Patents Assigned to OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
  • Patent number: 10585735
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to selectively performing a read with increased accuracy, such as a self-reference read, from a memory. In one aspect, data is read from memory cells, such as magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) cells, of a memory array. In response to detecting a condition associated with reading from the memory cells, a self-reference read can be performed from at least one of the memory cells. For instance, the condition can indicate that data read from the memory cells is uncorrectable via decoding of error correction codes (ECC). Selectively performing self-reference reads can reduce power consumption and/or latency associated with reading from the memory compared to always performing self-reference reads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Kinney, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 10580980
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include depositing a storage component material over and/or in a trench in a dielectric material, including depositing the storage component material on approximately vertical walls of the trench and a bottom of the trench. Embodiments may also include etching the storage component material so that at least a portion of the storage component material remains on the approximately vertical walls and the bottom of the trench, wherein the trench is contacting an electrode and a selector such that storage component material on the bottom of the trench contacts the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Fabio Pellizzer, Innocenzo Tortorelli
  • Patent number: 10573384
    Abstract: A variable resistance memory array, programming a variable resistance memory element and methods of forming the array. A variable resistance memory array is formed with a plurality of word line transistors surrounding each phase change memory element. To program a selected variable resistance memory element, all of the bitlines are grounded or biased at the same voltage. A top electrode select line that is in contact with the selected variable resistance memory element is selected. The word line having the word line transistors surrounding the selected variable resistance memory element are turned on to supply programming current to the element. Current flows from the selected top electrode select line through the variable resistance memory element into the common source/drain region of the surrounding word line transistors, across the transistors to the nearest bitline contacts. The word lines are patterned in various lattice configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Jun Liu
  • Publication number: 20200005854
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for writing, programming, holding, maintaining, sampling, sensing, reading and/or determining a data state of a memory cell of a memory cell array, such as a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells each comprising an electrically floating body transistor. In one aspect, the techniques are directed to controlling and/or operating a semiconductor memory cell having an electrically floating body transistor in which an electrical charge is stored in the body region of the electrically floating body transistor. The techniques may employ bipolar transistor currents to control, write and/or read a data state in such a memory cell. In this regard, the techniques may employ a bipolar transistor current to control, write and/or read a data state in/of the electrically floating body transistor of the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Serguei OKHONIN, Mikhail NAGOGA
  • Patent number: 10460802
    Abstract: A memory circuit, including a memory array (such as a cross-point array), may include circuit elements that may function both as selection elements/drivers and de-selection elements/drivers. A selection/de-selection driver may be used to provide both a selection function as well as an operation function. The operation function may include providing sufficient currents and voltages for WRITE and/or READ operations in the memory array. When the de-selection path is used for providing the operation function, highly efficient cross-point implementations can be achieved. The operation function may be accomplished by circuit manipulation of a de-selection supply and/or de-selection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ovonyx Memory Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Hernan Castro
  • Patent number: 10446750
    Abstract: Memory devices having memory cells comprising variable resistance material include an electrode comprising a single nanowire. Various methods may be used to form such memory devices, and such methods may comprise establishing contact between one end of a single nanowire and a volume of variable resistance material in a memory cell. Electronic systems include such memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ovonyx Memory Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Michael P. Violette
  • Patent number: 10418091
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for writing, programming, holding, maintaining, sampling, sensing, reading and/or determining a data state of a memory cell of a memory cell array, such as a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells each comprising an electrically floating body transistor. In one aspect, the techniques are directed to controlling and/or operating a semiconductor memory cell having an electrically floating body transistor in which an electrical charge is stored in the body region of the electrically floating body transistor. The techniques may employ bipolar transistor currents to control, write and/or read a data state in such a memory cell. In this regard, the techniques may employ a bipolar transistor current to control, write and/or read a data state in/of the electrically floating body transistor of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Serguei Okhonin, Mikhail Nagoga
  • Publication number: 20190279985
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device having (i) a memory cell array which includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, wherein each memory cell includes at least one transistor having a gate, gate dielectric and first, second and body regions, wherein: (i) the body region of each transistor is electrically floating and (ii) the transistors of adjacent memory cells have a common first region and/or a common second region. Each common first region and/or second regions of transistors of adjacent memory cells includes a barrier disposed therein and/or therebetween, wherein each barrier provides a discontinuity in the common regions and/or includes one or more electrical characteristics that are different from one or more corresponding electrical characteristics of the common regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Pierre C. FAZAN
  • Patent number: 10312437
    Abstract: Memory devices having a plurality of memory cells, with each memory cell including a phase change material having a laterally constricted portion thereof. The laterally constricted portions of adjacent memory cells are vertically offset and positioned on opposite sides of the memory device. Also disclosed are memory devices having a plurality of memory cells, with each memory cell including first and second electrodes having different widths. Adjacent memory cells have the first and second electrodes offset on vertically opposing sides of the memory device. Methods of forming the memory devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Ovonyx Memory Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 10304837
