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: 6999355
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for setting a voltage supply for a read/write amplifier of an integrated memory has a first voltage generator circuit for generating a supply voltage for application to the read/write amplifier during an assessment and amplification operation and a second voltage generator circuit for generating a precharge voltage for precharging bit lines of the memory which are connected to the read/write amplifier. A temperature detector circuit, which is connected to the first voltage generator circuit, is used to detect a temperature of the memory and interacts with the first voltage generator circuit to set the supply voltage applied to the read/write amplifier in a manner depending on a temperature of the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Herbert Benzinger, Koen Van der Zanden, Stephan Schröder, Manfred Pröll
  • Patent number: 6992498
    Abstract: A test apparatus for testing integrated modules has a plurality of connection locations on a carrier substrate. An integrated module may be connected, via a connection location, to a test unit connected to the carrier substrate. The connection locations are arranged in groups within a connection array. A control terminal via which an integrated module may be selected for a test can be provided for each connection location. An address and command terminal can be provided for each connection location. The modules of the number of groups, which are simultaneously operated, are connected to the address and command bus via the respective switching means or switch. The test frequency can thus be increased without adversely affecting the driver load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pröll, Gerrit Färber
  • Publication number: 20050281118
    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: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Jörg Kliewer, Herbert Benzinger, Manfred Pröll, Stephan Schröder
  • Publication number: 20050249016
    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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Koen van Zanden, Manfred Proll, Jorg Kliewer, Bjorn Wirker
  • Publication number: 20050248996
    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: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Ralf Schneider, Stephan Schroder, Manfred Proll, Jorg Kliewer
  • Publication number: 20050249002
    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: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Jurgen Auge, Manfred Proll, Jorg Kliewer, Frank Schroeppel
  • Publication number: 20050226309
    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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Manfred Proll, Jurgen Auge, Stephan Schroder, Thomas Huber
  • Publication number: 20050194614
    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: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Georg Eggers, Stephan Schroder, Manfred Proll, Herbert Benzinger
  • Publication number: 20050195638
    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: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Herbert Benzinger, Jorg Kliewer, Manfred Proll, Stephan Schroder
  • Patent number: 6940775
    Abstract: An integrated dynamic memory includes memory cells which are combined to form individual independently addressable units, and a control circuit for controlling a refresh mode for the memory cells. The memory cells can have their memory cell content refreshed. The control circuit is designed such that one or more units of memory cells can be subject to a refresh mode in parallel in a refresh cycle. The control circuit sets a number of memory cell units, which are to be refreshed in parallel in a refresh cycle based on a temperature reference value. A maximum possible operating temperature for a memory chip can be increased without additional restrictions on memory access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies, AG
    Inventors: Ralf Schneider, Manfred Pröll, Georg Erhard Eggers, Jörg Kliewer
  • Publication number: 20050174863
    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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Manfred Proll, Johann Pfeiffer, Stephan Schroder, Arndt Gruber, Georg Eggers
  • Patent number: 6927557
    Abstract: A voltage generator arrangement supplies a largely constant output voltage with a high current driver capability. A bandgap reference circuit drives a voltage generator on the output side, if necessary via an impedance converter. The bandgap reference circuit and the impedance converter on the one hand, and the voltage generator on the other hand, are connected to different reference ground potential lines. The voltage generator on the output side is preceded by a correction circuit, which corrects for the voltage drop on that reference ground potential line to which the output-side voltage generator is connected. The voltage generator arrangement is suitable for a greater integration density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pröll, Stephan Schröder, Joerg Vollrath, Ralf Schneider
  • Patent number: 6917549
    Abstract: An integrated memory has a memory cell array having word lines and bit lines. The bit lines are organized in bit line pairs. The bit lines of the bit line pairs cross one another at a crossing location and run parallel to one another. A sense amplifier is connected to one of the bit line pairs at one end. Two precharge circuits are provided. One precharge circuit is arranged on a side of the crossing location and the other precharge circuit is arranged on a side of the crossing location. The precharge circuit facing the sense amplifier is arranged at a first distance from the crossing location and at a second distance from the sense amplifier. The RC constant of the bit lines, which is effective during the precharge operation, is reduced, so that the time period required for a precharge operation is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pröll, Stephan Schröder, Heinz-Joachim Neubauer, Evangelos Stavrou
  • Publication number: 20050135163
    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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Ralf Schneider, Jurgen Auge, Stephan Schroder, Manfred Proll
  • Patent number: 6900626
    Abstract: A voltage generator arrangement supplies a largely constant output voltage with a high current driver capability. A bandgap reference circuit is downstream from an impedance converter and downstream a voltage generator. The bandgap reference circuit and the impedance converter on the one hand and the voltage generator on the other hand are connected to different reference ground potential line. The impedance converter contains a charge pump circuit to provide increased control potential, which drives the voltage generator. The voltage generator in contrast produces a reduced output potential. The influence of any voltage drop on that reference ground potential line to which the voltage generator is connected in the output potential is thus likewise reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies, AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pröll, Ralf Schneider, Stephan Schröder, Joerg Vollrath
  • Publication number: 20050041519
    Abstract: The integrated chip according to the invention 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 for 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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Nazif Taskin, Manfred Proll, Manfred Dobler, Gerald Resch
  • Patent number: 6859406
    Abstract: A dynamic RAM semiconductor memory with a shared sense amplifier organization concept, in which the cell arrays are subdivided into blocks whose bit lines are connected in pairs from two adjacent blocks in each case to a common sense amplifier and the sense amplifiers are disposed between the cell blocks. In which case bit line switches are disposed in sense amplifier strips—lying between the blocks—between in each case two adjacent sense amplifiers in order to momentarily connect the other ends—not connected to the sense amplifiers—of two bit line pairs from the adjacent cell blocks during a precharge phase of a bit line pair activated directly beforehand. The precharge phase takes place at the start of a charge equalization phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pröll, Stephan Schröder, Claus Engelhardt, Jörg Kliewer
  • Publication number: 20050018401
    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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Christian Stocken, Stephan Schroder, Thomas Huber, Manfred Proll
  • Publication number: 20050018507
    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: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Stephan Schroder, Aurel Campenhausen, Manfred Proll, Koen Zanden
  • Publication number: 20040263216
    Abstract: Integrated circuit having a voltage monitoring circuit and a method for monitoring an internal burn-in voltage. One embodiment provides an integrated circuit having a voltage monitoring circuit for monitoring an internal burn-in voltage provided during the burn-in operation of the integrated circuit, wherein a reference voltage is provided, which defines a lower limit for the burn-in voltage, wherein a comparison voltage dependent on the internal burn-in voltage and the reference voltage are applied to a comparator device to carry out a threshold value comparison of the internal burn-in voltage with the reference voltage. A burn-in signal may be output at an output of the comparator device so that the burn-in signal can be used to ascertain whether the burn-in voltage lies below or above a voltage threshold defined by the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Manfred Proll, Stephan Schroder, Johann Pfeiffer, Jurgen Auge