US5045913A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Bit stack compatible input/output circuits
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1990-10-04
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Granted: 1991-09-03
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Expires: 2010-10-04
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with the teachings of this invention a method for positioning components of input/output circuits is provided. These components are positioned on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes other than input/output circuits. Each input/output circuit is provided for processing a single bit of information within a data word containing multiple bits. The method includes the step of (1) dividing each input/output circuit into groups containing similar functional subcomponents; (2) forming a vertical column of subcomponents for each input/output circuit and connecting these subcomponents to perform the function; (3) placing said columns in adjacency to form a plurality of columns with like subcomponents immediately adjacent to each other forming row groups of said like subcomponents; and (4) forming guard rings around the subcomponent row groups if required. Also in accordance with this invention, a group of input/output circuits is provided. The group is positioned on an integrated circuit substrate that contains other than input/output circuits. The input/output circuits group includes a plurality of columns of circuitry component where each column represents all of the input/output circuit components for processing a single bit of information in a group of bits, a plurality of rows positioned across the columns containing like devices among said input/output circuits, and at least one guard ring containing at least one of the plurality of rows.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert P. Masleid
- 👤 Parsotam T. Patel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:02
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D84/00; H10D84/90; H10D84/998; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/40; H10W20/41; H10W20/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A group of input/output circuits on an integrated circuit semiconductor substrate containing other circuits, said input/output circuits comprising: a plurality of columns of circuit components, each column representing all input/output circuit components for processing a single data bit in a group of bits; a plurality of rows positioned across said columns, each row containing like devices among said input/output circuits; and at least one guard ring containing at least one of said plurality of rows.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A group of input/output circuits on an integrated circuit semiconductor substrate containing other circuits, said input/output circuits comprising: a plurality of columns of circuit components, each column representing all input/output circuit components for processing a single data bit in a group of bits; a plurality of rows positioned across said columns, each row containing like devices among said input/output circuits; and at least one guard ring containing at least one of said plurality of rows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The group of input/output circuits according to claim 1 further including an electrostatic discharge protection circuit device positioned to provide protection for a complete row of devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The group of input/output circuits according to claim 1 wherein at least two adjacent rows include guard rings containing their respective rows therein and the at least two guard rings share a common guard ring area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
A group of input/output circuits on an integrated circuit semiconductor substrate containing other circuits, said input/output circuits comprising; a plurality of columns of circuit components, each column representing only input/output circuit components for processing a single data bit in a group of bits; a plurality of rows positioned across said columns, each row containing like devices among said input/output circuits; and at least one guard ring containing at least one of said plurality of rows.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A group of input/output circuits on an integrated circuit semiconductor substrate containing other circuits, said input/output circuits comprising; a plurality of columns of circuit components, each column representing only input/output circuit components for processing a single data bit in a group of bits; a plurality of rows positioned across said columns, each row containing like devices among said input/output circuits; and at least one guard ring containing at least one of said plurality of rows.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The group of input/output circuits according to claim 4 further including an electrostatic discharge protection circuit device positioned to provide protection for a complete row of devices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The group of input/output circuits according to claim 4 wherein at least two adjacent rows include guard rings containing their respective rows therein and the at least two guard rings share a common guard ring area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A group of input/output circuits on an integrated circuit semiconductor substrate containing other circuits, said input/output circuits comprising; a plurality of columns of circuit components, each column representing input/output circuit components for processing a single data bit in a group of bits; a plurality of rows positioned across said columns, each row containing like devices among said input/output circuits; and at least one guard ring containing at least one of said plurality of rows.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
A group of input/output circuits on an integrated circuit semiconductor substrate containing other circuits, said input/output circuits comprising; a plurality of columns of circuit components, each column representing input/output circuit components for processing a single data bit in a group of bits; a plurality of rows positioned across said columns, each row containing like devices among said input/output circuits; and at least one guard ring containing at least one of said plurality of rows.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The group of input/output circuits according to claim 7 further including an electrostatic discharge protection circuit device positioned to provide protection for a complete row of devices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The group of input/output circuits according to claim 7 wherein at least two adjacent rows include guard rings containing their respective rows therein and the at least two guard rings share a common guard ring area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
A group of input/output circuits on an integrated circuit semiconductor substrate containing other circuits, said input/output circuits comprising; a plurality of columns of circuit components, each column representing input/output circuit components for processing a single data bit in a group of bits; a plurality of rows positioned across said columns, each row containing devices of like function among said input/output circuits; and at least one guard ring containing at least one of said plurality of rows.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
A group of input/output circuits on an integrated circuit semiconductor substrate containing other circuits, said input/output circuits comprising; a plurality of columns of circuit components, each column representing input/output circuit components for processing a single data bit in a group of bits; a plurality of rows positioned across said columns, each row containing devices of like function among said input/output circuits; and at least one guard ring containing at least one of said plurality of rows.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The group of input/output circuits according to claim 10 further including an electrostatic discharge protection circuit device positioned to provide protection for a complete row of devices.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The group of input/output circuits according to claim 10 wherein at least two adjacent rows include guard rings containing their respective rows therein and the at least two guard rings share a common guard ring area.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-02 | 1995-03-04 | 1995-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-02 | 1999-03-04 | 1999-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-02 | 2003-03-04 | 2003-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |