Patents by Inventor Spencer A. Petersen

Spencer A. Petersen 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).

  • Method and apparatus for determining critical timing path sensitivities of macros in a semiconductor device
    Patent number: 6889369
    Abstract: A method for determining critical timing path sensitivities of macros in a semiconductor device includes configuring a timing parameter of a particular macro in the semiconductor device; determining a first maximum operating frequency of the semiconductor device configured in accordance with the timing parameter; changing the timing parameter of the particular macro; determining a second maximum operating frequency of the semiconductor device configured in accordance with the changed timing parameter; and determining a contribution of the selected macro to a critical timing path of the semiconductor device based on the first and second maximum operating frequencies. A system for testing a semiconductor device having a plurality of macros includes a tester and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence M. Clifton, Patrick F. O'Connell, II, Spencer A. Petersen