Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Eckenrode

Thomas J. Eckenrode 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: 7760135
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for associating time slices of a received signal with previously encountered time slices. A parameter determination component determines at least one parameter for each received time slice. A content addressable memory stores a plurality of parameter values associated with the previously encountered time slices. The content addressable memory is searchable such that the determined at least one parameter for each received time slice can be compared to the stored plurality of parameter values to provide a memory output. An emitter matching component associates a given received time slice with one of a plurality of emitters according to the memory output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Stan W. Driggs, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Walter S. Richter, Jerry L. Twoey
  • Publication number: 20090135052
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for associating time slices of a received signal with previously encountered time slices. A parameter determination component determines at least one parameter for each received time slice. A content addressable memory stores a plurality of parameter values associated with the previously encountered time slices. The content addressable memory is searchable such that the determined at least one parameter for each received time slice can be compared to the stored plurality of parameter values to provide a memory output. An emitter matching component associates a given received time slice with one of a plurality of emitters according to the memory output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Stan W. Driggs, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Walter S. Richter, Jerry L. Twoey
  • Patent number: 7168005
    Abstract: A microcode programmable built-in-self-test (BIST) circuit and method for testing a multiported memory via multiple ports, either simultaneously or sequentially, as directed by a microcode instruction word. The microcode instruction word contains a plurality of executable subinstructions and one bit of information that controls whether the test operations prescribed in the plurality of subinstructions shall be executed in parallel or in series. The executable subinstructions are dispatched by a primary controller to subcontrollers which perform test operations at each port according to the subinstructions. The microcode programable BIST architecture flexibly facilitates the testing of multiple devices, multiported devices, including multiported memory structures and complex dependent multiported memory structures. The BIST supports in-situ testing of the functionality of the memory at wafer, module, and burn-in, as well as system-level testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Dean Adams, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Steven L. Gregor, Kamran Zarrineh
  • Patent number: 7032144
    Abstract: A method and system for testing multiported memories, especially when one or more of the ports are not directly accessible without intervening logic. The method and system segregates the multiported memory into at least two portions which are then used for testing the one or more ports which are not directly accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems Inc.
    Inventors: R. Dean Adams, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Steven L. Gregor, Kamran Zarrineh
  • Patent number: 7003704
    Abstract: A system and methodology for testing memory in an integrated circuit implementing BIST testing to calculate row and column redundancy and enable replacement of a defective row or column of memory cells. The system comprises circuitry for detecting a first single memory cell failure in a row; and, recording the I/O value of the first Single Cell Fail (SCF). A circuit is provided for detecting whether more than one single cell failure has occurred for a tested row, and, in response to detecting a second SCF, comparing recorded I/O value of the subsequent tested row, with the I/O value associated with the first failed memory cell. Upon detection of defective bits, the defective column and row of memory having corresponding defective bits set is replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: R. Dean Adams, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Steven L. Gregor, Garrett S. Koch
  • Patent number: 6907554
    Abstract: A built-in self test system (124) and method for two-dimensional memory redundancy allocation. The built-in self test system is adapted to allocate two redundant columns (116) and one redundant row (120) to an embedded memory (104) as needed to repair single cell failures (SCFs) within the rows (108) and columns of the memory. The self-test system includes a left-priority encoder (136), a right-priority encoder (140), and a greater-than-two detector (144). The left-priority encoder encodes the location of the first SCF most proximate the most-significant bit of the corresponding word. The right-priority encoder encodes the location of the first SCF most proximate the least-significant bit of the corresponding word. The greater-than-two detector determines whether a word contains more than two SCFs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: R. Dean Adams, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Steven L. Gregor, Gary S. Koch
  • Patent number: 6874111
    Abstract: The functionality of a programmable memory built-in self-test (BIST) arrangement for testing an embedded memory structure of an integrated circuit is extended to system level testing to ascertain operability of the system after the integrated circuits and boards including them have been placed in service in larger systems, by generating default test signals which are loaded in an instruction store module when test instructions are not provided from an external tester. This additional utility of the BIST arrangement, increases efficiency of chip space utilization and improves the system level test. Loading of test instructions from an external tester during chip manufacture and/or board assembly is unaffected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: R. Dean Adams, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Steven L. Gregor, Kamran Zarrineh
