Patents by Inventor Steven M. Douskey

Steven M. Douskey 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).

  • Publication number: 20140157072
    Abstract: A method and structure tests a system on a chip (SoC) or other integrated circuit having multiple cores for chip characterization to produce a partial good status. A Self Evaluation Engine (SEE) on each core creates a quality metric or partial good value for the core. The SEE executes one or more tests to create a characterization signature for the core. The SEE then compares the characterization signature of a core with a characterization signature of neighboring cores to determine the partial good value for the core. The SEE may output a result to create a full characterization map for detailed diagnostics or a partial good map with values for all cores to produce a partial good status for the entire SoC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ryan A. Fitch, Michael J. Hamilton, Amanda R. Kaufer
  • Publication number: 20140157073
    Abstract: A method and structure tests a system on a chip (SoC) or other integrated circuit having multiple cores for chip characterization to produce a partial good status. A Self Evaluation Engine (SEE) on each core creates a quality metric or partial good value for the core. The SEE executes one or more tests to create a characterization signature for the core. The SEE then compares the characterization signature of a core with a characterization signature of neighboring cores to determine the partial good value for the core. The SEE may output a result to create a full characterization map for detailed diagnostics or a partial good map with values for all cores to produce a partial good status for the entire SoC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ryan A. Fitch, Michael J. Hamilton, Amanda R. Kaufer
  • Publication number: 20140089751
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for switching input pins to scan channels to increase test coverage. In one embodiment, a scan system connects a small number of input pins to several scan channels so that the input pins may be selectively switched. The input pins may transmit independent test vectors to test a large number of test areas on a semiconductor chip. The scan system may include a switching device such as a multiplexer (MUX).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ryan A. Fitch, Michael J. Hamilton, Amanda R. Kaufer
  • Patent number: 8667431
    Abstract: A method of locating faulty logic on a semiconductor chip is disclosed. The method may include determining failure rates for the semiconductor chip, which contain one or more logic elements. The method also may include determining a masking pattern using failure rates. The masking pattern may mask less than all of the logic elements using a determination method. The method may also include applying a test vector to a selected logic element, wherein the result from a test vector is compared to a reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ryan A. Fitch, Michael J. Hamilton, Amanda R. Kaufer
  • Patent number: 8627162
    Abstract: A method and circuits for implementing aperture function calibration for Logic Built In Self Test (LBIST) diagnostics, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The aperture function calibration uses aperture calibration data, and an LBIST calibration channel having a predefined number of scan inversions between the aperture calibration data and a multiple input signature register (MISR). LBIST is run selecting the LBIST calibration channel and masking other LBIST channels to the MISR. A change in the MISR value, for example, from zero to a non-zero value, is identified and an aperture adjustment is calculated and used to identify any needed adjustment of aperture edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ryan A. Fitch, Michael J. Hamilton, Amanda R. Kaufer
  • Patent number: 8516318
    Abstract: In a test data access system, a shift register is coupled the test data in pin. A first multiplexer is in data communication with the TDI pin and is configured to receive data from the TDI pin and to transmit data to each of the instruments. The first multiplexer is also configured to receive data from a data recirculation bit and to transmit data from the TDI pin to a plurality of instruments when the recirculation bit has a first value and to transmit data to the plurality of instruments from a recirculation line when the recirculation bit has a second value, different from the first value. A second multiplexer is configured to receive data from each of the plurality of instruments and is configured to transmit data from a selected one of the plurality of instruments, selected based on a value of data in the shift register. A first AND gate is configured to generate a gates clock to the shift register. A second AND gate is responsive to the first AND gate, configured to lock the shift register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ryan A. Fitch, Michael J. Hamilton, Amanda R. Kaufer
  • Publication number: 20130191695
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing enhanced Logic Built In Self Test (LBIST) diagnostics, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. A plurality of pseudo random pattern generators (PRPGs) is provided, each PRPG comprising one or more linear feedback shift registers (LFSRs). Each respective PRPG includes an XOR feedback input selectively receiving a feedback from another PRPG and predefined inputs of the respective PRPG. A respective XOR spreading function is coupled to a plurality of outputs of each PRPG with predefined XOR spreading functions applying test pseudo random pattern inputs to LBIST channels for LBIST diagnostics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ryan A. Fitch, Michael J. Hamilton, Amanda R. Kaufer
