Patents by Inventor Stefan Frederik Schippers

Stefan Frederik Schippers 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: 11900989
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a memory device with multiplexed digit lines are described. In some cases, a memory cell of the memory device may include a storage component and a selection component that includes two transistors. A first transistor may be coupled with a word line and a second transistor may be coupled with a select line to selectively couple the memory cell with a digit line. The selection component, in conjunction with a digit line multiplexing component, may support a sense component common to a set of digit lines. In some cases, the digit line of the set may be coupled with the sense component during a read operation, while the remaining digit lines of the set are isolated from the sense component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Stefan Frederik Schippers
  • Patent number: 11877457
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a memory device and accessing/de-selecting methods thereof. The memory device comprises a memory layer including a vertical three-dimensional (3D) memory array of memory cells formed therein, wherein a memory cell is accessed through a word line and a digit line orthogonal to each other, and the digit line is in a form of conductive pillar extending vertically; a pillar selection layer formed under the memory layer and having thin film transistors (TFTs) formed therein for accessing memory cells; and a peripheral circuit layer formed under the pillar selection layer and having a sense amplifier and a decoding circuitry for word lines and bit lines, wherein a TFT is configured for each pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paolo Fantini, Corrado Villa, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Efrem Bolandrina
  • Publication number: 20230097079
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a memory device and accessing/de-selecting methods thereof. The memory device comprises a memory layer including a vertical three-dimensional (3D) memory array of memory cells formed therein, wherein a memory cell is accessed through a word line and a digit line orthogonal to each other, and the digit line is in a form of conductive pillar extending vertically; a pillar selection layer formed under the memory layer and having thin film transistors (TFTs) formed therein for accessing memory cells; and a peripheral circuit layer formed under the pillar selection layer and having a sense amplifier and a decoding circuitry for word lines and bit lines, wherein a TFT is configured for each pillar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Paolo Fantini, Corrado Villa, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Efrem Bolandrina
  • Publication number: 20220366983
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a memory apparatus and a method for accessing a 3D vertical memory array. The 3D vertical memory array comprises word lines organized in planes separated from each other by insulating material, bit lines perpendicular to the word line planes, memory cells coupled between a respective word line and a respective bit line. The apparatus also comprises a controller configured to select multiple word lines, select multiple bit lines, and simultaneously access multiple memory cells, with each memory cell at a crossing of a selected word line and a selected bit line. The method comprises selecting a multiple word lines, selecting multiple bit lines and simultaneously accessing multiple memory cells, with each memory cell at a crossing of a selected word line of the selected multiple word lines and a selected bit line of the selected multiple bit lines. A method of manufacturing a 3D vertical memory array is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Paolo Fantini, Corrado Villa, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Lorenzo Fratin
  • Publication number: 20210407581
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a memory device with multiplexed digit lines are described. In some cases, a memory cell of the memory device may include a storage component and a selection component that includes two transistors. A first transistor may be coupled with a word line and a second transistor may be coupled with a select line to selectively couple the memory cell with a digit line. The selection component, in conjunction with a digit line multiplexing component, may support a sense component common to a set of digit lines. In some cases, the digit line of the set may be coupled with the sense component during a read operation, while the remaining digit lines of the set are isolated from the sense component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Stefan Frederik Schippers
  • Patent number: 11205469
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for power domain switches for switching power reduction are described. A device, such as a memory device, may receive an indication (e.g., a command) for a power domain component of the device to transition between states. The device may float first and second gate drivers. A pass gate may be used to connect (e.g., short) the first switch to the second switch. The pass gate may be deactivated to isolate the gates. The first and second gate drivers may be enabled, and the first and second gate drivers drive the first and second switches to disconnect the power domain component from a power source to deactivate the power domain component, or connect to the power source to activate the power domain component. The energy to switch between active and inactive states may thereby be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Frederik Schippers, Christophe Vincent Antoine Laurent, Corrado Villa
  • Patent number: 11062763
