Patents by Inventor Thomas Vogelsang

Thomas Vogelsang 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: 20240127903
    Abstract: A memory includes a local control circuitry that manages scrub transactions using a set of sense amplifiers separate from those used for access (read and write) transactions. The local control circuitry interrupts scrub transactions to prioritize access requests, thereby offering improved memory performance. The local control circuitry also divides scrub transactions into phases and periods based on whether the scrub transaction requires access to bitlines used for read and write access. This division allows the local control circuitry to interleave and interrupt scrub transactions with access transactions in a manner that minimizes access interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Torsten Partsch
  • Publication number: 20240127882
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) component (e.g., module or integrated circuit) can be configured to have multiple rows in the same bank open concurrently. The controller of the component divides the address space of the banks into segments based on row address ranges. These row address ranges do not necessarily correspond to row address ranges of the bank's subarrays (a.k.a. memory array tiles—MATs). When a command is sent to open a row, the controller marks a plurality of the segments as blocked. The controller thereby tracks address ranges in a bank where it will not open a second row unless and until the first row is closed. The memory component may store information about which, and how many, segments should be blocked in response to opening a row. This information may be read by the controller during initialization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas VOGELSANG, John Eric Linstadt, Liji Gopalakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20240118837
    Abstract: An memory component includes a memory bank and a command interface to receive a read-modify-write command, having an associated read address indicating a location in the memory bank and to either access read data from the location in the memory bank indicated by the read address after an adjustable delay period transpires from a time at which the read-modify-write command was received or to overlap multiple read-modify-write commands. The memory component further includes a data interface to receive write data associated with the read-modify-write command and an error correction circuit to merge the received write data with the read data to form a merged data and write the merged data to the location in the memory bank indicated by the read address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Thomas Vogelsang
  • Publication number: 20240119995
    Abstract: A dynamic memory array of a DRAM device is operated using a bitline voltage that is greater than the operating (i.e., switching) voltage of a majority of the digital logic circuitry of the DRAM device. The digital logic circuitry is operated using a supply voltage that is lower than the voltage used to store/retrieve data on the bitlines of the DRAM array. This allows lower voltage swing (and thus lower power) digital logic to be used for a majority of the non-storage array logic on the DRAM device—thus reducing the power consumption of the non-storage array logic which, in turn, reduces the power consumption of the DRAM device as a whole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Thomas VOGELSANG
  • Patent number: 11934654
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) memory device includes an array of storage cells configured into multiple banks. Interface circuitry receives refresh commands from a host memory controller to refresh the multiple banks for a first refresh mode. On-die refresh control circuitry selectively generates local refresh commands to refresh the multiple banks in cooperation with the host memory controller during a designated hidden refresh interval in a second refresh mode. Mode register circuitry stores a value indicating whether the on-die refresh control circuitry is enabled for use during the second refresh mode. The interface circuitry includes backchannel control circuitry to transmit a corrective action control signal during operation in the second refresh mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Raymond Miller, Steven C. Woo, Thomas Vogelsang
  • Publication number: 20240086112
    Abstract: A stacked memory device includes memory dies over a base die. The base die includes separate memory channels to the different dies and external channels that allow an external processor access to the memory channels. The base die allows the external processor to access multiple memory channels using more than one external channel. The base die also allows the external processor to communicate through the memory device via the external channels, bypassing the memory channels internal to the device. This bypass functionality allows the external processor to connect to additional stacked memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: Thomas Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 11922066
    Abstract: An interconnected stack of one or more Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) die has a base logic die and one or more custom logic or processor die. The processor logic die snoops commands sent to and through the stack. In particular, the processor logic die may snoop mode setting commands (e.g., mode register set—MRS commands). At least one mode setting command that is ignored by the DRAM in the stack is used to communicate a command to the processor logic die. In response the processor logic die may prevent commands, addresses, and data from reaching the DRAM die(s). This enables the processor logic die to send commands/addresses and communicate data with the DRAM die(s). While being able to send commands/addresses and communicate data with the DRAM die(s), the processor logic die may execute software using the DRAM die(s) for program and/or data storage and retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Michael Raymond Miller, Steven C. Woo
  • Publication number: 20240062788
    Abstract: Row activation operations within a memory component are carried out with respect to subrows instead of complete storage rows to reduce power consumption. Further, instead of activating subrows in response to row commands, subrow activation operations are deferred until receipt of column commands that specify the column operation to be performed and the subrow to be activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: James E. Harris, Thomas Vogelsang, Frederick A. Ware, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Patent number: 11908515
    Abstract: Provided are a device comprising a bit cell tile including at least two memory cells, each of the at least two memory cells including a resistive memory element, and methods of operating an array of the memory cells, each memory cell including a resistive memory element electrically coupled in series to a corresponding first transistor and to a corresponding second transistor, the first transistor including a first gate coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of first word lines and the second transistor including a second gate coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of second word lines, each memory cell coupled between a corresponding one of a plurality of bit lines and a corresponding one of a plurality of source lines. The methods may include applying voltages to the first word line, second word line, source line, and bit line of a memory cell selected for an operation, and resetting the resistive memory element of the memory cell in response to setting the selected bit line to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Hefei Reliance Memory Limited
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Wayne Frederick Ellis, Brent Steven Haukness, Gary Bela Bronner, Thomas Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 11894093
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first dynamic random access memory (DRAM) integrated circuit (IC) chip including first memory core circuitry, and first input/output (I/O) circuitry. A second DRAM IC chip is stacked vertically with the first DRAM IC chip. The second DRAM IC chip includes second memory core circuitry, and second I/O circuitry. Solely one of the first DRAM IC chip or the second DRAM IC chip includes a conductive path that electrically couples at least one of the first memory core circuitry or the second memory core circuitry to solely one of the first I/O circuitry or the second I/O circuitry, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 11868619
