Patents by Inventor Matthias Ringe

Matthias Ringe 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: 10622981
    Abstract: Duty cycle correction devices for static compensation of an active clock edge shift. A duty cycle correction circuit in the duty cycle correction device corrects a clock input signal, according to a first control signal. A programmable delay circuit or a modified duty cycle correction circuit in the duty cycle correction device compensates a shift of an active clock edge in a clock output signal of the duty cycle correction circuit, according to a second control signal. A mapping circuit in the duty cycle correction device generates the second control signal by mapping a digital value of the first control signal and a digital value of the second control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas H. A. Arp, Fatih Cilek, Michael V. Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Patent number: 10594307
    Abstract: A skew control loop circuit for controlling a skew between a plurality of digital signals, and a semiconductor device, and a method of operation, for the same, may be provided. The skew control loop circuit comprises a skew detector for detecting a phase difference between the digital signals, a skew control circuit adapted for controlling an operation of the skew control loop circuit. The skew control circuit is operable in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode. The skew control loop circuit comprises also an enable input of the skew detector, wherein the enable input is adapted for receiving an enable input signal, generated by the skew control circuit, wherein the enable input is adapted for selectively enable or disable a phase detection operation of the skew detector, and wherein the enable input signal is only active during the first operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas H. A. Arp, Fatih Cilek, Michael V. Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Patent number: 10581417
    Abstract: A skew control loop circuit for controlling a skew between a plurality of digital signals, and a semiconductor device, and a method of operation, for the same, may be provided. The skew control loop circuit comprises a skew detector for detecting a phase difference between the digital signals, a skew control circuit adapted for controlling an operation of the skew control loop circuit. The skew control circuit is operable in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode. The skew control loop circuit comprises also an enable input of the skew detector, wherein the enable input is adapted for receiving an enable input signal, generated by the skew control circuit, wherein the enable input is adapted for selectively enable or disable a phase detection operation of the skew detector, and wherein the enable input signal is only active during the first operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas H. A. Arp, Fatih Cilek, Michael V. Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Patent number: 10564664
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to a clock distribution network of a synchronous logic device. The synchronous logic device has sub-circuits having different clock domains. The clock domains form a hierarchical structure. The clock distribution network has a clock source to provide a global clock signal. A programmable delay line associated with a sub-circuit generates a local clock signal for the sub-circuit by delaying the signal. A global skew control circuit can manage clock skew between the local clock signals. The global skew control circuit may adjust a delay, determine initial operations for the delay lines, verify whether it is possible to perform the initial operations, and perform a correction operation. The correction operation can include correcting the control commands such that the corrected commands lead to the same change of skew adjustment between the local clocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Arp, Andre Hertwig, Michael Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Publication number: 20200044636
    Abstract: An apparatus of performing a clock skew adjustment between N clock signals. 2(N?1) skew sensors are configured as successive pairs k, each pair k having a first skew sensor and a second skew sensor. The first skew sensor receives a third clock signal obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a first delay and a fourth clock signal obtained by delaying the second clock signal by a second delay, and generates first information based on the third and fourth clock signals. The second skew sensor receives a fifth clock signal obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a third delay and a sixth clock signal obtained by delaying the second clock signal by a fourth delay, and generates second information based on the fifth and sixth clock signals. A skew controller performs the clock skew adjustment based on the first and second information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas Arp, Fatih Cilek, Andre Hertwig, Michael Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Patent number: 10546094
    Abstract: In an approach for generating a file, a computer generates a modified layout for an integrated circuit. The computer receives a draft layout for an integrated circuit. The computer identifies a resonator, wherein the resonator comprises a capacitor connected to ground and an inductor connected to a clock grid. The computer creates alternative resonator wiring of the received draft layout associated with the identified resonator. The computer generates a modified draft layout based on the created alternative resonator wiring for the integrated circuit. The computer causes manufacture of an integrated circuit based on the generated modified draft layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas H. A. Arp, Michael Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Patent number: 10469063
    Abstract: An apparatus of performing a clock skew adjustment between at least first and second clock signals includes first and second skew sensors and a skew controller. The first skew sensor receives a third clock signal obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a first delay and a fourth clock signal obtained by delaying the second clock signal by a second delay, and generates first information based on the third and fourth clock signals. The second skew sensor receives a fifth clock signal obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a third delay and a sixth clock signal obtained by delaying the second clock signal by a fourth delay, and generates second information based on the fifth and sixth clock signals. Each of the first and second information varies depending on the clock skew. The skew controller performs the clock skew adjustment based on the first and second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Arp, Fatih Cilek, Andre Hertwig, Michael Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Publication number: 20190294203
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to adaptive mesh wiring. A clock signal is provided to a clock mesh area, wherein the clock mesh area includes a plurality of wires configured in a grid. A pair of loads with impermissible skew within the clock mesh area is identified based on a threshold value. A mesh network area partition enclosing the pair of loads with impermissible skew is determined. Modifications are then made to the mesh network area partition to attempt to reduce skew. In some embodiments, a wire width of a portion of wires included in the mesh network area partition is increased. In some embodiments, a wire is added in between two wires present in the mesh network area partition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Andreas H.A. Arp, Fatih Cilek, Michael V. Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Publication number: 20190280680
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to a clock distribution network of a synchronous logic device. The synchronous logic device comprises multiple sub-circuits belonging to different clock domains. The clock distribution network comprises a clock source operable for providing a global clock signal, at least one programmable delay line associated with a certain sub-circuit operable for generating a local clock signal for said sub-circuit by delaying the global clock signal or a signal derived therefrom and a global skew control circuit for managing clock skew between the local clock signals. The global skew control circuit is operable for managing clock skew between at least some local clock signals by regularly adjusting the delay caused by at least one programmable delay line when in a deskewing operating mode, and disabling adjusting the delays of the programmable delay lines when in a locked operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Andreas Arp, Fatih Cilek, Michael Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Publication number: 20190280683
    Abstract: Duty cycle correction devices for static compensation of an active clock edge shift. A duty cycle correction circuit in the duty cycle correction device corrects a clock input signal, according to a first control signal. A programmable delay circuit or a modified duty cycle correction circuit in the duty cycle correction device compensates a shift of an active clock edge in a clock output signal of the duty cycle correction circuit, according to a second control signal. A mapping circuit in the duty cycle correction device generates the second control signal by mapping a digital value of the first control signal and a digital value of the second control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Andreas H.A. Arp, Fatih Cilek, Michael V. Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Patent number: 10361689
    Abstract: Duty cycle correction devices for static compensation of an active clock edge shift. A duty cycle correction circuit in the duty cycle correction device corrects a clock input signal, according to a first control signal. A programmable delay circuit or a modified duty cycle correction circuit in the duty cycle correction device compensates a shift of an active clock edge in a clock output signal of the duty cycle correction circuit, according to a second control signal. A mapping circuit in the duty cycle correction device generates the second control signal by mapping a digital value of the first control signal and a digital value of the second control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas H. A. Arp, Fatih Cilek, Michael V. Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Publication number: 20190222206
    Abstract: An apparatus of performing a clock skew adjustment between at least first and second clock signals includes first and second skew sensors and a skew controller. The first skew sensor receives a third clock signal obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a first delay and a fourth clock signal obtained by delaying the second clock signal by a second delay, and generates first information based on the third and fourth clock signals. The second skew sensor receives a fifth clock signal obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a third delay and a sixth clock signal obtained by delaying the second clock signal by a fourth delay, and generates second information based on the fifth and sixth clock signals. Each of the first and second information varies depending on the clock skew. The skew controller performs the clock skew adjustment based on the first and second information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Andreas Arp, Fatih Cilek, Andre Hertwig, Michael Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Patent number: 10355683
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of correcting duty cycle (DC) and compensating for active clock edge shift. In an embodiment, the system includes at least one control circuit to receive DCC control signals and to output at least one first adjustment signal, at least one second adjustment signal, at least one first correction signal, and at least one second correction signal, at least one adjustment circuit to change a DC value of an input clock signal, at least one correction circuit to compensate for a shift of an active clock edge of the input clock signal, and where one of the at least one adjustment circuit and the at least one correction circuit is to receive the input clock signal and wherein one of the at least one adjustment circuit and the at least one correction circuit is to transmit a corrected output clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Koch, Matthias Ringe, Andreas Arp, Fatih Cilek
  • Patent number: 10348278
