Patents Examined by Muna A Techane
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Patent number: 11183502Abstract: A memory cell includes a semiconductor substrate, a transistor, and a first anti-fuse structure. The transistor is above the semiconductor substrate. The first anti-fuse structure is above the semiconductor substrate and adjacent the transistor, and includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the first anti-fuse structure is in the semiconductor substrate and laterally surrounds the transistor. The second terminal of the first anti-fuse structure is above and spaced apart from the first terminal of the first anti-fuse structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2020Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Hsih-Yang Chiu
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Patent number: 11177013Abstract: A memory device to estimate signal and noise characteristics of a group of memory cells in response to a command identifying the group of memory cells. For example, the memory device measures first signal and noise characteristics of the group of memory cells based on first test voltages, compute using the first signal and noise characteristics an optimized read voltage of the group of memory cells, and estimate, using the first signal and noise characteristics, second signal and noise characteristics of the group of memory cells, where the second signal and noise characteristics are based on second test voltages that are centered at the optimized read voltage of the group of memory cells.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Robert Khayat, Sivagnanam Parthasarathy, James Fitzpatrick
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Patent number: 11170837Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 28, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Micron TechnologyInventors: Daniel S. Miller, Yoshinori Fujiwara
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Patent number: 11170827Abstract: There are provided a data buffer and a memory system having the same. The data buffer includes first and second amplifiers configured to output output data by inverting input data, the first and second amplifiers having coupled output nodes to which the output data is output, wherein both of the first and second amplifiers are activated to output the output data when the input data has a first swing level, and wherein one of the first and second amplifiers is activated to output the output data when the input data has a second swing level narrower than the first swing level.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventor: Jin Ha Hwang
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Patent number: 11164619Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for distribution-following access operations for a memory device are described. In an example, the described techniques may include identifying an activation of a first memory cell at a first condition of a biasing operation, and identifying an activation of a second memory cell at a second condition of the biasing operation, and determining a parameter of an access operation based at least in part on a difference between the first condition and the second condition. In some examples, the memory cells may be associated with a configurable material element, such as a chalcogenide material, that stores a logic state based on a material property of the material element. In some examples, the described techniques may at least partially compensate for a change in memory material properties due to aging or other degradation or changes over time.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Marco Sforzin, Paolo Amato
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Patent number: 11152069Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes a first memory string including a first memory transistor, a first word line connected to a gate electrode of the first memory transistor, a source line connected to one end of the memory string, and a first connection transistor connected between the first word line and the source line.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATIONInventors: Sanad Bushnaq, Noriyasu Kumazaki, Masashi Yamaoka
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Patent number: 11152052Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for fuse based device identification. A device may include a number of fuses which are used to encode permanent information on the device. The device may receive an identification request, and may generate an identification number based on the states of at least a portion of the fuses. For example, the device may include a hash generator, which may generate the identification number by using the fuse information as a seed for a hash algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yoshihito Morishita, Chikara Kondo
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Patent number: 11152067Abstract: Ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) circuits are provided herein. In one example implementation, a TCAM circuit can include a first spin-orbit torque (SOT) magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element having a pinned layer coupled to a first read transistor controlled by a first search line, and having a spin hall effect (SHE) layer coupled in a first configuration across complemented write inputs. The TCAM circuit can include a second SOT MTJ element having a pinned layer coupled to a second read transistor controlled by a second search line, and having a SHE layer coupled in a second configuration across the complemented write inputs. The TCAM circuit can include a bias transistor configured to provide a bias voltage to drain terminals of the first read transistor and the second read transistor, and a voltage keeper element that couples the drain terminals to a match indicator line.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Won Ho Choi, Jongyeon Kim
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Patent number: 11145344Abstract: A method includes performing a first read operation on a memory cell of a programmed first one-time programmable (OTP) anti-fuse to determine a state of the memory cell based on a first parameter level, performing a second read operation on the memory cell of the programmed first OTP anti-fuse to determine the state of the memory cell based on a second parameter level, identifying the memory cell of the first OTP anti-fuse as an uncertain bit when the state determined during the first read operation and the state determined during the second read operation are different, and programing one or more memory cells of a second OTP anti-fuse based on a bit position of the identified uncertain bit of the first OTP anti-fuse.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.Inventor: Xiaojun Lu
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Patent number: 11139008Abstract: A memory device includes a command interface configured to receive a write command and internal write adjust (IWA) circuitry. The IWA circuitry is configured to receive the write command from the command interface, generate an internal write signal (IWS) based upon the received write command and train a data strobe (DQS) signal to generate a DQS signal having a set amount of phase alignment with a clock (CLK) of the memory device to capture a data signal (DQ) using the IWS.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Daniel B. Penney, Gary L. Howe
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Patent number: 11139024Abstract: In order to eliminate an increase in the source potential of a transistor selected during writing or reading, this semiconductor device is equipped with: a variable-resistance type first switch having a first terminal and a second terminal; a variable-resistance type second switch having a third terminal and a fourth terminal, the third terminal being connected to the second terminal to form an intermediate node; first wiring connected to the first terminal; second wiring connected to the fourth terminal and, in a planar view, extending in a direction crossing the first wiring; a first selection transistor connected to the first wiring; a second selection transistor connected to the second wiring; a first well terminal connection line to which a well terminal of the first selection transistor is connected; and a second well terminal connection line to which a well terminal of the second selection transistor is connected.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: NANOBRIDGE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.Inventors: Makoto Miyamura, Yukihide Tsuji, Toshitsugu Sakamoto, Ryusuke Nebashi, Ayuka Tada, Xu Bai
