Patents by Inventor Adam D. Johnson
Adam D. Johnson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11562782Abstract: Methods for sensing ferroelectric memory devices and apparatuses using the same have been disclosed. One such apparatus includes a ferroelectric memory cell coupled to a data line, a reference capacitance, and a common node coupled between the data line and the reference capacitance. A current mirror circuit is coupled to the data line and the reference capacitance. During a sense operation, the common node is configured to be at a fixed voltage and the current mirror circuit is configured to mirror displacement current from the reference capacitance to the ferroelectric memory cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Adam D. Johnson
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Patent number: 11244733Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques to mitigate disturbances of unselected memory cells in a memory array during an access operation are described. A shunt line may be formed between a plate of a selected memory cell and a digit line of the selected memory cell to couple the plate to the digit line during the access operation. A switching component may be positioned on the shunt line. The switching component may selectively couple the plate to the digit line based on instructions received from a memory controller. By coupling the plate to the digit line during the access operation, voltages resulting on the plate by changes in the voltage level of the digit line may be reduced in magnitude or may be altered in type.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Mark Fischer, Adam D. Johnson
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Publication number: 20200357456Abstract: Methods for sensing ferroelectric memory devices and apparatuses using the same have been disclosed. One such apparatus includes a ferroelectric memory cell coupled to a data line, a reference capacitance, and a common node coupled between the data line and the reference capacitance. A current mirror circuit is coupled to the data line and the reference capacitance. During a sense operation, the common node is configured to be at a fixed voltage and the current mirror circuit is configured to mirror displacement current from the reference capacitance to the ferroelectric memory cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventor: Adam D. Johnson
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Patent number: 10770125Abstract: Methods for sensing ferroelectric memory devices and apparatuses using the same have been disclosed. One such apparatus includes a ferroelectric memory cell coupled to a data line, a reference capacitance, and a common node coupled between the data line and the reference capacitance. A current mirror circuit is coupled to the data line and the reference capacitance. During a sense operation, the common node is configured to be at a fixed voltage and the current mirror circuit is configured to mirror displacement current from the reference capacitance to the ferroelectric memory cell.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2017Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Adam D. Johnson
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Patent number: 10699784Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for sensing a resistive memory cell. A number of embodiments include performing a sensing operation on a memory cell to determine a current value associated with the memory cell, applying a programming signal to the memory cell, and determining a data state of the memory cell based on the current value associated with the memory cell before applying the programming signal and a current value associated with the memory cell after applying the programming signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Lei Bi, Adam D. Johnson, Brent Keeth, Alessandro Calderoni, Scott E. Sills
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Publication number: 20200090768Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques to mitigate disturbances of unselected memory cells in a memory array during an access operation are described. A shunt line may be formed between a plate of a selected memory cell and a digit line of the selected memory cell to couple the plate to the digit line during the access operation. A switching component may be positioned on the shunt line. The switching component may selectively couple the plate to the digit line based on instructions received from a memory controller. By coupling the plate to the digit line during the access operation, voltages resulting on the plate by changes in the voltage level of the digit line may be reduced in magnitude or may be altered in type.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Mark Fischer, Adam D. Johnson
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Patent number: 10510423Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques to mitigate disturbances of unselected memory cells in a memory array during an access operation are described. A shunt line may be formed between a plate of a selected memory cell and a digit line of the selected memory cell to couple the plate to the digit line during the access operation. A switching component may be positioned on the shunt line. The switching component may selectively couple the plate to the digit line based on instructions received from a memory controller. By coupling the plate to the digit line during the access operation, voltages resulting on the plate by changes in the voltage level of the digit line may be reduced in magnitude or may be altered in type.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Mark Fischer, Adam D. Johnson
