Patents by Inventor Andrew John Carter

Andrew John Carter 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).

  • Patent number: 8861244
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell array and associated method of use. In accordance with various embodiments, the array includes a plurality of programmable resistive sense elements (RSEs) coupled to a shared switching device. The switching device has a common source region and multiple drain regions, each drain region connected to an associated RSE from said plurality of RSEs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Carter, Maroun Georges Khoury, Yong Lu, Roger Glenn Rolbiecki
  • Patent number: 8422271
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring data in a memory. A semiconductor memory includes a plurality of memory cells each having a resistive sense element (RSE) in series with a switching device. A conductive word line extends in a first direction adjacent the memory cells and is connected to a gate structure of each of the switching devices. A plurality of conductive bit lines extend in a second direction adjacent the memory cells, each bit line providing a connection node that interconnects a respective pair of the memory cells. A control circuit senses a programmed state of a selected memory cell by setting each of the bit lines on a first side of the selected memory cell to a first voltage level, setting each of the remaining bit lines on an opposing second side of the selected memory cell to a second voltage level, and setting the word line to a third voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Carter, Yong Lu
  • Patent number: 8213259
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell and associated method of use. In accordance with some embodiments, the memory cell includes a transistor comprising source and drain regions spanned by a gate region, and a resistive sense element (RSE) connected to the drain region of the transistor. The RSE is programmed to a first resistance by flowing a first write current through the RSE and then through the drain and source regions of the transistor. The RSE is programmed to a second resistance by flowing a second write current through the drain region and then through the RSE, the second write current bypassing the source region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Daniel S. Reed, Yong Lu, Andrew John Carter, Hai Li
  • Patent number: 8203894
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading data from a non-volatile memory cell. In some embodiments, a cross-point array of non-volatile memory cells is arranged into rows and columns that are each controlled by a line driver. A read circuit is provided that is capable of reading a logical state of a predetermined memory cell by differentiating a non-integrated first reference value from a non-integrated second reference value. Further, each reference value is measured immediately after configuring the column corresponding to the predetermined memory cell to produce a first and second amount of current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chulmin Jung, Insik Jin, YoungPil Kim, Yong Lu, Harry Hongyue Liu, Andrew John Carter
  • Publication number: 20120147659
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring data in a memory. A semiconductor memory includes a plurality of memory cells each having a resistive sense element (RSE) in series with a switching device. A conductive word line extends in a first direction adjacent the memory cells and is connected to a gate structure of each of the switching devices. A plurality of conductive bit lines extend in a second direction adjacent the memory cells, each bit line providing a connection node that interconnects a respective pair of the memory cells. A control circuit senses a programmed state of a selected memory cell by setting each of the bit lines on a first side of the selected memory cell to a first voltage level, setting each of the remaining bit lines on an opposing second side of the selected memory cell to a second voltage level, and setting the word line to a third voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Carter, Yong Lu
  • Patent number: 8120941
    Abstract: A bidirectional memory array architecture for non-volatile memory is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of memory cells are arranged into an M number of rows and an N number of columns with each memory cell having a resistive sense element (RSE) and a switching device. A total number of M+N+1 control lines extend adjacent to and are connected with the memory cells to facilitate bi-directional programming of resistive states to each memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Carter, Yong Lu
  • Patent number: 8045412
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated method for transferring data to memory, such as resistive sense memory (RSM). In accordance with some embodiments, input data comprising a sequence of logical states are transferred to a block of memory by concurrently writing a first logical state from the sequence to each of a first plurality of unit cells during a first write step, and concurrently writing a second logical state from the sequence to each of a second non-overlapping plurality of unit cells during a second write step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Yong Lu, Harry Hongyue Liu, Hai Li, Andrew John Carter, Daniel Reed
  • Patent number: 8004875
    Abstract: A data storage device and associated method for providing current magnitude compensation for memory cells in a data storage array. In accordance with some embodiments, unit cells are connected between spaced apart first and second control lines of common length. An equalization circuit is configured to respectively apply a common current magnitude through each of the unit cells by adjusting a voltage applied to the cells in relation to a location of each of the cells along the first and second control lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Markus Jan Peter Siegert, Michael Xuefei Tang, Andrew John Carter, Alan Xuguang Wang
  • Publication number: 20110182106
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading data from a non-volatile memory cell. In some embodiments, a cross-point array of non-volatile memory cells is arranged into rows and columns that are each controlled by a line driver. A read circuit is provided that is capable of reading a logical state of a predetermined memory cell by differentiating a non-integrated first reference value from a non-integrated second reference value. Further, each reference value is measured immediately after configuring the column corresponding to the predetermined memory cell to produce a first and second amount of current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Chulmin Jung, Insik Jin, YoungPil Kim, Yong Lu, Harry Hongyue Liu, Andrew John Carter
  • Publication number: 20110149639
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell array and associated method of use. In accordance with various embodiments, the array includes a plurality of programmable resistive sense elements (RSEs) coupled to a shared switching device. The switching device has a common source region and multiple drain regions, each drain region connected to an associated RSE from said plurality of RSEs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Carter, Maroun Georges Khoury, Yong Lu, Roger Glenn Rolbiecki
  • Patent number: 7965565
