Patents by Inventor Paul A. Bunce

Paul A. Bunce 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: 9997218
    Abstract: A system for dual mode operation having power saving and active modes in a stacked circuit topology having logic preservation is provided. The system includes a pre-charge circuit and a sleep mode control circuit for providing a signal to disable a plurality of circuit elements and switching a mode of the system, the sleep mode control circuit being coupled to the pre-charge circuit and further being coupled to a logic function circuit, wherein the plurality of circuit elements comprise logic gates and transistor devices. The system also includes a keeper circuit coupled to the global bitline, and the logic function circuit coupled to a solar bitline, wherein the logic function circuit preserves a state of the solar bitline, the state of the global bitline determines the state of the solar bitline. The system includes an effective pull-up transistor coupled to the sleep mode control circuit and the logic function circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, Yuen H. Chan, John D. Davis, Silke Penth, David E. Schmitt, Tobias Werner, Brian J. Yavoich
  • Patent number: 9977485
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a cache array having a plurality of cache sets grouped into a plurality of subsets. The cache array also includes a read line configured to receive a read signal for the cache array and a set selection line configured to receive a set selection signal. The set selection signal indicates that the read signal corresponds to one of the plurality subsets of the cache array. The read line and the set selection line are operatively coupled to the plurality of cache sets and based on the set selection signal the subset that corresponds to the set selection signal is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson, Jigar J. Vora
  • Patent number: 9971394
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a cache array having a plurality of cache sets grouped into a plurality of subsets. The cache array also includes a read line configured to receive a read signal for the cache array and a set selection line configured to receive a set selection signal. The set selection signal indicates that the read signal corresponds to one of the plurality subsets of the cache array. The read line and the set selection line are operatively coupled to the plurality of cache sets and based on the set selection signal the subset that corresponds to the set selection signal is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson, Jigar J. Vora
  • Publication number: 20180005674
    Abstract: A system for dual mode operation having power saving and active modes in a stacked circuit topology having logic preservation is provided. The system includes a pre-charge circuit and a sleep mode control circuit for providing a signal to disable a plurality of circuit elements and switching a mode of the system, the sleep mode control circuit being coupled to the pre-charge circuit and further being coupled to a logic function circuit, wherein the plurality of circuit elements comprise logic gates and transistor devices. The system also includes a keeper circuit coupled to the global bitline, and the logic function circuit coupled to a solar bitline, wherein the logic function circuit preserves a state of the solar bitline, the state of the global bitline determines the state of the solar bitline. The system includes an effective pull-up transistor coupled to the sleep mode control circuit and the logic function circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: PAUL A. BUNCE, YUEN H. CHAN, JOHN D. DAVIS, SILKE PENTH, DAVID E. SCHMITT, TOBIAS WERNER, BRIAN J. YAVOICH
  • Patent number: 9792967
    Abstract: A memory array can include a global evaluation circuit, a local evaluation circuit for evaluating a voltage level of a local bit line and a wake transistor configured to connect an output of the local evaluation circuit to a global bit line (GBL) of the global evaluation circuit. The global evaluation circuit can include a holding circuit. The wake transistor can be turned on in response to a read signal, and remain on while the GBL is precharged to a logical “high” voltage. Memory cells connected to the at least one local bit line can be addressed, and the local bit line can be pulled to a logical “low” voltage for a first time period. The GBL can be pulled to a logical low voltage for a second time period, and the holding circuit polarity can be reversed during a third time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, Yuen H. Chan, John D. Davis, Silke Penth, David E. Schmitt, Tobias Werner, Brian J. Yavoich
  • Patent number: 9786339
    Abstract: A system for dual mode operation having power saving and active modes in a stacked circuit topology having logic preservation is provided. The system includes a pre-charge circuit and a sleep mode control circuit for providing a signal to disable a plurality of circuit elements and switching a mode of the system, the sleep mode control circuit being coupled to the pre-charge circuit and further being coupled to a logic function circuit, wherein the plurality of circuit elements comprise logic gates and transistor devices. The system also includes a keeper circuit coupled to the global bitline, and the logic function circuit coupled to a solar bitline, wherein the logic function circuit preserves a state of the solar bitline, the state of the global bitline determines the state of the solar bitline. The system includes an effective pull-up transistor coupled to the sleep mode control circuit and the logic function circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, Yuen H. Chan, John D. Davis, Silke Penth, David E. Schmitt, Tobias Werner, Brian J. Yavoich
  • Patent number: 9761289
