Patents by Inventor Ronald A. Piro

Ronald A. Piro 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: 9460811
    Abstract: A read only memory (ROM) with redundancy and methods of use are provided. The ROM with redundancy includes a programmable array coupled to a repair circuit having one or more redundant repairs. The one or more redundant repairs include a word address match logic block, a data I/O address, and a tri-state buffer. The word address match logic block is provided to the tri-state buffer as a control input and the data I/O address is provided to the tri-state buffer as an input. An output of the tri-state buffer of each redundant repair is provided as a first input to one or more logic devices. One or more data outputs of a ROM bit cell array is provided as a second input to a respective one of the one or more logic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: George M. Braceras, Albert M. Chu, Kevin W. Gorman, Michael R. Ouellette, Ronald A. Piro, Daryl M. Seitzer, Rohit Shetty, Thomas W. Wyckoff
  • Patent number: 9052356
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is embedded within a semiconductor chip that calibrates a photon-emission luminosity scale by running multiple known currents through the device. The method comprises embedding at least one photon emission device in an integrated circuit having at least one functional device. A control current is applied to the at least one photon emission device. The photon emission intensity produced by the at least one photon emission device is captured. The current density of the at least one photon emission device is calculated. A test current is applied to the at least one functional device. The photon emission intensity produced by the at least one functional device is captured. The current density of the at least one functional device is estimated based on a comparison with the calculated current density of the at least one photon emission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Albert M. Chu, Ronald A. Piro, Daryl M. Seitzer, Rohit Shetty, Thomas W. Wyckoff
  • Publication number: 20140351662
    Abstract: A read only memory (ROM) with redundancy and methods of use are provided. The ROM with redundancy includes a programmable array coupled to a repair circuit having one or more redundant repairs. The one or more redundant repairs include a word address match logic block, a data I/O address, and a tri-state buffer. The word address match logic block is provided to the tri-state buffer as a control input and the data I/O address is provided to the tri-state buffer as an input. An output of the tri-state buffer of each redundant repair is provided as a first input to one or more logic devices. One or more data outputs of a ROM bit cell array is provided as a second input to a respective one of the one or more logic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: George M. BRACERAS, Albert M. CHU, Kevin W. GORMAN, Michael R. OUELLETTE, Ronald A. PIRO, Daryl M. SEITZER, Rohit SHETTY, Thomas W. WYCKOFF
  • Patent number: 8839054
    Abstract: A read only memory (ROM) with redundancy and methods of use are provided. The ROM with redundancy includes a programmable array coupled to a repair circuit having one or more redundant repairs. The one or more redundant repairs include a word address match logic block, a data I/O address, and a tri-state buffer. The word address match logic block is provided to the tri-state buffer as a control input and the data I/O address is provided to the tri-state buffer as an input. An output of the tri-state buffer of each redundant repair is provided as a first input to one or more logic devices. One or more data outputs of a ROM bit cell array is provided as a second input to a respective one of the one or more logic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: George M. Braceras, Albert M. Chu, Kevin W. Gorman, Michael R. Ouellette, Ronald A. Piro, Daryl M. Seitzer, Rohit Shetty, Thomas W. Wyckoff
  • Publication number: 20130275821
    Abstract: A read only memory (ROM) with redundancy and methods of use are provided. The ROM with redundancy includes a programmable array coupled to a repair circuit having one or more redundant repairs. The one or more redundant repairs include a word address match logic block, a data I/O address, and a tri-state buffer. The word address match logic block is provided to the tri-state buffer as a control input and the data I/O address is provided to the tri-state buffer as an input. An output of the tri-state buffer of each redundant repair is provided as a first input to one or more logic devices. One or more data outputs of a ROM bit cell array is provided as a second input to a respective one of the one or more logic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: George M. BRACERAS, Albert M. CHU, Kevin W. Gorman, Michael R. OUELLETTE, Ronald A. PIRO, Daryl M. SEITZER, Rohit SHETTY, Thomas W. WYCKOFF
  • Publication number: 20130211749
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is embedded within a semiconductor chip that calibrates a photon-emission luminosity scale by running multiple known currents through the device. The method comprises embedding at least one photon emission device in an integrated circuit having at least one functional device. A control current is applied to the at least one photon emission device. The photon emission intensity produced by the at least one photon emission device is captured. The current density of the at least one photon emission device is calculated. A test current is applied to the at least one functional device. The photon emission intensity produced by the at least one functional device is captured. The current density of the at least one functional device is estimated based on a comparison with the calculated current density of the at least one photon emission device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Albert M. Chu, Ronald A. Piro, Daryl M. Seitzer, Rohit Shetty, Thomas W. Wyckoff
  • Patent number: 6600673
