Patents by Inventor Xiaojiang Guo

Xiaojiang Guo 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: 20210166770
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a multi-chip package including multiple memory dice that include a memory array, charging circuitry, polling circuitry and a control unit. The charging circuitry is configured to perform one or more memory events in a high current mode using a high current level or in a low current mode using a lower current level. The polling circuitry is configured to poll a power status node common to the multiple memory dice to determine availability of the high current mode. The control unit is configured to operate the charging circuitry in the high current mode to perform the one or more memory events when the polling circuitry indicates that the high current mode is available, and operate the charging circuitry in the low current mode to perform the one or more memory events when the polling circuitry indicates that the high current mode is unavailable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo, Kalyan Chakravarthy C. Kavalipurapu
  • Patent number: 11024388
    Abstract: Methods of operating a memory include determining a target voltage level for an access line voltage, determining a target overdrive voltage level for gating the access line voltage to an access line coupled to a plurality of memory cells, generating a voltage level for the access line voltage in response to its target voltage level and generating a voltage level for gating the access line voltage to the access line in response to the target overdrive voltage level, and applying the access line voltage to the access line while applying the voltage level for gating the access line voltage to a control gate of a string driver connected to the access line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojiang Guo, Guanglei An, Qiang Tang
  • Publication number: 20210134368
    Abstract: Integrated circuit devices might include a controller configured to cause the integrated circuit device to apply a first voltage level to a first conductor while applying a second voltage level to a second conductor, apply a third voltage level to the first conductor while applying a fourth voltage level to the second conductor, and apply a fifth voltage level to the first conductor while applying the second voltage level to the second conductor. The second voltage level might correspond to a target voltage level for the second conductor. A difference between the third voltage level and the first voltage level might have a polarity opposite the polarity of a difference between the fourth voltage level and the second voltage level, and the same polarity of a difference between the fifth voltage level and the first voltage level. The fifth voltage level might correspond to a target voltage level for the first conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo
  • Patent number: 10984875
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of dynamically calibrating a memory control voltage more accurately. According to disclosed implementations, a memory control voltage such as Vpass or Vwlrv may be calibrated during memory operation as a function of the change in slope of total string current, even during increase in the wordline voltage. In one exemplary method, the wordlines are increased in sequence from a start voltage to an end voltage in steps, slope change is measured at every step, the measured slope change is compared against a threshold, and an adjusted memory control voltage is determined as a function of a wordline voltage at which the change in slope reaches the threshold. As such, memory control voltage may be determined and dynamically calibrated with less sensitivity to operating parameters such as temperature, pattern, and/or time of programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kalyan Kavalipurapu, Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo
  • Publication number: 20210104284
    Abstract: Memories including an array of memory cells, a local access line connected to a plurality of memory cells of the array of memory cells, a global access line, a transistor connected between the global access line and the local access line, and an energy store either selectively connected to a control gate of the transistor, or selectively connected to a control gate of a different transistor connected between the control gate of the transistor and a voltage node configured to receive a reference potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kalyan C. Kavalipurapu, Xiaojiang Guo
  • Patent number: 10937505
    Abstract: Methods of operating a memory include determining a target voltage level for an access line voltage, determining a target overdrive voltage level for gating the access line voltage to an access line coupled to a plurality of memory cells, generating a voltage level for the access line voltage in response to its target voltage level and generating a voltage level for gating the access line voltage to the access line in response to the target overdrive voltage level, and applying the access line voltage to the access line while applying the voltage level for gating the access line voltage to a control gate of a string driver connected to the access line. Apparatus include a voltage regulator having variable resistance paths between a voltage signal node and an output node, and between the voltage signal node and an input of a comparator of the voltage regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojiang Guo, Guanglei An, Qiang Tang
  • Publication number: 20210055772
    Abstract: Methods of operating a die might include determining an expected peak current magnitude of the die for a period of time, and outputting the expected peak current magnitude from the die prior to completion of the period of time. Apparatus might be configured to perform similar methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Xiaojiang Guo
  • Publication number: 20210057993
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed, including a high-voltage charge pump including multiple pump stages connected in series to provide a high-voltage output, a common discharge circuit, and multiple high-voltage devices coupled between the outputs of each of the multiple pump stages and the common discharge circuit. Each of the multiple pump stages include a low-voltage switching device. The common discharge circuit is coupled to each of the multiple pump stages and is configured to discharge the multiple pump stages when the multiple pump stages are disabled. The multiple high-voltage devices include a respective high-voltage device coupled between an output of each of the multiple pump stages and the common discharge circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo
  • Patent number: 10930321
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for mixed charge pumps with voltage regulator circuits is disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a first charge pump circuit configured to provide a first voltage, a second charge pump circuit configured to provide a second voltage, a plurality of coupling circuits configured to voltage couple and current couple the first voltage and the second voltage to a common node to provide a regulated voltage, and a feedback circuit configured to regulate the first voltage and the second voltage based on the regulated voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojiang Guo, Qiang Tang
  • Patent number: 10923199
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a multi-chip package including multiple memory dice that include a memory array, charging circuitry, polling circuitry and a control unit. The charging circuitry is configured to perform one or more memory events in a high current mode using a high current level or in a low current mode using a lower current level. The polling circuitry is configured to poll a power status node common to the multiple memory dice to determine availability of the high current mode. The control unit is configured to operate the charging circuitry in the high current mode to perform the one or more memory events when the polling circuitry indicates that the high current mode is available, and operate the charging circuitry in the low current mode to perform the one or more memory events when the polling circuitry indicates that the high current mode is unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo, Kalyan Kavalipurapu
  • Patent number: 10902920
