Patents by Inventor Thomas H. Kinsley

Thomas H. Kinsley 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).

  • Publication number: 20210350842
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for staggering refresh operations to memory arrays in different dies of a three-dimensional stacked (3DS) memory device are described. A 3DS memory device may include one die or layer of that controls or regulates commands, including refresh commands, to other dies or layers of the memory device. For example, one die of the 3DS memory may delay a refresh command when issuing the multiple concurrent memory refreshes would cause some problematic performance condition, such as high peak current, within the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Patent number: 11169587
    Abstract: A memory device may include a pin for communicating feedback regarding a supply voltage to a power management component, such as a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). The memory device may bias the pin to a first voltage indicating that a supply voltage is within a target range. The memory device may subsequently determine that a supply voltage is outside the target range and transition the voltage at the pin from the first voltage to a second voltage indicating that the supply voltage is outside the target range. The memory device may select the second voltage based on whether the supply voltage is above or below the target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Baekkyu Choi, Thomas H. Kinsley, Fuad Badrieh
  • Publication number: 20210327855
    Abstract: Semiconductor device assemblies having stacked semiconductor dies and electrically functional heat transfer structures (HTSs) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device assembly includes a first semiconductor die having a mounting surface with a base region and a peripheral region adjacent the base region. At least one second semiconductor die can be electrically coupled to the first semiconductor die at the base region. The device assembly can also include an HTS electrically coupled to the first semiconductor die at the peripheral region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Patent number: 11133052
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for feedback for power management of a memory die using shorting are described. A memory device may short a first rail with a voltage source for communicating feedback regarding a supply voltage to a power management component, such as a power management integrated circuit of a memory system. The memory device may detect a condition of one or more voltage rails for delivering power coupled with the array of memory cells. The memory device may short a first rail of the network of components for delivering power with a voltage source based on detecting the condition. In some cases, the memory device may generate a feedback signal across the first rail of the network of components for delivering power based on shorting the first rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Baekkyu Choi, Thomas H. Kinsley, Fuad Badrieh
  • Patent number: 11133053
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus, and devices for managing power in a memory die are described. A memory die may include an array of memory cells and one or more voltage sensors. Each voltage sensor may be on the same substrate as the array of memory cells and may sense a voltage at a location associated with the array. The voltage sensors may generate one or more analog voltage signals that may be converted to one or more digital signals on the memory die. In some cases, the analog voltage signals may be converted to digital signals using an oscillator and a counter on the memory die. The digital signal may be provided to a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), which may adjust a voltage supplied to the array based on the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuad Badrieh, Thomas H. Kinsley, Baekkyu Choi
  • Publication number: 20210263685
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to memory operation with on-die termination (ODT) are provided. A memory device may be configured to provide ODT at a first portion (e.g., rank) during communications at a second portion (e.g., rank). For example, a memory device may receive a first command instructing a first portion to perform a first communication. The device may transmit, from the first portion, a signal instructing a second portion to enter an ODT mode. The device may perform, with the first portion, the first communication with a host while the second portion is in the ODT mode. The signal may be provided at an ODT I/O terminal of the first portion coupled to an ODT I/O terminal of the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Eric J. Stave, Thomas H. Kinsley, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20210264992
    Abstract: A memory device may include a pin for receiving a direct current (DC) voltage indicating an operating configuration setting of the memory device and for communicating an alternating current (AC) voltage signal that provides feedback to a power management component. The memory device may determine that a supply voltage is outside of a target range, and may drive the AC signal onto the pin based on determining that the supply voltage is outside the range. The pin may be coupled with a capacitive component the passes the AC signal and blocks the DC signal. The power management component may receive the capacitively coupled AC signal and may maintain or adjust the supply voltage based on the received AC signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Baekkyu Choi, Fuad Badrieh, Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Patent number: 11081161
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus, and devices for managing power in a memory die are described. A memory die may include an array of memory cells and one or more voltage sensors. Each voltage sensor may be on the same substrate as the array of memory cells and may sense a voltage at a location associated with the array. The voltage sensors may generate one or more analog voltage signals that may be converted to one or more digital signals on the memory die. In some cases, the analog voltage signals may be converted to digital signals using an oscillator and a counter on the memory die. The digital signal may be provided to a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), which may adjust a voltage supplied to the array based on the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuad Badrieh, Thomas H. Kinsley, Baekkyu Choi
  • Patent number: 11081565
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods relating to memory devices and packaging are described. A device, such as a dual inline memory module (DIMM) or other electronic device package, may include a substrate with a layer of graphene configured to conduct thermal energy (e.g., heat) away from components mounted or affixed to the substrate. In some examples, a DIMM includes an uppermost or top layer of graphene that is exposed to the air and configured to allow connection of memory devices (e.g., DRAMs) to be soldered to the conducting pads of the substrate. The graphene may be in contact with parts of the memory device other than the electrical connections with the conducting pads and may thus be configured as a heat sink for the device. Other thin, conductive layers of may be used in addition to or as an alternative to graphene. Graphene may be complementary to other heat sink mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chan H. Yoo, George E. Pax, Yogesh Sharma, Gregory A. King, Thomas H. Kinsley, Randon K. Richards
  • Patent number: 11069394
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for staggering refresh operations to memory arrays in different dies of a three-dimensional stacked (3DS) memory device are described. A 3DS memory device may include one die or layer of that controls or regulates commands, including refresh commands, to other dies or layers of the memory device. For example, one die of the 3DS memory may delay a refresh command when issuing the multiple concurrent memory refreshes would cause some problematic performance condition, such as high peak current, within the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20210217737
