Patents Examined by Xiaochun L Chen
  • Patent number: 11862240
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a circuit structure and related method to provide a radiation resistant memory cell. A circuit structure may include a first latch having an input node and an output node. A second latch has an input node and an output node, in which the output node of the second latch is coupled to the input node of the first latch, and the input node of the second latch is coupled to the output node of the first latch. A read/write (R/W) circuit includes a plurality of transistors coupling a word line, a bit line, and an inverted bit line to at least two outputs. One of the at least two outputs is coupled to the input node of the first latch and another of the outputs is coupled to the input node of the second latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Raj, Shivraj Gurpadappa Dharne, Mahbub Rashed
  • Patent number: 11854629
    Abstract: A scheme for non-parametric optimal read threshold estimation of a memory system. The memory system includes a memory device including pages and a controller including a neural network. The controller performs read operations on a selected page using a read threshold set; obtain the read threshold set, a checksum value and an asymmetric ratio of ones count and zeros count which are associated with decoding of the selected page according to each of the read operations; provide the obtained read threshold set, the checksum value and the asymmetric ratio as input information to the neural network; and estimate, by the neural network, an optimal read threshold voltage based on the input information and weights including a combination of multiple matrices and bias vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Zhang, Aman Bhatia, Haobo Wang
  • Patent number: 11848046
    Abstract: The application provides a sense amplifier and an operation method thereof. The operation method for the sense amplifier includes: during a first phase, initializing a first sensing input voltage and a second input sensing voltage; and recording a first sensing output voltage and a second sensing output voltage of a previous round by charges stored in a plurality of transistors of the sense amplifier; during a second phase, sampling the first sensing output voltage and the second sensing output voltage of a current round as a plurality of transit points; during a first sub-phase of a third phase, amplifying a voltage difference between an input signal and a first reference voltage; and during a second sub-phase of the third phase, pulling the first sensing output voltage and the second sensing output voltage into a full-swing voltage range, and recording charges to the transistors of the sense amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Han-Wen Hu
  • Patent number: 11837302
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a novel system and method of storing multi-bit information, including providing a nano-channel-based polymer memory device, the device having at least one memory cell comprising at least two addition nano-channels, each of the addition nano-channels arranged to add a unique chemical construct (or codes) to the polymer when the polymer enters the respective addition nano-channel, the polymer having a bead or origami on a non-writing end of the polymer; each nano-channel having a nano-port constriction having a port width which allows the polymer to pass through the nano-port, and does not allow the bead or origami to pass through and does not allow addition or deblocking enzymes (or beads attached thereto) to pass through the nano-port; successively steering the polymer through the nanopore into the addition nano-channels to add the codes to the polymer based on a predetermined digital data pattern to create the digital data pattern on the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: IRIDIA, INC.
    Inventor: Paul F. Predki
  • Patent number: 11839073
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a memory cell, first, second, and third data lines, and first and second access lines. Each of the first, second, and third data lines includes a length extending in a first direction. Each of the first and second access lines includes a length extending in a second direction. The memory cell includes a first transistor including a charge storage structure, and a first channel region electrically separated from the charge storage structure, and a second transistor including a second channel region electrically coupled to the charge storage structure. The first data line is electrically coupled to the first channel region. The second data line is electrically coupled to the first channel region. The third data line is electrically coupled to the second channel region, the second channel region being between the charge storage structure and the third data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Pulugurtha, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 11837316
    Abstract: An exemplary semiconductor device includes circuitry to implement data mask operations by sending bit-specific, write enable signals (WREN) to control connection of a main or global data line to local data lines during a write operation. For example, a plurality of even sense amplifier stripes each receive a first set of WREN signals to control a corresponding passgate responsible for coupling one global data line to one local data line and a plurality of odd sense amplifier stripes each receive a second set of WREN signals to control a corresponding passgate responsible for coupling one global data line to one local data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Scott E. Smith, Harish V. Gadamsetty
  • Patent number: 11823749
    Abstract: The application provides a Content Addressable Memory (CAM) cell, a CAM memory device and an operation method thereof. The CAM cell includes: a plurality of parallel-coupled flash memory cells: wherein a storage data of the CAM cell is based on a combination of a plurality of threshold voltages of the parallel-coupled flash memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Hao Tseng, Feng-Min Lee, Ming-Hsiu Lee
  • Patent number: 11810639
    Abstract: A test method includes: providing an initialization command to a ZQ calibration module such that the resistance value of a termination resistor is a first extreme value; providing a ZQ calibration command to the ZQ calibration module such that the resistance value of the termination resistor increases or decreases to a second extreme value from the first extreme value, one of the first extreme value and the second extreme value being a maximum value while the other one being a minimum value; acquiring a first time node, the first time node being a transmitting time for the ZQ calibration command; acquiring a second time node; and acquiring the ZQ calibration time based on the second time node and the first time node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jinghong Xu
  • Patent number: 11810630
    Abstract: An on-chip copy command is detected. The on-chip copy command comprises a source address referencing a plane of a memory device, and a destination address referencing the plane. A read verify relevance is estimated by processing, by a machine learning mode, one or more parameters associated with data stored at the source address. Responsive to determining that the read verify relevance satisfies a threshold condition, the on-chip copy command is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Amit Bhardwaj
  • Patent number: 11810629
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, a word line connected to the plurality of memory cells, a plurality of bit lines connected respectively to the plurality of memory cells, a sense amplifier connected to the plurality of bit lines, and a controller configured to execute a write operation in a plurality of program loops each including a program operation and a verify operation. The sense amplifier is configured to apply a first voltage, a second voltage higher than the first voltage, a third voltage higher than the second voltage, and a fourth voltage higher than the third voltage to first, second, third, and fourth bit lines of the plurality of bit lines, respectively, while a program voltage is applied to the word line in the program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Hioka, Toshifumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11804272
