Patents by Inventor Michael Farmwald

Michael Farmwald has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6483736
    Abstract: A very high density field programmable memory is disclosed. An array is formed vertically above a substrate using several layers, each layer of which includes vertically fabricated memory cells. The cell in an N level array may be formed with N+1 masking steps plus masking steps needed for contacts. Maximum use of self alignment techniques minimizes photolithographic limitations. In one embodiment the peripheral circuits are formed in a silicon substrate and an N level array is fabricated above the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Matrix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Johnson, Thomas H. Lee, Vivek Subramanian, Paul Michael Farmwald, James M. Cleeves
  • Publication number: 20020147877
    Abstract: The present invention includes a memory subsystem comprising at least two semiconductor devices, including at least one memory device, connected to a bus, where the bus includes a plurality of bus lines for carrying substantially all address, data and control information needed by said memory devices, where the control information includes device-select information and the bus has substantially fewer bus lines than the number of bits in a single address, and the bus carries device-select information without the need for separate device-select lines connected directly to individual devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz
  • Publication number: 20020141281
    Abstract: The present invention includes a memory subsystem comprising at least two semiconductor devices, including at least one memory device, connected to a bus, where the bus includes a plurality of bus lines for carrying substantially all address, data and control information needed by said memory devices, where the control information includes device-select information and the bus has substantially fewer bus lines than the number of bits in a single address, and the bus carries device-select information without the need for separate device-select lines connected directly to individual devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz
  • Patent number: 6452863
    Abstract: A method of controlling a memory device, wherein the memory device includes a plurality of memory cells. The method includes providing first block size information to the memory device, wherein the first block size information defines a first amount of data to be input by the memory device in response to a write request. The method further includes issuing a write request to the memory device, wherein in response to the write request the memory device inputs the first amount of data corresponding to the first block size information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz
  • Patent number: 6426916
    Abstract: A synchronous memory device and methods of operation and controlling such a device. The method of controlling the memory device includes providing a value which is representative of a number of cycles of an external clock signal to transpire after which the memory device responds to a read request. The method further includes providing block size information to the memory device, wherein the block size information defines an amount of data to be output by the memory device in response to a read request. The method further includes receiving the amount of data, after the number of clock cycles of the external clock signal transpire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz
  • Publication number: 20020099896
    Abstract: The present invention includes a memory subsystem comprising at least two semiconductor devices, including at least one memory device, connected to a bus, where the bus includes a plurality of bus lines for carrying substantially all address, data and control information needed by said memory devices, where the control information includes device-select information and the bus has substantially fewer bus lines than the number of bits in a single address, and the bus carries device-select information without the need for separate device-select lines connected directly to individual devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz
  • Publication number: 20020091890
    Abstract: The present invention includes a memory subsystem comprising at least two semiconductor devices, including at least one memory device, connected to a bus, where the bus includes a plurality of bus lines for carrying substantially all address, data and control information needed by said memory devices, where the control information includes device-select information and the bus has substantially fewer bus lines than the number of bits in a single address, and the bus carries device-select information without the need for separate device-select lines connected directly to individual devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz
  • Publication number: 20020087777
    Abstract: The present invention includes a memory subsystem comprising at least two semiconductor devices, including at least one memory device, connected to a bus, where the bus includes a plurality of bus lines for carrying substantially all address, data and control information needed by said memory devices, where the control information includes device-select information and the bus has substantially fewer bus lines than the number of bits in a single address, and the bus carries device-select information without the need for separate device-select lines connected directly to individual devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz
  • Patent number: 6415339
    Abstract: A synchronous memory device and a method of controlling the memory device. The memory device including at least one memory section having a plurality of memory cells. The memory device includes a first internal register to store a value which is indicative of a number of clock cycles to transpire before the memory device responds to a read request. The memory device also includes a second internal register to store an identification value to identify the memory device on a bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz
  • Publication number: 20020075719
    Abstract: A low-cost memory cell array includes multiple, vertically-stacked layers of memory cells. In one form, each memory cell is characterized by a small cross-sectional area and a read current less than 6.3 microamperes. The resulting memory array has a slow access time and is well-suited for digital media storage, where access time requirements are low and the dramatic cost reductions associated with the disclosed memory arrays are particularly attractive. In another form, each memory cell includes an antifuse layer and diode components, wherein at least one diode component is heavily doped (to a dopant concentration greater than 1019/cm3), and wherein the read current is large (up to 500 mA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Mark G. Johnson, Thomas H. Lee, Vivek Subramanian, P. Michael Farmwald, N. Johan Knall
  • Patent number: 6385074
