Patents by Inventor Bruce Liikanen

Bruce Liikanen 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: 10665309
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to generating endurance measures for a memory sub-system and using endurance measures to classify memory sub-systems, to predict memory system remaining life, and to create memory systems with consistently performing sub-systems. An endurance measure can be generated by computing multiple metric points. Each metric point can be based on a margin between a point, in cumulative distribution function (CDF)-based data at an acceptable memory unit failure rate, and an error amount threshold condition. Once a there are sufficient metric points related to the memory device, the metric points can be fit to a function. The endurance measure is then obtained by extrapolating the function to a point at which the function reaches a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Patent number: 10658066
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments related to first-pass continuous read level calibration (cRLC) operations on memory cells of memory systems. A processing device determines that a first programming pass of a programming operation has been performed on a memory cell of a memory component. The processing device performs a cRLC operation on the memory cell to calibrate a read level threshold between a first first-pass programming distribution and a second first-pass programming distribution before a second programming pass of the programming operation is performed on the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sheperek, Larry J. Koudele, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Publication number: 20200142590
    Abstract: A memory profiling system can generate profiles for target memory units of a memory component during runtime of the memory component. The memory profiling system can identify target memory units based on trigger conditions such as memory units crossing a specified depth in error recovery, receipt of a vendor specific (VS) command, memory unit retirement, or excessive background scan rates. In some cases, the memory profiling system can identify additional target memory units that are related to identified target memory units. The characterization processes can include computing voltage threshold (vt) distributions, Auto Read Calibration (ARC) analysis, Continuous Read Level Calibration (cRLC) analysis, DiffEC metrics, or gathering memory component metrics. The memory profiling system can store the generated profiles and can utilize the generated profiles to adjust operating parameters of one or more memory elements of the memory device, in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Francis Chew, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Publication number: 20200133754
    Abstract: Feedback relating to errors in memory operations on a plurality of memory cells is received by a memory sub-system. At least one processing level corresponding to a program distribution is updated based on the feedback to adjust an error measure between pages of the plurality of memory cells and to adjust a read window budget within a page of the plurality of cells. The updating of the at least one processing level is based on information for the at least one processing level that is stored in a data-structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Sheperek, Bruce A. Liikanen, Larry J. Koudele, James P. Crowley, Stuart A. Bell
  • Publication number: 20200133510
    Abstract: A dynamic temperature compensation trim for use in temperature compensating a memory operation on a memory call of a memory component. The dynamic temperature compensation trim is based on a temperature of the memory component and based on in-service data for the memory operation on the memory cell. A register for the memory operation is modified based on the dynamic temperature compensation trim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Larry J. Koudele, Bruce A. Liikanen, Steve Kientz
  • Patent number: 10629278
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments related to first-pass dynamic program targeting (DPT) operations on memory cells of memory systems. A processing device determines that a first programming pass of a programming operation has been performed on a memory cell of a memory component. The processing device performs a DPT operation on the memory cell to calibrate a first program-verify (PV) target corresponding to a first first-pass programming distribution and a second PV target corresponding to a second first-pass programming distribution before a second programming pass of the programming operation is performed on the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Sheperek, Larry J. Koudele, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Publication number: 20200117387
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to performing varying frequency memory sub-system background scans using either or both a timer and an I/O event limit. This can be accomplished by identifying a background scan trigger event from one of multiple possible types of background scan trigger events, such as a timer expiration or reaching an event count limit. In response to the background scan trigger event, a background scan can be initiated on a memory portion. The background scan can produce results, such as CDF-based data. When a metric based on the results exceeds a background scan limit, a refresh relocation can be performed and logged. A metric can be generated based on the CDF-based data, obtained error recovery depth data, or refresh relocation event data. When the metric is above or below corresponding background scan thresholds, a background scan frequency can be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Gerald L. Cadloni, Michael Sheperek, Francis Chew, Bruce A. Liikanen, Larry J. Koudele
  • Publication number: 20200118640
