Patents Assigned to Micron Technology
  • Patent number: 11217308
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for programming memory cells using asymmetric current pulses. An embodiment includes a memory having a plurality of self-selecting memory cells, and circuitry configured to program a self-selecting memory cell of the memory by applying a first current pulse or a second current pulse to the self-selecting memory cell, wherein the first current pulse is applied for a longer amount of time than the second current pulse and the first current pulse has a lower amplitude than the second current pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Mattia Robustelli, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Richard K. Dodge
  • Patent number: 11189662
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for via formation in a memory device are described. A memory cell stack for a memory array may be formed. In some examples, the memory cell stack may comprise a storage element. A via may also be formed in an area outside of the memory array, and the via may protrude from a material that surrounds the via. A material may then be formed above the memory cell stack and also above the via, and the top surface of the barrier material may be planarized until at least a portion of the via is exposed. A subsequently formed material may thereby be in direct contact with the top of the via, while a portion of the initially formed material may remain above the memory cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: David Ross Economy, Andrew Leslie Beemer
  • Patent number: 11170837
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to identifying high impedance faults in a memory device are described. A memory device may perform a first write operation to write a first logic state to a memory cell. During the first write operation, the memory device may establish a connection between a supply line and a control line associated with applying an output of a driver of a digit line coupled to the memory cell. After performing the first operation, the memory device may configure the supply line in a floating state. After the supply line is floated, the memory device may perform a second write operation to write a second logic state to the memory cell. The memory device may perform a third operation for reading the memory cell. The memory device may determine the condition of the supply line or control based on the result of the read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Daniel S. Miller, Yoshinori Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10770116
    Abstract: A memory device includes active circuitry configured to process a segment set that corresponds to a source data, wherein: the source data comprises information corresponding to a device operation, the source data having a block length representing a number of bits therein, and the segment set includes at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment and the second segment each including number of bits less than the block length; and a set of die pads coupled to the active circuitry and configured to communicate the segment set for operating a second device, wherein the set includes a number of die pads less than the block length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Vijayakrishna J. Vankayala, Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 10699783
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for sensing a signal associated with a memory cell capable of storing one of three or more logic states. To sense the memory cell (e.g., to sense the signal associated with the memory cell), a first sense component may compare the signal with a first reference value. A reference selector may select a second reference value based on the comparison of the signal with the first reference value. A second sense component may compare the signal with the second reference value. The logic state of the memory cell may be determined based on the results of the first comparison and the second comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: George B. Raad, John F. Schreck
  • Patent number: 9780110
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a conductive line, a memory cell string including memory cells located in different levels the apparatus, and a select circuit including a select transistor and a coupling component coupled between the conductive line and the memory cell string. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 9608185
    Abstract: A composition and method for formation of ohmic contacts on a semiconductor structure are provided. The composition includes a TiAlxNy material at least partially contiguous with the semiconductor structure. The TiAlxNy material can be TiAl3. The composition can include an aluminum material, the aluminum material being contiguous to at least part of the TiAlxNy material, such that the TiAlxNy material is between the aluminum material and the semiconductor structure. The method includes annealing the composition to form an ohmic contact on the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, John Mark Meldrim, Shanming Mou, Everett Allen McTeer
  • Patent number: 9442866
    Abstract: A memory device may comprise circuitry to determine a number of channels through which to transfer information to adjust between latency and throughput in transferring the information through the channels of a memory port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Samuel D. Post, Eric Anderson
  • Patent number: 9209127
    Abstract: Devices and methods are described including a multi-chip assembly. Embodiments of multi-chip assemblies are provided that uses both lateral connection structures and through chip connection structures. One advantage of this design includes an increased number of possible connections. Another advantage of this design includes shorter distances for interconnection pathways, which improves device performance and speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventor: Paul A. Farrar
  • Patent number: 9208833
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods for activating a signal associated with an access line coupled to different groups of memory cells during a memory operation of a device, and for sensing data lines of the device during different time intervals of the memory operation to determine the value of information stored in the memory cells. Each of the data lines can be coupled to a respective memory cell of each of the groups of memory cells. In at least one of such apparatuses and methods, the signal applied to the access line can remain activated during the memory operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Koji Sakui, Peter Sean Feeley
  • Patent number: 9015356
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and devices for a memory controller. In one or more embodiments, a memory controller includes a plurality of back end channels, and a command queue communicatively coupled to the plurality of back end channels. The command queue is configured to hold host commands received from a host. Circuitry is configured to generate a number of back end commands at least in response to a number of the host commands in the command queue, and distribute the number of back end commands to a number of the plurality of back end channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Mehdi Asnaashari, Yu-Song Liao, Jui-Yao Yang, Siamack Nemazie
