Ferroelectric Patents (Class 365/145)
  • Patent number: 11475934
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A memory device may maintain a digit line voltage at a ground reference for a duration associated with biasing a ferroelectric capacitor of a memory cell. For example, a digit line that is in electronic communication with a ferroelectric capacitor may be virtually grounded while a voltage is applied to a plate of the ferroelectric capacitor, and the ferroelectric capacitor may be isolated from the virtual ground after a threshold associated with applying the voltage to the plate is reached. A switching component (e.g., a transistor) that is in electronic communication with the digit line and virtual ground may be activated to virtually ground the digit line and deactivated to isolate the digit line from virtual ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Kawamura, Scott James Derner
  • Patent number: 11462277
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided that include a memory device having a memory array including a plurality of access lines and data lines. The memory device further includes a circuit coupled to the plurality of access lines and configured to provide consecutive pulses to a selected one of the plurality of access lines. Each pulse of the consecutive pulses includes a first voltage and a second voltage. The first voltage is greater in magnitude than the second voltage, and the first voltage is applied for a shorter duration than the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 11455371
    Abstract: A computation circuit includes a computing cell array configured to provide a plurality of physical values respectively corresponding to a plurality of elements of a matrix; a vector input circuit configured to provide a plurality of input voltages corresponding to an input vector to the computing cell array; and a vector output circuit configured to output a plurality of output voltages each corresponding to a dot product between the input vector and a column vector of the matrix according to the plurality of input voltages and the plurality of effective capacitances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignees: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Donguk Lee
  • Patent number: 11450675
    Abstract: Described herein are one access transistor and one ferroelectric capacitor (1T-1FE-CAP) memory cells in diagonal arrangements, as well as corresponding methods and devices. When access transistors of memory cells are implemented as FinFETs, then, in a first diagonal arrangement, memory cells are arranged so that the BLs for the cells are diagonal with respect to the fins of the access transistors of the cells, while the WLs for the cells are perpendicular to the fins. In a second diagonal arrangement, memory cells are arranged so that the fins of the access transistors of the cells are diagonal with respect to the WLs for the cells, while the BLs for the cells are perpendicular to the WLs. Such diagonal arrangements may advantageously allow achieving high layout densities of 1T-1FE-CAP memory cells and may benefit from the re-use of front-end transistor process technology with relatively minor adaptations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel H. Morris, Uygar E. Avci, Ian A. Young
  • Patent number: 11450377
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tae H. Kim
  • Patent number: 11429309
    Abstract: A processing device, operatively coupled with a memory device, is configured to identify a temperature related to a memory device of a plurality of memory devices; to determine, whether the temperature satisfies a threshold temperature condition; responsive to detecting that the temperature related to the memory device satisfies the threshold temperature condition, to identify an entry associated with the memory device from a plurality of entries in a data structure, wherein each entry of the plurality of entries corresponds to one of the plurality of memory devices; to determine a parameter value associated with the memory device from the entry, wherein the parameter value is for a programming operation to store data at the memory device; to adjust the parameter value associated with the memory device to generate an adjusted parameter value; and to store the adjusted parameter value in the entry of the data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mustafa N Kaynak, Sampath K Ratnam, Zixiang Loh, Nagendra Prasad Ganesh Rao, Larry K Koudele, Vamsi Pavan Rayaprolu, Patrick R Khayat, Shane Nowell
  • Patent number: 11417837
    Abstract: A memory device that includes a first magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layer present on a first non-magnetic metal electrode, and a free magnetic metal layer present on the first magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layer. A second magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layer may be present on the free magnetic metal layer, and a second non-magnetic metal electrode may be present on the second magnetic insulating tunnel barrier. The first and second magnetic insulating tunnel barrier reference layers are arranged so that their magnetizations are aligned to be anti-parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 11417380
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for dual mode ferroelectric memory cell operation are described. A memory array or portions of the array may be variously operated in volatile and non-volatile modes. For example, a memory cell may operate in a non-volatile mode and then operate in a volatile mode following a command initiated by a controller while the cell is operating in the non-volatile mode. The memory cell may operate in the volatile mode and then operate in the non-volatile mode following a subsequent command. In some examples, one memory cell of the memory array may operate in the non-volatile mode while another memory cell of the memory array operates in the volatile mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 11404099