  • Publication number: 20130151918
    Abstract: A method and circuits for implementing aperture function calibration for Logic Built In Self Test (LBIST) diagnostics, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The aperture function calibration uses aperture calibration data, and an LBIST calibration channel having a predefined number of scan inversions between the aperture calibration data and a multiple input signature register (MISR). LBIST is run selecting the LBIST calibration channel and masking other LBIST channels to the MISR. A change in the MISR value, for example, from zero to a non-zero value, is identified and an aperture adjustment is calculated and used to identify any needed adjustment of aperture edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ryan A. Fitch, Michael J. Hamilton, Amanda R. Kaufer, James M. Worisek
  • Publication number: 20130031418
    Abstract: A system and method for improving the yield rate of a multiprocessor semiconductor chip that includes primary processor cores and one or more redundant processor cores. A first tester conducts a first test on one or more processor cores, and encodes results of the first test in an on-chip non-volatile memory. A second tester conducts a second test on the processor cores, and encodes results of the second test in an external non-volatile storage device. An override bit of a multiplexer is set if a processor core fails the second test. In response to the override bit, the multiplexer selects a physical-to-logical mapping of processor IDs according to one of: the encoded results in the memory device or the encoded results in the external storage device. On-chip logic configures the processor cores according to the selected physical-to-logical mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Bellofatto, Steven M. Douskey, Rudolf A. Haring, Moyra K. McManus, Martin Ohmacht, Dietmar Schmunkamp, Krishnan Sugavanam, Bryan J. Weatherford
  • Patent number: 8365006
    Abstract: For disabling a first function in an information handling system, a dynamic signal is disabled. The first function is inoperable in response to the dynamic signal being disabled. At least a second function in the information handling system is operable irrespective of whether the dynamic signal is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Thomas Pflueger, Edward M. Seymour, Timothy M. Skergan
  • Publication number: 20120159273
    Abstract: In a test data access system, a shift register is coupled the test data in pin. A first multiplexer is in data communication with the TDI pin and is configured to receive data from the TDI pin and to transmit data to each of the instruments. The first multiplexer is also configured to receive data from a data recirculation bit and to transmit data from the TDI pin to a plurality of instruments when the recirculation bit has a first value and to transmit data to the plurality of instruments from a recirculation line when the recirculation bit has a second value, different from the first value. A second multiplexer is configured to receive data from each of the plurality of instruments and is configured to transmit data from a selected one of the plurality of instruments, selected based on a value of data in the shift register. A first AND gate is configured to generate a gates clock to the shift register. A second AND gate is responsive to the first AND gate, configured to lock the shift register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ryan Andrew Fitch, Michael J. Hamilton, Amanda R. Kaufer
  • Publication number: 20120017109
    Abstract: For disabling a first function in an information handling system, a dynamic signal is disabled. The first function is inoperable in response to the dynamic signal being disabled. At least a second function in the information handling system is operable irrespective of whether the dynamic signal is disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Thomas Pflueger, Edward M. Seymour, Timothy M. Skergan
  • Patent number: 7830195
    Abstract: In a method of generating clock signals for a level-sensitive scan design latch, at least one test input signal is transmitted to a plurality of splitter leaves. Once the test input signal is stabilized at each of the splitter leaves, generating a shaped oscillator clock signal having a predetermined pattern of pulses from a central root is generated. At the plurality of splitter leaves, the test input signal is logically combined with the shaped oscillator clock signal, thereby generating a first latch clock signal and a second latch clock signal. The logically combining action includes applying a delay of less than one clock cycle to the shaped oscillator clock signal to generate a delayed oscillator clock signal; logically combining the delayed oscillator clock signal with a second signal so as to generate the first latch clock signal; and logically combining the shaped oscillator clock signal with a third signal so as to generate the second latch clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ryan A. Fitch, Brandon E. Schenck
  • Publication number: 20100231281
