Patents by Inventor Steven J. Zier
Steven J. Zier 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).
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Publication number: 20140184242Abstract: A method and apparatus measure transistor bandwidth of a device under test in-line and on-wafer. The method includes disposing a measurement circuit on a chip within a wafer, the measurement circuit including a ring oscillator generating an oscillation frequency for transition through the device under test on the wafer, and obtaining an amplitude gain based on the measurement circuit for the corresponding frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Erik L. Hedberg, Daeik D. Kim, Dallas M. Lea, Akil K. Sutton, Steven J. Zier
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Patent number: 8219041Abstract: A design structure embodied in a machine-readable medium used in a design process provides a transmitter having a frequency response controllable in accordance with an operational parameter, and may include a storage operable to store operational parameters for controlling a frequency response of the transmitter under each of a plurality of corresponding operating conditions. A sensor can be used to detect an operating condition. In response to a change in the detected operating condition, a stored operational parameter corresponding to the detected operating condition can be used to control the frequency response of the transmitter.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Louis L. Hsu, Hayden C. Cranford, Jr., Joseph Natonio, James D. Rockrohr, Huihao Xu, Steven J. Zier
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Patent number: 8219040Abstract: A method is provided for operating a transmitter integrated in a microelectronic element. In a calibration phase, a plurality of operational parameters are stored for controlling a frequency response of the transmitter under each of a plurality of corresponding operating conditions. Upon detecting an operating condition such as a temperature or power supply voltage level, the corresponding stored operational parameter is applied to the transmitter to control the frequency response.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2007Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Louis L. Hsu, Hayden C. Cranford, Jr., Joseph Natonio, James D. Rockrohr, Huihao Xu, Steven J. Zier
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Patent number: 8126045Abstract: A decision feedback equalizer (DFE) and method include summer circuits configured to add a dynamic feedback tap to a received input to provide a sum and to add a speculative static tap to the sum. Sense amplifiers are configured to receive outputs of the summer circuits and evaluate the outputs of the summer circuits in accordance with a clock signal. A passgate multiplexer is configured to receive outputs from sense amplifiers wherein the multiplexers is clock-gated for isolation of subsequent ciruitry from the outputs of the sense amplifiers during a precharged period. A gating circuit is configured to perform gating of a selected signal output from a second circuit portion with a clock signal and to enable the isolation of the subsequent circuitry by the multiplexer during the precharge period.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: John Francis Bulzacchelli, Gautam Gangasani, Mounir Meghelli, Sergey V. Rylov, Michael A. Sorna, Steven J. Zier
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Patent number: 7694243Abstract: A system for protecting a weak device operating in micro-electronic circuit and a design structure including the system embodied in a machine readable medium are disclosed. The system includes a high voltage power supply from high voltage overstressing prevents the weak device from failing during power-up, power-down, and when a low voltage power supply in a multiple power supply system is absent. The system further includes a low voltage power supply detection circuit configured to detect circuit power-up, circuit power-down, and when the low voltage power supply is absent, and generate a control signal upon detection. The system further includes a controlled current mirror device configured to provide a trickle current to maintain a conduction channel in the weak device in response to the control signal received from the low voltage power supply detection circuit during circuit power-up, circuit power-down, and when the low voltage power supply is absent.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hibourahima Camara, Louis C. Hsu, James D. Rockrohr, Karl D. Selander, Huihao Xu, Steven J. Zier
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Publication number: 20100054324Abstract: A decision feedback equalizer (DFE) and method include summer circuits configured to add a dynamic feedback tap to a received input to provide a sum and to add a speculative static tap to the sum. Sense amplifiers are configured to receive outputs of the summer circuits and evaluate the outputs of the summer circuits in accordance with a clock signal. A passgate multiplexer is configured to receive outputs from sense amplifiers wherein the multiplexer is clock-gated for isolation of subsequent circuitry from the outputs of the sense amplifiers during a precharge period. A gating circuit is configured to perform gating of a select signal output from a second circuit portion with a clock signal and to enable the isolation of the subsequent circuitry by the multiplexer during the precharge period.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Inventors: John Francis Bulzacchelli, Gautam Gangasani, Mounir Meghelli, Sergey V. Rylov, Michael A. Sorna, Steven J. Zier