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading data from a non-volatile memory cell. In some embodiments, a cross-point array of non-volatile memory cells is arranged into rows and columns that are each controlled by a line driver. A read circuit is provided that is capable of reading a logical state of a predetermined memory cell by differentiating a non-integrated first reference value from a non-integrated second reference value. Further, each reference value is measured immediately after configuring the column corresponding to the predetermined memory cell to produce a first and second amount of current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chulmin Jung, Insik Jin, YoungPil Kim, Yong Lu, Harry Hongyue Liu, Andrew John Carter
  • Patent number: 7933136
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell array and associated method of use. In accordance with various embodiments, the array includes a plurality of programmable resistive sense elements (RSEs) coupled to a shared switching device. The switching device has a common source region and multiple drain regions, each drain region connected to an associated RSE from said plurality of RSEs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Carter, Maroun Georges Khoury, Yong Lu, Roger Glenn Rolbiecki
  • Patent number: 7885097
    Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a column of non-volatile memory cells is connected between opposing first and second control lines. A fixed reference voltage is applied to the second control line. The memory cells are simultaneously programmed to a first resistive state by applying a first voltage to the first control line that is greater than the fixed reference voltage. Less than all of the memory cells are subsequently simultaneously programmed to a different, second resistive state by applying a second voltage to the first control line that is less than the fixed reference voltage, so that at the conclusion of the respective programming steps a first portion of the memory cells along said column are at the first resistive state and a second portion of the memory cells along said column are at the second resistive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Daniel S. Reed, Yong Lu, Andrew John Carter, Hai Li
  • Publication number: 20110026305
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell and associated method of use are disclosed. In accordance with various embodiments, the memory cell includes a switching device and a resistive sense element (RSE) connected in series between first and second control lines. The first control line is supplied with a variable voltage and the second control line is maintained at a fixed reference voltage. A first resistive state of the RSE is programmed by lowering the variable voltage of the first control line below the fixed reference voltage of the second control line to flow a body-drain current through the switching device. A different, second resistive state of the RSE is programmed by raising the variable voltage of the first control line above the fixed reference voltage to flow a drain-source current through the switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Daniel S. Reed, Yong Lu, Andrew John Carter, Hai Li
  • Publication number: 20110007581
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading data from a non-volatile memory cell. In some embodiments, a cross-point array of non-volatile memory cells is arranged into rows and columns that are each controlled by a line driver. A read circuit is provided that is capable of reading a logical state of a predetermined memory cell by differentiating a non-integrated first reference value from a non-integrated second reference value. Further, each reference value is measured immediately after configuring the column corresponding to the predetermined memory cell to produce a first and second amount of current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chulmin Jung, Insik Jin, YoungPil Kim, Yong Lu, Harry Hongyue Liu, Andrew John Carter
  • Publication number: 20110007550
    Abstract: A data storage device and associated method for providing current magnitude compensation for memory cells in a data storage array. In accordance with some embodiments, unit cells are connected between spaced apart first and second control lines of common length. An equalization circuit is configured to respectively apply a common current magnitude through each of the unit cells by adjusting a voltage applied to the cells in relation to a location of each of the cells along the first and second control lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Markus Jan Peter Siegert, Michael Xuefei Tang, Andrew John Carter, Alan Xuguang Wang
  • Publication number: 20100118590
    Abstract: A bidirectional memory array architecture for non-volatile memory is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of memory cells are arranged into an M number of rows and an N number of columns with each memory cell having a resistive sense element (RSE) and a switching device. A total number of M+N+1 control lines extend adjacent to and are connected with the memory cells to facilitate bi-directional programming of resistive states to each memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Carter, Yong Lu
  • Publication number: 20100118602
    Abstract: A memory array includes a plurality of first and second source, lines overlapping a plurality of bit lines, and a plurality of magnetic storage elements, each coupled to a corresponding first and second source line and to a corresponding bit line. Current may be driven, in first and second directions, through each magnetic element, for example, to program the elements. Diodes may be incorporated to avert sneak paths in the memory array. A first diode may be coupled between each magnetic element and the corresponding first source line, the first diode being biased to allow read and write current flow through the magnetic element, from the corresponding first source line; and a second diode may be coupled between each magnetic element and the corresponding second source line, the second diode being reverse-biased to block read and write current flow through the magnetic element, from the corresponding second source line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Carter, Yiran Chen, Yong Lu, Harry Hongyue Liu
  • Publication number: 20100118589
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell array and associated method of use are disclosed. In accordance with various embodiments, the array includes a plurality of programmable resistive sense elements (RSEs) coupled to a shared switching device. The switching device has a common source region and multiple drain regions, each drain region connected to an associated RSE from said plurality of RSEs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Carter, Maroun Georges Khoury, Yong Lu, Roger Glenn Rolbiecki
  • Publication number: 20100097841
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated method for transferring data to memory, such as resistive sense memory (RSM). In accordance with some embodiments, input data comprising a sequence of logical states are transferred to a block of memory by concurrently writing a first logical state from the sequence to each of a first plurality of unit cells during a first write step, and concurrently writing a second logical state from the sequence to each of a second non-overlapping plurality of unit cells during a second write step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Yong Lu, Harry Hongyue Liu, Hai Li, Andrew John Carter, Daniel Reed