Patents by Inventor Ullrich R. Pfeiffer

Ullrich R. Pfeiffer 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: 8629540
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips with antennas having one or more radiating elements and tuning elements that are formed from package lead wires that are appropriated shaped and arranged to form antenna structures for millimeter wave applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Gaucher, Duixian Liu, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Thomas M. Zwick
  • Patent number: 8453078
    Abstract: Methods are provided for building integrated circuit transformer devices having compact and optimized architectures for use in MMW (millimeter-wave) applications. The integrated circuit transformer devices have universal and scalable architectures that can be used as templates or building blocks for constructing various types of on-chip devices for millimeter-wave applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Goren, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Benny Sheinman, Shlomo Shlafman
  • Patent number: 8378469
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging antennas with semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips to provide highly-integrated and high-performance radio/wireless communications systems for millimeter wave applications including, e.g., voice communication, data communication, and radar applications. For example, wireless communication modules are constructed with IC chips having receiver/transmitter/transceiver integrated circuits and planar antennas that are integrally constructed from BEOL (back end of line) metallization structures of the IC chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Gaucher, Duixian Liu, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Thomas M. Zwick
  • Publication number: 20130016023
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging antennas with semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips to provide highly-integrated and high-performance radio/wireless communications systems for millimeter wave applications including, e.g., voice communication, data communication, and radar applications. For example, wireless communication modules are constructed with IC chips having receiver/transmitter/transceiver integrated circuits and planar antennas that are integrally constructed from BEOL (back end of line) metallization structures of the IC chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Brian P. Gaucher, Duixian Liu, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Thomas M. Zwick
  • Publication number: 20120235759
    Abstract: Voltage controlled oscillator circuits are provided in which variable capacitance degeneration is employed to provide increased tuning ranges and output amplitudes for VCO circuits for millimeter wave applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Brian Welch
  • Publication number: 20120176281
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips with antennas having one or more radiating elements and tuning elements that are formed from package lead wires that are appropriated shaped and arranged to form antenna structures for millimeter wave applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Gaucher, Duixian Liu, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Thomas M. Zwick
  • Patent number: 8212341
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips with antennas having one or more radiating elements and tuning elements that are formed from package lead wires that are appropriated shaped and arranged to form antenna structures for millimeter wave applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Gaucher, Duixian Liu, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Thomas M. Zwick
  • Publication number: 20120060135
    Abstract: Methods are provided for building integrated circuit transformer devices having compact and optimized architectures for use in MMW (millimeter-wave) applications. The integrated circuit transformer devices have universal and scalable architectures that can be used as templates or building blocks for constructing various types of on-chip devices for millimeter-wave applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Goren, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Benny Sheinman, Shlomo Shlafman
  • Patent number: 8122393
    Abstract: Methods are provided for building integrated circuit transformer devices having compact and optimized architectures for use in MMW (millimeter-wave) applications. The integrated circuit transformer devices have universal and scalable architectures that can be used as templates or building blocks for constructing various types of on-chip devices for millimeter-wave applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Goren, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Benny Sheinman, Shlomo Shlafman
  • Publication number: 20110156730
    Abstract: A chip-based prober for measuring a device-under-test is provided. The prober includes a probe tip, a voltage and control connector, a chip carrier, and a programmable termination chip. The probe tip is configured to contact the device-under-test. The voltage and control connector is in electrical communication with the probe tip. The programmable termination chip has a plurality of terminations interconnected with the voltage and control connector and the chip carrier through controlled collapsed chip connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Edward R. Pillai, Erik J. Breiland, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7956628
    Abstract: A chip-based prober for measuring a device-under-test is provided. The prober includes a probe tip, a voltage and control connector, a chip carrier, and a programmable termination chip. The probe tip is configured to contact the device-under-test. The voltage and control connector is in electrical communication with the probe tip. The programmable termination chip has a plurality of terminations interconnected with the voltage and control connector and the chip carrier through controlled collapsed chip connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward R. Pillai, Erik J. Breiland, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7808798
