Patents Examined by Mohammed A Bashar
  • Patent number: 12112800
    Abstract: A method for programming a memory array of a non-volatile memory structure, wherein the memory array comprises a population of MLC NAND-type memory cells, and the method comprises: (1) in a first program pulse, programming selected memory cells according to a first programmable state and a second programmable state, and (2) in a second program pulse, programming the selected memory cells according to a third programmable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Xiang Yang, Deepanshu Dutta, Muhammad Masuduzzaman, Jiacen Guo
  • Patent number: 12106822
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to devices and methods for performing MAC operations using a memory array as a compute-in-memory (CIM) device that can enable higher computational throughput, higher performance and lower energy consumption compared to computation using a processor outside of a memory array. In some embodiments, an activation architecture is provided using a bit cell array arranged in rows and columns to store charges that represent a weight value in a weight matrix. A read word line (RWL) may be repurposed to provide the input activation value to bit cells within a row of bit cells, while a read-bit line (RBL) is configured to receive multiplication products from bit cells arranged in a column. Some embodiments provide multiple sub-arrays or tiles of bit cell arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: MediaTek Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chetan Deshpande, Gajanan Sahebrao Jedhe, Gaurang Prabhakar Narvekar, Cheng-Xin Xue, Sushil Kumar, Zijie Guo
  • Patent number: 12108589
    Abstract: A memory device includes pages, each being composed of a plurality of memory cells arrayed on a substrate in row form. The memory device controls voltages to be applied to a first gate conductor layer, a second gate conductor layer, a first impurity region, and a second impurity region of each of the memory cells included in the pages to perform a page write operation of holding a hole group formed by an impact ionization phenomenon or a gate induced drain leakage current in a channel semiconductor layer, and controls voltages to be applied to the first gate conductor layer, the second gate conductor layer, the third gate conductor layer, the fourth gate conductor layer, the first impurity region, and the second impurity region to perform a page erase operation of removing the hole group out of the channel semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: UNISANTIS ELECTRONICS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Sakui, Nozomu Harada
  • Patent number: 12100454
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes tiers located one over another, each of the tiers including memory cells and a control gate for the memory cells, each of the tiers including first transistors connected in series between the control gate in a respective tier and a conductive line, and second transistors connected in series between the control gate in the respective tier and the conductive line, the second transistors connected in parallel with the first transistors between the control gate and the conductive line, conductive joints coupled to channel regions of the first and second transistors, and gates for the first transistors and second transistors, each of the gates shared by one of the first transistors and one of the second transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Fujiki, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Akira Goda
  • Patent number: 12100447
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-selecting memory with horizontal access lines are described. A memory array may include first and second access lines extending in different directions. For example, a first access line may extend in a first direction, and a second access line may extend in a second direction. At each intersection, a plurality of memory cells may exist, and each plurality of memory cells may be in contact with a self-selecting material. Further, a dielectric material may be positioned between a first plurality of memory cells and a second plurality of memory cells in at least one direction. each cell group (e.g., a first and second plurality of memory cells) may be in contact with one of the first access lines and second access lines, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Fratin, Fabio Pellizzer, Agostino Pirovano, Russell L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 12094522
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes: a plurality of first data amplifiers arranged in line in a first direction; a plurality of first read data buses each coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of first data amplifiers, the plurality of first read data buses having different lengths one another; and a plurality of first write data buses each coupled to the corresponding one of the plurality of first data amplifiers, the plurality of first write data buses having different lengths one another. The plurality of first read data buses and the plurality of first write data buses are alternately arranged in parallel in a second direction vertical to the first direction. The plurality of first read data buses are arranged in longest order and the plurality of first write data buses are arranged in shortest order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Akeno Ito, Mamoru Nishizaki
  • Patent number: 12087367