    Abstract: Semiconductor packages with pass-through clock traces and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a package substrate including a first surface having a plurality of substrate contacts, a first semiconductor die having a lower surface attached to the first surface of the package substrate, and a second semiconductor die stacked on top of the first semiconductor die. The first semiconductor die includes an upper surface including a first conductive contact, and the second semiconductor die includes a second conductive contact. A first electrical connector electrically couples a first one of the plurality of substrate contacts to the first and second conductive contacts, and a second electrical connector electrically couples a second one of the plurality of substrate contacts to the first and second conductive contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas H. Kinsley, George E. Pax
  • Publication number: 20210217455
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for feedback for power management of a memory die using shorting are described. A memory device may short a first rail with a voltage source for communicating feedback regarding a supply voltage to a power management component, such as a power management integrated circuit of a memory system. The memory device may detect a condition of one or more voltage rails for delivering power coupled with the array of memory cells. The memory device may short a first rail of the network of components for delivering power with a voltage source based on detecting the condition. In some cases, the memory device may generate a feedback signal across the first rail of the network of components for delivering power based on shorting the first rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Baekkyu Choi, Thomas H. Kinsley, Fuad Badrieh
  • Publication number: 20210217482
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for power regulation for memory systems are described. In one example, a memory system, such as a memory module, may include a substrate, and an input/output component coupled with the substrate and operable to communicate signals with a host system. The memory system may also include one or more memory devices coupled with the substrate and the input/output component and operable to store data for the host system. A memory device of the one or more memory devices may include a power management component in its package with one or more memory dies. The power management component may be coupled with the one or more memory dies, and feedback component, and may be operable to provide one or more supply voltages for the one or more memory dies based on one or more voltages associated with the memory system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Baekkyu Choi, Fuad Badrieh, Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20210216130
    Abstract: A memory device may include a pin for communicating feedback regarding a supply voltage to a power management component, such as a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). The memory device may bias the pin to a first voltage indicating that a supply voltage is within a target range. The memory device may subsequently determine that a supply voltage is outside the target range and transition the voltage at the pin from the first voltage to a second voltage indicating that the supply voltage is outside the target range. The memory device may select the second voltage based on whether the supply voltage is above or below the target range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Baekkyu Choi, Thomas H. Kinsley, Fuad Badrieh
  • Patent number: 11063018
    Abstract: Semiconductor device assemblies having stacked semiconductor dies and electrically functional heat transfer structures (HTSs) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device assembly includes a first semiconductor die having a mounting surface with a base region and a peripheral region adjacent the base region. At least one second semiconductor die can be electrically coupled to the first semiconductor die at the base region. The device assembly can also include an HTS electrically coupled to the first semiconductor die at the peripheral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20210201970
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to memory operation with on-die termination (ODT) are provided. A memory device may be configured to provide ODT at a first portion (e.g., rank) during multiple communications at a second portion (e.g., rank). For example, a memory device may receive a first command instructing a first portion to perform a first communication and instructing a second portion to enter an ODT mode. The device may perform, with the first portion, the first communication with a host while the second portion is in the ODT mode. The device may receive a second command instructing the first portion to perform a second communication, and the device may perform, with the first portion, the second communication while the second portion remains in the ODT mode. The second portion may persist in the ODT mode for an indicated number of communications, or until instructed to exit the ODT mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Gary Howe, Eric J. Stave, Thomas H. Kinsley, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11003386
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to memory operation with on-die termination (ODT) are provided. A memory device may be configured to provide ODT at a first portion (e.g., rank) during communications at a second portion (e.g., rank). For example, a memory device may receive a first command instructing a first portion to perform a first communication. The device may transmit, from the first portion, a signal instructing a second portion to enter an ODT mode. The device may perform, with the first portion, the first communication with a host while the second portion is in the ODT mode. The signal may be provided at an ODT I/O terminal of the first portion coupled to an ODT I/O terminal of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Stave, Thomas H. Kinsley, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 10978426
    Abstract: Semiconductor packages with pass-through clock traces and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a package substrate including a first surface having a plurality of substrate contacts, a first semiconductor die having a lower surface attached to the first surface of the package substrate, and a second semiconductor die stacked on top of the first semiconductor die. The first semiconductor die includes an upper surface including a first conductive contact, and the second semiconductor die includes a second conductive contact. A first electrical connector electrically couples a first one of the plurality of substrate contacts to the first and second conductive contacts, and a second electrical connector electrically couples a second one of the plurality of substrate contacts to the first and second conductive contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Kinsley, George E. Pax
  • Patent number: 10971422
    Abstract: A semiconductor die assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology includes a first semiconductor die, a package substrate underlying the first semiconductor die, an interposer between the package substrate and the first semiconductor die, and a second semiconductor die between the package substrate and the interposer. The semiconductor die assembly further comprises a heat spreader including a cap thermally coupled to the first semiconductor die at a first elevation, and a pillar thermally coupled to the second semiconductor die at a second elevation different than the first elevation. The heat spreader is configured to transfer heat away from the first and second semiconductor dies via the cap and the pillar, respectively. The interposer extends around at least 75% of a perimeter of the pillar in a plane between the first and second elevations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20210091046
    Abstract: Integrated semiconductor assemblies and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device assembly comprises a base substrate having a cavity and a perimeter region at least partially surrounding the cavity. The cavity is defined by sidewalls extending at least partially through the substrate. The assembly further comprises a first die attached to the base substrate at the cavity, and a second die over at least a portion of the first die and attached to the base substrate at the perimeter region. In some embodiments, the first and second dies can be electrically coupled to each other via circuitry of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas H. Kinsley