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Patent number: 11139006Abstract: A self-biased sense amplification circuit includes a local bit line, a reset unit, a main bit lie, a pre-amplifier, a data line, a sample reference unit, and a sense amplifier. The local bit line receives a cell current generated by a memory cell during a sense operation. The reset unit resets the local bit line to a first system voltage during a sample operation. The pre-amplifier generates a read current on the main bit line according to a voltage of the local bit line during the sample operation and the sense operation. The data line is coupled to the main bit line. The sample reference unit generates a first reference current and a second reference current during the sample operation, and generates the first reference current during the sense operation. The sense amplifier senses a voltage of the data line.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: eMemory Technology Inc.Inventors: Chih-Chun Chen, Chun-Hung Lin
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Patent number: 11133080Abstract: The present technology includes a memory device and a method of operating the same. The memory device in which an interface circuit and a semiconductor memory are packaged together includes a centrally located region in a ball mapping region of a memory device in which data input/output pins for an operation of the interface circuit and the semiconductor memory are disposed, and a test pin region in which test pins for a test operation of the interface circuit are disposed.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventors: Chang Kyun Park, Young Sik Koh, Seung Jin Park, Dong Hyun Lee
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Patent number: 11133046Abstract: A data write device for a resistive memory element, the resistive memory element including: a conductive electrode provided at one end of the memory element; and a reading electrode provided at the other end of the memory element being configured to vary a resistance of the memory element by applying a write current to the conductive electrode, the data write device for the resistive memory element further includes: a writing means, an output means, and a control means. The output means is provided between a power supply and the reading electrode. As output signals, a read signal from the memory element and a monitor signal to monitor a writing status of the memory element written by the writing means are output from the output means. By the monitor signal, a termination of data-writing into the resistive memory element is detected.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITYInventors: Takahiro Hanyu, Daisuke Suzuki, Hideo Ohno, Tetsuo Endoh
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Patent number: 11127749Abstract: A single poly non-volatile memory device that includes: a first type lower well; first and second wells separately formed in an upper portion of the first type lower well; a source electrode, a selection transistor, a sensing transistor, and a drain electrode sequentially disposed in an upper portion of the first well. A control gate is formed in an upper portion of the second well with separated on an opposite side of the source electrode from the first well and connected to the gate of the sensing transistor.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Key Foundry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Su Jin Kim, Hye Jin Yoo
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Patent number: 11127449Abstract: Devices and methods for sensing a memory cell are described. The memory cell may include a ferroelectric memory cell. During a read operation, a first switching component may selectively couple a sense component with the memory cell based on a logic state stored on the memory cell to transfer a charge between the memory cell and the sense component. A second switching component, which may be coupled with the first switching component, may down convert a voltage associated with the charge to another voltage that is within an operation voltage of the sense component. The sense component may operate at a lower voltage than a voltage at which the memory cell operates to reduce power consumption in some cases.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Huy T. Vo, Adam S. El-Mansouri, Suryanarayana B. Tatapudi, John D. Porter
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Patent number: 11119561Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods related to non-volatile memory are described. A non-volatile memory array may be employed as a main memory array for a system on a chip (SoC) or processor. A controller may interface between the non-volatile memory array and the SoC or processor using a protocol agnostic to characteristics of non-volatile memory operation including different page sizes or access time requirements, etc. A virtual memory bank at the controller may be employed to facilitate operations between the SoC or processor and the non-volatile memory array. The controller may be coupled with a buffer to facilitate rapid data operation, and the controller may be configured to selectively access data at the non-volatile array to account for data stored in the virtual memory bank or the buffer. The controller, the virtual memory bank, and the buffer may be configured on one chip separate from the SoC or processor.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Robert Nasry Hasbun
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Patent number: 11107535Abstract: A selection circuit includes: a first selection device coupled between a write IO line and a first node; a second selection device coupled between a read IO line and a second node; a third selection device controllable by a first address decode signal, and coupled between a first bit line and a third node; a fourth selection device controllable by a second address decode signal, and coupled between a second bit line and the third node; a first suppression device controllable by a write enable signal, and coupled between the second node and ground; a second suppression device controllable by a read enable signal, and coupled between the first node and ground; a first isolation device controllable by the write enable signal, and coupled between the first and third nodes; and a second isolation device controllable by the read enable signal, and coupled between the second and third nodes.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Adesto Technologies CorporationInventors: John Dinh, Shane Hollmer
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Patent number: 11100965Abstract: Various implementations described herein are related to a device having an array of bitcells that are accessible via wordlines and bitlines including unselected bitlines and a selected bitline. Each bitcell in the array of bitcells may be selectable via a selected wordline of the wordlines and the selected bitline of the bitlines. The device may include precharge circuitry that is configured to selectively precharge the unselected bitlines and the selected bitline before arrival of a wordline signal on the selected wordline.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Arm LimitedInventors: Rajiv Kumar Sisodia, Disha Singh, Yattapu Viswanatha Reddy
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Patent number: 11100981Abstract: A memory system includes: a memory device including a three dimensional (3D) cell array, in which memory cells having the same height are coupled to a component word line by units of rows and component word lines having the same height are coupled to a group word line; and a controller suitable for controlling the memory device to perform a program operation with a program data into memory cells coupled to a data component word line selected from a plurality of component word line included in a single group word line and to perform a dummy program operation with dummy data into memory cells coupled to remaining dummy component word lines among the plurality of component word lines.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2020Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventor: Dong-Wook Kim