    Abstract: A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory, a controller configured to control the nonvolatile memory, a power supply circuit that is connected to the controller and configured to generate a power supply voltage for the nonvolatile memory and the controller from a voltage supplied from at least one external power supply, and a power storage device that is connected to the power supply circuit and configured to charge to a first energy from a charging voltage supplied by the power supply circuit, and an energy sharing pin that is connected to the power supply circuit and the power storage device, and is connectable to an external power storage device in an external memory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Yugo Tanamura, Kengo Kumagai
  • Patent number: 11798603
    Abstract: A read signal generator generates read signals to control read operations of a memory array. The read signal generator can be selectively controlled to generate an oscillating signal having a period that corresponds to a feature one of the read signals. The oscillating signal is passed to a frequency divider that divides the oscillating signal and provides the divided oscillating signal to an output pad. The frequency of the oscillating signal can be measured at the output pad. The frequency of the oscillating signal, and the duration of the read signal feature can be calculated from the frequency of the oscillating signal. The read signal feature can then be adjusted if needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Vivek Tyagi, Vikas Rana, Chantal Auricchio, Laura Capecchi
  • Patent number: 11791003
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array of memory cells and control logic, operatively coupled with the memory array. The control logic is to perform operations, which include causing the memory cells to be programmed with an initial voltage distribution representing multiple logical states; causing the memory cells to be programmed with a subsequent voltage distribution representing a subset of the multiple logical states at a higher voltage than that of the initial voltage distribution, wherein the subset of the multiple logical states is compacted above a program verify voltage level for the subsequent voltage distribution; and causing a first program verify operation of the subsequent voltage distribution to be performed on the memory cells to verify one or more voltage levels of the subsequent voltage distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kalyan Chakravarthy Kavalipurapu, George Matamis, Yingda Dong, Chang H. Siau
  • Patent number: 11791002
    Abstract: A method of operating a semiconductor memory device includes starting a program operation on selected memory cells using a main verification voltage and an auxiliary verification voltage in response to a program command, receiving a program suspend command during the program operation, and changing at least one auxiliary voltage verification result information among threshold voltage states which are not program-passed to at least one data pattern among threshold voltage states which program-passed, in response to the program suspend command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Yeong Jo Mun, Dong Hun Kwak
  • Patent number: 11783891
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to circuits, systems, and methods of operation for a memory device. In an example, a memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell having a variable impedance that varies in accordance with a respective data value stored therein; and a read circuit configured to read the data value stored within a selected memory cell based upon a variable time delay determination of a signal node voltage change corresponding to the variable impedance of the selected memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: Ravindraraj Ramaraju
  • Patent number: 11783877
    Abstract: A read-write conversion circuit includes: a read-write conversion module, performing a read-write operation in response to a read-write control signal to implement data transmission between each of a local data line, a local complementary data line, and a global data line, data signals of the local data line and data signals of the local complementary data line being opposite in phase during the read-write operation, and a control module, outputting a variable read-write control signal in response to a read-write speed configuration signal to control a speed of the read-write operation of the read-write conversion module to be variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Weibing Shang
  • Patent number: 11776632
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor layer, a gate electrode, a gate insulating film disposed therebetween, first and second wirings connected to the semiconductor layer, and a third wiring connected to the gate electrode and is configured to execute a write operation, an erase operation, and a read operation. In the write operation, a write voltage of a first polarity is supplied between the third wiring and at least one of the first wiring or the second wiring. In the erase operation, an erase voltage of a second polarity is supplied between the third wiring and at least one of the first wiring or the second wiring. In the read operation, the write voltage or a voltage having a larger amplitude than that of the write voltage is supplied between the third wiring and at least one of the first wiring or the second wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Reika Tanaka, Masumi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 11776630
    Abstract: A memory device comprises a memory cell array and a control circuit. The control circuit applies a pass voltage to each of a selected and unselected word line from a first to second time point whenever a program loop is performed once. Then, the control circuit applies a program voltage to the selected word line and the pass voltage to the unselected word line from the second to third time point, performs a bit line precharge operation from a fourth time point ahead of the first time point to the second time point when a first program loop is performed, and performs the bit line precharge operation from the fourth time point to a fifth time point, which is the same as or ahead of the first time point, when the other program loops are performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Hyung Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 11763905
    Abstract: Upon detecting power loss during the process of programming multi-level cell (MLC) memory in a storage system, the storage system takes steps to prevent data loss. In one example, the controller sends a graceful shutdown command to the memory, in response to which the memory aborts the ongoing programming operation and stores data from data latches associated with unprogrammed memory cells in single-level cell (SLC) memory. The memory can also store data from programmed memory cells in the SLC memory. The data to be programmed in the MLC memory can be reconstructed prior to powering down the storage system or after the storage system is powered back up. The reconstructed data can then be programmed in the MLC memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Grishma Shah, Sergey Anatolievich Gorobets, Daniel Tuers
  • Patent number: 11763900
    Abstract: A system includes a memory component and a processing device, operatively coupled with the memory component, to send a read command to the memory component while a program or erase operation being executed by the memory component is suspended. The processing device, operatively coupled with the memory component, can then send an auto resume command to the memory component to automatically resume execution of the program or erase operation after the read command is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric N. Lee, Dheeraj Srinivasan