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a three-dimensional memory array and array terminal circuitry for providing to selected memory cells of the array a write voltage different from a read voltage. Neither voltage is necessarily equal to a VDD power supply voltage supplied to the integrated circuit. The write voltage, particularly if greater than VDD, may be generated by an on-chip voltage generator, such as a charge pump, which may require an undesirably large amount of die area, particularly relative to a higher bit density three-dimensional memory array formed entirely in layers above a semiconductor substrate. In several preferred embodiments, the area directly beneath a memory array is advantageously utilized to layout at least some of the write voltage generator, thus locating the generator near the selected memory cells during a write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Matrix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Johnson, Thomas H. Lee, Vivek Subramanian, Paul Michael Farmwald, James M. Cleeves
  • Patent number: 6378020
    Abstract: A system and an integrated circuit device therefor. The integrated circuit device comprises output driver circuitry to output data onto a first external signal line. The output driver circuitry outputs a first portion of data in response to a rising edge transition of a first external clock signal. The output driver circuitry outputs a second portion of data in response to a falling edge transition of the first external clock signal. The integrated circuit device may further include input receiver circuitry to sample data from a second external signal line. The input receiver circuitry samples a first portion of data in response to a rising edge transition of a second external clock signal. The input receiver circuitry samples a second portion of data in response to a falling edge transition of the second external clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz
  • Publication number: 20020046314
    Abstract: The present invention includes a memory subsystem comprising at least two semiconductor devices, including at least one memory device, connected to a bus, where the bus includes a plurality of bus lines for carrying substantially all address, data and control information needed by said memory devices, where the control information includes device-select information and the bus has substantially fewer bus lines than the number of bits in a single address, and the bus carries device-select information without the need for separate device-select lines connected directly to individual devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz
  • Publication number: 20020028541
    Abstract: There is provided a monolithic three dimensional array of charge storage devices which includes a plurality of device levels, wherein at least one surface between two successive device levels is planarized by chemical mechanical polishing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas H. Lee, Vivek Subramanian, James M. Cleeves, Andrew J. Walker, Christopher J. Petti, Igor G. Kouznetzov, Mark G. Johnson, Paul Michael Farmwald, Brad Herner
  • Publication number: 20020027793
    Abstract: A very high density field programmable memory is disclosed. An array is formed vertically above a substrate using several layers, each layer of which includes vertically fabricated memory cells. The cell in an N level array may be formed with N+1 masking steps plus masking steps needed for contacts. Maximum use of self alignment techniques minimizes photolithographic limitations. In one embodiment the peripheral circuits are formed in a silicon substrate and an N level array is fabricated above the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Mark G. Johnson, Thomas H. Lee, Vivek Subramanian, Paul Michael Farmwald, James M. Cleeves
  • Patent number: 6351406
    Abstract: A very high density field programmable memory is disclosed. An array is formed vertically above a substrate using several layers, each layer of which includes vertically fabricated memory cells. The cell in an N level array may be formed with N+1 masking steps plus masking steps needed for contacts. Maximum use of self alignment techniques minimizes photolithographic limitations. In one embodiment the peripheral circuits are formed in a silicon substrate and an N level array is fabricated above the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Matrix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Johnson, Thomas H. Lee, Vivek Subramanian, P. Michael Farmwald, James M. Cleeves
  • Publication number: 20020018355
    Abstract: A very high density field programmable memory is disclosed. An array is formed vertically above a substrate using several layers, each layer of which includes vertically fabricated memory cells. The cell in an N level array may be formed with N+1 masking steps plus masking steps needed for contacts. Maximum use of self alignment techniques minimizes photolithographic limitations. In one embodiment the peripheral circuits are formed in a silicon substrate and an N level array is fabricated above the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Mark G. Johnson, Thomas H. Lee, Vivek Subramanian, Paul Michael Farmwald, James M. Cleeves
  • Publication number: 20020015351
    Abstract: The present invention includes a memory subsystem comprising at least two semiconductor devices, including at least one memory device, connected to a bus, where the bus includes a plurality of bus lines for carrying substantially all address, data and control information needed by said memory devices, where the control information includes device-select information and the bus has substantially fewer bus lines than the number of bits in a single address, and the bus carries device-select information without the need for separate device-select lines connected directly to individual devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz
  • Publication number: 20020016876
    Abstract: The present invention includes a memory subsystem comprising at least two semiconductor devices, including at least one memory device, connected to a bus, where the bus includes a plurality of bus lines for carrying substantially all address, data and control information needed by said memory devices, where the control information includes device-select information and the bus has substantially fewer bus lines than the number of bits in a single address, and the bus carries device-select information without the need for separate device-select lines connected directly to individual devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz
  • Publication number: 20020004867
    Abstract: The present invention includes a memory subsystem comprising at least two semiconductor devices, including at least one memory device, connected to a bus, where the bus includes a plurality of bus lines for carrying substantially all address, data and control information needed by said memory devices, where the control information includes device-select information and the bus has substantially fewer bus lines than the number of bits in a single address, and the bus carries device-select information without the need for separate device-select lines connected directly to individual devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Farmwald, Mark Horowitz