  • Publication number: 20040225939
    Abstract: A built-in self test system (124) and method for two-dimensional memory redundancy allocation. The built-in self test system is adapted to allocate two redundant columns (116) and one redundant row (120) to an embedded memory (104) as needed to repair single cell failures (SCFs) within the rows (108) and columns of the memory. The self-test system includes a left-priority encoder (136), a right-priority encoder (140), and a greater-than-two detector (144). The left-priority encoder encodes the location of the first SCF most proximate the most-significant bit of the corresponding word. The right-priority encoder encodes the location of the first SCF most proximate the least-significant bit of the corresponding word. The greater-than-two detector determines whether a word contains more than two SCFs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: R. Dean Adams, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Steven L. Gregor, Gary S. Koch
  • Publication number: 20040093540
    Abstract: A system and methodology for testing memory in an integrated circuit implementing BIST testing to calculate row and column redundancy and enable replacement of a defective row or column of memory cells. The system comprises circuitry for detecting a first single memory cell failure in a row; and, an encoder device for determining a bit location of a first single memory cell failed. An encoded value representing the bit location of the detected failed memory cell is stored in a register. A circuit is provided for detecting whether more than one single cell failure has occurred for a tested row, and, in response to detecting more than one single cell failure for a tested row, the circuit generates a bit indicating that tested row as a defective row to be replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: R. Dean Adams, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Steven L. Gregor, Garrett S. Koch
  • Publication number: 20040006727
    Abstract: A method and system for testing multiported memories, especially when one or more of the ports are not directly accessible without intervening logic. The method and system segregates the multiported memory into at least two portions which are then used for testing the one or more ports which are not directly accessible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Dean Adams, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Steven L. Gregor, Kamran Zarrineh
  • Patent number: 6651201
    Abstract: A finite state machine (FSM) is used to generate, in real time, potentially long sequences of signals which control generation of signals for application to a memory structure during a self-test procedure which is provided in hardware on the same chip with the memory structure. The FSM-based instruction generator requires much less area than is required for storage of a corresponding number of microcode instructions and allows the built-in self-test (BIST) controller to have a modular architecture permitting re-use of hardware designs for the BIST arrangement with consequent reduction of elimination of design costs of the BIST arrangement to accommodate new memory designs. The sequential nature of the operation of a finite state machine as it progresses through a desired sequence of states is particularly well-suited to controlling capture of signals where access to high. speed data transfer circuits cannot otherwise be accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: R. Dean Adams, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Steven L. Gregor, Kamran Zarrineh
  • Publication number: 20030120974
    Abstract: A microcode programmable built-in-self-test (BIST) circuit and method for testing a multiported memory via multiple ports, either simultaneously or sequentially, as directed by a microcode instruction word. The microcode instruction word contains a plurality of executable subinstructions and one bit of information that controls whether the test operations prescribed in the plurality of subinstructions shall be executed in parallel or in series. The executable subinstructions are dispatched by a primary controller to subcontrollers which perform test operations at each port according to the subinstructions. The microcode programable BIST architecture flexibly facilitates the testing of multiple devices, multiported devices, including multiported memory structures and complex dependent multiported memory structures. The BIST supports in-situ testing of the functionality of the memory at wafer, module, and burn-in, as well as system-level testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Dean Adams, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Steven L. Gregor, Kamran Zarrineh
  • Patent number: 6557127
    Abstract: A method and system for testing multiported memories, especially when one or more of the ports are not directly accessible without intervening logic. The method and system segregates the multiported memory into at least two portions which are then used for testing the one or more ports which are not directly accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Dean Adams, Thomas J. Eckenrode, Steven L. Gregor, Kamran Zarrineh
  • Patent number: 5394390
    Abstract: A History Store Circuit (HSC) is employed with a commercially available FDDI chipset to provide an interface between the PHY layer hardware and a memory system to record symbol stream segments received from the FDDI network. Memory system address and control signals are provided by the HSC. Multiplexor logic is included to support dual-ring network configurations. The HSC provides the electrical interconnection required to interface to the PHY layer hardware so as to allow reception of invalid frames, valid frames, and invalid/valid line state symbol streams from the fiber optic bus. In order to receive such invalid frames and state symbol streams from the fiber optic media, additional logic is provided to allow the user to focus on the segment of network traffic of interest. The HSC includes a Symbol Stream Comparator (SSC) and History Store Triggering Logic (HSTL) to facilitate control of the network traffic segment captured by the HSC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Stauffer, Rebecca S. McMahon, Thomas J. Eckenrode