word line is activated by the first electrical potential and is deactivated by the second electrical potential. A passive component (e.g., a diode or a resistor) is coupled between the word line and the second electrical potential such that the word line is coupled to the second electrical potential in a high-resistance fashion through the passive component. The passive component is transmissive for a leakage current between the word line and the contact connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Jörg Kliewer, Herbert Benzinger, Manfred Pröll, Stephan Schröder
  • Patent number: 7181579
    Abstract: An integrated memory has individually addressable normal and redundant units of memory cells. A memory unit is used to store, in a normal mode, an address for one of the normal units which needs to be replaced by one of the redundant units. A comparison unit compares an address which is present on an address bus with an address stored in the memory unit and activates one of the redundant units in the event of a match being identified. The memory also has a test circuit which can be activated by a test mode signal, can reset the memory unit to an initial state, and can store an address for one of the redundant units in the memory unit for subsequently writing an identification code to this redundant unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Aurel von Campenhausen, Manfred Pröll, Jörg Kliewer, Stephan Schröder
  • Patent number: 7158426
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory can be operated in a normal operating state synchronously with a control clock. In the test operating state, the integrated semiconductor memory is driven synchronously with a clock edge of the control clock with a first control signal and starts a test run independent of the control clock. Driving with the first control signal, selection transistors in a memory bank that can be selected by a memory bank address are turned off. Afterward, bit lines in the selected memory bank are interconnected and driven with a predetermined precharge potential. After a precharge time has elapsed, one of the word lines is selected by an applied word line address and the selection transistors in the selected memory bank connected to the selected word line are turned on. Precharge times are set and tested independently of the clock period of the control clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Koen van der Zanden, Manfred Pröll, Jörg Kliewer, Björn Wirker
  • Patent number: 7102912
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array (B1) with a first bit line and a second bit line (BL, /BL), a controllable resistor (SW) and a control unit (100) configured to control the controllable resistor. In a first operating state of the integrated semiconductor memory device, the first and second bit lines are connected to one another via a first controllable switch (ET1) and also via the controllable resistor (SW) which has been set to a low resistance, to a connection (A10) that applies a mid-voltage (VBLEQ), where the voltage level of the mid-voltage is in the form of an arithmetic mean between a first and second voltage potential (VBLH, VBLL). By virtue of the control unit briefly setting the controllable resistor to a very low resistance in the first operating state of the integrated semiconductor memory device, the period of time required for the first and second bit lines require to assume the mid-voltage (VBLEQ) is shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies, AG
    Inventors: Herbert Benzinger, Jörg Kliewer, Manfred Pröll, Stephan Schröder
  • Publication number: 20060193168
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory device includes memory cells each with a selection transistor and a storage capacitor. Memory cells of this type are usually read by the potential of the bit line to which the memory cell is connected being compared in a sense amplifier with the potential of a complementary, second bit line and a voltage difference identified being amplified. The semiconductor memory according to the invention provides for that capacitor electrode which is not connected to the selection transistor to be connected to the complementary, second bit line. As a result, for an operating voltage with the same magnitude, larger quantities of charge can be stored in the storage capacitor since now the two mutually spread potentials output by the sense amplifier are used for biasing the storage capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: Stephan Schroder, Herbert Benzinger, Georg Eggers, Manfred Proll, Jorg Kliewer
  • Patent number: 7085185
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling an access to an integrated memory includes a command decoder for receiving at least one external command for an access to the memory. An access controller is connected to the command decoder for receiving internal command signals, which are output by the command decoder. In the course of a memory access, the command decoder outputs a precharge command signal for precharging a row of the memory cell array of the integrated memory. A control circuit, which can determine a temperature of the memory, is designed to temporally variably influence the transmission of the precharge command signal of the command decoder to the access controller in a manner dependent on the temperature of the memory. The write recovery time tWR can be retained even for higher operating frequencies of the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stephan Schröder, Aurel von Campenhausen, Manfred Pröll, Koen Van der Zanden
  • Publication number: 20060120176
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory includes word lines connected to a first voltage potential via a respective first controllable switch and a respective third controllable switch and to a second voltage potential via a respective second controllable switch. In order to test whether one of the word lines is connected to the first voltage potential via its respective first and third controllable switches, the one of the word lines is connected to a comparator circuit via the respective second controllable switch and a driver line. After the respective first and third controllable switches have been controlled into the on state, in a test operating state of the integrated semiconductor memory, the respective second controllable switch is controlled into the on state and a potential state on the word line is evaluated by the comparator circuit. The result of the evaluation is fed to an external data terminal by an evaluation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Ralf Schneider, Stephan Schroder, Manfred Proll, Herbert Benzinger
  • Patent number: 7042773
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a programming circuit (10) for generating programming signals (PS1, . . . , PS4) with a first input terminal (E1) for applying a control voltage (ES), a second input terminal (E2) for applying a reference voltage (Vref), a storage circuit (30) with programmable switches (35, . . . , 38) and output terminals (A1, . . . , A4). The programming circuit in each case generates a programming signal (PS1, . . . , PS4) when the control voltage (ES) exceeds a predefined threshold voltage formed from the reference voltage. The number of programming signals (PS1, . . . , PS4) is dependent on the magnitude of the threshold voltage exceeded by the control voltage (ES). The programming signals are used for programming the programmable switches (35, . . . , 38). The programming state of the programmable switches can be read out via the output terminals (A1, . . . , A4) of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies, AG
    Inventors: Ralf Schneider, Jürgen Auge, Stephan Schröder, Manfred Pröll
  • Patent number: 7023701
    Abstract: A device for cooling memory modules can include a plurality of elements. The elements can thermal couple at least two memory modules. The device can further include a body or a plurality of contact areas bearing in a planar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies, AG
    Inventors: Christian Stocken, Stephan Schröder, Thomas Huber, Manfred Pröll