Patents by Inventor Anirudh Amarnath
Anirudh Amarnath 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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Publication number: 20240105269Abstract: Systems and methods for bit line modulation to compensate for cell source variation are disclosed. For example, a method for reading data from non-volatile storage comprising determining a first bit line level based on a first programmed data state that is being sensed and determining a second bit line level based on a second programmed data state that is being sensed. As another example, a storage device comprising a first bit line driver configured to generate a first bit line level for a first set of bit lines corresponding to a first set of memory strings based on a first cell source level associated with the first set of memory strings a second bit line driver configured to generate a second bit line level for a second set of bit lines corresponding to a second set of memory strings based on a second cell source level associated with the second set of memory strings.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2022Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Anirudh Amarnath, Aravind Suresh, Abhijith Prakash
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Patent number: 11869600Abstract: Memory cell sensing by charge sharing between two sense nodes is disclosed. A first sense node and a second sense node are pre-charged and the second node is discharged initiating charge sharing between the first sense node and the second sense node that results in an improved sense margin. Sensing circuitry disclosed herein may include one or more pre-charge circuits, sense enable circuits, and charge-sharing circuits. The increased sense margin achieved by sensing circuitry disclosed herein provides better noise immunity and more accurate sensing results.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Jiawei Xu, Anirudh Amarnath, Hiroki Yabe
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Publication number: 20230290415Abstract: Memory cell sensing by charge sharing between two sense nodes is disclosed. A first sense node and a second sense node are pre-charged and the second node is discharged initiating charge sharing between the first sense node and the second sense node that results in an improved sense margin. Sensing circuitry disclosed herein may include one or more pre-charge circuits, sense enable circuits, and charge-sharing circuits. The increased sense margin achieved by sensing circuitry disclosed herein provides better noise immunity and more accurate sensing results.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2022Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: JIAWEI XU, Anirudh AMARNATH, Hiroki YABE
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Patent number: 11568945Abstract: A method of verifying the programming of a plurality of memory cells in a data storage system includes performing a setup operation including settling of bit lines associated with the subset of memory cells; performing a sensing operation including subjecting the settled bit lines to a verify voltage signal; and performing first and second latching operations identifying memory cells of the subset of memory cells having threshold voltages that meet first and second verify reference voltages, where the first and second latching operations are part of the same program verify operation with no setup time between them.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2021Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Anirudh Amarnath, Jongyeon Kim
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Publication number: 20220399062Abstract: A method of verifying the programming of a plurality of memory cells in a data storage system includes performing a setup operation including settling of bit lines associated with the subset of memory cells; performing a sensing operation including subjecting the settled bit lines to a verify voltage signal; and performing first and second latching operations identifying memory cells of the subset of memory cells having threshold voltages that meet first and second verify reference voltages, where the first and second latching operations are part of the same program verify operation with no setup time between them.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2021Publication date: December 15, 2022Applicant: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Anirudh Amarnath, Jongyeon Kim
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Patent number: 11521675Abstract: A data storage system includes a storage medium coupled to a storage controller via an electrical interface connected to a plurality of input/output (IO) pads of the storage medium. The storage medium receives a read or write instruction from the storage controller via the IO pads, associates the read or write instruction with memory cells of a first block of a first plane of a plurality of planes of the storage medium, and adjusts a word line voltage level or a source line voltage level for the first block of the first plane based on (i) a position of the first plane with respect to the IO pads of the storage medium and (ii) a position of the first block within the first plane.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Kou Tei, Anirudh Amarnath, Ohwon Kwon
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Publication number: 20200265899Abstract: A memory device and associated techniques improve a settling time of bit lines in a memory device during a sensing operation, such as read or verify operation. Supply voltage from power supply terminals in the sense circuits is briefly toggled during a discharge of a selected bit line in response to a voltage on a selected word line being increased to a second word line level or higher. This helps to create an electrical path from the selected bit line through to a supply terminal for discharging the selected bit line such that a settling time of a voltage of the selected bit line is shortened in association with a target memory cell transitioning from a non-conductive state to a conductive state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Kenneth Louie, Anirudh Amarnath
