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US5045913A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

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
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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 18:38
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.

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

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