Patents by Inventor Michael John Hamilton

Michael John Hamilton 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: 20120030533
    Abstract: A method and circuit are provided for implementing switching factor reduction in Logic Built in Self Test (LBIST) diagnostics, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides. Switching factor reduction logic is coupled to a Pseudo-Random Pattern Generator (PRPG) providing channel input patterns to a plurality of LBIST channels used for the LBIST diagnostics. The switching factor reduction logic selectively provides controlled channel input patterns for each of the plurality of channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Michael Douskey, Ryan Andrew Fitch, Michael John Hamilton, Amanda Renee Kaufer
  • Patent number: 7949918
    Abstract: An adaptation of standard boundary cell architecture defined by the IEEE 1149.1 Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) interface standard to provide paths to functional circuitry via the re-use of JTAG standard test data registers (TDR) and interface. Existing multi-core processor solutions are covered, but an expansion for a more generic solution is provided. In general, an integrated circuit is provided with a plurality of function registers along with a plurality of I/O units. The I/O units are arranged in a serial communications chain located around the boundary of the integrated circuit's functional circuitry. Each of the I/O units include JTAG standard serial TDR in serial communication with adjacent I/O units. Moreover, each I/O unit includes JTAG standard parallel TDR that is associated with and in parallel communication with the I/O unit's JTAG standard serial TDR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Michael Douskey, Michael John Hamilton, Brandon Edward Schenck
  • Patent number: 7890824
    Abstract: An adaptation of a test data register (TDR) structure defined by the IEEE 1149.1 Joint Tag Action Group (JTAG) interface standard to provide a debugging path. Existing multi-core processor solutions are covered, but an expansion for a more generic solution is provided. In general, the present apparatus is for extending the IEEE 1149.1 JTAG standard to provide an asynchronous protocol for bypassing test circuitry and bi-directionally communicating with functional circuitry. The apparatus includes an integrated circuit having function register and JTAG standard TDR. Digital logic is configured to control the direct transfer of data between the JTAG standard TDR and the function register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Michael Douskey, Michael John Hamilton, Brandon Edward Schenck
  • Publication number: 20100023820
    Abstract: An adaptation of a test data register (TDR) structure defined by the IEEE 1149.1 Joint Tag Action Group (JTAG) interface standard to provide a debugging path. Existing multi-core processor solutions are covered, but an expansion for a more generic solution is provided. In general, the present apparatus is for extending the IEEE 1149.1 JTAG standard to provide an asynchronous protocol for bypassing test circuitry and bi-directionally communicating with functional circuitry. The apparatus includes an integrated circuit having function register and JTAG standard TDR. Digital logic is configured to control the direct transfer of data between the JTAG standard TDR and the function register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Michael Douskey, Michael John Hamilton, Brandon Edward Schenck
  • Publication number: 20100023821
    Abstract: An adaptation of standard boundary cell architecture defined by the IEEE 1149.1 Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) interface standard to provide paths to functional circuitry via the re-use of JTAG standard test data registers (TDR) and interface. Existing multi-core processor solutions are covered, but an expansion for a more generic solution is provided. In general, an integrated circuit is provided with a plurality of function registers along with a plurality of I/O units. The I/O units are arranged in a serial communications chain located around the boundary of the integrated circuit's functional circuitry. Each of the I/O units include JTAG standard serial TDR in serial communication with adjacent I/O units. Moreover, each I/O unit includes JTAG standard parallel TDR that is associated with and in parallel communication with the I/O unit's JTAG standard serial TDR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Michael Douskey, Michael John Hamilton, Brandon Edward Schenck
  • Patent number: 7114109
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for customizing and monitoring multiple interfaces, such as, multiple IEEE 1149.1 standard joint test access group (JTAG) interfaces and implementing enhanced fault tolerance and isolation features. A first interface is connected to a pair of master sources. A second interface is connected to a plurality of target interfaces; and a third interface is provided for a plurality of predefined control signals. A pair of redundant selectors is provided for coupling a select signal to the first multiplexer for selecting one of the plurality of target interfaces. A pair of redundant ATTENTION monitor functions is provided for monitoring ATTENTION signals for each of the plurality of target interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Fred Daily, Steven Michael Douskey, Michael John Hamilton