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein are related to a memory system. In one aspect, the memory system includes a first set of memory cells including a first string of memory cells and a second string of memory cells; and a first switch including: a first electrode connected to first electrodes of the first string of memory cells and first electrodes of the second string of memory cells, and a second electrode connected to a first global bit line, wherein gate electrodes of the first string of memory cells are connected to a first word line and gate electrodes of the second string of memory cells are connected to a second word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Chen Wang, Meng-Han Lin, Chia-En Huang, Yi-Ching Liu
  • Patent number: 11404111
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for sensing a signal associated with a memory cell capable of storing three or more logic states. To sense the memory cell (e.g., a signal associated with the memory cell), a charge may be transferred between a digit line and a node coupled with a plurality of sense components using a charge transfer device. Once the charge is transferred, at least some if not each of the plurality of sense components may sense the charge using one of a variety of sensing schemes. For example, the charge may be sensed by each sense component at a same time using a single fixed reference value, or at different times using different fixed reference values. Based on the charge being transferred or transferred with the node (e.g., using the charge transfer device) and each sense component sensing the charge, a logic state associated with the memory cell may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George B. Raad, John F. Schreck
  • Patent number: 11393509
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first inverter, a second inverter, a first header circuit and a second header circuit. The first inverter is configured to convert a first global write signal into a first local write signal transmitted to a complement bit line. The second inverter is configured to convert a second global write signal into a second local write signal transmitted to a bit line. The first header circuit connects or disconnects a power terminal of the first inverter with a positive reference voltage supply in response to a write enable signal and the second global write signal. The second header circuit connects or disconnects a power terminal of the second inverter with the positive reference voltage supply in response to a write enable signal and the first global write signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: He-Zhou Wan, Xiu-Li Yang, Pei-Le Li, Ching-Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 11394200
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a device for coupling two DC grids comprising source-side and load-side capacitances comprising: a switching device for current regulation, the switching device including two series-connected switching modules; wherein each of the switching modules includes at least one controllable semiconductor switching element connected in parallel to a respective series circuit comprising a resistor and a capacitor; and a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Jürgen Rupp
  • Patent number: 11380381
    Abstract: A memory device may include a digit line, a ferroelectric memory cell coupled with the digit line, a first capacitor including a first node and a second node, the first node coupled with the digit line using a first path and the second node coupled with the digit line using a second path different from the first path, and a switching component positioned in the second path and coupled with the second node of the first capacitor and the digit line, the switching component configured to selectively couple the second node of the first capacitor with the digit line. In some cases, the memory device may further include a second capacitor coupled with the digit line and the second node of the first capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuko Hattori, Mahdi Jamali
  • Patent number: 11380839
    Abstract: A magnetic memory (MRAM) cell, comprising: a first layer formed from a substantially electrically conductive material; and a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack formed over the first layer, wherein the MTJ stack comprises: a ferromagnetic reference layer having an in-plane reference magnetization; a tunnel barrier layer; and a ferromagnetic storage layer between the tunnel barrier layer and the first layer, the storage layer having an in-plane storage magnetization; wherein the MTJ stack comprises an arrangement for providing an in-plane uniaxial anisotropy in the storage layer; wherein said in-plane uniaxial anisotropy makes an angle with the direction of the write current that is between 5° and 90°, and wherein said in-plane uniaxial anisotropy has an energy between 40 and 200 kBT and wherein coercivity is larger than 200 Oe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignees: Antaios, Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Witold Kula, Marc Drouard, Gilles Gaudin, Jean-Pierre Nozieres
  • Patent number: 11367730
    Abstract: An example of an apparatus includes a plurality of memory cells. At least a portion of the memory cells have a bottom electrode with each bottom electrode being at least partially electrically isolated from remaining ones of the bottom electrodes. At least one resistive interconnect electrically couples two or more of the bottom electrodes. The resistive interconnect is arranged to discharge at least a portion of excess charge from the two or more bottom electrodes. Additional apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 11355174
