Patents by Inventor Westerfield J. Ficken

Westerfield J. Ficken 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: 8363736
    Abstract: A test circuit for a serial link receiver includes a first current source coupled to a first input of the serial link receiver, and a second current source coupled to a second input of the serial link receiver. The first current source is symmetrically matched to the second current source. A first switch of the first current source is turned on to permit a charge-retaining mechanism thereof to be charged. A second switch of the first current source is turned on to permit the retained charge retained to be asserted on the first input. The charge turns on a control switch of the first current source, through which the charge is asserted on the first input. A charge-draining mechanism of the first current source is turned on to thereafter permit the charge to be drained in a controlled manner after the charge has been asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hayden C. Cranford, Daniel P. Greenberg, Joseph M. Stevens, Westerfield J. Ficken
  • Publication number: 20110156663
    Abstract: A test circuit for a serial link receiver includes a first current source coupled to a first input of the serial link receiver, and a second current source coupled to a second input of the serial link receiver. The first current source is symmetrically matched to the second current source. A first switch of the first current source is turned on to permit a charge-retaining mechanism thereof to be charged. A second switch of the first current source is turned on to permit the retained charge retained to be asserted on the first input. The charge turns on a control switch of the first current source, through which the charge is asserted on the first input. A charge-draining mechanism of the first current source is turned on to thereafter permit the charge to be drained in a controlled manner after the charge has been asserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hayden C. Cranford, Daniel P. Greenberg, Joseph M. Stevens, Westerfield J. Ficken
  • Patent number: 7940846
    Abstract: A test circuit for a serial link receiver includes a first current source coupled to a first input of the serial link receiver, and a second current source coupled to a second input of the serial link receiver. The first current source is symmetrically matched to the second current source. A first switch of the first current source is turned on to permit a charge-retaining mechanism thereof to be charged. A second switch of the first current source is turned on to permit the retained charge retained to be asserted on the first input. The charge turns on a control switch of the first current source, through which the charge is asserted on the first input. A charge-draining mechanism of the first current source is turned on to thereafter permit the charge to be drained in a controlled manner after the charge has been asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hayden C. Cranford, Jr., Daniel P. Greenberg, Joseph M. Stevens, Westerfield J. Ficken
  • Publication number: 20080165837
    Abstract: A test circuit for a serial link receiver includes a first current source coupled to a first input of the serial link receiver, and a second current source coupled to a second input of the serial link receiver. The first current source is symmetrically matched to the second current source. A first switch of the first current source is turned on to permit a charge-retaining mechanism thereof to be charged. A second switch of the first current source is turned on to permit the retained charge retained to be asserted on the first input. The charge turns on a control switch of the first current source, through which the charge is asserted on the first input. A charge-draining mechanism of the first current source is turned on to thereafter permit the charge to be drained in a controlled manner after the charge has been asserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hayden C. Cranford, Daniel P. Greenberg, Joseph M. Stevens, Westerfield J. Ficken
  • Patent number: 7332932
    Abstract: A circuit device and method for designing a serial link receiver, which accommodates a wide input voltage range and provides tolerance to high termination voltages. The receiver is designed with a pair of RC networks connected inline between the input and the preamplifier and a common mode feedback loop, which monitors shifts in the common mode voltage and adjusts the inputs provided to the preamplifier. The circuit device maintains a flat bandwidth to accommodate all signaling rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hayden C. Cranford, Westerfield J. Ficken, David A. Freitas, Joseph M. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7289572
    Abstract: A system and method for a predriver and driver interface having scalable output drive capability with corresponding scalable power is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hayden C. Cranford, Jr., Westerfield J. Ficken
  • Patent number: 7286620
    Abstract: A method and system for is disclosed for reducing intersymbol interference in a stream of data bits to be transmitted over a transmission medium. Aspects of the present invention include a phase delayed clock generated from a reference clock that produces an edge on sub-bit boundaries; and a digital filter coupled to the phase delayed clock for performing equalization on the data bits, wherein the phase delayed clock causes the digital filter to perform partial clock switching, such that equalization is performed on the data bits on-sub-bit boundaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hayden C. Cranford, Jr., Westerfield J. Ficken, Wentai Liu
  • Patent number: 6968413
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that efficiently provides standard termination blocks in an approved cell library that are flexible and customizable. A serial communications system includes a transmitter for sending a serial data signal at an output of the transmitter; a transmitter terminator, coupled to the output and responsive to a first configuration signal, to variably terminate a first selected property of the output; a receiver for processing the serial data signal at an input of the receiver, the input of the receiver coupled to the output of the transmitter; and a receiver terminator, coupled to the input of the receiver and responsive to a second configuration signal to variably terminate a second selected properly of the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hayden C. Cranford, Jr., Westerfield J. Ficken, Paul A. Owczarski
  • Patent number: 6897712
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for detecting loss of differential signal carried by a pair of differential signal lines. According to the method, a common mode level is detected from voltages on the pair of differential signal lines. A threshold level is generated, referenced to the detected common mode level. A signal level is generated from the voltages on the pair of differential signal lines, the signal level being averaged over a first period of time. From the threshold level and the detected common mode level a reference level is generated, the reference level being averaged over a second period of time longer than then the first period of time. The signal level is compared to the reference level to determine if a signal is present on the pair of differential signal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Westerfield J. Ficken, Louis L. Hsu, James S. Mason, Phil J. Murfet
  • Publication number: 20040068600
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that efficiently provides standard termination blocks in an approved cell library that are flexible and customizable. A serial communications system includes a transmitter for sending a serial data signal at an output of the transmitter; a transmitter terminator, coupled to the output and responsive to a first configuration signal, to variably terminate a first selected property of the output; a receiver for processing the serial data signal at an input of the receiver, the input of the receiver coupled to the output of the transmitter; and a receiver terminator, coupled to the input of the receiver and responsive to a second configuration signal to variably terminate a second selected properly of the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Hayden C. Cranford, Westerfield J. Ficken, Paul A. Owczarski
  • Publication number: 20040066855
    Abstract: A system and method for a predriver and driver interface having scalable output drive capability with corresponding scalable power is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Hayden C. Cranford, Westerfield J. Ficken