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Patent number: 10510773Abstract: An apparatus comprises field-effect transistor (FET) structures stacked horizontally and vertically in a three-dimensional memory array architecture, gates extending vertically and spaced horizontally between the plurality of FET structures, and a ferroelectric material separating the FET structures and the gates. Individual ferroelectric FETs (FeFETs) are formed at intersections of the FET structures, the gates, and the ferroelectric material. Another apparatus comprises a plurality of bit lines and word lines. Each bit line has at least two sides that are coupled with a ferroelectric material such that each bit line is shared by neighboring gates to form a plurality of FeFETs. A method of operating a memory array comprises applying a combination of voltages to a plurality of word lines and digit lines for a desired operation for a plurality of FeFET memory cells, at least one digit line having the plurality of FeFET memory cells accessible by neighboring gates.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Adam D. Johnson
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Publication number: 20190043595Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques to mitigate disturbances of unselected memory cells in a memory array during an access operation are described. A shunt line may be formed between a plate of a selected memory cell and a digit line of the selected memory cell to couple the plate to the digit line during the access operation. A switching component may be positioned on the shunt line. The switching component may selectively couple the plate to the digit line based on instructions received from a memory controller. By coupling the plate to the digit line during the access operation, voltages resulting on the plate by changes in the voltage level of the digit line may be reduced in magnitude or may be altered in type.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2017Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Mark Fischer, Adam D. Johnson
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Publication number: 20180342294Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for sensing a resistive memory cell. A number of embodiments include performing a sensing operation on a memory cell to determine a current value associated with the memory cell, applying a programming signal to the memory cell, and determining a data state of the memory cell based on the current value associated with the memory cell before applying the programming signal and a current value associated with the memory cell after applying the programming signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Lei Bi, Adam D. Johnson, Brent Keeth, Alessandro Calderoni, Scott E. Sills
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Patent number: 10062432Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for sensing a resistive memory cell. A number of embodiments include performing a sensing operation on a memory cell to determine a current value associated with the memory cell, applying a programming signal to the memory cell, and determining a data state of the memory cell based on the current value associated with the memory cell before applying the programming signal and a current value associated with the memory cell after applying the programming signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Lei Bi, Adam D. Johnson, Brent Keeth, Alessandro Calderoni, Scott E. Sills
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Publication number: 20170358599Abstract: An apparatus comprises field-effect transistor (FET) structures stacked horizontally and vertically in a three-dimensional memory array architecture, gates extending vertically and spaced horizontally between the plurality of FET structures, and a ferroelectric material separating the FET structures and the gates. Individual ferroelectric FETs (FeFETs) are formed at intersections of the FET structures, the gates, and the ferroelectric material. Another apparatus comprises a plurality of bit lines and word lines. Each bit line has at least two sides that are coupled with a ferroelectric material such that each bit line is shared by neighboring gates to form a plurality of FeFETs. A method of operating a memory array comprises applying a combination of voltages to a plurality of word lines and digit lines for a desired operation for a plurality of FeFET memory cells, at least one digit line having the plurality of FeFET memory cells accessible by neighboring gates.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Adam D. Johnson
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Patent number: 9786684Abstract: An apparatus comprises field-effect transistor (FET) structures stacked horizontally and vertically in a three-dimensional memory array architecture, gates extending vertically and spaced horizontally between the plurality of FET structures, and a ferroelectric material separating the FET structures and the gates. Individual ferroelectric FETs (FeFETs) are formed at intersections of the FET structures, the gates, and the ferroelectric material. Another apparatus comprises a plurality of bit lines and word lines. Each bit line has at least two sides that are coupled with a ferroelectric material such that each bit line is shared by neighboring gates to form a plurality of FeFETs. A method of operating a memory array comprises applying a combination of voltages to a plurality of word lines and digit lines for a desired operation for a plurality of FeFET memory cells, at least one digit line having the plurality of FeFET memory cells accessible by neighboring gates.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Adam D. Johnson
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Patent number: 9779806Abstract: Resistive memory sensing methods and devices are described. One such method includes performing a voltage based multiple pass sensing operation on a group of cells coupled to a selected conductive line of an array of resistive memory cells. The voltage based multiple pass sensing operation can include providing an indication of those cells of the group that conduct at least a threshold amount of current responsive to one of a number of different sense voltages successively applied to the selected conductive line during each of a corresponding number of the multiple passes, and for each successive pass of the multiple passes, disabling data lines corresponding to those cells determined to have conducted the threshold amount of current in association with a previous one of the multiple passes.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Adam D. Johnson
