Patents Examined by Mushfique Siddique
  • Patent number: 12237000
    Abstract: In a sense amplifier circuit, a first transistor is electrically connected between a first bitline and a first node, a first inverter includes a first input terminal and a first output terminal connected to the first node, and a second inverter includes a second input terminal connected to a second node and a second output terminal. A second transistor is electrically connected between the first output terminal and the second node, and a third transistor is electrically connected between the second output terminal and the first node. A precharge circuit transfers a first voltage to the first and second nodes during a first period, and transfers a second voltage higher than the first voltage to the first and second nodes during a second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changyoung Lee, Kyu-Chang Kang, Donghak Shin, Hyun-Chul Yoon
  • Patent number: 12237026
    Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method relating to read-only memory can include (i) asserting a column select signal to select a particular column within a column mux read-only memory, (ii) forwarding, in response to asserting the column select signal, a bit value stored at that particular column to a gate of a transistor that connects a first stage local bitline to a second stage local bitline, and (iii) forwarding an inversion of the bit value to the second stage local bitline through the drain of the transistor for local bitline sensing. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Vaibhav Anand Srivastava, Pankaj Kumar
  • Patent number: 12229652
    Abstract: Methods for setting a resistance include applying a voltage across a memristive device, that exceeds a threshold based on a difference in chemical potential between a first material and a second material, to change a resistance of the memristive device. The memristive device includes a barrier layer of the second material that is formed between two metastable layers of the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin W. Brew, Talia S. Gershon, Seyoung Kim, Jerry D. Tersoff
  • Patent number: 12217783
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes two power source paths, and a connection path that connects the power source paths. Each of the power source paths includes a power gate transistor and a current source transistor which are coupled in series. The connection path connects ends of the respective power source paths on a side of the current source transistor. The semiconductor storage further includes a storage element, and a switch element inserted between the connection path and the storage element. A back gate is coupled to an internal node in the current source transistor provided in a low-side path of the two power source paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONUDCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daishi Isogai, Ryo Haga
  • Patent number: 12217807
    Abstract: An operating method of a non-volatile memory device that includes a plurality of cell strings each including a first stack and a second stack adjacent to the first stack, the operating method include performing a first program operation during a time period in which a plurality of program loops are performed, by applying a program voltage including a first plurality of voltage levels to a select word line connected to the first stack of each of the plurality of cell strings, applying, during the time period, second voltages including a second plurality of voltage levels to a non-select word line connected to the first stack of each of the plurality of cell strings, and maintaining, during the time period, a third voltage at a first level, the third voltage applied to a non-select word line connected to the second stack of each of the plurality of cell strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yonghyuk Choi, Yohan Lee
  • Patent number: 12211544
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first memory cell provided above a substrate; a first bit line coupled to the first memory cell and extending in a first direction; a first sense amplifier configured to sense a voltage of the first bit line; a second memory cell provided above the substrate; a second bit line adjacent to the first bit line and extending in the first direction, the second bit line being coupled to the second memory cell; a second sense amplifier configured to sense a voltage of the second bit line; and a third memory cell provided above the substrate. A third bit line not adjacent to the second bit line extends in the first direction, and is coupled to the third memory cell; and a third sense amplifier is configured to sense a voltage of the third bit line. The first and second sense amplifiers belong to a first sense amplifier group, are adjacent to each other and are arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Maejima
  • Patent number: 12211587
    Abstract: A memory device including a first memory cell, a first tracking cell, a tracking bit line, a second tracking cell and a word line driver. The first memory cell is configured to receive a first word line signal. The first tracking cell is configured to emulate the first memory cell. The tracking bit line is configured to transmit a tracking bit line signal to the first tracking cell. The second tracking cell is configured to adjust the tracking bit line signal according to the first word line signal. The word line driver is configured to adjust the first word line signal according to the tracking bit line signal and a first distance between the second tracking cell and a common node on the tracking bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsung-Hsien Huang, Wei-Jer Hsieh, Yu-Hao Hsu