    Abstract: In a method of generating clock signals for a level-sensitive scan design latch, at least one test input signal is transmitted to a plurality of splitter leaves. Once the test input signal is stabilized at each of the splitter leaves, generating a shaped oscillator clock signal having a predetermined pattern of pulses from a central root is generated. At the plurality of splitter leaves, the test input signal is logically combined with the shaped oscillator clock signal, thereby generating a first latch clock signal and a second latch clock signal. The logically combining action includes applying a delay of less than one clock cycle to the shaped oscillator clock signal to generate a delayed oscillator clock signal; logically combining the delayed oscillator clock signal with a second signal so as to generate the first latch clock signal; and logically combining the shaped oscillator clock signal with a third signal so as to generate the second latch clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ryan A. Fitch, Brandon E. Schenck
  • Patent number: 7793184
    Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for on-chip testing is presented. In one embodiment, the method, system or computer readable medium includes identifying which LBIST channels of a plurality of LBIST channels do not contribute to a particular test and excluding from that particular test each LBIST channel that does not contribute to that particular test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Steven M. Douskey
  • Patent number: 7472324
    Abstract: A method and system for built-in self-testing architecture, including: a logic built-in self-test (LBIST) controller in operable communication with a pseudo-random pattern generator; a multiple input signature register in operable communication with a plurality of scan channels; and circuitry in operable communication with the pseudo-random pattern generator and the multiple input signature register, wherein the circuitry includes a channel skip function which allows selection of any combination of scan channels to skip while scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Steven M. Douskey
  • Patent number: 7457187
    Abstract: A design structure for repairing an integrated circuit during operation of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit comprising of a multitude of memory arrays and a fuse box holding control data for controlling redundancy logic of the arrays. The design structure provides the integrated circuit with a control data selector for passing the control data from the fuse box to the memory arrays; providing a source of alternate control data, external of the integrated circuit; and connecting the source of alternate control data to the control data selector. The design structure further passes the alternate control data from the source thereof, through the control data selector and to the memory arrays to control the redundancy logic of the memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur A. Bright, Paul G. Crumley, Marc Dombrowa, Steven M. Douskey, Rudolf A. Haring, Steven F. Oakland, Michael R. Quellette, Scott A. Strissel
  • Patent number: 7405990
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of repairing an integrated circuit of the type comprising of a multitude of memory arrays and a fuse box holding control data for controlling redundancy logic of the arrays. The method comprises the steps of providing the integrated circuit with a control data selector for passing the control data from the fuse box to the memory arrays; providing a source of alternate control data, external of the integrated circuit; and connecting the source of alternate control data to the control data selector. The method comprises the further step of, at a given time, passing the alternate control data from the source thereof, through the control data selector and to the memory arrays to control the redundancy logic of the memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur A. Bright, Paul G. Crumley, Marc B. Dombrowa, Steven M. Douskey, Rudolf A. Haring, Steven F. Oakland, Michael R. Ouellette, Scott A. Strissel
  • Publication number: 20080172587
    Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for on-chip testing is presented. In one embodiment, the method, system or computer readable medium includes identifying which LBIST channels of a plurality of LBIST channels do not contribute to a particular test and excluding from that particular test each LBIST channel that does not contribute to that particular test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventor: Steven M. Douskey
  • Patent number: 7397709
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of repairing an integrated circuit of the type comprising of a multitude of memory arrays and a fuse box holding control data for controlling redundancy logic of the arrays. The method comprises the steps of providing the integrated circuit with a control data selector for passing the control data from the fuse box to the memory arrays; providing a source of alternate control data, external of the integrated circuit; and connecting the source of alternate control data to the control data selector. The method comprises the further step of, at a given time, passing the alternate control data from the source thereof, through the control data selector and to the memory arrays to control the redundancy logic of the memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur A. Bright, Paul G. Crumley, Marc B. Dombrowa, Steven M. Douskey, Rudolf A. Haring, Steven F. Oakland, Michael R. Ouellette, Scott A. Strissel