IP Library Granted Patent US 10,860,408
Granted Patent B2
US 10,860,408 · App. 15/970,159 · Granted Dec 8, 2020

Integrity monitor peripheral for microcontroller and processor input/output pins

Inventors: Stephen Bowling (Chandler, AZ); Igor Wojewoda (Tempe, AZ); Manivannan Balu (Bangalore, IN)
Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
G06F11/079G06F11/0745G06F13/409
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,860,408
App. No.
15/970,159
Granted
Dec 8, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor die includes a feedback path coupled to the output pin, and an integrity monitor circuit (IMC). The output pin is communicatively coupled to the logic. The IMC is configured to receive a data value. The IMC is further configured to receive measured data value from the output pin routed through the feedback path, compare the data value and the measured data value, and, based on the comparison, determine whether an error has occurred.

Claims (117)

1. A semiconductor die, comprising:

an output pin;

a first feedback path communicatively coupled to the output pin;

an integrity monitor circuit (IMC) configured to:

receive a data value;

receive a first measured data value through the first feedback path;

compare the data value and the first measured data value; and

based on the comparison of the data value and the first measured data value, determine whether an error has occurred;

a second feedback path communicatively coupled to the output pin through a semiconductor package pin and to the IMC;

wherein the IMC is further configured to:

receive a second measured data value from the output pin routed through the second feedback path;

compare the data value and the second measured data value; and

based on the comparison of the data value and the second measured data value, determine that an error has occurred between the semiconductor die and a semiconductor package including the semiconductor die.

2. The semiconductor die of claim 1 , further comprising a logic to generate the data value, wherein:

the output pin is configured to output values from the semiconductor die, the output pin communicatively coupled to the logic; and

the data value is received from the logic.

3. The semiconductor die of claim 1 , wherein:

the comparison yields an indication that an error has occurred; and

the IMC is further configured to ignore the indication that the error has occurred based upon timing of an expected response.

4. The semiconductor die of claim 1 , wherein the IMC is further configured determine, based on the comparison of the data value and the first measured data value, that the error has occurred within the semiconductor die between logic that generated the data value and the output pin.

5. The semiconductor die of claim 1 , wherein the IMC is further configured to determine that a bond wire failure has occurred between the semiconductor die and the semiconductor package based on the comparison of the data value and the second measured data value.

6. The semiconductor die of claim 1 , wherein the IMC is further configured to determine that an error has occurred outside the semiconductor die based on the comparison of the data value and the first measured data value.

7. A semiconductor die, comprising:

an output pin;

a first feedback path communicatively coupled to the output pin;

an integrity monitor circuit (IMC) configured to:

receive a data value;

receive a first measured data value through the first feedback path;

compare the data value and the first measured data value; and

based on the comparison of the data value and the first measured data value,

determine whether an error has occurred;

a second feedback path communicatively coupled to the output pin through a semiconductor package pin and to the IMC; and

a third feedback path communicatively coupled to the output pin through an external integrated circuit pin and to the IMC;

wherein the IMC is further configured to:

receive a second measured data value from the output pin routed through the second feedback path;

compare the data value and the second measured data value;

based on the comparison of the data value and the second measured data value, determine that an error has occurred between the semiconductor die and the semiconductor package;

receive a third measured data value from the output pin routed through the third feedback path;

compare the data value and the third measured data value; and

based on the comparison of the data value and the third measured data value, determine that an error has occurred between the semiconductor package and the external integrated circuit pin.

8. An integrated circuit device, comprising:

a semiconductor die;

a semiconductor output pin;

a first feedback path communicatively coupled to the semiconductor output pin;

an integrity monitor circuit (IMC) configured to:

receive a data value;

receive a first measured data value from the semiconductor output pin routed through the first feedback path;

compare the data value and the first measured data value; and

based on the comparison of the data value and the first measured data value, determine whether an error has occurred;

a semiconductor package including a semiconductor package pin and the semiconductor die;

a second feedback path communicatively coupled to the semiconductor output pin through a semiconductor package pin and to the IMC;

wherein the IMC is further configured to:

receive a second measured data value routed through the second feedback path;

compare the data value and the second measured data value; and

based on the comparison of the data value and the second measured data value, determine that an error has occurred between the semiconductor die and the semiconductor package.

9. The integrated circuit device of claim 8 , further comprising:

a logic configured to generate the data value; and

a semiconductor output pin configured to output values from the semiconductor die, the semiconductor output pin communicatively coupled to the logic.