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a memory device with multiplexed digit lines are described. In some cases, a memory cell of the memory device may include a storage component and a selection component that includes two transistors. A first transistor may be coupled with a word line and a second transistor may be coupled with a select line to selectively couple the memory cell with a digit line. The selection component, in conjunction with a digit line multiplexing component, may support a sense component common to a set of digit lines. In some cases, the digit line of the set may be coupled with the sense component during a read operation, while the remaining digit lines of the set are isolated from the sense component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Stefan Frederik Schippers
  • Patent number: 10937487
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for differential amplifier schemes for sensing memory cells are described. In one example, a memory apparatus may include a differential amplifier having a first input node configured to be coupled with a memory cell and having an output node configured to be coupled with a sense component. In some examples, the memory apparatus may also include a capacitor having a first node coupled with the first input node, and a first switching component configured to selectively couple a second node of the capacitor with the output node. The differential amplifier may configured such that a current at the output node is proportional to a difference between a voltage at the first input node of the differential amplifier and a voltage at the second input node of the differential amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Xinwei Guo
  • Publication number: 20210012827
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for power domain switches for switching power reduction are described. A device, such as a memory device, may receive an indication (e.g., a command) for a power domain component of the device to transition between states. The device may float first and second gate drivers. A pass gate may be used to connect (e.g., short) the first switch to the second switch. The pass gate may be deactivated to isolate the gates. The first and second gate drivers may be enabled, and the first and second gate drivers drive the first and second switches to disconnect the power domain component from a power source to deactivate the power domain component, or connect to the power source to activate the power domain component. The energy to switch between active and inactive states may thereby be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Stefan Frederik Schippers, Christophe Vincent Antoine Laurent, Corrado Villa
  • Publication number: 20200327926
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a memory device with multiplexed digit lines are described. In some cases, a memory cell of the memory device may include a storage component and a selection component that includes two transistors. A first transistor may be coupled with a word line and a second transistor may be coupled with a select line to selectively couple the memory cell with a digit line. The selection component, in conjunction with a digit line multiplexing component, may support a sense component common to a set of digit lines. In some cases, the digit line of the set may be coupled with the sense component during a read operation, while the remaining digit lines of the set are isolated from the sense component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Stefan Frederik Schippers
  • Publication number: 20200294573
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for differential amplifier schemes for sensing memory cells are described. In one example, a memory apparatus may include a differential amplifier having a first input node configured to be coupled with a memory cell and having an output node configured to be coupled with a sense component. In some examples, the memory apparatus may also include a capacitor having a first node coupled with the first input node, and a first switching component configured to selectively couple a second node of the capacitor with the output node. The differential amplifier may configured such that a current at the output node is proportional to a difference between a voltage at the first input node of the differential amplifier and a voltage at the second input node of the differential amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Xinwei Guo
  • Patent number: 10755751
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and devices that can be utilized to provide temperature-based memory operations are described. One or more apparatuses can include a memory device and a controller coupled to the memory device and configured to: determine an operating temperature of the apparatus, determine one of a plurality of designated open blocks of the memory device to write data based on the operating temperature of the apparatus and a size of the data, and write the data in the determined one of the plurality of designated blocks of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Emanuele Confalonieri, Stefano Ratti, Gary G. Lazarowics, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Stefano Claudio Roseghini, Angelo Clemente Scardilla
  • Patent number: 10672457
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for differential amplifier schemes for sensing memory cells are described. In one example, a memory apparatus may include a differential amplifier having a first input node configured to be coupled with a memory cell and having an output node configured to be coupled with a sense component. In some examples, the memory apparatus may also include a capacitor having a first node coupled with the first input node, and a first switching component configured to selectively couple a second node of the capacitor with the output node. The differential amplifier may configured such that a current at the output node is proportional to a difference between a voltage at the first input node of the differential amplifier and a voltage at the second input node of the differential amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Xinwei Guo
