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. 27, 2016
Filed:
Jul. 28, 2015
Techinsights Inc., Ottawa, CA;
TECHINSIGHTS INC., Ottawa, Ontario, CA;
Abstract
Described are various embodiments of methods and systems for tracing circuitry on integrated circuits using focused ion beam based imaging techniques. In one such embodiment, a method is provide for identifying functional componentry associated with a switchable power interface on an integrated circuit, wherein the switchable power interface comprises a source and a drain with a control switch therebetween, said control switch being controllable by a control signal during operation of the integrated circuit. The method comprises connecting, with deposited conductive material, the source and the drain; applying an external voltage bias to a power input of the switchable power interface via one of the source and the drain; exposing the integrated circuit to a focused ion beam; and gathering an image of the integrated circuit during exposure to determine areas of high contrast indicating functional componentry in operative connection with the switchable power interface.