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Patent number: 10643713Abstract: A memory device and associated techniques improve a settling time of bit lines in a memory device during a sensing operation, such as read or verify operation. Supply voltage from power supply terminals in the sense circuits is briefly toggled during a discharge of a selected bit line in response to a voltage on a selected word line being increased to a second word line level or higher. This helps to create an electrical path from the selected bit line through to a supply terminal for discharging the selected bit line such that a settling time of a voltage of the selected bit line is shortened in association with a target memory cell transitioning from a non-conductive state to a conductive state.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2019Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Kenneth Louie, Anirudh Amarnath
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Patent number: 10510383Abstract: A circuit includes selected sense circuits configured to be connected to selected bit lines and unselected sense circuits configured to be connected to unselected bit lines during a sense operation. The selected and unselected sense circuits are configured to perform a state-dependent pre-charge operation during the sense operation. In particular, the selected sense circuits may enable respective pre-charge circuit paths that supply a pre-charge supply voltage to respective sense nodes in the selected sense circuits. Additionally, the unselected sense circuits may disable respective pre-charge circuit paths to prevent the supply of the pre-charge supply voltage to respective sense nodes in the unselected sense circuits. A sense circuit controller may control latches to control the enabling and disabling of the pre-charge circuit paths.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Tai-Yuan Tseng, Anirudh Amarnath
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Patent number: 10366729Abstract: A sense circuit is provided in which the threshold voltage of a memory cell is sensed relative to two different levels using a single control gate voltage on the memory cell. These two levels can be lower and higher verify voltages of a data state in a programming operation, or two read levels of a read operation. A sense node is charged up to a peak level by a pre-charge voltage and by capacitive coupling. The sense node then discharges into the bit line. The sense node voltage is decreased first and second times by capacitive coupling after which first and second bits of data are output based on a level of the sense node. The first and second bits indicate a level of the sense node relative to the lower and higher verify voltages, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Tai-Yuan Tseng, Anirudh Amarnath
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Patent number: 10366739Abstract: A circuit includes selected sense circuits configured to be connected to selected bit lines and unselected sense circuits configured to be connected to unselected bit lines during a sense operation. A voltage supply circuit may supply a selected pulse and an unselected pulse to the selected and unselected sense circuits. The selected sense circuits may pass the selected pulse to associated charge-storing circuits, and reject the unselected pulse. The unselected sense circuits may pass the unselected pulse to associated charge-storing circuits, and reject the selected pulse. In addition, voltage-setting circuitry may set sense voltages in the unselected sense circuits to a pre-sense level that matches the pre-sense level of communication voltages in the unselected sense circuits.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Anirudh Amarnath, Tai-Yuan Tseng
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Publication number: 20190103145Abstract: A circuit includes selected sense circuits configured to be connected to selected bit lines and unselected sense circuits configured to be connected to unselected bit lines during a sense operation. The selected and unselected sense circuits are configured to perform a state-dependent pre-charge operation during the sense operation. In particular, the selected sense circuits may enable respective pre-charge circuit paths that supply a pre-charge supply voltage to respective sense nodes in the selected sense circuits. Additionally, the unselected sense circuits may disable respective pre-charge circuit paths to prevent the supply of the pre-charge supply voltage to respective sense nodes in the unselected sense circuits. A sense circuit controller may control latches to control the enabling and disabling of the pre-charge circuit paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2017Publication date: April 4, 2019Applicant: SunDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Tai-Yuan Tseng, Anirudh Amarnath
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Publication number: 20180374518Abstract: A sense circuit is provided in which the threshold voltage of a memory cell is sensed relative to two different levels using a single control gate voltage on the memory cell. These two levels can be lower and higher verify voltages of a data state in a programming operation, or two read levels of a read operation. A sense node is charged up to a peak level by a pre-charge voltage and by capacitive coupling. The sense node then discharges into the bit line. The sense node voltage is decreased first and second times by capacitive coupling after which first and second bits of data are output based on a level of the sense node. The first and second bits indicate a level of the sense node relative to the lower and higher verify voltages, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2017Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Tai-Yuan Tseng, Anirudh Amarnath