    Abstract: A method of operating a non-volatile memory device includes performing a first sensing operation on the non-volatile memory device during a first sensing time including a first section, a second section, and a third section. The performing of the first sensing operation includes applying a first voltage level, which is variable according to a first target voltage level, to a selected word line in the first section, applying a second voltage level, which is different from the first voltage level, to the selected word line in the second section, and applying the first target voltage level, which is different from the second voltage level, to the selected word line in the third section. The first voltage level becomes greater as the first target voltage level becomes greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Hun Kwak
  • Patent number: 12087383
    Abstract: Virtualized scan chain testing in a random access memory array, and related methods and computer-readable media are disclosed. To facilitate virtualized scan chain testing, the memory array includes an integrated test circuit that causes the memory array to behave as a serialized scan chain. The integrated test circuit forces serialized write and read access to offset entries in the memory array on each scan cycle in a scan mode based on received serialized test data. After the number of scan cycles equals the number of entries the memory array, the entries in the memory array are fully initialized with test data from the serial test data flow. In subsequent scan cycles, the integrated test circuit continues to perform serial read operations to cause stored serial test data to be serially shifted out as an output serial data flow that then be compared to the original serial test data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Ampere Computing LLC
    Inventors: David Hoff, Yeshwant Kolla, Rahul Nadkarni, Babji Vallabhaneni
  • Patent number: 12080334
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a row hammer management circuit and a refresh control circuit. The row hammer management circuit counts the number of times of access on each memory cell row to store the counted values in count cells of each memory cell row as count data. A hammer address queue in the row hammer management circuit stores candidate hammer addresses, which are intensively accessed, in response to a number of the candidate hammer addresses reaching a second number, transitions a logic level of an error signal provided to the memory controller, and, in response to the number of the candidate hammer addresses reaching the first number, outputs one of the candidate hammer addresses as a hammer address. The refresh control circuit performs a hammer refresh operation on victim memory cell rows which are physically adjacent to a memory cell row corresponding to the hammer address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Taeyoung Oh
  • Patent number: 12073889
    Abstract: A method of operating a non-volatile memory device includes performing a first sensing operation on the non-volatile memory device during a first sensing time including a first section, a second section, and a third section. The performing of the first sensing operation includes applying a first voltage level, which is variable according to a first target voltage level, to a selected word line in the first section, applying a second voltage level, which is different from the first voltage level, to the selected word line in the second section, and applying the first target voltage level, which is different from the second voltage level, to the selected word line in the third section. The first voltage level becomes greater as the first target voltage level becomes greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Hun Kwak
  • Patent number: 12067285
    Abstract: A buffer circuit includes a primary interface, a secondary interface, and an encoder/decoder circuit. The primary interface is configured to communicate on an n-bit channel, wherein n parallel bits on the n-bit channel are coded using data bit inversion (DBI). The secondary interface is configured to communicate with a plurality of integrated circuit devices on a plurality of m-bit channels, each m-bit channel transmitting m parallel bits without using DBI. And the encoder/decoder circuit is configured to translate data words between the n-bit channel of the primary interface and the plurality of m-bit channels of the secondary interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Scott C. Best
  • Patent number: 12062407
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for page-based soft post package repair are disclosed. Based on data stored in a storage element, an address may be decoded to a prime row, a row-based redundant row, or a page-based redundant row. A match logic circuit may determine whether the address corresponds to a defective prime row and generate a match signal. A decoder can select a redundant row to be accessed instead of a prime row in response to the match signal indicating that the address data corresponding to the address to be accessed matches defective address data stored in a volatile memory. A page-based redundant row allows for page-by-page substitution for defective memory, allowing functional portions of memory to continue to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan John Wilson, Donald M. Morgan, John David Porter
  • Patent number: 12057171
    Abstract: A method of improving endurance of a NOR flash is provided. The NOR flash includes a substrate, a well formed in the substrate, a tunnel oxide layer, a floating gate, a dielectric layer, and a control gate sequentially stacked on the substrate, and a source and a drain formed in the well. The method includes the following steps. An erase time of the NOR flash is detected. In the case where the erase time exceeds a predetermined value, the source is brought into a floating state, a negative voltage is applied to the control gate, and a positive voltage is applied to the well to perform Joule heating on a drain side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Wen-Yueh Chang
  • Patent number: 12056601
