Patents by Inventor Steven R. Boyle

Steven R. Boyle 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: 7797596
    Abstract: A method for testing an integrated circuit implemented in an electronic system. The method includes placing an integrated circuit (or portion thereof) that is implemented in an operational system (e.g., in a computer system) in an offline status. An electrical parameter of the integrated system (e.g., a voltage, clock frequency, etc.) is set, and a built-in self-test (BIST) is conducted. Any failures that occur during the BIST are recorded. Testing is then repeated for each of a plurality of predetermined values of the electrical parameter, recording any failures that occur. Once testing is complete a failure rate/range is determined for each of the predetermined values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Anand Dixit, Raymond A. Heald, Steven R. Boyle
  • Publication number: 20090083598
    Abstract: A method for testing an integrated circuit implemented in an electronic system. The method includes placing an integrated circuit (or portion thereof) that is implemented in an operational system (e.g., in a computer system) in an offline status. An electrical parameter of the integrated system (e.g., a voltage, clock frequency, etc.) is set, and a built-in self-test (BIST) is conducted. Any failures that occur during the BIST are recorded. Testing is then repeated for each of a plurality of predetermined values of the electrical parameter, recording any failures that occur. Once testing is complete a failure rate/range is determined for each of the predetermined values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Anand Dixit, Raymond A. Heald, Steven R. Boyle
  • Patent number: 6996491
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for sensing a physical stimulus of an integrated circuit. The system and method operate with one or more active thermal sensors embedded in the die of an integrated circuit to provide highly accurate die temperature measurements. The system and method are able to monitor and control the die temperature of the integrated circuit to avoid an integrated circuit malfunction due to an undesirable temperature condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer M. Gold, Claude R. Gauthier, Steven R. Boyle, Kenneth A. House, Joseph Siegel
  • Patent number: 6943436
    Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a lid with EMI containment features. The lid may include a plurality of projections adapted to couple a ground plane of a circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergiu Radu, Steven R. Boyle
  • Patent number: 6893154
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sensing a physical stimulus of an integrated circuit. The apparatus and method allow for accurate die temperature measurements of the integrated circuit and are able to provide a highly accurate die temperature measurement without the need for an independent voltage source or current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer M. Gold, Claude R. Gauthier, Brian W. Amick, Kamran Zarrineh, Steven R. Boyle
  • Publication number: 20040135239
    Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a lid with EMI containment features. The lid may include a plurality of projections adapted to couple a ground plane of a circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Sergiu Radu, Steven R. Boyle
  • Publication number: 20030156622
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sensing a physical stimulus of an integrated circuit. The apparatus and method allow for accurate die temperature measurements of the integrated circuit and are able to provide a highly accurate die temperature measurement without the need for an independent voltage source or current source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer M. Gold, Claude R. Gauthier, Brian W. Amick, Kamran Zarrineh, Steven R. Boyle
  • Publication number: 20030158697
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for sensing a physical stimulus of an integrated circuit. The system and method operate with one or more active thermal sensors embedded in the die of an integrated circuit to provide highly accurate die temperature measurements. The system and method are able to monitor and control the die temperature of the integrated circuit to avoid an integrated circuit malfunction due to an undesirable temperature condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer M. Gold, Claude R. Gauthier, Steven R. Boyle, Kenneth A. House, Joseph Siegel
  • Patent number: 5499445
    Abstract: A multi-layered package is disclosed that employs novel shielding techniques to improve high frequency performance of the package. Shield vias are placed near conductive vias to create a two-wire transmission line with controllable characteristic impedance. Controlled transmission line impedance reduces signal reflection due to line impedance variations and ground bounce due to inductive coupling. Opposite polarity shielding technique is introduced in vertical as well as horizontal directions to reduce capacitive coupling of noise between signals and provide immunity against differential power supply noise. Signal layers disposed half way between floating shield planes provided immunity against non-common mode noise coupling. For integrated circuits with varying types of signals (e.g. CMOS and TTL and ECL type signals), the package creates electrically isolated zones to drastically reduce noise coupling between the circuits with different signal types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Intergraph Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Boyle, Robert J. Proebsting, William H. Herndon
  • Patent number: 5338970
    Abstract: A multi-layered package is disclosed that employs novel shielding techniques to improve high frequency performance of the package. Shield vias are placed near conductive vias to create a two-wire transmission line with controllable characteristic impedance. Controlled transmission line impedance reduces signal reflection due to line impedance variations and ground bounce due to inductive coupling. Opposite polarity shielding technique is introduced in vertical as well as horizontal directions to reduce capacitive coupling of noise between signals and provide immunity against differential power supply noise. Signal layers disposed half way between floating shield planes provided immunity against non-common mode noise coupling. For integrated circuits with varying types of signals (e.g. CMOS and TTL and ECL type signals), the package creates electrically isolated zones to drastically reduce noise coupling between the circuits with different signal types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Intergraph Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Boyle, Robert J. Proebsting, William H. Herndon
  • Patent number: 4990996
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed for manufacturing an integrated circuit die which is capable of being packaged in any of two or more different package types having different arrangements of bonding posts. The circuit is laid out with redundant pads located at different places on the die so that one pad in each pair of redundant pads is accessible for bonding with posts in one package type, while the other pad in each pair of redundant pads is accessible for bonding with posts in another package type. Illustrative layouts are shown whereby various types of pads, e.g., power pads, signal input pads, signal output pads and bidirectional I/O pads, may be made redundant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Zilog, Inc.
    Inventors: Niraj Kumar, Steven R. Boyle