Patents by Inventor Tae H. Kim
Tae H. Kim 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).
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Patent number: 11302381Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for driving word lines using sub word line drivers are described. A memory array may include a plurality of sub-arrays arranged with gaps in between. Word lines may be arranged across multiple sub-arrays and drive access transistors that are used to selectively access rows (e.g., rows of memory cells) within the sub-arrays. In some examples, signals applied to selection devices driving the word lines may be over-driven for a duration at or near the desired transitions of the word line, and some signals may be driven to a relatively high level for a duration around the high and low transitions of a global row line. Whether a signal is over driven or driven to a relatively high level may depend on the type or types of transistors used in each word line driver.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Tae H. Kim, Brenton P. Van Leeuwen
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Patent number: 11270746Abstract: A word line driver circuit is disclosed. A word line driver circuit may include a circuit configured to generate a clamped voltage based on a first fixed supply voltage and in response to receipt of a first control signal triggering an active mode. The circuitry may further be configured to generate an internal global word line voltage based on the clamped voltage during the active mode. Further, the word line driver circuit may include at least one main word line driver configured to receive the internal global word line voltage and generate a global word line voltage. Additionally, the word line driver circuit may include at least one sub word line driver configured to receive the global word line voltage and generate a word line voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Tae H. Kim
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Publication number: 20220068358Abstract: A memory device includes a level down shifting driver circuit. The level down shifting driver circuit include input circuitry having at least one input port, and a cross-junction circuitry electrically coupled to the input circuitry and configured to receive a first signal from the input circuitry to drive one or more devices included in the cross-junction circuitry. The level down shifting driver circuit further includes an output drive circuitry electrically coupled to the cross-junction circuitry and configured to receive a second signal from the cross-junction circuitry, wherein the output drive circuitry comprises an output line configured to deliver a first voltage output based on a first input voltage received by the input circuitry, and a second voltage output based on a second input voltage received by the input circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventor: Tae H. Kim
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Patent number: 11257538Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device comprises at least one word line driver comprising a first and a second switching device, wherein the word line driver is configured to activate a word line electrically coupled to one or more memory cells included in a memory bank. The memory device additionally comprises a memory bank controller operatively coupled to the at least one word line driver. The memory bank controller is configured to provide a word line power supply (PH) signal, a word line ON control (GR) signal, and a word line OFF control (PHF) signal to the at least one word line driver, and to adjust a timing of the PH, the GR, and the PHF signals to reduce or to eliminate a non-conducting stress (NCS) condition, a time dependent temperature instability (TDDB) condition, or a combination thereof, of the first switching device, of the second switching device, or of a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Tae H. Kim
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Publication number: 20220036940Abstract: Apparatuses and methods including memory cells, digit lines, and sense amplifiers are described. An example apparatus includes a pair of digit lines including first and second digit lines, a sense amplifier coupled to the pair of digit lines and configured to amplify a voltage difference between the first and second digit lines when activated, and a plurality of memory cells. A memory cell of the plurality of memory cells includes a first node coupled to the first digit line and includes a second node coupled to the second digit line. The memory cell of the plurality of memory cells is configured to store a respective voltage and/or charge at a respective cell node and couple the respective voltage and/or charge to the first node when activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: Tae H. Kim
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Patent number: 11222680Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. An electronic memory device may include a plurality of plate portions separated by a plurality of segmentation lines, which may be oriented in a plane parallel to rows of a memory array or columns of the memory array, or both. The segmented plate may be employed instead of a single plate for the array. The one or more plate portions may be energized during access operations of a ferroelectric cell in order to create a voltage different across the cell or to facilitate changing the charge of the cell. Each of the plate portions may include one or more memory cells. The memory cells on a plate portion may be read from or written to after the plate portion is activated by a plate driver.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2020Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Tae H. Kim, Corrado Villa