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Patent number: 7660350Abstract: A data receiver is provided which is operable to receive a signal controllably pre-distorted and transmitted by a transmitter, to generate information for adjusting the pre-distortion applied to the signal transmitted by the transmitter, and to transmit the information to the transmitter. The receiver is further operable to perform adaptive equalization to receive the signal transmitted by the transmitter.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2008Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Louis C. Hsu, Brian L. Ji, James S. Mason, Karl D. Selander, Michael A. Soma, Steven J. Zier
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Publication number: 20090172614Abstract: A system for protecting a weak device operating in micro-electronic circuit and a design structure including the system embodied in a machine readable medium are disclosed. The system includes a high voltage power supply from high voltage overstressing prevents the weak device from failing during power-up, power-down, and when a low voltage power supply in a multiple power supply system is absent. The system further includes a low voltage power supply detection circuit configured to detect circuit power-up, circuit power-down, and when the low voltage power supply is absent, and generate a control signal upon detection. The system further includes a controlled current mirror device configured to provide a trickle current to maintain a conduction channel in the weak device in response to the control signal received from the low voltage power supply detection circuit during circuit power-up, circuit power-down, and when the low voltage power supply is absent.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Hibourahima Camara, Louis C. Hsu, James D. Rockrohr, Karl D. Selander, Huihao Xu, Steven J. Zier
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Publication number: 20090129485Abstract: A design structure embodied in a machine-readable medium used in a design process provides a transmitter having a frequency response controllable in accordance with an operational parameter, and may include a storage operable to store operational parameters for controlling a frequency response of the transmitter under each of a plurality of corresponding operating conditions. A sensor can be used to detect an operating condition. In response to a change in the detected operating condition, a stored operational parameter corresponding to the detected operating condition can be used to control the frequency response of the transmitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventors: Louis L. Hsu, Hayden C. Cranford, JR., Joseph Natonio, James D. Rockrohr, Huihao Xu, Steven J. Zier
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Publication number: 20090108885Abstract: A design structure including a CMOS rail-to-rail differential latch is provided in which a plurality of cross-coupled devices pull first and second nodes of the latch to opposite rail-to-rail voltages. Desirably, first and second output isolating elements have inputs coupled to the first and second nodes, the output isolating elements being operable to output versions of the opposite rail-to-rail voltages as a true and a complementary output of the latch. In this way, the true output has a rising edge occurring simultaneously with a falling edge of the complementary output. The complementary output has a rising edge occurring simultaneously with a falling edge of the true output. First and second input isolating elements of the latch have outputs coupled to the first and second nodes, the first and second input isolating elements being operable to apply versions of input signals to the first and second nodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Joseph Natonio, Steven J. Zier
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Patent number: 7486114Abstract: A signal detector and method to detect the presence or absence of an incoming differential signal. The method nullifies the DC off-set of the signal detector so that it can detect a signal within a very narrow window. The common mode levels of the signal and reference paths are used for calibration which is done automatically by use of an embedded algorithm residing in a digital block. The calibration range and resolution are predetermined to cope with the technology, modeling, design methodology and human error.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Minhan Chen, Louis Hsu, Joseph Natonio, Karl D. Selander, Michael A. Sorna, Steven J. Zier
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Publication number: 20090004978Abstract: A method is provided for operating a transmitter integrated in a microelectronic element. In a calibration phase, a plurality of operational parameters are stored for controlling a frequency response of the transmitter under each of a plurality of corresponding operating conditions. Upon detecting an operating condition such as a temperature or power supply voltage level, the corresponding stored operational parameter is applied to the transmitter to control the frequency response.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Louis L. Hsu, Hayden C. Cranford, Jr., Joseph Natonio, James D. Rockrohr, Huihao Xu, Steven J. Zier
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Publication number: 20080298520Abstract: A data receiver is provided which is operable to receive a signal controllably pre-distorted and transmitted by a transmitter, to generate information for adjusting the pre-distortion applied to the signal transmitted by the transmitter, and to transmit the information to the transmitter. The receiver is further operable to perform adaptive equalization to receive the signal transmitted by the transmitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Louis C. Hsu, Brian L. Ji, James S. Mason, Karl D. Selander, Michael A. Soma, Steven J. Zier
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Patent number: 7409019Abstract: A data receiver is provided which is operable to receive a signal controllably pre-distorted and transmitted by a transmitter, to generate information for adjusting the pre-distortion applied to the signal transmitted by the transmitter, and to transmit the information to the transmitter. The receiver is further operable to perform adaptive equalization to receive the signal transmitted by the transmitter.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Louis C. Hsu, Brian L. Ji, James S. Mason, Karl D. Selander, Michael A. Sorna, Steven J. Zier
