Patents by Inventor Paul S. Fechner

Paul S. Fechner 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: 9817254
    Abstract: A stabilized integrated optical circuit is presented. The stabilized integrated optical circuit includes at least one integrated optical chip formed from at least one inorganic material, a stabilizing-polarizable-fill gas, and an enclosure enclosing the at least one integrated optical chip and the stabilizing-polarizable-fill gas. At least one surface of the at least one integrated optical chip is modified by a treatment with at least one treatment gas selected to stabilize defects on the at least one surface. The stabilizing-polarizable-fill gas includes N2O and at least one polarizable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy E. Iwamoto, Steven J. Sanders, Stephen F. Yates, Paul S. Fechner, Austin Taranta
  • Patent number: 9773808
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for fabricating CMOS devices for SRAM cells with resistors formed along transistor well sidewall edges by self-aligned, angled implantation, which may enable more compact SRAM architecture with SEU mitigation, such as for space-based or other radiation-hardened applications. An example method includes implanting a dopant into a doped semiconductor well covered by a barrier, wherein the doped semiconductor well is disposed on a buried insulator and wherein the dopant is of opposite doping type to the doped semiconductor well, thereby forming a resistor on an edge of the doped semiconductor well, wherein the resistor has the opposite doping type. The method further includes forming a second insulator adjacent to the resistor, removing the barrier, and forming agate layer on the doped semiconductor well, thereby forming a gate adjacent to the doped semiconductor well and the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul S. Fechner
  • Patent number: 9671362
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for a pH sensor that comprises a substrate and an ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) die. The ISFET die includes an ion sensing part that is configured to be exposed to a medium such that it outputs a signal related to the pH level of the medium. The ISFET die is bonded to the substrate with at least one composition of bonding agent material disposed between the ISFET die and the substrate. One or more strips of the at least one composition of bonding agent material is disposed between the substrate and the ISFET die in a first pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Horkheimer, Paul S. Fechner, David S. Willits
  • Patent number: 9664641
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for a pH sensor that is configured for use over a pressure and temperature range. The ISFET die of the pH sensor is bonded to the substrate of the pH sensor with a bonding layer that is disposed between the substrate and the ISFET die. The pressure and temperature change across the pressure and temperature range generates an environmental force in the pH sensor. Further, the substrate or the bonding layer or both change volume over the pressure and temperature range, and the substrate or the bonding layer or both are configured such that the volume change induces a counteracting force that opposes at least a portion of the environmental force. The counteracting force is configured to maintain the change in piezoresistance of the ISFET die from the drain to the source to less than 0.5% over the pressure and temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Horkheimer, Paul S. Fechner, David S. Willits
  • Patent number: 9618635
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices, integrated circuits, and methods for sensing radiation. In one example, a device includes an oscillator, configured to deliver a signal via an output at intervals defined by an oscillation frequency, and a counter, connected to the output of the oscillator and configured to count a number of times the comparator delivers the output signal. The oscillator includes a radiation-sensitive cell that applies a resistance. The resistance of the radiation-sensitive cell is configured to vary in response to incident radiation, wherein the oscillation frequency varies based at least in part on the resistance of the radiation-sensitive cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul S. Fechner
  • Publication number: 20160329349
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for fabricating CMOS devices for SRAM cells with resistors formed along transistor well sidewall edges by self-aligned, angled implantation, which may enable more compact SRAM architecture with SEU mitigation, such as for space-based or other radiation-hardened applications. An example method includes implanting a dopant into a doped semiconductor well covered by a barrier, wherein the doped semiconductor well is disposed on a buried insulator and wherein the dopant is of opposite doping type to the doped semiconductor well, thereby fortning a resistor on an edge of the doped semiconductor well, wherein the resistor has the opposite doping type. The method further includes forming a second insulator adjacent to the resistor, removing the barrier, and forming agate layer on the doped semiconductor well, thereby forming a gate adjacent to the doped semiconductor well and the resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventor: Paul S. Fechner
  • Publication number: 20160246079
