Patents Examined by Sultana Begum
  • Patent number: 11972791
    Abstract: In a method of reading data in a nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of memory cells having a plurality of states including a first state and a second state, a first read operation for the first state is performed, and a second read operation for the second state is performed. To perform the first read operation, cell counts for a valley of the first state are obtained by performing a valley cell count operation for the first state, a first read voltage level for the first state is determined based on the cell counts and at least one first reference parameter for the first state, and a first sensing operation for the first state is performed by using the first read voltage level. To perform the second read operation, a second read voltage level for the second state is determined based on the cell counts and at least one second reference parameter for the second state, and a second sensing operation for the second state is performed by using the second read voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyojung Jang, Jinyoung Kim, Sehwan Park, Jisang Lee
  • Patent number: 11972799
    Abstract: A filament forming method includes: performing first stage to apply first bias including gate and drain voltages to a resistive memory unit plural times until read current reaches first saturating state, latching read current in first saturating state as saturating read current, determining whether rate of increase of saturating read current is less than first threshold value; when rate of increase of saturating read current is not less than first threshold value, performing second stage to apply second bias, by increasing gate voltage and decreasing drain voltage, to the resistive memory unit plural times until read current reaches second saturating state, latching read current in second saturating state as saturating read current and determining whether rate of increase of saturating read current is less than first threshold value; finishing the method when rate of increase of saturating read current is less than first threshold value and saturating read current reaches target current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Frederick Chen, Ping-Kun Wang, Chia-Hung Lin, Jun-Yao Huang
  • Patent number: 11967387
    Abstract: Processing logic in a memory device initiates a program operation on a memory array, the program operation comprising a program phase and a program verify phase. The processing logic further causes a negative voltage signal to be applied to a first selected word line of a block of the memory array during the program verify phase of the program operation, wherein the first selected word line is coupled to a corresponding first memory cell of a first plurality of memory cells in a string of memory cells in the block, wherein the first selected word line is associated with the program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Huang Lu, Vinh Q. Diep, Zhengyi Zhang, Yingda Dong
  • Patent number: 11967397
    Abstract: A communications circuit with an input port, a switching circuit coupled to the input port, and a first and second memory coupled to the switching circuit. The communications circuit also includes controlling circuitry adapted to operate the switching circuit to couple data received at the input port to the first memory while the second memory is disabled from power and to couple data received at the input port to the second memory once the first memory is filled with valid data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Veeramanikandan Raju, Anand Kumar G
  • Patent number: 11967354
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes: a memory cell region including normal cells and row-hammer cells coupled to each of a plurality of rows, wherein the row-hammer cells of a selected row are suitable for storing first data and second data, the first data representing a number of accesses to the selected row and the second data denoting whether to refresh second adjacent rows of the selected row; and a refresh control circuit suitable for: selecting a sampling address based on the first data read from a row corresponding to an input address when an active command is inputted, determining, in response to a refresh command, whether to refresh first adjacent rows of a target row corresponding to the sampling address, and determining, in response to the refresh command, whether to refresh second adjacent rows of the target row based on the second data read from the target row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Woongrae Kim
  • Patent number: 11961551
    Abstract: A bitline sense amplifier including: an amplifier which is connected between a first sensing bitline and a second sensing bitline, and detects and amplifies a voltage difference between a first bitline and a second bitline in response to a first control signal and a second control signal; and an equalizer which is connected between a first supply line through which the first control signal is supplied and a second supply line through which the second control signal is supplied, and pre-charges the first bitline and the second bitline with a precharge voltage in response to an equalizing control signal, wherein the equalizer includes an equalizing enable transistor in which a source terminal is connected to the first supply line and performs equalizing in response to the equalizing control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soo Bong Chang, Young-Il Lim, Bok-Yeon Won, Seok Jae Lee, Dong Geon Kim, Myeong Sik Ryu, In Seok Baek, Kyoung Min Kim, Sang Wook Park
  • Patent number: 11961577