    Abstract: A memory controller combines information about which memory component segments are not being refreshed with the information about which rows are going to be refreshed next, to determine, for the current refresh command, the total number of rows that are going to be refreshed. Based on this total number of rows, the memory controller selects how long to wait after the refresh command before issuing a next subsequent command. When the combination of masked segments and the refresh scheme results in less than the ‘nominal’ number of rows typically refreshed in response to a single refresh command, the waiting period before the next command (e.g., non-refresh command) is issued may be reduced from the ‘nominal’ minimum time period, thereby allowing the next command to be issued earlier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Liji Gopalakrishnan, Thomas Vogelsang, John Eric Linstadt
  • Patent number: 11842762
    Abstract: Disclosed is a memory system that has a memory controller and may have a memory component. The memory component may be a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The memory controller is connectable to the memory component. The memory component has at least one data row and at least one tag row different from and associated with the at least one data row. The memory system is to implement a cache having multiple ways to hold a data group. The memory controller is operable in each of a plurality of operating modes. The operating modes include a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The first operating mode and the second operating mode have differing addressing and timing for accessing the data group. The memory controller has cache read logic that sends a cache read command, cache results logic that receives a response from the memory component, and cache fetch logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Ware, Thomas Vogelsang, Michael Raymond Miller, Collins Williams
  • Patent number: 11842761
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) component (e.g., module or integrated circuit) can be configured to have multiple rows in the same bank open concurrently. The controller of the component divides the address space of the banks into segments based on row address ranges. These row address ranges do not necessarily correspond to row address ranges of the bank's subarrays (a.k.a. memory array tiles—MATs). When a command is sent to open a row, the controller marks a plurality of the segments as blocked. The controller thereby tracks address ranges in a bank where it will not open a second row unless and until the first row is closed. The memory component may store information about which, and how many, segments should be blocked in response to opening a row. This information may be read by the controller during initialization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, John Eric Linstadt, Liji Gopalakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20230395118
    Abstract: A 3D DRAM architecture may have one or more layers of cells where the access transistors of the memory cell array are fabricated among the metal layers rather than in the semiconductor (e.g., silicon) substrate. Counter and counter control circuits for each row in the memory cell array are fabricated under the array. These counters track the number of row hammers each row experiences. When a counter indicates a row has experienced a threshold number of row hammers, that row is refreshed. The row may be refreshed immediately after the current row is closed. The row may be scheduled to be refreshed as part of a regular refresh sequence. A signal may be sent to the memory controlling indicating that the bank with the row being refreshed immediately should not be accessed until the refresh is complete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas VOGELSANG, Torsten PARTSCH
  • Publication number: 20230377668
    Abstract: A method of operation in an integrated circuit (IC) memory device is disclosed. The method includes refreshing a first group of storage rows in the IC memory device at a first refresh rate. A retention time for each of the rows is tested. The testing for a given row under test includes refreshing at a second refresh rate that is slower than the first refresh rate. The testing is interruptible based on an access request for data stored in the given row under test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Ely Tsern, Frederick A Ware, Suresh Rajan, Thomas Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 11823734
    Abstract: A dynamic memory array of a DRAM device is operated using a bitline voltage that is greater than the operating (i.e., switching) voltage of a majority of the digital logic circuitry of the DRAM device. The digital logic circuitry is operated using a supply voltage that is lower than the voltage used to store/retrieve data on the bitlines of the DRAM array. This allows lower voltage swing (and thus lower power) digital logic to be used for a majority of the non-storage array logic on the DRAM device—thus reducing the power consumption of the non-storage array logic which, in turn, reduces the power consumption of the DRAM device as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 11822822
    Abstract: An memory component includes a memory bank and a command interface to receive a read-modify-write command, having an associated read address indicating a location in the memory bank and to either access read data from the location in the memory bank indicated by the read address after an adjustable delay period transpires from a time at which the read-modify-write command was received or to overlap multiple read-modify-write commands. The memory component further includes a data interface to receive write data associated with the read-modify-write command and an error correction circuit to merge the received write data with the read data to form a merged data and write the merged data to the location in the memory bank indicated by the read address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Thomas Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 11804250
    Abstract: Row activation operations within a memory component are carried out with respect to subrows instead of complete storage rows to reduce power consumption. Further, instead of activating subrows in response to row commands, subrow activation operations are deferred until receipt of column commands that specify the column operation to be performed and the subrow to be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Harris, Thomas Vogelsang, Frederick A. Ware, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Publication number: 20230342310
    Abstract: An application-specific integrated circuit for an artificial neural network is integrated with a high-bandwidth memory. A processing die with tiled neural-network processing units is bonded to a stack of memory dies with memory banks laid out to establish relatively short connections to overlying processing units. The memory banks form vertical groups of banks for each overlying processing unit. A switch matrix on the processing die allows each processing unit to communicate with its vertical group of banks via a short, fast inter-die memory channel or with more remote groups of banks under neighboring processing units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Steven C. Woo, Thomas Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 11790973
    Abstract: A memory component includes a first memory bank. The first memory bank has a plurality of sub-arrays having sub-rows of memory elements. The memory component includes a write driver, coupled to the first memory bank, to perform a write operation of an entire sub-row of a sub-array. To perform the write operation, the write driver is to load a burst of write data to the memory bank. The memory bank may then activate a plurality of sense amplifiers associated with a plurality of memory elements of the entire sub-row to load the burst of write data to the plurality of sense amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt, Brent Steven Haukness, Kenneth L. Wright, Thomas Vogelsang