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Publication number: 20080180139Abstract: A CMOS rail-to-rail differential latch is provided in which a plurality of cross-coupled devices pull first and second nodes of the latch to opposite rail-to-rail voltages. Desirably, first and second output isolating elements have inputs coupled to the first and second nodes, the output isolating elements being operable to output versions of the opposite rail-to-rail voltages as a true and a complementary output of the latch. In this way, the true output has a rising edge occurring simultaneously with a falling edge of the complementary output. The complementary output has a rising edge occurring simultaneously with a falling edge of the true output. First and second input isolating elements of the latch have outputs coupled to the first and second nodes, the first and second input isolating elements being operable to apply versions of input signals to the first and second nodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph Natonio, Steven J. Zier
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Patent number: 7394283Abstract: A signal regenerator is provided which includes a common mode reference generator and a signal converter circuit. A common mode reference voltage level is generated which is variable in relation to at least one of a process used to fabricate the common mode reference generator, a level of a power supply voltage provided to the common mode reference generator or a temperature at which the common mode reference generator is operated. A signal converter circuit receives a differentially transmitted signal pair including a first input signal and a second input signal and outputs a single-ended output signal representing information carried by the differentially transmitted signal pair. Using a feedback signal from the common mode reference generator, a feedback control block controls a common mode level of the single-ended output signal in accordance with the common mode reference voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Louis L. Hsu, Gautam Gangasani, Michael A. Sorna, Steven J. Zier
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Publication number: 20080061825Abstract: A signal regenerator is provided which includes a common mode reference generator and a signal converter circuit. A common mode reference voltage level is generated which is variable in relation to at least one of a process used to fabricate the common mode reference generator, a level of a power supply voltage provided to the common mode reference generator or a temperature at which the common mode reference generator is operated. A signal converter circuit receives a differentially transmitted signal pair including a first input signal and a second input signal and outputs a single-ended output signal representing information carried by the differentially transmitted signal pair. Using a feedback signal from the common mode reference generator, a feedback control block controls a common mode level of the single-ended output signal in accordance with the common mode reference voltage level.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Louis L. Hsu, Gautam Gangasani, Michael A. Sorna, Steven J. Zier
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Patent number: 7332956Abstract: A system for protecting a weak device operating in micro-electronic circuit that includes a high voltage power supply from high voltage over stressing prevents the weak device from failing during power-up, power-down, and when a low voltage power supply in a multiple power supply system is absent. The system includes a low voltage power supply detection circuit configured to detect circuit power-up, circuit power-down, and when the low voltage power supply is absent, and generate a control signal upon detection. The system further includes a controlled current mirror device configured to provide a trickle current to maintain a conduction channel in the weak device in response to the control signal received from the low voltage power supply detection circuit during circuit power-up, circuit power-down, and when the low voltage power supply is absent.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hibourahima Camara, Louis C. Hsu, James D. Rockrohr, Karl D. Selander, Huihao Xu, Steven J. Zier
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Publication number: 20070271054Abstract: A signal detector and method detect the presence or absence of an incoming differential signal. The method nullifies the DC off-set of the signal detector so that it can detect a signal within a very narrow window. The common mode levels of the signal and reference paths are used for calibration which is done automatically by use of an embedded algorithm residing in a digital block. The calibration range and resolution are predetermined to cope with the technology, modeling, design methodology and human error.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2006Publication date: November 22, 2007Inventors: Minhan Chen, Louis Hsu, Joseph Natonio, Karl D. Selander, Michael A. Sorna, Steven J. Zier
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Differential amplifier offset voltage minimization independently from common mode voltage adjustment
Patent number: 7268624Abstract: Offset voltages in differential amplifiers are minimized by controlling compensation currents through the load impedances of the amplifiers. The currents are varied while sensing the polarity of the offset voltage. When the polarity changes, the current values are latched to keep the offset voltage at a minimum.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Minhan Chen, Westerfield John Ficken, Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Steven J. Zier