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Publication number: 20180366178Abstract: A circuit includes selected sense circuits configured to be connected to selected bit lines and unselected sense circuits configured to be connected to unselected bit lines during a sense operation. A voltage supply circuit may supply a selected pulse and an unselected pulse to the selected and unselected sense circuits. The selected sense circuits may pass the selected pulse to associated charge-storing circuits, and reject the unselected pulse. The unselected sense circuits may pass the unselected pulse to associated charge-storing circuits, and reject the selected pulse. In addition, voltage-setting circuitry may set sense voltages in the unselected sense circuits to a pre-sense level that matches the pre-sense level of communication voltages in the unselected sense circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Anirudh Amarnath, Tai-Yuan Tseng
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Patent number: 10121522Abstract: A sense circuit is provided in which the threshold voltage of a memory cell is sensed relative to two different levels using a single control gate voltage on the memory cell. These two levels can be higher and lower verify voltages of a data state in a programming operation, or two read levels of a read operation. Two sense nodes which are connected in a cascade configuration such that a first sense node discharges into the bit line initially, and a second sense node may or may not discharge into the bit line, depending on the level to which the first node has discharged. First and second bits of data can be output from the sense circuit based on the levels of the first and second sense nodes to indicate the threshold voltage of the memory cell relative to the higher and lower verify voltages, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Tai-Yuan Tseng, Anirudh Amarnath, Yan Li
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Patent number: 10115440Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for three-dimensional non-volatile memory. A stack of word line layers includes word lines for a three-dimensional non-volatile memory array. A stack of word line layers may include a plurality of tiers. Word line switch transistors transfer word line bias voltages to the word lines. Word line contact regions couple word line switch transistors to word lines. A word line contact region includes a stepped structure for a tier of word line layers. A level region separates a word line contact region for a first tier from a word line contact region for a second tier.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Qui Nguyen, Alexander Chu, Kenneth Louie, Anirudh Amarnath, Jixin Yu, Yen-Lung Jason Li, Tai-Yuan Tseng, Jong Yuh
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Patent number: 10037810Abstract: The peak voltage at which a voltage-setting transistor is driven is reduced while the body effect of the transistor is also compensated. The voltage-setting transistor is driven at an initial level and then coupled higher by a capacitor which is connected to the control gate of the voltage-setting transistor. The amount of coupling can vary as a function of an assigned data state of a memory cell connected to the transistor by a source line and/or bit line. The capacitor may have a body which is common to a set of memory cells. The voltage can be set prior to applying a program voltage to the control gate of a memory cell to control a programming speed of the memory cell based on its assigned data state. The voltage can also be set in connection with a sensing operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Hemant Shukla, Saurabh Kumar Singh, Sridhar Yadala, Raul-Adrian Cernea, Anirudh Amarnath
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Publication number: 20180197586Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for three-dimensional non-volatile memory. A stack of word line layers includes word lines for a three-dimensional non-volatile memory array. A stack of word line layers may include a plurality of tiers. Word line switch transistors transfer word line bias voltages to the word lines. Word line contact regions couple word line switch transistors to word lines. A word line contact region includes a stepped structure for a tier of word line layers. A level region separates a word line contact region for a first tier from a word line contact region for a second tier.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2017Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Qui Nguyen, Alexander Chu, Kenneth Louie, Anirudh Amarnath, Jixin Yu, Yen-Lung Jason Li, Tai-Yuan Tseng, Jong Yuh
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Patent number: 9754645Abstract: An apparatus includes a first bit line coupled to a first storage element and a second bit line coupled to a second storage element. A first bit line charging circuit is coupled to the first bit line and is configured to charge the first bit line to a first bias voltage of multiple bias voltages based on a first programming state. A second bit line charging circuit is coupled to the second bit line and is configured to charge the second bit line to a second bias voltage of the multiple bias voltages based on a second programming state. The second programming state is different than the first programming state.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Anirudh Amarnath, Tai-Yuan Tseng
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Publication number: 20170117024Abstract: An apparatus includes a first bit line coupled to a first storage element and a second bit line coupled to a second storage element. A first bit line charging circuit is coupled to the first bit line and is configured to charge the first bit line to a first bias voltage of multiple bias voltages based on a first programming state. A second bit line charging circuit is coupled to the second bit line and is configured to charge the second bit line to a second bias voltage of the multiple bias voltages based on a second programming state. The second programming state is different than the first programming state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2015Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Anirudh Amarnath, Tai-Yuan Tseng