    Abstract: Self-referencing memory device, techniques, and methods are described herein. A self-referencing memory device may include a ferroelectric memory cell. The self-referencing memory device may be configured to determine a logic state stored in a memory cell based on a state signal generated using the ferroelectric memory cell and a reference signal generated using the ferroelectric memory cell. The biasing of the plate line of the ferroelectric memory cell may be used to generate the voltage need to generate the state signal during a first time period of an access operation and to generate the reference signal during a second time period of the access operation. Procedures and operations related to a self-referencing memory device are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Riccardo Muzzetto
  • Patent number: 11348635
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for biasing a memory cell during a read operation are described. For example, a memory device may bias a memory cell to a first voltage (e.g., a read voltage) during an activation phase of a read operation. After biasing the memory cell to the first voltage, the memory device may bias the memory cell to a second voltage greater than the first voltage (e.g., a write voltage) during the activation phase of the read operation. After biasing the memory cell to the second voltage, the memory device may initiate a refresh phase of the read operation. Based on a value stored by the memory cell prior to biasing the memory cell to the first voltage, the memory device may initiate a precharge phase of the read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Locatelli, Giorgio Servalli, Angelo Visconti
  • Patent number: 11348630
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for self-referencing memory cells are described. A reference value for a cell may be created through multiple sense operations on the cell. The cell may be sensed several times and an average of at least two sensing operations may be used as a reference for another sense operation. For example, the cell may be sensed and the resulting charge stored at a capacitor. The cell may be biased to one state, sensed a second time, and the resulting charge stored at another capacitor. The cell may be biased to another state, sensed a third time, and the resulting charge stored to another capacitor. The values from the second and third sensing operations may be averaged and used as a reference value in a comparison with value of the first sensing operation to determine a logic state of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 11335391
    Abstract: A memory cell arrangement is provided that may include: one or more memory cells, each memory cell of the one or more memory cells including: a field-effect transistor structure; a plurality of first control nodes; a plurality of first capacitor structures, a second control node; and a second capacitor structure including a first electrode connected to the second control node and a second electrode connected to a gate region of the field-effect transistor. Each of the plurality of first capacitor structures includes a first electrode connected to a corresponding first control node of the plurality of first control nodes, a second electrode connected to the gate region of the field-effect transistor structure, and a spontaneous-polarizable region disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode of the first capacitor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: FERROELECTRIC MEMORY GMBH
    Inventor: Johannes Ocker
  • Patent number: 11334688
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to radio frequency identification (RFID)-based communications technologies. In one aspect, a radio-frequency-based communications apparatus includes an antenna, a near field communication (NFC) radio frequency module and an electronic product code (EPC) radio frequency module separately connected to the antenna, an NFC processing module connected to the NFC radio frequency module, and an EPC processing module connected to the EPC radio frequency module. The NFC radio frequency module and the NFC processing module are configured to process signals transmitted according to one or more predetermined NFC protocols. The EPC radio frequency module and the EPC processing module are configured to process signals transmitted according to one or more predetermined EPC protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Advanced New Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11333824
    Abstract: Laterally emitting optical waveguides and method introduce micromodifications into an optical waveguide and provide optical waveguides. The waveguides and methods comprise an optical wave-guiding core, a region in the optical waveguide, wherein the micro-modifications are arranged in the region of the optical waveguide, wherein the arrangement of the micro-modifications is ordered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: CLINICAL LASERTHERMIA SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Manuela Schwagmeier, Verena Knappe, David Ashkenasi, Hans-Joachim Cappius
  • Patent number: 11329099
    Abstract: A magnetic random access memory chip having magnetic memory elements with different performance characteristics formed on the same chip. The magnetic memory elements can be magnetic random access memory elements. The memory chip can have a first set of magnetic random access chips having a first set of physical and performance characteristics formed in a first area of the sensor and a second set of magnetic random access chips having a second set of performance characteristics formed in a second area of the chip. For example, the first set of magnetic random access memory elements can have performance characteristics that match or exceed those of a non-volatile memory, whereas the second set of magnetic random access memory elements can have performance characteristic that match or exceed those of a static random access memory element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Integrated Silicon Solution, (Cayman) Inc.
