Patents by Inventor Michael V. Ho

Michael V. Ho 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: 11217298
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory device interface comprising a first data output, a second data output, a third data output, and a fourth data output, as well as a first path corresponding to the first data output, a second path corresponding to the second data output, a third path corresponding to the third data output, and a fourth path corresponding to the fourth data output. The apparatus also includes a signal transmission circuit comprising a first output that when in operation transmits a first clock signal to the first path, the second path, the third path, and the fourth path and a second output that when in operation transmits a second clock signal to the first path, the second path, the third path, and the fourth path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Younghoon Oh, Michael V. Ho
  • Patent number: 11158570
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having busing layouts configured to reduce on-die capacitance are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an electrostatic discharge device electrically connected in parallel with an integrated circuit and configured to divert high voltages generated during an electrostatic discharge event away from the integrated circuit. The semiconductor device further includes a signal bus and a power bus electrically connected to the electrostatic discharge device. The signal bus includes a plurality of first fingers grouped into first groups and the power bus includes a plurality of second fingers grouped into second groups. The first groups are positioned generally parallel to and interleaved between the second groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Eric J. Smith
  • Patent number: 11145354
    Abstract: An exemplary semiconductor device includes a clock generator circuit configured to generate a clock signal, and a duty cycle adjustment circuit configured to receive the clock signal. The duty cycle adjustment circuit includes an adjuster circuit configured to receive a back-bias voltage and to adjust a duty cycle of the clock signal based on the back-bias voltage to provide an output dock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Myung Ho Bae
  • Publication number: 20210287731
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory device interface comprising a first data output, a second data output, a third data output, and a fourth data output, as well as a first path corresponding to the first data output, a second path corresponding to the second data output, a third path corresponding to the third data output, and a fourth path corresponding to the fourth data output. The apparatus also includes a signal transmission circuit comprising a first output that when in operation transmits a first clock signal to the first path, the second path, the third path, and the fourth path and a second output that when in operation transmits a second clock signal to the first path, the second path, the third path, and the fourth path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Younghoon Oh, Michael V. Ho
  • Publication number: 20210201979
    Abstract: An exemplary semiconductor device includes a clock generator circuit configured to generate a clock signal, and a duty cycle adjustment circuit configured to receive the clock signal. The duty cycle adjustment circuit includes an adjuster circuit configured to receive a back-bias voltage and to adjust a duty cycle of the clock signal based on the back-bias voltage to provide an output dock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Myung Ho Bae
  • Patent number: 10950291
    Abstract: An exemplary semiconductor device includes a clock generator circuit configured to generate a clock signal, and a duty cycle adjustment circuit configured to receive the clock signal. The duty cycle adjustment circuit includes an adjuster circuit configured to receive a back-bias voltage and to adjust a duty cycle of the clock signal based on the back-bias voltage to provide an output clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Myung Ho Bae
  • Patent number: 10825506
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a plurality of memory banks and an output buffer that may couple to the plurality of memory banks. The output buffer may produce a data voltage signal representative of data to be read from at least one of the plurality of memory banks to a controller. The semiconductor device may also include a plurality of switches that may couple a voltage source to the output buffer, a first pull-down switch that may drive the output buffer to a low voltage reference level to correct its drive strength. The device also includes a second pull-down switch that may couple the output buffer to the low voltage reference level. The plurality of switches, the first pull-down switch, and the second pull-down switch may each provide the data voltage signal to the output buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael V. Ho
  • Patent number: 10790012
    Abstract: Memory devices and systems in which array data lines of a local data bus are shared between two or more memory bank groups in a memory array. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided, comprising a memory array, I/O gating circuitry, and a local data bus. The local data bus can include a plurality of array data lines shared between two or more memory bank groups of the memory array. The local data bus can electrically couple and transfer data between the two or more memory bank groups and the I/O gating circuitry. In some embodiments, one or more data latches can be electrically coupled to the local data bus to (i) transfer data off the local data bus to free the plurality of data lines for subsequent data transfers and/or (ii) match varying data propagation timings on the local data with column generations of the memory bank groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Byung S. Moon
  • Patent number: 10747693
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first set of data input/output (I/O) devices configured to communicate a first portion of a data unit to or from an external controller; a second set of data I/O devices configured to communicate a second portion of the data unit to or from the external controller; a data control circuit can share the internal global data lines by multiplexing the timings of the first and second sets of data I/O devices, the data control circuit configured to route the data unit according to a data operation corresponding to the data unit; and a shared data bus coupling both the first set of data I/O devices and the second set of data I/O devices to the data control circuit, the shared data bus configured to relay both the first portion and the second portion of the data unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Ravi Kiran Kandikonda
  • Patent number: 10747470
    Abstract: A dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) device includes memory banks configured to store data and provide access to the stored data; and a data control circuit coupled to the memory banks, the data control circuit configured to: determine a pointer based on a received command, wherein the pointer corresponds to a target memory bank associated with the received command, and route a set of bits to or from the target memory bank using the pointer. In the long burst length and page mode operations where the array access is targeted in certain Bank Group, the pointer is generated and then allow the groups of data bits flowing through the center freely. This pseudo flow through scheme is low power and fast speed by removing the control of gating commands at each stage of the data path during Read and Write operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Ravi Kiran Kandikonda