    Abstract: Numerous embodiments are provided for compensating for drift error in non-volatile memory cells within a VMM array in an analog neuromorphic memory system. For example, in one embodiment, a circuit is provided for compensating for drift error during a read operation, the circuit comprising a data drift monitoring circuit coupled to the array for generating an output indicative of data drift; and a bitline compensation circuit for generating a compensation current in response to the output from the data drift monitoring circuit and injecting the compensation current into one or more bitlines of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hieu Van Tran, Steven Lemke, Vipin Tiwari, Nhan Do, Mark Reiten
  • Patent number: 12051476
    Abstract: Memory built-in self-test (MBIST) circuitry for a disruptive memory includes an address sequencer configured to select an address with the disruptive memory as a test location, and control circuitry configured to direct a test sequence including a plurality of test operations on the test location. The control circuitry includes a first fault counter and a second fault counter, in which the control circuitry is configured to, after each test operation of the test sequence, determine whether to selectively update a first fault counter and whether to selectively update a second fault counter. The address sequencer, after completion of the test sequence, selects a next address within the disruptive memory as a next test location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Strauss, Jon Scott Choy, Michael A. Sadd
  • Patent number: 12046317
    Abstract: A memory system is provided. The memory system includes an error correction code circuit configured to correct a maximum of N error bits in each of multiple read data and a monitor circuit configured to monitor multiple fail word addresses associated with M error bits, and further configured to output a first word address in the fail word addresses to replace first memory locations corresponding to the first word address. Each of the fail word addresses corresponds to one of multiple counter values, and the first word address corresponds to a maximum value of the counter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 12046316
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for detecting a state of a bus are described. A memory device may fail to receive or decode (e.g., successfully receive or successfully decode) an access command transmitted to the memory device via a bus. The bus may enter or remain in an idle state which may cause indeterminate signals to develop on the idle bus. A host device may obtain the indeterminate signals from the idle bus and determine that the indeterminate signals include an error based on a signal that develops on a control line of the idle bus. The signal may be associated with a control signal that indicates errors in a data signal when the control signal has a first voltage, and the control line may be configured to have the first voltage when the bus is idle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Schaefer, Aaron P. Boehm
  • Patent number: 12033711
    Abstract: In a described example, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a repairable memory system. A repair controller is coupled to the repairable memory system. The repair controller includes compression logic configured to encode memory repair code data for a respective instance of the repairable memory system and provide compressed repair data. A non-volatile memory controller is coupled to the repair controller and to non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory controller is configured to transfer the compressed repair data to the non-volatile memory for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Devanathan Varadarajan, Varun Singh
  • Patent number: 12020762
    Abstract: A method of testing non-volatile memory cells formed on a die includes erasing the memory cells and performing a first read operation to determine a lowest read current RC1 for the memory cells and a first number N1 of the memory cells having the lowest read current RC1. A second read operation is performed to determine a second number N2 of the memory cells having a read current not exceeding a target read current RC2. The target read current RC2 is equal to the lowest read current RC1 plus a predetermined current value. The die is determined to be acceptable if the second number N2 is determined to exceed the first number N1 plus a predetermined number. The die is determined to be defective if the second number N2 is determined not to exceed the first number N1 plus the predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Tkachev, Jinho Kim, Cynthia Fung, Gilles Festes, Bernard Bertello, Parviz Ghazavi, Bruno Villard, Jean Francois Thiery, Catherine Decobert, Serguei Jourba, Fan Luo, Latt Tee, Nhan Do
  • Patent number: 12020741
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for managing data refresh for semiconductor devices are provided. In one aspect, a semiconductor device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of blocks each including multiple pages and one or more integrated circuits coupled to the memory cell array. The one or more integrated circuits are configured to: read specific data from a page of a block in the memory cell array, perform a logic operation on the specific data in the page to obtain a logic operation result, count a number of bits having a specific value among the logic operation result, determine whether the number of bits is within a data refresh criterion for the page, and in response to determining that the number of bits is outside of the data refresh criterion, generate a data refresh warning message for the page in the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuo-Nan Hung