International Business Machines Corporation

Theodore William Kwap

Walter S Klara

Yuen H Chan

Ingrid E Magdo

Joseph M Mosley

Michael R Poponiak

Robert A Rasmussen

Daniel Francis O'Kane

Louis Gulitz

James E Dickerson

Victor Marcello

Walter Irving Lisle

An on-chip apparatus for generation of timing signals for a large scale integrated (LSI) chip or semiconductor memory array is disclosed. This apparatus may be used both during the production testing of the memory and during normal functional operation. In the testing environment it allows use of much less expensive peripheral test equipment, while also providing for much greater accuracy in determination of whether or not the memory array meets its timing specification. Use during normal functional operation (subsequent to use in the test environment) provides for a guarantee of defect free operation.

Self contained array timing

Disclosed is a means for enhancing logic circuit performance and more particularly, for enhancing the switching speeds of a variety of logic circuits. What is involved is the insertion of a so called 'snap' or enhancement transistor connected to a common node defining an output of a basic logic circuit. In one example, the emitter of this 'snap' transistor is connected to an output node in the circuit, which in conventional practice would be charged during an upgoing transition by a fixed RC time constant. In accordance with the present improvement, however, the 'snap' transistor, due to charge stored therein, remains conducting--although the associated logic device is turned off. This current discharges as reverse base current and the output provides what appears to be an inductive voltage spike. The effect is that a temporary source of current is available to charge the common node. As a result, the transition time involved in going from one voltage level to another at the output node is substantially reduced.

Means for enhancing logic circuit performance

Disclosed is a semiconductor structure with an annular collector/subcollector region. The base area with the emitter, is positioned over the collector/subcollector region only, resulting in a smaller base to collector capacitance. Packing density is improved and circuit design flexibility is provided by the ability to change the emitter size without changing the size of the overall structure.

Semiconductor structure with annular collector/subcollector region

A real time monitoring and control system for single or multi-fired combustion systems which permits adjustment of the air fuel ratio in the system for optimized efficiency and minimized pollution content in the exhaust gas, while providing safety control of the combustion process. The system includes a high sensitivity light sensor which is utilized to monitor the combustion flame and provide an electrical output proportional to flame temperature, that is utilized to control the air fuel ratio of the system. The wavelength sensitivity of the sensor is capable of selection, for example by selection of sensor type and/or use of appropriate filters, to monitor a predetermined range or region of the flame emission spectrum in order to enable correlation of the intensity of the emission spectrum of the type of fuel being utilized, i.e., oil or natural gas, with temperature and combustion efficiency. A sensor having a defined field of view is utilized and means are provided to sample signals from selected portions of the field of view of the sensor to enable temperature monitoring of a multi-flame system. The output of the sensor is provided to a computer which in turn is electrically connected to control a valve that individually adjusts the air fuel ratio of each flame of the system to permit real time adjustment of the combustion process. The system enables control of combustion at or near optimum burning efficiency, i.e., in the range of 1/2 to 1 percent excess oxygen.

Combustion monitoring and control system

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Brewster, NY, United States of America

Theodore William Kwap