    Abstract: A memory array can include a global evaluation circuit, a local evaluation circuit for evaluating a voltage level of a local bit line and a wake transistor configured to connect an output of the local evaluation circuit to a global bit line (GBL) of the global evaluation circuit. The global evaluation circuit can include a holding circuit. The wake transistor can be turned on in response to a read signal, and remain on while the GBL is precharged to a logical “high” voltage. Memory cells connected to the at least one local bit line can be addressed, and the local bit line can be pulled to a logical “low” voltage for a first time period. The GBL can be pulled to a logical low voltage for a second time period, and the holding circuit polarity can be reversed during a third time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, Yuen H. Chan, John D. Davis, Silke Penth, David E. Schmitt, Tobias Werner, Brian J. Yavoich
  • Publication number: 20170243619
    Abstract: A system for dual mode operation having power saving and active modes in a stacked circuit topology having logic preservation is provided. The system includes a pre-charge circuit and a sleep mode control circuit for providing a signal to disable a plurality of circuit elements and switching a mode of the system, the sleep mode control circuit being coupled to the pre-charge circuit and further being coupled to a logic function circuit, wherein the plurality of circuit elements comprise logic gates and transistor devices. The system also includes a keeper circuit coupled to the global bitline, and the logic function circuit coupled to a solar bitline, wherein the logic function circuit preserves a state of the solar bitline, the state of the global bitline determines the state of the solar bitline. The system includes an effective pull-up transistor coupled to the sleep mode control circuit and the logic function circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: PAUL A. BUNCE, YUEN H. CHAN, JOHN D. DAVIS, SILKE PENTH, DAVID E. SCHMITT, TOBIAS WERNER, BRIAN J. YAVOICH
  • Patent number: 9583211
    Abstract: A column access control circuit for generating column write enable outputs with redundancy steering control and bit write control for an integrated circuit chip, and an integrated circuit chip having the same. A column access control circuit may include: a column write enable driver, a redundancy steering logic, and a bit write controller. The column write enable driver may produce column write enable outputs through an output. The column write enable driver is configured to receive certain column interleave write enable and enable column write according to the column interleave write enable received. The redundancy steering logic is configured to receive one or more fuses and skip a damaged column indicated by a corresponding fuse. The bit write controller is configured to receive one or more bit write and provide bit write control according to the one or more bit write received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES COPRORATION
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, John D. Davis, Russell P. Hayes, Brian J. Yavoich
  • Patent number: 9355692
    Abstract: Embodiments include a high frequency write through memory device including a plurality of memory cells and a plurality of local evaluation circuits. Each of the plurality of local evaluation circuits are coupled to at least one of the plurality of memory cells and are configured to prevent data stored in the coupled memory cells from being written to a latch node during a write through operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, Yuen H. Chan, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson, Jigar J. Vora
  • Patent number: 9281024
    Abstract: A write block read apparatus for a memory device includes a dynamic read address decoder that receives static read address bits as inputs thereto and having an output used to implement a read operation of a memory location corresponding to the read address bits; a dynamic write address decoder that receives static write address bits as inputs thereto and having an output used to implement a write operation of a memory location corresponding to the write address bits; and a static write address decoder, configured in parallel with the dynamic write address decoder, the static write address decoder configured to receive a portion of the static write address bits as inputs thereto, and wherein the static write address decoder is coupled to the dynamic read address decoder so as to block the read operation upon an address conflict with the write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, Yuen H. Chan, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson
  • Patent number: 9281025
    Abstract: A method of implementing a write block read function for a memory device includes configuring a dynamic read address decoder to receive static read address bits as inputs thereto and to generate an output used to implement a read operation of a memory location corresponding to the read address bits; configuring a dynamic write address decoder to receive static write address bits as inputs thereto and to generate an output used to implement a write operation of a memory location corresponding to the write address bits; and configuring a static write address decoder, in parallel with the dynamic write address decoder, to receive a portion of the static write address bits as inputs thereto, and coupling the static write address decoder to the dynamic read address decoder so as to block the read operation upon an address conflict with the write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, Yuen H. Chan, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20150302908
    Abstract: A method of implementing a write block read function for a memory device includes configuring a dynamic read address decoder to receive static read address bits as inputs thereto and to generate an output used to implement a read operation of a memory location corresponding to the read address bits; configuring a dynamic write address decoder to receive static write address bits as inputs thereto and to generate an output used to implement a write operation of a memory location corresponding to the write address bits; and configuring a static write address decoder, in parallel with the dynamic write address decoder, to receive a portion of the static write address bits as inputs thereto, and coupling the static write address decoder to the dynamic read address decoder so as to block the read operation upon an address conflict with the write operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, Yuen H. Chan, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20150302902