    Inventors: Mustafa Pinarbasi, Bartlomiej Adam Kardasz, Thomas D. Boone
  • Patent number: 11322191
    Abstract: A ferroelectric capacitor of a memory cell may be in electronic communication with a sense capacitor through a digit line. The digit line may be virtually grounded during memory cell sensing, limiting or avoiding voltage drop across the digit line, and allowing all or substantially all of the stored charge of the ferroelectric capacitor to be extracted and transferred to the sense capacitor. Virtually grounding the digit line may be achieved by activating a switching component (e.g., a p-type field-effect transistor) that is electronic communication with the digit line. The charge of the ferroelectric capacitor may be transferred through the switching component. A sense amplifier may compare the voltage of the sense capacitor to a reference voltage in order to determine the stored logic state of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 11309034
    Abstract: A memory cell arrangement is provided that may include: a plurality of first control lines; a plurality of second control lines; a plurality of third control lines; each of a plurality of memory cell sets includes memory cells and is assigned to a corresponding one of the plurality of first control lines and includes at least a first memory cell subset addressable via the corresponding first control line, a corresponding one of the plurality of second control lines, and the plurality of third control lines, and at least a second memory cell subset addressable via the corresponding first control line, the plurality of second control lines, and a corresponding one of the plurality of third control lines. The corresponding one of the plurality of third control lines addresses the second memory cell subset of each memory cell set of the plurality of memory cell sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: FERROELECTRIC MEMORY GMBH
    Inventors: Menno Mennenga, Johannes Ocker
  • Patent number: 11309036
    Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented for that may be implemented to compensate for NAND flash memory voltage threshold (Vth) shift by using one or more designated calibration wordlines that are programmed into the NAND flash memory with a pre-defined data pattern. In one example configuration, the disclosed systems and methods may be automatically implemented by a SSD controller when needed to compensate for flash memory voltage threshold (Vth) shift that occurs, e.g., due to NAND memory cell charge loss due to power-off data retention over an extended period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Chai Im Teoh, Lip Vui Kan
  • Patent number: 11296186
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include in-recess fabricated vertical capacitor cells, that can be assembled as close to the surface of a semiconductor package substrate as the first-level interconnect surface. The in-recess fabricated vertical capacitor cells are semiconductor package-integrated capacitors. Disclosed embodiments include laminated vertical capacitor cells where a plated through-hole is twice breached to form opposing capacitor plates. The breached, plated through-hole capacitors are semiconductor package-integrated capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon C Marin, Praneeth Akkinepally, Whitney Bryks, Dilan Seneviratne, Frank Truong
  • Patent number: 11295813
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory is provided wherein a memory cell includes a capacitorless transistor having a floating body configured to store data as charge therein when power is applied to the cell. The cell further includes a nonvolatile memory comprising a resistance change element configured to store data stored in the floating body under any one of a plurality of predetermined conditions. A method of operating semiconductor memory to function as volatile memory, while having the ability to retain stored data when power is discontinued to the semiconductor memory is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 11295797
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques to mitigate asymmetric long delay stress are described. A memory device may activate a memory cell during a first phase of an access operation cycle. The memory device may write a first state or a second state to the memory cell during the first phase of the access operation cycle. The memory device may maintain the first state or the second state during a second phase of the access operation cycle after the first phase of the access operation cycle. The memory device may write, during a third phase of the access operation cycle after the second phase of the access operation cycle, the second state to the memory cell. The memory device may precharge the memory cell during the third phase of the access operation cycle based on writing the second state to the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo Visconti
  • Patent number: 11282572
    Abstract: A memory device may include at least one multinary memory cell. Each multinary memory cell includes a parallel connection of N sub-bit units. N is an integer greater than 1. Each of the N sub-bit units includes a series connection of a respective transistor and a respective capacitor. A first sub-bit unit includes a first capacitor having a capacitance of C, and each i-th sub-unit includes an i-th capacitor having a capacitance of about 2i-1×C. A multinary bit having 2N values may be stored. A device network including multiple multinary logic units is also provided. Each of multiple multinary logic unit includes a parallel connection of N sub-bit units. Each sub-bit unit includes a series connection of a respective transistor and a respective capacitor having capacitance ratios of powers of 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Katherine H. Chiang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11276449