  • Patent number: 12198765
    Abstract: A memory apparatus and method of operation are provided. The apparatus includes memory cells each connected to word lines and disposed in strings and configured to retain a threshold voltage. The memory apparatus also includes a charge pump configured to ramp up to a program voltage in a pump setting process and supply the program voltage to the word lines during a program operation and ramp down from the program voltage in a pump resetting process. A control means is configured to successively apply one of a series of pulses of the program voltage from the charge pump to each selected one of the word lines to program the memory cells during the program operation. The control means is also configured to skip the pump setting process and the pump resetting process of the charge pump in between each of the series of pulses of the program voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Inventors: Xiang Yang, Chin-Yi Chen, Deepanshu Dutta
  • Patent number: 12190939
    Abstract: In some examples, a subword driver block of a memory device includes a first active region and a second active region adjacent to each other. The first active region forms drains/sources of a first and second transistors in a first region; the second active region forms drains/sources of a third and fourth transistors in a second region, where the first and second regions are adjacent to each other. The first, second, third and fourth transistors are coupled to a common non-active potential via a shared contact overlaid over a merged region between the first and second regions. The first and second active regions may comprise N+ diffusion materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyuseok Lee
  • Patent number: 12189988
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to write broadcast operations associated with a memory device are described. In one example, a memory device in accordance with the described techniques may include a memory array, a sense amplifier array, and a signal development cache configured to store signals (e.g., cache signals, signal states) associated with logic states (e.g., memory states) that may be stored at the memory array (e.g., according to various read or write operations). The memory device may enable write broadcast operations. A write broadcast may occur from one or more signal development components or from one or more multiplexers to multiple locations of the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitri A. Yudanov, Shanky Kumar Jain
  • Patent number: 12190946
    Abstract: A disturb mitigation scheme is described for a 1TnC or multi-element ferroelectric gain bit-cell where after writing to a selected capacitor of the bit-cell, a cure phase is initiated. Between the cure phase and the write phase, there may be zero or more cycles where the selected word-line, bit-line, and plate-lines are pulled-down to ground. The cure phase may occur immediately before the write phase. In the cure phase, the word-line is asserted again just like in the write phase. In the cure phase, the voltage on bit-line is inverted compared to the voltage on the bit-line in the write phase. By programming a value in a selected capacitor to be opposite of the value written in the write phase of that selected capacitor, time accumulation of disturb is negated. This allows to substantially zero out disturb field on the unselected capacitors of the same bit-cell and/or other unselected bit-cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Kepler Computing Inc.
    Inventors: Rajeev Kumar Dokania, Mustansir Yunus Mukadam, Tanay Gosavi, James David Clarkson, Neal Reynolds, Amrita Mathuriya, Sasikanth Manipatruni
  • Patent number: 12190981
    Abstract: A memory array is provided. The memory array includes multiple memory blocks, each including multiple data storage regions and multiple groups of word lines. Each group of word lines extend across one of the memory blocks. The groups of word lines are connected to multiple overlying signal lines through multiple groups of first word line contact regions in the memory blocks and multiple second word line contact regions between the memory blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yao-Ting Tsai, Che-Fu Chuang
  • Patent number: 12189954
    Abstract: A computer system based on wafer-on-wafer architecture is provided, comprising a memory device and a logic circuit layer stacked in a wafer on wafer structural configuration. The memory device comprises a memory array and a circuit driver. The memory array comprises a shared circuit path and a plurality of memory cells, wherein the shared circuit path is connected to the memory cells. The circuit driver is connected to the shared circuit path, driving the memory cells. The logic circuit layer comprises a plurality of bonding pads for signal transmission, and a latency controller, connected to the memory array through the bonding pads, adjusting the number of memory cells connecting the shared circuit path, thereby dynamically adjusting the latency characteristics of the memory array. Embodiments of the memory device and the memory control method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: WHALECHIP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kun-Hua Tsai, Yi-Wei Yan
  • Patent number: 12183389