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device having (i) a memory cell array which includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, wherein each memory cell includes at least one transistor having a gate, gate dielectric and first, second and body regions, wherein: (i) the body region of each transistor is electrically floating and (ii) the transistors of adjacent memory cells have a common first region and/or a common second region. Each common first region and/or second regions of transistors of adjacent memory cells includes a barrier disposed therein and/or therebetween, wherein each barrier provides a discontinuity in the common regions and/or includes one or more electrical characteristics that are different from one or more corresponding electrical characteristics of the common regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Pierre C. Fazan
  • Patent number: 10186659
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include depositing a storage component material over and/or in a trench in a dielectric material, including depositing the storage component material on approximately vertical walls of the trench and a bottom of the trench. Embodiments may also include etching the storage component material so that at least a portion of the storage component material remains on the approximately vertical walls and the bottom of the trench, wherein the trench is contacting an electrode and a selector such that storage component material on the bottom of the trench contacts the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Fabio Pellizzer, Innocenzo Tortorelli
  • Patent number: 10164186
    Abstract: Memory devices having memory cells comprising variable resistance material include an electrode comprising a single nanowire. Various methods may be used to form such memory devices, and such methods may comprise establishing contact between one end of a single nanowire and a volume of variable resistance material in a memory cell. Electronic systems include such memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ovonyx Memory Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Michael P. Violette
  • Patent number: 10109347
    Abstract: A variable resistance memory array, programming a variable resistance memory element and methods of forming the array. A variable resistance memory array is formed with a plurality of word line transistors surrounding each phase change memory element. To program a selected variable resistance memory element, all of the bitlines are grounded or biased at the same voltage. A top electrode select line that is in contact with the selected variable resistance memory element is selected. The word line having the word line transistors surrounding the selected variable resistance memory element are turned on to supply programming current to the element. Current flows from the selected top electrode select line through the variable resistance memory element into the common source/drain region of the surrounding word line transistors, across the transistors to the nearest bitline contacts. The word lines are patterned in various lattice configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 10090048
    Abstract: Memory devices provide a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell including a memory element and a selection device. A plurality of first (e.g., row) address lines can be adjacent (e.g., under) a first side of at least some cells of the plurality. A plurality of second (e.g., column) address lines extend across the plurality of row address lines, each column address line being adjacent (e.g., over) a second, opposing side of at least some of the cells. Control circuitry can be configured to selectively apply a read voltage or a write voltage substantially simultaneously to the address lines. Systems including such memory devices and methods of accessing a plurality of cells at least substantially simultaneously are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ovonyx Memory Technology, LLC
    Inventors: David H. Wells, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 10083752
    Abstract: A memory circuit, including a memory array (such as a cross-point array), may include circuit elements that may function both as selection elements/drivers and de-selection elements/drivers. A selection/de-selection driver may be used to provide both a selection function as well as an operation function. The operation function may include providing sufficient currents and voltages for WRITE and/or READ operations in the memory array. When the de-selection path is used for providing the operation function, highly efficient cross-point implementations can be achieved. The operation function may be accomplished by circuit manipulation of a de-selection supply and/or de-selection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Hernan Castro
  • Patent number: 10084130
    Abstract: A chalcogenide-based programmable conductor memory device and method of forming the device, wherein a nanoparticle is provided between an electrode and a chalcogenide glass region. The method of forming the nanoparticle utilizes a template over the electrode or random deposition of the nanoparticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Kristy A. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10074405
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as a nonvolatile solid-state memory device, may, in some implementations, include access line bias circuitry to set a bias level associated with a deselected access line(s) of a memory core in response to mode information. In one approach, access line bias circuitry may use linear down regulation to change a voltage level on deselected access lines of a memory core. A memory access device, such as a host processor, may be provided that is capable of dynamically setting a mode of operation of a memory core of a memory device in order to manage power consumption of the memory. Other apparatuses and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Barkley, Nicholas Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 9997701
    Abstract: A resistive memory structure, for example, phase change memory structure, includes one access device and two or more resistive memory cells. Each memory cell is coupled to a rectifying device to prevent parallel leak current from flowing through non-selected memory cells. In an array of resistive memory bit structures, resistive memory cells from different memory bit structures are stacked and share rectifying devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Michael P. Violette
  • Patent number: 9966349
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and front-end method of fabricating nickel plated caps over bond pads used in a memory device. The method provides protection of the bond pads from an oxidizing atmosphere without exposing sensitive structures in the memory device to the copper during fabrication. In some examples, the method and device include one or more conductive and insulating layers formed over a substrate, and a plurality of memory cells over the conductive and insulating layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: John Moore, Joseph F. Brooks
  • Patent number: 9887005
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to memory devices and, more particularly, to programming a memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: OVONYX MEMORY TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Umberto Di Vincenzo, Carlo Lisi