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Publication number: 20170133076Abstract: Methods for sensing ferroelectric memory devices and apparatuses using the same have been disclosed. One such apparatus includes a ferroelectric memory cell coupled to a data line, a reference capacitance, and a common node coupled between the data line and the reference capacitance. A current mirror circuit is coupled to the data line and the reference capacitance. During a sense operation, the common node is configured to be at a fixed voltage and the current mirror circuit is configured to mirror displacement current from the reference capacitance to the ferroelectric memory cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2017Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventor: Adam D. Johnson
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Publication number: 20170098660Abstract: An apparatus comprises field-effect transistor (FET) structures stacked horizontally and vertically in a three-dimensional memory array architecture, gates extending vertically and spaced horizontally between the plurality of FET structures, and a ferroelectric material separating the FET structures and the gates. Individual ferroelectric FETs (FeFETs) are formed at intersections of the FET structures, the gates, and the ferroelectric material. Another apparatus comprises a plurality of bit lines and word lines. Each bit line has at least two sides that are coupled with a ferroelectric material such that each bit line is shared by neighboring gates to form a plurality of FeFETs. A method of operating a memory array comprises applying a combination of voltages to a plurality of word lines and digit lines for a desired operation for a plurality of FeFET memory cells, at least one digit line having the plurality of FeFET memory cells accessible by neighboring gates.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Adam D. Johnson
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Patent number: 9558803Abstract: Methods for sensing ferroelectric memory devices and apparatuses using the same have been disclosed. One such apparatus includes a ferroelectric memory cell coupled to a data line, a reference capacitance, and a common node coupled between the data line and the reference capacitance. A current mirror circuit is coupled to the data line and the reference capacitance. During a sense operation, the common node is configured to be at a fixed voltage and the current mirror circuit is configured to mirror displacement current from the reference capacitance to the ferroelectric memory cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Adam D. Johnson
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Patent number: 9530794Abstract: An apparatus comprises field-effect transistor (FET) structures stacked horizontally and vertically in a three-dimensional memory array architecture, gates extending vertically and spaced horizontally between the plurality of FET structures, and a ferroelectric material separating the FET structures and the gates. Individual ferroelectric FETs (FeFETs) are formed at intersections of the FET structures, the gates, and the ferroelectric material. Another apparatus comprises a plurality of bit lines and word lines. Each bit line has at least two sides that are coupled with a ferroelectric material such that each bit line is shared by neighboring gates to form a plurality of FeFETs. A method of operating a memory array comprises applying a combination of voltages to a plurality of word lines and digit lines for a desired operation for a plurality of FeFET memory cells, at least one digit line having the plurality of FeFET memory cells accessible by neighboring gates.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Adam D. Johnson
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Publication number: 20160118405Abstract: An apparatus comprises field-effect transistor (FET) structures stacked horizontally and vertically in a three-dimensional memory array architecture, gates extending vertically and spaced horizontally between the plurality of FET structures, and a ferroelectric material separating the FET structures and the gates. Individual ferroelectric FETs (FeFETs) are formed at intersections of the FET structures, the gates, and the ferroelectric material. Another apparatus comprises a plurality of bit lines and word lines. Each bit line has at least two sides that are coupled with a ferroelectric material such that each bit line is shared by neighboring gates to form a plurality of FeFETs. A method of operating a memory array comprises applying a combination of voltages to a plurality of word lines and digit lines for a desired operation for a plurality of FeFET memory cells, at least one digit line having plurality of FeFET memory cells accessible by neighboring gates.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Adam D. Johnson
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Patent number: 9281044Abstract: An apparatus comprises field-effect transistor (FET) structures stacked horizontally and vertically in a three-dimensional memory array architecture, gates extending vertically and spaced horizontally between the plurality of FET structures, and a ferroelectric material separating the FET structures and the gates. Individual ferroelectric FETs (FeFETs) are formed at intersections of the FET structures, the gates, and the ferroelectric material. Another apparatus comprises a plurality of bit lines and word lines. Each bit line has at least two sides that are coupled with a ferroelectric material such that each bit line is shared by neighboring gates to faun a plurality of FeFETs. A method of operating a memory array comprises applying a combination of voltages to a plurality of word lines and digit lines for a desired operation for a plurality of FeFET memory cells, at least one digit line having plurality of FeFET memory cells accessible by neighboring gates.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Adam D. Johnson