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Patent number: 11205470Abstract: A main word driver may be coupled to a subword driver to drive a main word line to select the subword driver. The main word driver may include a first transistor having a body and source/drain both coupled to a well. The main word driver may include a well control circuit configured to bias the well. In some examples, the well control circuit may provide a first low potential to the well followed by a second low potential lower than the first potential responsive to a precharge command. The main word driver may include a second transistor coupled to the well control circuit to receive the first and second low potentials and couple the first and second low potentials to the main word line. The body of the second transistor may be coupled to the well. Additional transistors in the main word driver may also be coupled to the well.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Sang-Kyun Park, Tae H. Kim
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Patent number: 11176987Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of main word line circuits. Each main word line circuit drives a respective global word line to one of an active state value, an intermediate voltage state, or a pre-charge state. The intermediate voltage state voltage is below the active state voltage and above the pre-charge state voltage. The memory device also includes a plurality of sub-word line drivers. Each sub-word line driver is connected to a corresponding global word line and configured to drive a respective local word line between the corresponding global word line voltage and a low voltage value. The apparatus further includes a plurality of phase drivers. Each phase driver is connected to a predetermined number of sub-word line drivers, where each of the predetermined number of sub-word line drivers connects to a different global word line.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Charles L. Ingalls, Tae H. Kim
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Publication number: 20210327490Abstract: A main word driver may be coupled to a subword driver to drive a main word line to select the subword driver. The main word driver may include a first transistor having a body and source/drain both coupled to a well. The main word driver may include a well control circuit configured to bias the well. In some examples, the well control circuit may provide a first low potential to the well followed by a second low potential lower than the first potential responsive to a precharge command. The main word driver may include a second transistor coupled to the well control circuit to receive the first and second low potentials and couple the first and second low potentials to the main word line. The body of the second transistor may be coupled to the well. Additional transistors in the main word driver may also be coupled to the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2020Publication date: October 21, 2021Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Sang-Kyun Park, Tae H. Kim
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Patent number: 11120847Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for reducing row address (RAS) to column address (CAS) delay are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a memory including a memory cell coupled to a first digit line in response to a wordline being set to an active state, and a sense amplifier configured to, during a sense operation, couple a first gut node to the first digit line and couple a second gut node to a second digit line in response to an isolation signal. The sense amplifier is further configured to, after the first gut node is coupled to the first digit line and the second gut node is coupled to the second digit line, drive the first digit line to a first sense voltage of a first control signal and drive the second digit line to a second sense voltage of a second control signal based on a data state of the memory cell.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Inventors: Christopher Kawamura, Tae H. Kim
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Publication number: 20210212388Abstract: A pocket square tool comprises a pliable outer rod in a closed loop, having a substantially straight horizontal top edge and a curved U-shaped bottom edge, and a substantially straight pliable horizontal intermediate rod extending a horizontal distance between a left edge of the outer rod and a right edge of the outer rod and parallel to the top edge of the outer rod. The pocket square tool is adjustable in size. There are two intermediate rods parallel to each other. Other embodiments may have additional intermediate rods. The intermediate rods can be coupled to the outer rod or formed integral to it. Various methods of securing a pocket square use the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2018Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventor: Tae H. Kim
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Publication number: 20210134341Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. An electronic memory device may include a plurality of plate portions separated by a plurality of segmentation lines, which may be oriented in a plane parallel to rows of a memory array or columns of the memory array, or both. The segmented plate may be employed instead of a single plate for the array. The one or more plate portions may be energized during access operations of a ferroelectric cell in order to create a voltage different across the cell or to facilitate changing the charge of the cell. Each of the plate portions may include one or more memory cells. The memory cells on a plate portion may be read from or written to after the plate portion is activated by a plate driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Tae H. Kim, Corrado Villa
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Patent number: 10998027Abstract: Some memory circuitry comprises a stack of multiple tiers individually comprising memory cells individually comprising an elevationally-extending transistor. The tiers individually comprise multiple access lines that individually electrically couple together a row of the memory cells in that individual tier. The tiers individually comprise access-line-driver circuitry comprising an elevationally-extending transistor.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls, Tae H. Kim