    Abstract: A memory quality engine can improve the operation of a memory system by setting more effective operating parameters, disabling or removing memory devices unable to meet performance requirements, and providing evaluations between memory populations. These improvements can be accomplished by converting quality measurements of a memory population into CDF-based data, formulating comparisons of the CDF-based data to metrics for quality analysis, and applying the quality analysis. In some implementations, the metrics for quality analysis can use one or more thresholds, such as a system trigger threshold or an uncorrectable error correction condition threshold, which are set based on the error correction capabilities of a memory system. Formulating the comparison to these metrics can include determining a margin between the CDF-based data at a particular codeword frequency and one of the thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Bruce A. Liikanen, Gerald L. Cadloni, David Miller
  • Publication number: 20200090767
    Abstract: Several embodiments of memory devices and systems with offset memory component automatic calibration error recovery are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system includes at least one memory region and calibration circuitry. The memory region has memory cells that read out data states in response to application of a current read level signal. The calibration circuitry is operably coupled to the at least one memory region and is configured to determine a read level offset value corresponding to one or more of a plurality of offset read level test signals, including a base offset read level test signal. The base offset read level test signal is offset from the current read level signal by a predetermined value. The calibration circuitry is further configured to output the determined read level offset value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Bruce A. Liikanen, Gerald L. Cadloni, Gary F. Besinga, Michael G. Miller, Renato C. Padilla
  • Publication number: 20200089569
    Abstract: A memory system is disclosed, including a memory component and a processing device configured to decode one or more codewords saved to a memory region of the memory component, detect that a number of bit errors corresponding to the decoding of the codeword exceeds a correction capability of the processing device, and execute an error recovery routine to reduce the number of detected bit errors to within the correction capability. The error recovery routine can include error recovery operations that are sequentially executed either until the number of bit errors is successfully reduced to within the correction capability or until a set of the error recovery operations has been executed. The error recovery operations can be ordered according to one or more factors, including energy used to execute a respective error recovery operation, a duration of the respective operation, and/or a likelihood of success of the respective operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Gerald L. Cadloni, Bruce A. Liikanen, Francis Chew, Larry J. Koudele
  • Publication number: 20200075118
    Abstract: A memory system can identify target memory units to characterize by generating Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF)-based data for each memory unit and analyzing the CDF-based data to identify target memory units that are exceptional. Such target memory units can be those with CDF-based data with extrinsic tails or that crosses an info limit threshold. The memory system can perform characterization processes for the target memory units, e.g. using an Auto Read Calibration (ARC) analysis or a Continuous Read Level Calibration (cRLC) analysis. A manufacturing process for the memory device can use results of the characterization processes, e.g. by mapping them to types of problems observed during testing. Alternatively, results of the characterization processes to can be used during operation of the memory device, e.g. to adjust the initial read voltage threshold, the read retry voltage values, or the order of read retry voltages used in data recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Francis Chew, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Publication number: 20200075120
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments related to first-pass continuous read level calibration (cRLC) operations on memory cells of memory systems. A processing device determines that a first programming pass of a programming operation has been performed on a memory cell of a memory component. The processing device performs a cRLC operation on the memory cell to calibrate a read level threshold between a first first-pass programming distribution and a second first-pass programming distribution before a second programming pass of the programming operation is performed on the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Sheperek, Larry J. Koudele, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Publication number: 20200075111
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments related to first-pass dynamic program targeting (DPT) operations on memory cells of memory systems. A processing device determines that a first programming pass of a programming operation has been performed on a memory cell of a memory component. The processing device performs a DPT operation on the memory cell to calibrate a first program-verify (PV) target corresponding to a first first-pass programming distribution and a second PV target corresponding to a second first-pass programming distribution before a second programming pass of the programming operation is performed on the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Sheperek, Larry J. Koudele, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Publication number: 20200073577
    Abstract: A memory sub-system is disclosed that makes accessible accumulated memory temperature statistics in relation to a target memory portion. This can be accomplished by maintaining one or more hold variables and one or more accumulation variables. The accumulation variables can be iteratively updated upon triggers such as a timer expiration or I/O event. Updating the accumulation variables can include obtaining a current temperature and tracking one or more of: a maximum, minimum, and mean temperature across the iterations. An accumulation value can track how many times the accumulation variables have been updated. When the accumulation value reaches an accumulation action threshold, the current state of the accumulation variables can be used to update the hold variables. The accumulation value and accumulation variables can then be reset and used for accumulation of additional temperature statistics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Gerald L. Cadloni, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Publication number: 20200066364