    Abstract: A method and structure for a pair of read only memory (ROM) cells having a first latch and a second latch connected to the first latch. The first latch and the second latch behave as master and slave latches to one another. The first latch and the second latch include a write bitline connection that is permanently connected to a fixed voltage source to permanently program the first latch and the second latch to permanent ROM values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter F. Croce, Steven M. Eustis, Ronald A. Piro
  • Patent number: 5777504
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel circuit technique that will significantly improve the noise margin of a passgate latch design. The circuit technique consists of a passgate latch with additional circuitry for sensing the occurrence of coupled noise and then turning on a current mirror that injects current into the latch internal node to stabilize the latch. The circuit further includes a disabling system for disabling the additional circuitry during normal operation of the passgate latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Albert M. Chu, Ronald A. Piro
  • Patent number: 5629634
    Abstract: An output driver circuit for a semiconductor chip has a push-pull output with a P-channel pull-up and an N-channel pull-down. Predrivers produce push-pull outputs for driving the gates of the output driver. Compensator circuits, one for the N-channel pull-down, and one for the P-channel pull-up, are used to prevent the transition from high-to-low or low-to-high from being too rapid, which could cause noise due to inductance of the package leads. A feedback circuit halts the operation of the compensator circuits after a short interval. An overvoltage circuit formed in a well of the semiconductor chip holding the driver circuit, having an input coupled to receive the data output of the predriver circuit going to the P-channel pull-up, also functions to prevent damage to the output driver circuit due to overvoltage on the output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Allen R. Carl, Ronald A. Piro
  • Patent number: 5369595
    Abstract: A method and semiconductor structure are provided for intermixing circuits of two or more different cell classes, such as standard cells and gate array cells, on a common chip or substrate with minimum gound rule separation between adjacent cells of different classes. Cell locations are defined with given boundaries and contiguously arranged on the surface of a semiconductor chip, and then either standard cell type or gate array type circuits are formed within any of the cell locations to provide a structure for balancing chip density and performance versus hardware turn-around-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Elliot L. Gould, Douglas W. Kemerer, Lance A. McAllister, Ronald A. Piro, Guy R. Richardson, Deborah A. Wellburn
  • Patent number: 5151619
    Abstract: A CMOS off-chip driver circuit is provided which includes a P-channel pull up transistor and an N-channel pull down transistor serially arranged between a first voltage source having a supply voltage of a given magnitude and ground with the common point between the transistors forming an output terminal to which is connected a circuit including a second voltage source having a supply voltage of a magnitude significantly greater than that of the given magnitude. A first P-channel field effect transistor is connected between the output terminal and the gate electrode of the pull up transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Austin, Ronald A. Piro, Douglas W. Stout
  • Patent number: 5051917
    Abstract: A method and semiconductor structure are provided for intermixing circuits of two or more different cell classes, such as standard cells and gate array cells, on a common chip or substrate with minimum gound rule separation between adjacent cells of different classes. Cell locations are defined with given boundaries and contiguously arranged on the surface of a semiconductor chip, and then either standard cell type or gate array type circuits are formed within any of the cell locations to provide a structure for balancing chip density and performance versus hardware turn-around-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Elliot L. Gould, Douglas W. Kemerer, Lance A. McAllister, Ronald A. Piro, Guy R. Richardson, Deborah A. Wellburn
  • Patent number: 4786613
    Abstract: A method and semiconductor structure are provided for intermixing circuits of two or more different cell classes, such as standard cells and gate array cells, on a common chip or substrate with minimum ground rule separation between adjacent cells of different classes. Cell locations are defined with given boundaries and contiguosuly arranged on the surface of a semiconductor chip, and then either standard cell type or gate array type circuits are formed within any of the cell locations to provide a structure for balancing the chips density and performance versus hardware turn-around-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Elliot L. Gould, Douglas W. Kemerer, Lance A. McAllister, Ronald A. Piro, Guy R. Richardson, Deborah A. Wellburn
  • Patent number: 4701637
    Abstract: A substrate bias generator or circuit is provided which includes a charge pump having a series circuit with first and second nodes connected between a semiconductor substrate and a point of reference potential. A first voltage having a first phase is coupled to the first node and a second voltage having a second phase is coupled to the second node. A field effect transistor is connected between the substrate and the second node and the control electrode of the transistor is connected to the first node. The series circuit includes first and second devices, preferably diodes, with the first device being connected between the first node and the point of reference potential and the second device being connected between the first and second nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald A. Piro