    Abstract: An apparatus is described incorporating an interposer having a cavity for a portion of an antenna structure, having conductor through vias, a top Si part having interconnection wiring and having pads for electrically mounting an integrated circuit chip thereon, wherein the top Si part mates with the interposer electrically and mechanically. The interposer and top Si part may be scaled to provide an array of functional units. The invention overcomes the problem of combining a high efficient antenna with integrated circuit chips in a Si package with signal frequencies from 1 to 100 GHz and the problem of shielding components proximate to the antenna and reduces strain arising from mismatching of TCEs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Michael Cotte, Brian Paul Gaucher, Janusz Grzyb, Nils Deneke Hoivik, Christopher Vincent Jahnes, John Ulrich Knickerbocker, Duixian Liu, John Harold Magerlein, Chirag Suryakant Patel, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Cornelia Kang-I Tsang
  • Patent number: 7676200
    Abstract: Power detector integrally formed within a printed transmission line to capacitively couple a portion of signal power propagating on the printed transmission line and a power detector circuit that receives coupled power output from the power detector to detect a power level of the signal power. The power detector is designed such that capacitance of the coupling capacitor is absorbed into a distributed capacitance of the transmission line to maintain continuity of a characteristic impedance of the transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roi Carmon, David Goren, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer
  • Publication number: 20100013459
    Abstract: Power detector integrally formed within a printed transmission line to capacitively couple a portion of signal power propagating on the printed transmission line and a power detector circuit that receives coupled power output from the power detector to detect a power level of the signal power. The power detector is designed such that capacitance of the coupling capacitor is absorbed into a distributed capacitance of the transmission line to maintain continuity of a characteristic impedance of the transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Roi Carmon, David Goren, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7629852
    Abstract: Circuits and methods are provided for building integrated transformer-coupled amplifiers with on-chip transformers that are designed to resonate or otherwise tune parasitic capacitances to achieve frequency tuning of amplifiers at millimeter wave operating frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian A. Floyd, David Goren, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Scott Kevin Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20090195464
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips with antennas having one or more radiating elements and tuning elements that are formed from package lead wires that are appropriated shaped and arranged to form antenna structures for millimeter wave applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Brian P Gaucher, Duixian Liu, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Thomas M. Zwick
  • Patent number: 7566952
    Abstract: Shielded circuit pad is provided where the parasitic capacitance is tuned out by the inclusion of a shunt transmission line stub which reduces the substrate induced loss in millimeter-wave applications. The circuit pad is located on the substrate, with a shield located beneath the circuit pad, and the shunt transmission line stub attached to the circuit pad. Accordingly, controlled impedance is obtained for millimeter-wave applications. The spacing between the circuit pad and the shield may then be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian A. Floyd, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Scott K. Reynods
  • Patent number: 7518229
    Abstract: An apparatus is described incorporating an interposer having a cavity for a portion of an antenna structure, having conductor through vias, a top Si part having interconnection wiring and having pads for electrically mounting an integrated circuit chip thereon, wherein the top Si part mates with the interposer electrically and mechanically. The interposer and top Si part may be scaled to provide an array of functional units. The invention overcomes the problem of combining a high efficient antenna with integrated circuit chips in a Si package with signal frequencies from 1 to 100 GHz and the problem of shielding components proximate to the antenna and reduces strain arising from mismatching of TCEs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Michael Cotte, Brian Paul Gaucher, Janusz Grzyb, Nils Deneke Hoivik, Christopher Vincent Jahnes, John Ulrich Knickerbocker, Duixian Liu, John Harold Magerlein, Chirag Suryakant Patel, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Cornelia Kang-I Tsang
  • Patent number: 7518221
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips with antennas having one or more radiating elements and tuning elements that are formed from package lead wires that are appropriated shaped and arranged to form antenna structures for millimeter wave applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Gaucher, Duixian Liu, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Thomas M. Zwick
  • Patent number: 7504721
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrally packaging antenna devices with semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips, wherein IC chips are packaged with dielectric resonators antennas that are integrally constructed as part of a package molding (encapsulation) process, for example, to form compact integrated radio/wireless communications systems for millimeter wave applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zhi Ning Chen, Brian P. Gaucher, Duixian Liu, Ullrich R. Pfeiffer, Thomas M. Zwick