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Patent number: 10978138Abstract: A main word line circuit provides a first and second row factor signals. The main word line circuit includes a pull-up circuit to drive a global word line to follow a first decoded address signal when the first row factor signal is at a first value. The main word line circuit includes an intermediate voltage circuit to drive the global word line to follow a value of the second row factor signal. A processing device drives the global word line to an active state by setting the first row factor signal to the first value when the first decoded address signal is at a high state, and drives the global word line to follow a value of the second row factor signal by setting the first row factor signal to the second value while the first decoded address signal is at the high state.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Tae H. Kim, Christopher J. Kawamura
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Publication number: 20210090636Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of main word line circuits. Each main word line circuit drives a respective global word line to one of an active state value, an intermediate voltage state, or a pre-charge state. The intermediate voltage state voltage is below the active state voltage and above the pre-charge state voltage. The memory device also includes a plurality of sub-word line drivers. Each sub-word line driver is connected to a corresponding global word line and configured to drive a respective local word line between the corresponding global word line voltage and a low voltage value. The apparatus further includes a plurality of phase drivers. Each phase driver is connected to a predetermined number of sub-word line drivers, where each of the predetermined number of sub-word line drivers connects to a different global word line.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Charles L. Ingalls, Tae H. Kim
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Publication number: 20210090625Abstract: A FX phase driver for a memory device having a first driver circuit including a first pull-up circuit configured to drive a first phase signal to a first high state value and a first pull-down circuit configured to drive the first phase signal to a first low state value. The phase driver also including a second driver circuit including a second pull-up circuit configured to drive a second phase signal to a second high state value that is higher than an active state voltage level of a word line in the memory device and a second pull-down circuit configured to drive the second phase signal to a second low state value. The second pull-down circuit includes a stabilization circuit configured to provide a resistive path for a leakage current in the second pull-down circuit when the second pull-up circuit drives the second phase signal to the second high state value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Charles L. Ingalls, Tae H. Kim
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Patent number: 10957369Abstract: Systems and memory devices that include a transistor shared by word line drivers are described. A memory device includes a first word line driver coupled to a first word line, and a second word line driver coupled to a second word line. The memory device also includes a transistor comprising a first terminal coupled to an output of the first word line driver, and a second terminal coupled to an output of the second word line driver.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Tae H Kim
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Publication number: 20210057009Abstract: A word line driver circuit is disclosed. A word line driver circuit may include a circuit configured to generate a clamped voltage based on a first fixed supply voltage and in response to receipt of a first control signal triggering an active mode. The circuitry may further be configured to generate an internal global word line voltage based on the clamped voltage during the active mode. Further, the word line driver circuit may include at least one main word line driver configured to receive the internal global word line voltage and generate a global word line voltage. Additionally, the word line driver circuit may include at least one sub word line driver configured to receive the global word line voltage and generate a word line voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventor: Tae H. Kim
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Publication number: 20210057008Abstract: Systems and memory devices that include a transistor shared by word line drivers are described. A memory device includes a first word line driver coupled to a first word line, and a second word line driver coupled to a second word line. The memory device also includes a transistor comprising a first terminal coupled to an output of the first word line driver, and a second terminal coupled to an output of the second word line driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventor: Tae H Kim
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Patent number: 10910049Abstract: A sub-word line circuit having a phase driver circuit to provide a first phase signal and a second phase signal. The sub-word line circuit includes a sub-word line driver circuit having a pull-up circuit configured to receive the first phase signal and a global word line signal. The pull-up circuit is further configured to drive a local word line to follow the global word line signal when the first phase signal is at a first value and isolate the local word line from the global word line signal when the first phase signal is at a second value. The sub-word line circuit also includes a processing device that sets the first phase signal to the first value prior to the global word line signal entering an active state and sets the first phase signal to the second value only after the global word line signal has entered a pre-charge state.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Charles L. Ingalls, Tae H. Kim