    Abstract: Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) of an integrated circuit includes a first set of ADCs and second set of ADCs in which the ADCs of the first set are of a different type than the ADCs of the second set. On-chip testing of the ADCs includes calibrating an N-bit differential digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and storing a pair of calibration codes for each of 2N possible DAC input codes for the DAC in an on-chip memory. The first set of ADCs is tested using the pairs of calibration codes stored in the on-chip memory and a full N-bit resolution of the DAC. Subsequently, the second set of ADCs is tested using pairs of calibration codes corresponding to a reduced M-bit resolution of the DAC, in which M is less than N. During the testing of the second set of ADCs, a portion of the calibration codes stored in the on-chip memory is overwritten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kumar Abhishek, Xiankun Jin, Mark Lehmann
  • Patent number: 11960319
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device comprises an internal clock generator configured to receive an external clock signal from a host and generate an internal clock signal in accordance with a chip enable signal, an internal enable signal generator configured to operate based on the internal clock signal and receive an external enable signal from the host and generate an internal enable signal, and a monitoring signal generator configured to output a monitoring signal that is generated based on at least one of the internal clock signal or the internal enable signal to the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae Min Choi, Chan Ho Lee, Jung Hak Song, Ju Chang Lee, Woo Jin Jung
  • Patent number: 11955971
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a signal transmitter and a sampling circuit coupled to the signal transmitter, wherein the sampling circuit is to sample output voltage levels of an output of the signal transmitter at different respective times. The integrated circuit further comprises a measurement circuit coupled to the sampling circuit, wherein the measurement circuit is to compare the output voltage levels of the output of the signal transmitter to corresponding reference voltages to identify a first time when a first output voltage level equals a first reference voltage and a second time when a second output voltage level equals a second reference voltage. A time difference between the first time and the second time is used to configure a slew rate adjustment control of the signal transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Palmer, Andrew Fuller, Hsuan-Jung Su
  • Patent number: 11948651
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for word line capacitance balancing are described. A memory device may include a set of memory tiles, where one or more memory tiles may be located at a boundary of the set. Each boundary memory tile may have a word line coupled with a driver and a subarray of memory cells, and may also include a load balancing component (e.g., a capacitive component) coupled with the driver. In some examples, the load balancing component may be coupled with an output line of the driver (such as a word line) or an input of the driver (such as a line providing a source signal). The load balancing component may adapt a load output from the driver to the subarray of memory cells such that the load of the memory tile at the boundary may be similar to the load of other memory tiles not at the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Corrado Villa, Shane D. Moser
  • Patent number: 11941299
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention facilitate efficient and effective increased memory cell density configuration. In one embodiment, a memory system comprises: an array of addressable memory cells, wherein the addressable memory cells of the array comprise magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cells and wherein further the array is organized into a plurality of banks; an engine configured to control access to the addressable memory cells organized into the plurality of banks; and a pipeline configured to perform access control and communication operations between the engine and the array of addressable memory cells. At least a portion of operations associated with accessing at least a portion of one of the plurality of memory banks via the pipeline are performed substantially concurrently or in parallel with at least a portion of operations associated with accessing at least another portion of one of the plurality of memory banks via the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Integrated Silicon Solution, (Cayman) Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Louie, Neal Berger, Lester Crudele
  • Patent number: 11935585
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a control circuit and a plurality of non-volatile memory cells arranged in a plane of a memory die. The plane includes a first word line including a first word line portion coupled to a corresponding first group of the non-volatile memory cells, and a second word line including a second word line portion coupled to a corresponding second group of the non-volatile memory cells, the second word line different from the first word line. The control circuit is configured to apply a first voltage to the first word line portion and apply a second voltage to the second word line portion to concurrently read the first group of the non-volatile memory cells and the second group of the non-volatile memory cells. The first group of the non-volatile memory cells and the second group of the non-volatile memory cells each store less than a page of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Xiang Yang, Arka Ganguly, Ohwon Kwon
  • Patent number: 11928333
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for reset verification in a memory system are described. In some examples, a memory device may perform a reset operation and set a mode register to a first value based on performing the reset operation. The first value may be associated with a successful execution of the reset command. The memory device may transmit an indication to a host device based on determining the first value. The host device may determine from the received indication or from the first value stored in the mode register that the first value is associated with the successful execution of the reset command. Thus, the memory device, or the host device, or both may be configured to verify whether the reset operation is successful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Schaefer, Aaron P. Boehm