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a ferroelectric transistor. The transistor has gate dielectric material configured as a first container, with the first container having a first inner surface. Metal-containing material is configured as a second container nested within said first container. The second container has a second inner surface with an area less than the first inner surface. Ferroelectric material is configured as a third container nested within the second container. The third container has a third inner surface with an area less than the second inner surface. Gate material is within the third container. Some embodiments include memory arrays having ferroelectric transistors as memory cells. Some embodiments include methods of writing/reading relative to memory cells of memory arrays when the memory cells are metal-ferroelectric-metal-insulator-semiconductor (MFMIS) transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Wayne Kinney
  • Patent number: 11270740
    Abstract: A sense component of a memory device in accordance with the present disclosure may selectively employ components having a relatively high voltage isolation characteristic in a portion of the sense component associated with relatively higher voltage signals (e.g., signals associated with accessing a ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) cell), and components having a relatively low voltage isolation characteristic in a portion of the sense component associated with relatively lower voltage signals (e.g., input/output signals according to some memory architectures). Voltage isolation characteristics may include isolation voltage, activation threshold voltage, a degree of electrical insulation, and others, and may refer to such characteristics as a nominal value or a threshold value. In some examples the sense component may include transistors, and the voltage isolation characteristics may be based at least in part on gate insulation thickness of the transistors in each portion of the sense component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyoichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 11264074
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices for time-resolved access of memory cells in a memory array are described herein. During a sense portion of a read operation, a selected memory cell may be charged to a predetermined voltage level. A logic state stored on the selected memory cell may be identified based on a duration between the beginning of the charging and when selected memory cell reaches the predetermined voltage level. In some examples, time-varying signals may be used to indicate the logic state based on the duration of the charging. In some examples, the duration of the charging may be based on a polarization state of the selected memory cell, a dielectric charge state of the selected state, or both a polarization state and a dielectric charge state of the selected memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Umberto Di Vincenzo
  • Patent number: 11257865
    Abstract: The invention provides a resistive memory with better area efficiency without degrading reliability, which includes an array area, word lines, a local bit line, source lines, and a shared bit line. In the array area, memory cells are arranged in a matrix, and each memory cells includes a variable resistance element and an accessing transistor. The word lines extend in a row direction of the array area and are connected to the memory cells in the row direction. The local bit line extends in a column direction of the array area. The source lines extend in the column direction and are connected to first electrodes of the memory cells in the column direction. The shared bit line is connected to the local bit line. The shared bit line extends in the row direction and is connected to second electrodes of the memory cells in the row direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: WINBOND ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tomita, Chi Shun Lin
  • Patent number: 11250900
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A memory array may be operated in a half density mode, in which a subset of the memory cells is designated as reference memory cells. Each reference memory cell may be paired to an active memory cell and may act as a reference signal when sensing the active memory cell. Each pair of active and reference memory cells may be connected to a single access line. Sense components (e.g., sense amplifiers) associated with reference memory cells may be deactivated in half density mode. The entire memory array may be operated in half density mode, or a portion of the array may operate in half density mode and the remainder of the array may operate in full density mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 11244999
    Abstract: Artificial synaptic devices with an HfO2-based ferroelectric layer that can be implemented in the CMOS back-end are provided. In one aspect, an artificial synapse element is provided. The artificial synapse element includes: a bottom electrode; a ferroelectric layer disposed on the bottom electrode, wherein the ferroelectric layer includes an HfO2-based material that crystallizes in a ferroelectric phase at a temperature of less than or equal to about 400° C.; and a top electrode disposed on the bottom electrode. An artificial synaptic device including the present artificial synapse element and methods for formation thereof are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Martin M. Frank, Takashi Ando, Xiao Sun, Jin Ping Han, Vijay Narayanan
  • Patent number: 11244960
    Abstract: The present technology includes a semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device includes a stack including a conductive pattern and an insulating pattern, a channel structure penetrating the stack, and a memory pattern between the conductive pattern and the channel structure. The memory pattern includes a blocking pattern, a tunnel pattern, a storage pattern, and a ferroelectric pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Kun Young Lee, Sun Young Kim, Jae Gil Lee