    Abstract: An apparatus of performing a clock skew adjustment between at least first and second clock signals includes first and second skew sensors and a skew controller. The first skew sensor receives a third clock signal obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a first delay and a fourth clock signal obtained by delaying the second clock signal by a second delay, and generates first information based on the third and fourth clock signals. The second skew sensor receives a fifth clock signal obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a third delay and a sixth clock signal obtained by delaying the second clock signal by a fourth delay, and generates second information based on the fifth and sixth clock signals. Each of the first and second information varies depending on the clock skew. The skew controller performs the clock skew adjustment based on the first and second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Arp, Fatih Cilek, Andre Hertwig, Michael Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Patent number: 10348279
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to a clock distribution network of a synchronous logic device. The synchronous logic device comprises multiple sub-circuits belonging to different clock domains. The clock distribution network comprises a clock source operable for providing a global clock signal, at least one programmable delay line associated with a certain sub-circuit operable for generating a local clock signal for said sub-circuit by delaying the global clock signal or a signal derived therefrom and a global skew control circuit for managing clock skew between the local clock signals. The global skew control circuit is operable for managing clock skew between at least some local clock signals by regularly adjusting the delay caused by at least one programmable delay line when in a deskewing operating mode, and disabling adjusting the delays of the programmable delay lines when in a locked operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Arp, Fatih Cilek, Michael Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Patent number: 10326435
    Abstract: A duty cycle correction device may be provided for correcting a duty cycle of an input signal. The device includes a first duty cycle correction circuit. The first duty cycle correction circuit receives the input signal. The first duty cycle correction circuit generates a first intermediate signal. The device includes a first programmable delay circuit. The first programmable delay circuit is controlled by a first delay control signal. The first programmable delay circuit receives the first intermediate signal. The first programmable delay circuit generates an output signal. The device includes a second duty cycle correction circuit. The second duty cycle correction circuit receives the input signal. The second duty cycle correction circuit generates a second intermediate signal. The device includes a second programmable delay circuit. The second programmable delay circuit generates a reference signal. The device includes a skew control arrangement operable for generating the first delay control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas H. A. Arp, Fatih Cilek, Michael V. Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Patent number: 10312892
    Abstract: A circuit for measuring a transition time of a digital signal may be provided. The circuit comprises a window detector comprising a comparator circuitry arranged for generating a first signal based on comparing said digital signal with a first reference voltage and for generating a second signal based on comparing said digital signal with a second reference voltage. Additionally, the circuit comprises a time-difference-to-digital converter operable for converting a delay between an edge of said first signal and an edge of said second signal into a digital value, said digital value characterizing said transition time of said digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andreas Arp, Fatih Cilek, Michael V. Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Patent number: 10298217
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a skew control circuit for controlling the skew between at least three clock signals, the clock signals being forwarded to different clock domains associated with the respective clock signals. The skew control circuit comprises multiple programmable delay elements arranged within a signal flow before the respective clock domain, a skew detector arrangement operable for detecting skews between at least two pairs of the clock signals, and a control circuit operable for adjusting delays caused by the programmable delay elements. The control circuit is operable for carrying out a de-skewing operation. The de-skewing operation comprises determining an order of occurrence of edges of the signals, selecting one of the programmable delay elements based on the determined order, and adjusting the delay caused by the selected programmable delay element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael V. Koch, Andreas H. A. Arp, Matthias Ringe, Fatih Cilek
  • Patent number: 10263606
    Abstract: A circuit for measuring a transition time of a digital signal may be provided. The circuit comprises a window detector comprising a comparator circuitry arranged for generating a first signal based on comparing said digital signal with a first reference voltage and for generating a second signal based on comparing said digital signal with a second reference voltage. Additionally, the circuit comprises a time-difference-to-digital converter operable for converting a delay between an edge of said first signal and an edge of said second signal into a digital value, said digital value characterizing said transition time of said digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andreas Arp, Fatih Cilek, Michael V. Koch, Matthias Ringe
  • Publication number: 20190103860
    Abstract: A skew control loop circuit for controlling a skew between a plurality of digital signals, and a semiconductor device, and a method of operation, for the same, may be provided. The skew control loop circuit comprises a skew detector for detecting a phase difference between the digital signals, a skew control circuit adapted for controlling an operation of the skew control loop circuit. The skew control circuit is operable in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode. The skew control loop circuit comprises also an enable input of the skew detector, wherein the enable input is adapted for receiving an enable input signal, generated by the skew control circuit, wherein the enable input is adapted for selectively enable or disable a phase detection operation of the skew detector, and wherein the enable input signal is only active during the first operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Andreas H. A. Arp, Fatih Cilek, Michael V. Koch, Matthias Ringe