    Abstract: A write block read apparatus for a memory device includes a dynamic read address decoder that receives static read address bits as inputs thereto and having an output used to implement a read operation of a memory location corresponding to the read address bits; a dynamic write address decoder that receives static write address bits as inputs thereto and having an output used to implement a write operation of a memory location corresponding to the write address bits; and a static write address decoder, configured in parallel with the dynamic write address decoder, the static write address decoder configured to receive a portion of the static write address bits as inputs thereto, and wherein the static write address decoder is coupled to the dynamic read address decoder so as to block the read operation upon an address conflict with the write operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, Yuen H. Chan, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson
  • Patent number: 9070433
    Abstract: A technique to generate timing control for an SRAM circuit operating with dual power supplies is provided. A voltage signal is generated by a programmable local clock buffer that receives power from a first voltage level. The voltage signal is shifted higher by a level shifter that receives power from both the first voltage level and a second voltage level. The voltage signal is delayed by a delay clock chopper circuit that receives power from the second voltage level. The delay clock chopper circuit includes a programmable pulse width variation (PWVAR) circuit that varies the pulse width of the voltage signal. The PWVAR circuit receives power from the second voltage level. The voltage signal drives a global bitline of the SRAM. The voltage signal has timing sensitive to both the first and second voltage levels. The voltage signal has its pulse width sensitive to the second voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, Yuen H. Chan, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20150019890
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a cache array having a plurality of cache sets grouped into a plurality of subsets. The cache array also includes a read line configured to receive a read signal for the cache array and a set selection line configured to receive a set selection signal. The set selection signal indicates that the read signal corresponds to one of the plurality subsets of the cache array. The read line and the set selection line are operatively coupled to the plurality of cache sets and based on the set selection signal the subset that corresponds to the set selection signal is switched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson, Jigar J. Vora
  • Patent number: 8861284
    Abstract: A memory apparatus includes a plurality of memory arrays, each memory array including a plurality of memory cells. The apparatus includes a plurality of global bit lines and each one of the global bit lines is connected to a plurality of local bit lines, which are in turn connected to a plurality of memory cells. The apparatus includes a plurality of global bit line (GBL) latches and each GBL latch is located along a separate global bit line to latch a signal along the respective global bit line. The apparatus further includes a plurality of solar bit lines configured to connect the global bit lines to an output latch via a plurality of logic gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson, Jigar J. Vora
  • Publication number: 20140078835
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a high frequency write through memory device including a plurality of memory cells and a plurality of local evaluation circuits. Each of the plurality of local evaluation circuits are coupled to at least one of the plurality of memory cells and are configured to prevent data stored in the coupled memory cells from being written to a latch node during a write through operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, Yuen H. Chan, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson, Jigar J. Vora
  • Publication number: 20140082390
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a cache array having a plurality of cache sets grouped into a plurality of subsets. The cache array also includes a read line configured to receive a read signal for the cache array and a set selection line configured to receive a set selection signal. The set selection signal indicates that the read signal corresponds to one of the plurality subsets of the cache array. The read line and the set selection line are operatively coupled to the plurality of cache sets and based on the set selection signal the subset that corresponds to the set selection signal is switched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson, Jigar J. Vora
  • Publication number: 20140078833
    Abstract: A memory apparatus includes a plurality of memory arrays, each memory array including a plurality of memory cells. The apparatus includes a plurality of global bit lines and each one of the global bit lines is connected to a plurality of local bit lines, which are in turn connected to a plurality of memory cells. The apparatus includes a plurality of global bit line (GBL) latches and each GBL latch is located along a separate global bit line to latch a signal along the respective global bit line. The apparatus further includes a plurality of solar bit lines configured to connect the global bit lines to an output latch via a plurality of logic gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson, Jigar J. Vora