  • Patent number: 10529389
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for calibrating sense amplifiers in a semiconductor memory are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an amplifier circuit and a calibration circuit. The amplifier circuit is configured to be coupled to a supply voltage and a reference voltage, and when activated the amplifier circuit is configured to provide an output signal at an output that is complementary to an input signal provided to an input. When activated by a calibration signal, the calibration circuit is configured to provide a calibration voltage to the output of the amplifier circuit, wherein the calibration voltage is an equilibration voltage between the supply voltage and the reference voltage provided to the amplifier circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Frederik Schippers
  • Publication number: 20190385663
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for differential amplifier schemes for sensing memory cells are described. In one example, a memory apparatus may include a differential amplifier having a first input node configured to be coupled with a memory cell and having an output node configured to be coupled with a sense component. In some examples, the memory apparatus may also include a capacitor having a first node coupled with the first input node, and a first switching component configured to selectively couple a second node of the capacitor with the output node. The differential amplifier may configured such that a current at the output node is proportional to a difference between a voltage at the first input node of the differential amplifier and a voltage at the second input node of the differential amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Xinwei Guo
  • Publication number: 20190279689
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and devices that can be utilized to provide temperature-based memory operations are described. One or more apparatuses can include a memory device and a controller coupled to the memory device and configured to: determine an operating temperature of the apparatus, determine one of a plurality of designated open blocks of the memory device to write data based on the operating temperature of the apparatus and a size of the data, and write the data in the determined one of the plurality of designated blocks of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Emanuele Confalonieri, Stefano Ratti, Gary G. Lazarowics, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Stefano Claudio Roseghini, Angelo Clemente Scardilla
  • Patent number: 10388361
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for differential amplifier schemes for sensing memory cells are described. In one example, a memory apparatus may include a differential amplifier having a first input node configured to be coupled with a memory cell and having an output node configured to be coupled with a sense component. In some examples, the memory apparatus may also include a capacitor having a first node coupled with the first input node, and a first switching component configured to selectively couple a second node of the capacitor with the output node. The differential amplifier may configured such that a current at the output node is proportional to a difference between a voltage at the first input node of the differential amplifier and a voltage at the second input node of the differential amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Xinwei Guo
  • Publication number: 20190244642
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for calibrating sense amplifiers in a semiconductor memory are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an amplifier circuit and a calibration circuit. The amplifier circuit is configured to be coupled to a supply voltage and a reference voltage, and when activated the amplifier circuit is configured to provide an output signal at an output that is complementary to an input signal provided to an input. When activated by a calibration signal, the calibration circuit is configured to provide a calibration voltage to the output of the amplifier circuit, wherein the calibration voltage is an equilibration voltage between the supply voltage and the reference voltage provided to the amplifier circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Stefan Frederik Schippers
  • Publication number: 20190206452
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and devices that can be utilized to provide temperature-based memory operations are described. One or more apparatuses can include a memory device and a controller coupled to the memory device and configured to: determine an operating temperature of the apparatus, determine one of a plurality of designated open blocks of the memory device to write data based on the operating temperature of the apparatus and a size of the data, and write the data in the determined one of the plurality of designated blocks of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Emanuele Confalonieri, Stefano Ratti, Gary G. Lazarowics, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Stefano Claudio Roseghini, Angelo Clemente Scardilla
  • Patent number: 10339983
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and devices that can be utilized to provide temperature-based memory operations are described. One or more apparatuses can include a memory device and a controller coupled to the memory device and configured to: determine an operating temperature of the apparatus, determine one of a plurality of designated open blocks of the memory device to write data based on the operating temperature of the apparatus and a size of the data, and write the data in the determined one of the plurality of designated blocks of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Emanuele Confalonieri, Stefano Ratti, Gary G. Lazarowics, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Stefano Claudio Roseghini, Angelo Clemente Scardilla