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device of an embodiment includes: a plurality of memory strings each including a plurality of memory cell transistors, the plurality of memory strings being connected in parallel to one another; and a control circuit configured to control a write operation on at least part of the plurality of memory cell transistors. The write operation is executed in response to reception of the write command and the address. The control circuit determines, based on the address, whether to perform a first voltage application operation before the write operation ends. The first voltage application operation applies a predetermined voltage to the plurality of word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Sato, Yoshikazu Harada, Naoya Shimmyo
  • Patent number: 12183382
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for refreshing memory of a semiconductor device are described. An example method includes during a refresh operation, determining a respective row of a memory cells slated for refresh in each of a plurality of sections of a memory bank of a memory device, and determining whether the respective row of memory cells slated for refresh for a particular section of the plurality of sections of the memory bank has been repaired. The example method further includes in response to a determination that the row of memory cells slated for refresh has been repaired, cause a refresh within the particular section of the memory bank to be skipped while contemporaneously performing a refresh of the rows of memory cells slated for refresh in other sections of the plurality of sections of the memory bank to be refreshed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Minari Arai
  • Patent number: 12183401
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first semiconductor substrate, a second semiconductor substrate, a first memory cell and a second memory cell provided between the first semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor substrate, a first word line electrically connected to the first memory cell, a second word line electrically connected to the second memory cell, a first transistor that is provided on the first semiconductor substrate and electrically connected between the first word line and a first wiring through which a voltage is applied to the first word line, and a second transistor that is provided on the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected between the second word line and a second wiring through which a voltage is applied to the second word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takenaka, Akihiko Chiba, Teppei Higashitsuji, Kiyofumi Sakurai, Hiroaki Nakasa, Youichi Magome
  • Patent number: 12183423
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an input buffer circuit and a semiconductor memory, a compensation subcircuit is provided between an input terminal of the input buffer circuit and a first terminal of a load subcircuit, a current of an output terminal of the input buffer circuit is increased, and voltage variation of the input terminal can be transmitted to the output terminal in time, such that the output terminal can timely receive the voltage variation of the input terminal, thereby avoiding distortion of an output signal, solving a problem of signal attenuation for the input buffer circuit, improving sensitivity of the input buffer circuit, and preventing negative effects from being caused to transmission of commands inside a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Siman Li
  • Patent number: 12183412
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device configured for multiple return material authorizations (RMAs) is provided. The IC device includes an asset and a return material authorization (RMA) counter fuse including a first fuse, a second fuse, and a third fuse. The IC device enters an RMA state in response to blowing the first fuse, a second state in response to blowing the second fuse, and the RMA state in response to blowing the third fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: ALTERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sankaran M. Menon, Andrew Martyn Draper, Ting Lu, Kenneth Chen, Wei Chun Lau
  • Patent number: 12176053
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to integrated circuits, and more particularly, to a wordline system architecture supporting an erase operation and current-voltage (I-V) characterization and methods of manufacture and operation. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a structure including: a twin cell circuit which is connected to a wordline of a memory array; a sourceline driver which is connected to a sourceline of the memory array for providing a cell level current-voltage (I-V) access of the twin cell circuit; and an integrated analog multiplexor which is connected to the twin cell circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh Raghavan, Balaji Jayaraman, Ming Yin
  • Patent number: 12176025
    Abstract: An in-memory computation circuit includes a memory array with SRAM cells connected in rows by word lines and in columns by bit lines. Body bias nodes of the transistors in each SRAM cell are biased by a modulated body bias voltage. A row controller circuit simultaneously actuates word lines in parallel for an in-memory compute operation. A column processing circuit processes analog voltages developed on the bit lines in response to the simultaneous actuation to generate a decision output for the in-memory compute operation. A voltage generator circuit switches the modulated body bias voltage from a non-negative voltage level to a negative voltage level during the simultaneous actuation. The negative voltage level is adjusted dependent on integrated circuit process and/or temperature conditions in order to optimize protection against unwanted memory cell data flip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Harsh Rawat, Kedar Janardan Dhori, Promod Kumar, Nitin Chawla, Manuj Ayodhyawasi