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to generating endurance measures for a memory sub-system and using endurance measures to classify memory sub-systems, to predict memory system remaining life, and to create memory systems with consistently performing sub-systems. An endurance measure can be generated by computing multiple metric points. Each metric point can be based on a margin between a point, in cumulative distribution function (CDF)-based data at an acceptable memory unit failure rate, and an error amount threshold condition. Once a there are sufficient metric points related to the memory device, the metric points can be fit to a function. The endurance measure is then obtained by extrapolating the function to a point at which the function reaches a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Publication number: 20200019458
    Abstract: Several embodiments of systems incorporating memory sub-systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a memory sub-system can include a memory component and a processing device configured to perform a background scan on a memory region of the memory component. In some embodiments, the background scan includes generating a bit error count (BEC) of a codeword saved on the memory region and saving statistical information corresponding to the BEC of the codeword to a histogram statistics log. In some embodiments, when the BEC of the codeword is greater than a BEC threshold, a refresh operation is scheduled for the memory region and/or logged. In these and other embodiments, when one or more error recovery error correction code (ECC) operations do not correct bit errors in the codeword, a refresh and/or retirement operation is schedule for the memory region and/or is logged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Gerald L. Cadloni, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Publication number: 20200019453
    Abstract: Several embodiments of memory devices and systems for real time block failure analysis are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system includes a memory array including a plurality of memory cells and a processing device coupled to the memory array. The processing device is configured to sense, in response to detection of an error associated with a subset of a plurality of memory cells of the memory device, a state associated with each memory cell of the subset of the plurality of memory cells. The processing device is further configured to store state distribution information in a persistent memory, the state distribution information comprising the sensed state associated with each memory cell of the subset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Francis Chew, Gerald L. Cadloni, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Publication number: 20200019459
    Abstract: Several embodiments of systems incorporating memory components are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a memory system can include a memory component and a processing device configured to access quality metrics corresponding to memory regions of the memory component. In some embodiments, the processing device can compare the quality metrics to one or more memory management thresholds. In some embodiments, when the quality metrics meet and/or exceed a first threshold, a refresh operation can be scheduled and/or performed on a corresponding memory region. In these and other embodiments, when the quality metrics meet and/or exceed a second threshold, the memory region is retired and removed from an active pool of memory regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Gerald L. Cadloni, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Patent number: 10535417
    Abstract: A memory quality engine can improve the operation of a memory system by setting more effective operating parameters, disabling or removing memory devices unable to meet performance requirements, and providing evaluations between memory populations. These improvements can be accomplished by converting quality measurements of a memory population into CDF-based data, formulating comparisons of the CDF-based data to metrics for quality analysis, and applying the quality analysis. In some implementations, the metrics for quality analysis can use one or more thresholds, such as a system trigger threshold or an uncorrectable error correction condition threshold, which are set based on the error correction capabilities of a memory system. Formulating the comparison to these metrics can include determining a margin between the CDF-based data at a particular codeword frequency and one of the thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Liikanen, Gerald L. Cadloni, David Miller
  • Patent number: 10529433
    Abstract: Several embodiments of memory devices and systems with offset memory component automatic calibration error recovery are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system includes at least one memory region and calibration circuitry. The memory region has memory cells that read out data states in response to application of a current read level signal. The calibration circuitry is operably coupled to the at least one memory region and is configured to determine a read level offset value corresponding to one or more of a plurality of offset read level test signals, including a base offset read level test signal. The base offset read level test signal is offset from the current read level signal by a predetermined value. The calibration circuitry is further configured to output the determined read level offset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Liikanen, Gerald L. Cadloni, Gary F. Besinga, Michael G. Miller, Renato C. Padilla