  • Patent number: 11238907
    Abstract: Methods and devices for techniques for precharging a memory cell are described. Precharging a memory cell while the memory cell is coupled with its digit line may reduce a total duration of an access operation thereby reducing a latency associated with accessing a memory device. During a read operation, the memory device may select a word line to couple the memory cell with a selected digit line. Further, the memory device may selectively couple the selected digit line with a reference digit line that is to be precharged to a given voltage. A difference in voltage between the selected digit line and the reference digit line at the completion of precharging may represent a signal indicative of a logic state of the memory cell. The memory device may use a capacitor precharged to a first voltage to capture the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto Di Vincenzo
  • Patent number: 11239361
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus which comprises: a first layer comprising a semiconductor; a second layer comprising an insulating material, the second layer adjacent to the first layer; a third layer comprising a high-k insulating material, the third layer adjacent to the second layer; a fourth layer comprising a ferroelectric material, the fourth layer adjacent to the third layer; and a fifth layer comprising a high-k insulating material, the fifth layer adjacent to the fourth layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Uygar E. Avci, Joshua M. Howard, Seiyon Kim, Ian A. Young
  • Patent number: 11238913
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A first ferroelectric memory cell may be initialized to a first state and a second ferroelectric memory cell may be initialized to a different state. Each state may have a corresponding digit line voltage. The digit lines of the first and second ferroelectric memory cells may be connected so that charge-sharing occurs between the two digit lines. The voltage resulting from the charge-sharing between the two digit lines may be used by other components as a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott James Derner, Christopher John Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11232823
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for full bias sensing in a memory array are described. Various embodiments of an access operation of a cell in a array may be timed to allow residual charge of a middle electrode between the cell and a selection component to discharge. Access operations may also be timed to allow residual charge of middle electrodes associated with other cells to be discharged. In conjunction with an access operation for a target cell, a residual charge of a middle electrode of another cell may be discharged, and the target cell may then be accessed. A capacitor in electronic communication with a cell may be charged and a logic state of the cell determined based on the charge of the capacitor. The timing for charging the capacitor may be related to the time for discharging a middle electrode of the cell or another cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Umberto Di Vincenzo, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 11231992
    Abstract: A memory system includes a plurality of memory devices, each of the plurality of memory devices including a plurality of memory cells, and at least one of the plurality of memory devices including a backup region, and a memory controller configured to store data to be stored in a plurality of selected memory cells in the plurality of selected memory cells and the backup region, the plurality of selected memory cells being connected to a selected word line of a selected memory device among the plurality of memory devices, and replace the selected word line with a redundancy word line to which a plurality of redundancy memory cells among the plurality of memory cells are connected in response to a correctable error correction code (CECC) occurring in at least one of the plurality of selected memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Inhoon Park, Dong Kim, Hyunglae Eun, Chulseung Lim, Wonyeoung Jung
  • Patent number: 11222958
    Abstract: A first fin structure is disposed over a substrate. The first fin structure contains a semiconductor material. A gate dielectric layer is disposed over upper and side surfaces of the first fin structure. A gate electrode layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A second fin structure is disposed over the substrate. The second fin structure is physically separated from the first fin structure and contains a ferroelectric material. The second fin structure is electrically coupled to the gate electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Hsing Hsu, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang, Min Cao
  • Patent number: 11222668
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory cell sensing stress mitigation are described. A memory device may be configured to bias a memory cell to a voltage with a first polarity or a second polarity (e.g., a positive voltage or a negative voltage) during an access operation to level wear experienced by the memory cell during the access operation. For example, during a first read operation, a first pulse with the first polarity (e.g., a negative voltage) may be applied to the memory cell to read out a first logic state stored at the memory cell. During a second read operation, a second pulse with the second polarity (e.g., a positive voltage) may be applied to the memory cell to read out a second logic state stored at the memory cell. The memory device may include a selection component for selecting between the different pulses used for different read operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Duane R. Mills, Richard E. Fackenthal, Yasuko Hattori
  • Patent number: 11211550