  • Patent number: 11928362
    Abstract: A fuse latch of a semiconductor device including PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors includes a data transmission circuit configured to transmit data to a first node and a second node in response to a first control signal, a latch circuit configured to latch the data received from the data transmission circuit through the first node and the second node, and a data output circuit configured to output the data latched by the latch circuit in response to a second control signal. NMOS transistors contained in the data transmission circuit, the latch circuit, and the data output circuit may be formed in first, fourth, and fifth active regions, PMOS transistors are formed in second and third active regions, and the first to fifth active regions are sequentially arranged in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hwan Seo, Chul Moon Jung
  • Patent number: 11929123
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes first conductive layers, second conductive layers, a first semiconductor layer, a charge storage layer, and a first wiring. The semiconductor memory device is configured to execute an erase operation including a first and a second erase loop. In the first erase loop, the semiconductor memory device applies a first voltage to at least a part of the first conductive layers and at least a part of the second conductive layers and applies an erase voltage larger than the first voltage to the first wiring. In the second erase loop, the semiconductor memory device applies the first voltage to at least a part of the first conductive layers, applies a second voltage larger than the first voltage to at least apart of the second conductive layers, and applies the erase voltage to the first wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 11923018
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a peripheral circuit, and a control logic. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells. The peripheral circuit performs a program operation on selected memory cells among the plurality of memory cells. The control logic controls the program operation of the peripheral circuit. The program operation includes a plurality of program loops. The control logic is configured to control the peripheral circuit to apply a program voltage to a select word line that is connected to the selected memory cells, apply a first under drive voltage that is determined based on at least one verify voltage to the select word line, and apply the at least one verify voltage to the select word line in each of the plurality of program loops. The first under drive voltage is at a lower voltage level than the at least one verify voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Geun Jeong
  • Patent number: 11915738
    Abstract: A memory may include multiple rows each coupled to multiple memory cells; a target row classification circuit suitable for classifying, as a target row, a row, among the multiple rows, that is susceptible to data loss as a result of activity of an adjacent row; and a target row signal generation circuit suitable for sequentially activating a target row active signal for activating the target row and a target row precharge signal for precharging the target row in response to a precharge command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Min Su Park
  • Patent number: 11908540
    Abstract: A semiconductor system includes a semiconductor apparatus and a control device. The semiconductor apparatus performs a preset operation in response to a command signal. The control device controls a temperature adjustment operation so that first temperature information and second temperature information correspond to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: In Jong Jang
  • Patent number: 11908509
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to operations for managing the quality of an input signal received by a device and for providing feedback in real-time. A controller can provide a reference signal to the device for the input quality check. The memory can implement the input quality check by counting the number of transitions of the reference signal for a set time period and store the resulting count value(s). The memory can use the count value(s) to determine a condition or a quality for the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Riley, Scott E. Smith, Jennifer E. Taylor, Gary L. Howe
  • Patent number: 11910605
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage includes a stack, columns, and first, second, third, fourth, and fifth insulators. The stack includes first conductive layers, and second and third conductive layers below and above the first conductive layers, respectively. The columns penetrate the stack in a first direction. The first and second insulators penetrate the stack and are separated from each other in a second direction. The third insulator is between the first and second insulators in a third direction. The third insulator includes first and second portions apart from each other in the second direction. The fourth insulator is between the first and second portions. The fifth insulator is between the first and second portions above the fourth insulator. The second conductive layer includes two electrically-separated regions, between which the third and fourth insulators are provided. The third conductive layer includes two electrically-separated regions between which the third and fifth insulators are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Gen Kuribayashi, Shigeki Kobayashi