  • Patent number: 10699774
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for mitigating line-to-line capacitive coupling in a memory die are described. A device may include multiple drivers configured to both drive latched data and conduct read and write operations. For example, a memory device may contain two or more memory arrays independently coupled to two drivers via two data lines. One data line may be driven strongly to shield a corresponding memory array from effects associated with data line capacitive coupling. An opposing data line may be driven with data pertaining to an access operation of the memory array to which it is coupled. The opposing data line may be driven concurrently or within a small time difference of the other data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 10614870
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first circuit grouping including a first set of drivers, the first circuit grouping configured to generate a first set of output signals corresponding to a first slew rate; and s second circuit grouping including a second set of drivers, the second circuit grouping configured to generate a second set of output signals corresponding to a second slew rate, wherein the first set of drivers correspond to one or more physical characteristics different than the second set of drivers for introducing different slew rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 10580478
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a number of memory banks, an output buffer that couples to the memory banks, a number of switches that couple a voltage source to the output buffer, and a stagger delay circuit. The stagger delay circuit may include a resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit that outputs a current signal that corresponds to a data voltage signal received by the RC circuit. The stagger delay circuit may also include a logic circuit that determines a strength of the current signal and sends a first gate signal to a first portion of the switches based on the strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael V. Ho
  • Publication number: 20200035290
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a number of memory banks, an output buffer that couples to the memory banks, a number of switches that couple a voltage source to the output buffer, and a stagger delay circuit. The stagger delay circuit may include a resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit that outputs a current signal that corresponds to a data voltage signal received by the RC circuit. The stagger delay circuit may also include a logic circuit that determines a strength of the current signal and sends a first gate signal to a first portion of the switches based on the strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventor: Michael V. Ho
  • Publication number: 20190363060
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for including bond pads and circuits in a semiconductor device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a bond pad including one or more metal layers and one or more circuits. The circuits include one or more layers overlapped with the bond pad and coupled to metal layers of the bond pad. The pin capacitance can be reduced by overlapping of related layers and minimizing the areas of the unrelated layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Guy S. Perry
  • Publication number: 20190348363
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having busing layouts configured to reduce on-die capacitance are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an electrostatic discharge device electrically connected in parallel with an integrated circuit and configured to divert high voltages generated during an electrostatic discharge event away from the integrated circuit. The semiconductor device further includes a signal bus and a power bus electrically connected to the electrostatic discharge device. The signal bus includes a plurality of first fingers grouped into first groups and the power bus includes a plurality of second fingers grouped into second groups. The first groups are positioned generally parallel to and interleaved between the second groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Eric J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190348104
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first circuit grouping including a first set of drivers, the first circuit grouping configured to generate a first set of output signals corresponding to a first slew rate; and s second circuit grouping including a second set of drivers, the second circuit grouping configured to generate a second set of output signals corresponding to a second slew rate, wherein the first set of drivers correspond to one or more physical characteristics different than the second set of drivers for introducing different slew rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Scott E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190347223
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first set of data input/output (I/O) devices configured to communicate a first portion of a data unit to or from an external controller; a second set of data I/O devices configured to communicate a second portion of the data unit to or from the external controller; a data control circuit can share the internal global data lines by multiplexing the timings of the first and second sets of data I/O devices, the data control circuit configured to route the data unit according to a data operation corresponding to the data unit; and a shared data bus coupling both the first set of data I/O devices and the second set of data I/O devices to the data control circuit, the shared data bus configured to relay both the first portion and the second portion of the data unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Ravi Kiran Kandikonda
  • Publication number: 20190348106
    Abstract: Memory devices and systems in which array data lines of a local data bus are shared between two or more memory bank groups in a memory array. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided, comprising a memory array, I/O gating circuitry, and a local data bus. The local data bus can include a plurality of array data lines shared between two or more memory bank groups of the memory array. The local data bus can electrically couple and transfer data between the two or more memory bank groups and the I/O gating circuitry. In some embodiments, one or more data latches can be electrically coupled to the local data bus to (i) transfer data off the local data bus to free the plurality of data lines for subsequent data transfers and/or (ii) match varying data propagation timings on the local data with column generations of the memory bank groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Byung S. Moon
  • Publication number: 20190347042
    Abstract: A dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) device includes memory banks configured to store data and provide access to the stored data; and a data control circuit coupled to the memory banks, the data control circuit configured to: determine a pointer based on a received command, wherein the pointer corresponds to a target memory bank associated with the received command, and route a set of bits to or from the target memory bank using the pointer. In the long burst length and page mode operations where the array access is targeted in certain Bank Group, the pointer is generated and then allow the groups of data bits flowing through the center freely. This pseudo flow through scheme is low power and fast speed by removing the control of gating commands at each stage of the data path during Read and Write operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael V. Ho, Ravi Kiran Kandikonda