    Abstract: A stabilized integrated optical circuit is presented. The stabilized integrated optical circuit includes at least one integrated optical chip formed from at least one inorganic material, a stabilizing-polarizable-fill gas, and an enclosure enclosing the at least one integrated optical chip and the stabilizing-polarizable-fill gas. At least one surface of the at least one integrated optical chip is modified by a treatment with at least one treatment gas selected to stabilize defects on the at least one surface. The stabilizing-polarizable-fill gas includes N2O and at least one polarizable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Nancy E. Iwamoto, Steven J. Sanders, Stephen F. Yates, Paul S. Fechner, Austin Taranta
  • Patent number: 9246501
    Abstract: A device having a first oscillator circuit configured to generate a first signal with a first frequency based on an analog input and external characteristics, and a second oscillator circuit configured to generate a second signal with a second frequency based on a constant voltage and the external characteristics. The device also having one or more discrete logic gates configured to generate a digital composite signal based on the first signal and the second signal, such that a number of transitions in the digital composite signal over a period of time, based on the first frequency of the first signal, are indicative of the analog input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Tucker, Paul S. Fechner
  • Publication number: 20150311909
    Abstract: A device having a first oscillator circuit configured to generate a first signal with a first frequency based on an analog input and external characteristics, and a second oscillator circuit configured to generate a second signal with a second frequency based on a constant voltage and the external characteristics. The device also having one or more discrete logic gates configured to generate a digital composite signal based on the first signal and the second signal, such that a number of transitions in the digital composite signal over a period of time, based on the first frequency of the first signal, are indicative of the analog input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: James L. Tucker, Paul S. Fechner
  • Patent number: 8975952
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices, integrated circuits, systems, and methods for implementing an internal body tie bias circuit in a CMOS logic circuit. In one example, a CMOS logic circuit is formed in an integrated circuit. The CMOS logic circuit includes a PMOS transistor, an NMOS transistor; and a body tie bias circuit formed in the integrated circuit. The body tie bias circuit is coupled between a body tie connection terminal of the PMOS transistor and a body tie connection terminal of the NMOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Fechner, Weston Roper, James D. Seefeldt
  • Publication number: 20150028395
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for a pH sensor that comprises a substrate and an ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) die. The ISFET die includes an ion sensing part that is configured to be exposed to a medium such that it outputs a signal related to the pH level of the medium. The ISFET die is bonded to the substrate with at least one composition of bonding agent material disposed between the ISFET die and the substrate. One or more strips of the at least one composition of bonding agent material is disposed between the substrate and the ISFET die in a first pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Donald Horkheimer, Paul S. Fechner, David S. Willits
  • Publication number: 20150028396
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for a pH sensor that is configured for use over a pressure and temperature range. The ISFET die of the pH sensor is bonded to the substrate of the pH sensor with a bonding layer that is disposed between the substrate and the ISFET die. The pressure and temperature change across the pressure and temperature range generates an environmental force in the pH sensor. Further, the substrate or the bonding layer or both change volume over the pressure and temperature range, and the substrate or the bonding layer or both are configured such that the volume change induces a counteracting force that opposes at least a portion of the environmental force. The counteracting force is configured to maintain the change in piezoresistance of the ISFET die from the drain to the source to less than 0.5% over the pressure and temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Donald Horkheimer, Paul S. Fechner, David S. Willits
  • Patent number: 8933412
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices, integrated circuits, and methods for sensing radiation. In one example, a device includes a radiation sensitive oscillator, configured to deliver a first output signal at intervals defined by a first oscillation frequency that alters in resistance in response to radiation. The device includes a reference oscillator, configured to deliver a reference output signal at a constant reference oscillation frequency. A controller records a first instance of the count from the radiation sensitive oscillator for a duration of time defined by the count from the reference counter; compares a second instance of the count from the radiation sensitive oscillator with the first instance of the count from the radiation sensitive oscillator; and performs a selected action in response to the second instance of the count from the radiation sensitive oscillator varying from the first instance of the count from the radiation sensitive oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul S. Fechner
  • Patent number: 8901702