    Abstract: Method of operating an integrated circuit device might include applying a first voltage level to a first conductor while applying a second voltage level to a second conductor, applying a third voltage level to the first conductor while applying a fourth voltage level to the second conductor, and applying a fifth voltage level to the first conductor while applying the second voltage level to the second conductor. The second voltage level might correspond to a target voltage level for the second conductor. A difference between the third voltage level and the first voltage level might have a polarity opposite the polarity of a difference between the fourth voltage level and the second voltage level, and the same polarity of a difference between the fifth voltage level and the first voltage level. The fifth voltage level might correspond to a target voltage level for the first conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo
  • Publication number: 20210018949
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing a bias, comprising a bias generator circuit including a high voltage (HV) circuit configured to generate a regulated high voltage (HV) from an HV line and provide the regulated HV at an HV regulated line and a low voltage (LV) circuit configured to generate a low voltage (LV) differential from the HV line and to provide the LV differential at an LV line, wherein the LV circuit is configured to direct current used to generate the LV differential into the HV regulated line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo
  • Patent number: 10892680
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a reconfigurable charge pump including selectively connectable pump units for varying a generated voltage level. A control circuit may is configured to activate or deactivate the reconfigurable charge pump. The reconfigurable charge pump may track a duration based on activating the reconfigurable charge pump. When the duration exceeds a threshold, the control circuit may generates a signal according to the generated voltage level to reconfigure the electrical connections between the selectively connectable pump units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo, Qiang Tang
  • Patent number: 10892022
    Abstract: Methods of operating a memory, and memories configured to perform similar methods, might include initiating discharge of a global access line that is connected to a local access line through a transistor, and electrically floating a control gate of the transistor, in response to a supply voltage decreasing to a first threshold, and initiating discharge of the control gate of the transistor in response to the supply voltage decreasing to a second threshold lower than the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kalyan C. Kavalipurapu, Xiaojiang Guo
  • Publication number: 20200411119
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array comprising a plurality of planes, a plurality of voltage generation systems, and a controller. Each voltage generation system of the plurality of voltage generation systems is electrically coupled to a corresponding plane of the plurality of planes. The controller is configured to turn on each voltage generation system of the plurality of voltage generation systems in response to a first command to access a first plane of the plurality of planes. The controller is configured to operate the voltage generation system of the plurality of voltage generation systems corresponding to the first plane of the plurality of planes at a first clock frequency, and operate the remaining voltage generation systems of the plurality of voltage generation systems corresponding to the other planes of the plurality of planes at a second clock frequency less than the first clock frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michele Piccardi, Kalyan C. Kavalipurapu, Xiaojiang Guo
  • Patent number: 10872674
    Abstract: A voltage generation system might include a resistive voltage divider having a first resistance connected between its output and a first feedback node and a second resistance connected between the first feedback node and a first voltage node, a capacitive voltage divider having a first capacitance connected between its output and a second feedback node and a second capacitance connected between the second feedback node and the first voltage node, a comparator having an input connected to the second feedback node, and a voltage generation circuit configured to generate a voltage level at its output responsive to an output of the comparator and to a clock signal, wherein the first feedback node is selectively connected to the second feedback node and selectively connected to a second voltage node, wherein the first resistance is selectively connected to the first feedback node, and wherein the second resistance is selectively connected to the first voltage node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manan Tripathi, Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo
  • Publication number: 20200381063
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of dynamically calibrating a memory control voltage more accurately. According to disclosed implementations, a memory control voltage such as Vpass or Vwlry may be calibrated during memory operation as a function of the change in slope of total string current, even during increase in the wordline voltage. In one exemplary method, the wordlines are increased in sequence from a start voltage to an end voltage in steps, slope change is measured at every step, the measured slope change is compared against a threshold, and an adjusted memory control voltage is determined as a function of a wordline voltage at which the change in slope reaches the threshold. As such, memory control voltage may be determined and dynamically calibrated with less sensitivity to operating parameters such as temperature, pattern, and/or time of programming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Kalyan Kavalipurapu, Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo
  • Publication number: 20200357478
    Abstract: Devices and techniques are disclosed herein to provide a high-voltage bias signal in a standby state of the storage system without exceeding a limited maximum standby current allowance of the storage system. The high-voltage bias signal can enable a string driver circuit in the standby state to couple a global word line to a local word line, to provide a bias to, or sink a voltage from, a pillar of a string of memory cells of the storage system in the standby state, such as to reduce read disturbances in the storage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo, Shigekazu Yamada
  • Patent number: 10833580
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed, including a charge pump having a pumping function that includes multiple pump stages connected in series. Each pump stage includes a capacitor node coupled to a capacitive element, a low-voltage device including a dielectric layer having a threshold voltage, and an output node coupled to the capacitor node through the low-voltage device. The charge pump also includes a common discharge circuit coupled between a reference voltage and a common node. The charge pump also includes multiple high-voltage diodes, each coupled between the output node of a respective pump stage and the common node. The common discharge circuit includes a current source configured to supply a current to the output nodes when the pumping function of the charge pump is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo
  • Publication number: 20200350026
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a multi-chip package including multiple memory dice that include a memory array, charging circuitry, polling circuitry and a control unit. The charging circuitry is configured to perform one or more memory events in a high current mode using a high current level or in a low current mode using a lower current level. The polling circuitry is configured to poll a power status node common to the multiple memory dice to determine availability of the high current mode. The control unit is configured to operate the charging circuitry in the high current mode to perform the one or more memory events when the polling circuitry indicates that the high current mode is available, and operate the charging circuitry in the low current mode to perform the one or more memory events when the polling circuitry indicates that the high current mode is unavailable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Michele Piccardi, Xiaojiang Guo, Kalyan Kavalipurapu