IP Library Granted Patent US 12,072,376
Granted Patent B2
US 12,072,376 · App. 17/712,698 · Granted Aug 27, 2024

Die-to-die connectivity monitoring

Inventors: Eyal Fayneh (Givatayim, IL); Guy Redler (Haifa, IL); Evelyn Landman (Haifa, IL); Ishai Zeev Cohen (Haifa, IL); Shaked Rahamim (Geva Carmel, IL); Alex Khazin (Nesher, IL)
Assignee: PROTEANTECS LTD.
G01R31/3016G01R31/3173H01L23/5386H03K19/00323
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,072,376
App. No.
17/712,698
Granted
Aug 27, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An input/output (I/O) sensor for a multi-IC module. The I/O sensor includes: delay circuitry, configured to receive a data signal from an interconnected part of an IC of the multi-IC module and to generate a delayed data signal, the delay circuitry including an adjustable delay-line configured to delay an input signal by a set time duration; a comparison circuit, configured to generate a comparison signal by comparing the data signal with the delayed data signal; and processing logic, configured to set the time duration of the adjustable delay-line and, based on the comparison signal, identify a margin measurement of the data signal for determining an interconnect quality parameter.

Claims (42)

1. A multi-IC (Integrated Circuit) module comprising:

a first IC comprising a transmitter; and

a second IC interconnected to said first IC over an interconnect lane, wherein said second IC comprises:

a receiver,

an adjustable delay line configured to receive, from said receiver, a data signal that was transmitted by said transmitter of said first IC over the interconnect lane, and

processing logic configured to:

set said adjustable delay line to a plurality of time durations, to delay the data signal until a fail condition is detected, and

based on the detection of the fail condition, determine reliability of connectivity between the first and second ICs.

2. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein said processing logic is further configured, in response to the determined reliability of connectivity, to repair the interconnect lane.

3. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein said processing logic is further configured, in response to the determined reliability of connectivity, to adjust at least one of data throughput and clock rate of the multi-IC module.

4. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein said first and second ICs are interconnected at least using one or more of:

(a) bumps;

(b) micro-bumps;

(c) pins;

(d) a Re-Distribution Layer (RDL) and Through Integrated Fan-Out Vias (TIVs);

(e) Through-Silicon Vias (TSVs); or

(f) pads.

5. The multi-IC module of claim 4 , wherein the determination of the reliability of connectivity comprises determining a resistance parameter of at least one of (a) through (f).

6. The multi-IC module of claim 4 , wherein the reliability of connectivity is affected by degradation of at least one of (a) through (f).

7. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein the determination of the reliability of connectivity comprises determining a systematic effect parameter.

8. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein the determination of the reliability of connectivity comprises determining a parameter indicating a symmetry of differential signals.

9. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein the determination of the reliability of connectivity comprises determining clock duty cycle effects on eye width.

10. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein the reliability of connectivity is affected by an open circuit.

11. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein the reliability of connectivity is affected by a short circuit.

12. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein the reliability of connectivity is affected by a bridge short.

13. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein said processing logic is further configured to measure a margin, based on a minimum delay that caused the fail condition.

14. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein said processing logic is further configured to determine a sum of minimum time durations which caused the fail condition.

15. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein said processing logic is further configured, based on the detection of the fail condition, to measure a margin of the data signal.

16. The multi-IC module of claim 15 , wherein the margin measurement comprises at least one of:

a data signal setup time to clock rising edge;

a data signal setup time to clock falling edge;

a data signal hold time to clock rising edge; and

a data signal hold time to clock falling edge.

17. The multi-IC module of claim 1 , wherein said delay circuitry comprises:

a first state-element, configured to receive a first state-element input signal and to provide a first state-element output based on the first state-element input signal and a first clock input;

a second state-element, configured to receive a second state-element input signal and to provide a second state-element output based on the second state-element input signal and a second clock input; and

a multiplexing arrangement, configured selectively to apply one of:

the data signal as the input signal to the adjustable delay line, an output of the adjustable delay-line being provided as the first state-element input signal, the data signal being provided as the second state-element input signal, and a clock signal being provided as the first and second clock inputs; and

the clock signal as the input signal to the adjustable delay line, an output of the adjustable delay-line being provided as the first clock input, the data signal being provided as the first and second state-element input signals, and the clock signal being provided as the second clock input.

18. The multi-IC module of claim 17 , wherein said multiplexing arrangement is further configured to selectively apply, as the clock signal:

a positive clock signal; or

a negative clock signal that is the positive clock signal inverted.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2022
From: FAYNEH, EYAL; REDLER, GUY; LANDMAN, EVELYN; COHEN, ISHAI ZEEV; RAHAMIM, SHAKED; KHAZIN, ALEX
To: PROTEANTECS LTD.
Reel/Frame 059492/0184 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17205780 · Mar 18, 2021
Continuation PCTIB2021051725 · Mar 2, 2021
Provisional Application 63012457 · Apr 20, 2020
Related Publication 20220229107A1 · Jul 21, 2022
Cited By (1)
US 12,644,924