10. The integrated circuit device of claim 8 , wherein:

the comparison yields an indication that an error has occurred; and

the IMC is further configured to ignore the indication that the error has occurred based upon timing of an expected response.

11. The integrated circuit device of claim 8 , wherein the IMC is further configured determine, based on the comparison of the data value and the first measured data value, that the error has occurred within the semiconductor die between logic that generated the data value and the semiconductor output pin.

12. The integrated circuit device of claim 8 , wherein the IMC is further configured to determine that a bond wire failure has occurred between the semiconductor die and the semiconductor package based on the comparison of the data value and the second measured data value.

13. The integrated circuit device of claim 8 , wherein the IMC is further configured to determine that an error has occurred outside the semiconductor die based on the comparison of the data value and the first measured data value.

14. An integrated circuit device, comprising:

a semiconductor die;

a first feedback path communicatively coupled to a semiconductor output pin;

an integrity monitor circuit (IMC) configured to:

receive a data value;

receive a first measured data value from the semiconductor output pin routed through the first feedback path;

compare the data value and the first measured data value; and

based on the comparison of the data value and the first measured data value, determine whether an error has occurred;

a semiconductor package including a semiconductor package pin and the semiconductor die;

a second feedback path communicatively coupled to the semiconductor output pin through a semiconductor package pin and to the IMC; and

a third feedback path communicatively coupled to the semiconductor output pin through an external integrated circuit pin and to the IMC;

wherein the IMC is further configured to:

receive a second measured data value routed through the second feedback path;

compare the data value and the second measured data value;

based on the comparison of the second data value and the second measured data value, determine that an error has occurred between the semiconductor die and the semiconductor package;

receive a third measured data value routed through the third feedback path;

compare the data value and the third measured data value; and

based on the comparison of the data value and the third measured data value, determine that an error has occurred between the semiconductor package and the external integrated circuit pin.

15. A method of testing, by an integrity monitor circuit within a semiconductor die, pathways in a system, comprising:

including a first feedback path communicatively coupled to a semiconductor output pin;

including a second feedback path communicatively coupled to the semiconductor output pin through a semiconductor package output pin;

receiving a data value;

monitoring the first feedback path;

receiving the data value and a first measured data value routed through the first feedback path;

comparing the data value and the first measured data value;

based on the comparison of the data value and the first measured data value; determining whether an error has occurred;

monitoring the second feedback path;

receiving a second measured data value routed through the second feedback path;

comparing the data value and the second measured data value; and

based on the comparison of the data value and the second measured data value, determining that an error has occurred between the semiconductor die and the semiconductor package including the semiconductor die.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

determining, from the comparison, an indication that an error has occurred; and

ignoring the indication that the error has occurred based upon timing of an expected response.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

monitoring a third feedback path communicatively coupled to the semiconductor output pin through an external integrated circuit pin;

receiving a third measured data value routed through the third feedback path;

comparing the data value and the third measured data value; and

based on the comparison of the data value and the third measured data value, determining that an error has occurred between the semiconductor package and the external integrated circuit pin.

18. A method of testing, by an integrity monitor circuit within a semiconductor die pathways in a system, comprising:

including, in a semiconductor package, a semiconductor package pin and the semiconductor die;

receiving a data value;

monitoring a first feedback path communicatively coupled to a semiconductor output pin;

receiving the data value and a first measured data value routed through the first feedback path;

comparing the data value and the first measured data value;

based on the comparison of the data value and the first measured data value, determining whether an error has occurred;

monitoring a second feedback path communicatively coupled to the semiconductor output pin through a semiconductor package pin;

monitoring a third feedback path communicatively coupled to the semiconductor output pin through an external integrated circuit pin;

receiving a second measured data value routed through the second feedback path;

comparing the data value and the second measured data value;

based on the comparison of a second data value and the second measured data value, determining that an error has occurred between the semiconductor die and the semiconductor package;

receiving a third measured data value routed through the third feedback path;

comparing the data value and the third measured data value; and

based on the comparison of the data value and the third measured data value, determine that an error has occurred between the semiconductor package and the external integrated circuit pin.

Assignments (16)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 060894/0437 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059863/0400 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059358/0335 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059357/0823 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059264/0384 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059263/0001 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Nov 19, 2021
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 058214/0380 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Nov 19, 2021
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058214/0625 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Nov 19, 2021
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058214/0238 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2021
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 057935/0474 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055671/0612 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 052856/0909 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 053468/0705 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 053466/0011 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 053311/0305 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2018
From: BOWLING, STEPHEN; WOJEWODA, IGOR; BALU, MANIVANNAN
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 045708/0029 →