    Abstract: In a non-limiting embodiment, a magnetic memory device includes a memory component having a plurality of magnetic storage elements for storing memory data, and one or more sensor components configured to detect a magnetic field external to the memory component. The sensor component outputs a signal to one or more components of the magnetic memory device based on the detected magnetic field. The memory component is configured to be terminated when the signal is above a predetermined threshold value. In some embodiments, a magnetic field is generated in a direction opposite to the direction of the detected external magnetic field when the signal is above the predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin Liu, Eng Huat Toh, Samarth Agarwal, Ruchil Kumar Jain, Kiok Boone Elgin Quek
  • Patent number: 11211109
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for protecting stored data in a memory device are described. In one example, a memory device may include a set of memory cells coupled with a digit line and a plate line. A method of operating the memory device may include performing an access operation on a selected memory cell of the set of memory cells, and performing an equalization operation on a non-selected memory cell of the plurality of memory cells based on performing the access operation. The equalization operation may include applying an equal voltage to opposite terminals of the non-selected memory cell via the digit line and the plate line, which may allow built-up charge, such as leakage charge resulting from the access operation, to dissipate. Such an equalization operation may reduce a likelihood of memory loss in non-selected memory cells after access operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 11205468
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include ferroelectric memory and for operating ferroelectric memory. An example apparatus includes a capacitor having a first plate, a second plate, and a ferroelectric dielectric material. The apparatus further includes a first digit line and a first selection component configured to couple the first plate to the first digit line, and also includes a second digit line and a second selection component configured to couple the second plate to the second digit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11195592
    Abstract: A memory inspecting method and a memory inspecting system are proposed. The memory inspecting system includes a testing machine and a computer system. The memory inspecting method includes: performing a first data retention time test on a plurality of memory chips to obtain a plurality of first qualified memory chips; performing a second data retention time test on the first qualified memory chips to obtain a plurality of second qualified memory chips; performing a third data retention time test on the second qualified memory chips to obtain a plurality of third qualified memory chips. Performing a statistical analysis step on the third qualified memory chips according to a first data retention time, a second data retention time and a third data retention time of each of the third qualified memory chips is for obtaining at least one final qualified memory chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: INTEGRATED SILICON SOLUTION INC.
    Inventors: PaiLu Dennis Wang, Lien-Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 11189331
    Abstract: A memory cell arrangement is provided that may include: at least one memory cell and a read-out circuit. The memory cell includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a field-effect transistor structure being connected to the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal. The read-out circuit is configured to carry out a read-out operation to read out a memory state of the memory cell, the read-out operation including: providing a first voltage at the first terminal, a second voltage at the second terminal, and a third voltage at the third terminal such that the field-effect transistor structure is in a high-resistivity state and such that a leakage current through the first terminal and/or through the second terminal is generated, and sensing the leakage current to determine the memory state of the memory element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: FERROELECTRIC MEMORY GMBH
    Inventors: Antoine Benoist, Marko Noack
  • Patent number: 11189330
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for biasing techniques, such as open page biasing techniques, are described. A memory cell may be accessed during an access phase of an access operation, for example, an open page access operation. An activate pulse may be applied to the memory cell during the access phase. The memory cell may be biased to a non-zero voltage after applying the activate pulse and before a pre-charge phase. The pre-charge phase of the access phase may be initiated after biasing the memory cell to the non-zero voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo Visconti, Andrea Locatelli, Giorgio Servalli
  • Patent number: 11176047
    Abstract: A data storage system comprises physical storage, cache memory and a processor connected to the physical storage and the cache memory. The processor is arranged to maintain a set of active regions in the cache memory, each active region having a size equal to an integer multiple of an update size of a flash chip within the physical storage, where the integer could be 1. The processor receives requests for one or more blocks of the cache memory from components within the storage system and allocates one or more blocks from an active region in response to a received request. If the processor determines that all blocks in an active region have been allocated and that all allocated blocks within this region have been written to, then the processor destages the content of this region to the physical storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Miles Mulholland, Lee J. Sanders, Ben Sasson, William J. Scales