The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 30, 2008
Filed:
Nov. 19, 2007
Hayden Clavie Cranford, Jr., Cary, NC (US);
Louis Lu-chen Hsu, Fishkill, NY (US);
James Stephen Mason, Eastleigh, GB;
Chih-chao Yang, Poughkeepsie, NY (US);
Hayden Clavie Cranford, Jr., Cary, NC (US);
Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Fishkill, NY (US);
James Stephen Mason, Eastleigh, GB;
Chih-Chao Yang, Poughkeepsie, NY (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods for controlling electro-migration, and reducing the deleterious effects thereof, are disclosed. Embodiments provide for reversal of an applied voltage to an integrated circuit when a measurement indicative of an extent of electro-migration indicates that a healing cycle of operation is warranted. During the healing cycle, circuits of the integrated circuit function normally, but electro-migration effects are reversed. In one embodiment, micro-electro-mechanical switches are provided at a lowest level of metallization to switch the direction of current through the levels of metallization of the integrated circuit. In another embodiment, if the measurement indicative of the extent of electro-migration exceeds a reference level by a specifiable amount, then the voltage applied to the integrated circuit is reversed in polarity to cause current to switch directions to counter electro-migration. A plurality of switches are provided to switch current directions through a lowest level of metallization so that the circuits function normally even though the polarity of the applied voltage has been reversed.