    Abstract: In some examples, a programmable electrical fuse includes at least one structural feature that increases a thermal gradient between an anode and a cathode of the programmable electrical fuse. For example, a device may include a semiconductor substrate, an electrically insulating layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, and a programmable electrical fuse overlying a portion of the electrically insulating layer. The programmable electrical fuse may include a cathode, an anode, and a conductor link connecting the cathode and the anode. The electrically insulating layer may define a first thickness between the semiconductor substrate and the cathode and a second thickness between the semiconductor substrate and the anode, and the first thickness being less than the second thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Vogt, Paul S. Fechner, Gordon A. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20140332922
    Abstract: In some examples, a programmable electrical fuse includes at least one structural feature that increases a thermal gradient between an anode and a cathode of the programmable electrical fuse. For example, a device may include a semiconductor substrate, an electrically insulating layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, and a programmable electrical fuse overlying a portion of the electrically insulating layer. The programmable electrical fuse may include a cathode, an anode, and a conductor link connecting the cathode and the anode. The electrically insulating layer may define a first thickness between the semiconductor substrate and the cathode and a second thickness between the semiconductor substrate and the anode, and the first thickness being less than the second thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Vogt, Paul S. Fechner, Gordon A. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8742831
    Abstract: A method for digital programmable optimization of a mixed-signal circuit is provided. The method comprises dividing up one or more transistor devices of the mixed-signal circuit into one or more transistor segments, with each transistor segment including a body tie bias terminal. Each body tie bias terminal is coupled to at least one voltage bias, either by placing each body tie bias terminal in signal communication with one or more bias nodes in the mixed-signal circuit, or by placing each body tie bias terminal in signal communication with a non-precision bias voltage source. Each body tie terminal is also arranged to be in signal communication with a separate one of one or more digital programmable storage elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul S. Fechner
  • Publication number: 20140132306
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices, integrated circuits, systems, and methods for implementing an internal body tie bias circuit in a CMOS logic circuit. In one example, a CMOS logic circuit is formed in an integrated circuit. The CMOS logic circuit includes a PMOS transistor, an NMOS transistor; and a body tie bias circuit formed in the integrated circuit. The body tie bias circuit is coupled between a body tie connection terminal of the PMOS transistor and a body tie connection terminal of the NMOS transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Paul S. Fechner, Weston Roper, James D. Seefeldt
  • Publication number: 20130341521
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices, integrated circuits, and methods for sensing radiation. In one example, a device includes a radiation sensitive oscillator, configured to deliver a first output signal at intervals defined by a first oscillation frequency that alters in resistance in response to radiation. The device includes a reference oscillator, configured to deliver a reference output signal at a constant reference oscillation frequency. A controller records a first instance of the count from the radiation sensitive oscillator for a duration of time defined by the count from the reference counter; compares a second instance of the count from the radiation sensitive oscillator with the first instance of the count from the radiation sensitive oscillator; and performs a selected action in response to the second instance of the count from the radiation sensitive oscillator varying from the first instance of the count from the radiation sensitive oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Paul S. Fechner
  • Publication number: 20130341522
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices, integrated circuits, and methods for sensing radiation. In one example, a device includes an oscillator, configured to deliver a signal via an output at intervals defined by an oscillation frequency, and a counter, connected to the output of the oscillator and configured to count a number of times the comparator delivers the output signal. The oscillator includes a radiation-sensitive cell that applies a resistance. The resistance of the radiation-sensitive cell is configured to vary in response to incident radiation, wherein the oscillation frequency varies based at least in part on the resistance of the radiation-sensitive cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Paul S. Fechner
  • Patent number: 8575560
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices, integrated circuits, and methods for sensing cumulative radiation doses. In one example, a device includes a cell configured to be set to an initial resistance and to vary in resistance cumulatively in response to incident radiation. The device also includes an output terminal connected to the cell and configured to vary in voltage in response to the resistance of the cell. The device also includes a comparator configured to deliver an output signal in response to the voltage of the output terminal reaching a threshold voltage. The device also includes a cell charging circuit configured to reset the cell to the initial resistance in response to the output signal from the comparator. The device also includes a counter configured to count a number of times the comparator delivers the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul S. Fechner