  • Publication number: 20150076633
    Abstract: A magnetic cell includes an attracter material proximate to a magnetic region (e.g., a free region). The attracter material is formulated to have a higher chemical affinity for a diffusible species of a magnetic material, from which the magnetic region is formed, compared to a chemical affinity between the diffusible species and at least another species of the magnetic material. Thus, the diffusible species is removed from the magnetic material to the attracter material. The removal accommodates crystallization of the depleted magnetic material. The crystallized, depleted magnetic material enables a high tunnel magneto resistance, high energy barrier, and high energy barrier ratio. The magnetic region may be formed as a continuous magnetic material, thus enabling a high exchange stiffness, and positioning the magnetic region between two magnetic anisotropy-inducing oxide regions enables a high magnetic anisotropy strength. Methods of fabrication and semiconductor devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Manzar Siddik, Andy Lyle, Witold Kula
  • Patent number: 8853050
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of making stud-type capacitors utilizing carbon-containing support material. Openings may be formed through the carbon-containing support material to electrical nodes, and subsequently conductive material may be grown within the openings. The carbon-containing support material may then be removed, and the conductive material utilized as stud-type storage nodes of stud-type capacitors. The stud-type capacitors may be incorporated into DRAM, and the DRAM may be utilized in electronic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Mark Kiehlbauch, Kevin R. Shea
  • Patent number: 8799725
    Abstract: Methods of performing an internal diagnostic for a NAND configured memory device include storing data in a data cache coupled to an array of memory cells arranged in a NAND configuration, wherein the data stored in the data cache corresponds to at least one diagnostic function; performing a decode operation on the data stored in the data cache, wherein the decode operation generates a diagnostic function command for testing internal functions of the NAND configured memory device; and providing the decoded diagnostic function command to a state machine of the NAND configured memory device adapted to perform the decoded diagnostic function command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Benjamin Louie
  • Patent number: 8669173
    Abstract: A method of establishing conductive connections is disclosed. The method includes providing an integrated circuit die having a plurality of solder balls each of which has an oxide layer on an outer surface of the solder ball. The method also includes performing a heating process to heat at least the solder balls and applying a force causing each of a plurality of piercing bond structures on a substrate to pierce one of the solder balls and its associated oxide layer to thereby establish a conductive connection between the solder ball and the piercing bond structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventor: Teck Kheng Lee
  • Patent number: 8638612
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed, including those to improve program voltage distribution width using automatic selective slow program convergence (ASSPC). One such method may include determining whether a threshold voltage (Vt) associated with a memory cell has reached a particular pre-program verify voltage. In response to the determination, a voltage applied to a bit-line coupled to the memory cell may be automatically incremented at least twice as the program voltage is increased, until the cell is properly programmed. Additional embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Pranav Kalavade, Krishna K. Parat, Paul D. Ruby
  • Patent number: 8619456
    Abstract: Memory arrays and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a memory array includes an access line extending along a first direction and a first contact line and a second contact line extending along a second direction different from the first direction. The first and second contact lines are generally parallel to each other. The memory array also includes a memory node that includes a first memory cell electrically connected between the access line and the first contact line to form a first circuit, and a second memory cell electrically connected between the access line and the second contact line to form a second circuit different from the first circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventor: Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 8611149
    Abstract: A solid state drive is adapted to receive and transmit analog data signals representative of bit patterns of three or more levels (such as to facilitate increases in data transfer rates relative to devices communicating data signals indicative of individual bits). Programming of the solid state drive, including an array of non-volatile memory cells, might include adjusting the level of each memory cell being programmed in response to a desired performance level of a controller circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Vishal Sarin, Jung S. Hoei
  • Patent number: 8578070
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for controlling a memory device. One method for controlling a memory device embodiment includes storing device class dependent information and a command in one or more of host system memory and host controller memory, setting a pointer to the command in a register in a host controller, directing access to the one or more of host system memory and host controller memory with the memory device via the host controller; and executing the command with the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Peter Feeley, Robert N. Leibowitz, William H. Radke, Neal A. Galbo, Victor Y. Tsai
  • Patent number: 8536046
    Abstract: Partitioned vias, interconnects, and substrates that include such vias and interconnects are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a substrate has a non-conductive layer and a partitioned via formed in a portion of the non-conductive layer. The non-conductive layer includes a top side, a bottom side, and a via hole extending between the top and bottom sides and including a sidewall having a first section a second section. The partitioned via includes a first metal interconnect within the via on the first section of the sidewall and a second metal interconnect within the via hole on the second section of the sidewall and electrically isolated from the first metal interconnect. In another embodiment, the first metal interconnect is separated from the second metal interconnect by a gap within the via hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventor: Teck Kheng Lee