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: 11435919
    Abstract: An example memory sub-system includes a memory device and a processing device, operatively coupled to the memory device. The processing device is configured to perform operations comprising opening a block family associated with the memory device; initialize a timer associated with the block family; assigning a plurality of cursors to the block family; responsive to programming a first block associated with a first cursor of the memory device, associating the first block with the block family; responsive to programming a second block associated with a second cursor of the memory device, associating the second block with the block family; and responsive to detecting expiration of the timer, closing the block family.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sheperek, Bruce A. Liikanen, Peter Feeley, Larry J. Koudele, Shane Nowell, Steven Michael Kientz
  • Publication number: 20220276930
    Abstract: A system includes a memory array; and a processing device coupled to the memory array. The processing device may be configured to iteratively adjust an active processing level, wherein, for each iteration, the processing device is configured to: determine a first set of read results corresponding to the active processing level, determine a second set of read results based on an offset processing level different than the active processing level, and incrementally adjust the active processing level based on a comparison of the first and the second read results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Larry J. Koudele, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Patent number: 11429483
    Abstract: A processing device performs operations including receiving a request to locate one or more distribution edges of one or more programming distributions of a memory cell, the request specifying a target error rate for the one or more programming distributions, measuring at least one error rate sample of a first programming distribution selected from the one or more programming distributions, and determining a location of a first distribution edge of the first programming distribution at the target error rate based on a comparison of the at least one error rate sample of the first programming distribution against the target error rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Liikanen, Larry J. Koudele
  • Publication number: 20220269420
    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: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Larry J. Koudele, Bruce A. Liikanen, Steve Kientz
  • Patent number: 11423989
    Abstract: A processing device establishes a first data group of memory cells of a memory sub-system and a second data group of memory cells of the memory sub-system. A first portion of the first data group is programmed at a threshold voltage level to set a first embedded data value. A second portion of the second data group of memory cells is programmed at the threshold voltage level offset by an offset voltage level to set a second embedded data value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Liikanen, Michael Sheperek, Larry J. Koudele
  • Publication number: 20220246207
    Abstract: A method can include receiving a request to read data from a memory cell of a memory device coupled with the processing device, determining a voltage distribution parameter value associated with the memory cell, determining a set of read levels associated with the voltage distribution parameter value, wherein each read level in the determined set of read levels corresponds to a respective voltage distribution of the memory cell, and reading, using the determined set of read levels, data from the memory cell. The voltage distribution parameter value can be determined by identifying a particular voltage distribution of the memory cell by sampling the memory cell at a plurality of voltage levels, and determining the voltage distribution parameter value based on the particular voltage distribution. The voltage distribution parameter value can be a voltage value that is included in the particular voltage distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Shane Nowell, Steven Michael Kientz, Michael Sheperek, Mustafa N Kaynak, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Larry J Koudele, Bruce A Liikanen
  • Patent number: 11404124
    Abstract: A first current bin boundary for a first voltage bin on a first target die of a set of dies at a memory device is identified by accessing a block family metadata table including an entry for each block family of a memory device. The first current bin boundary corresponds to a first block family associated with the first voltage bin. A first bin boundary offset between the first block family and a second block family corresponding to a first new bin boundary for the first voltage bin is determined. The first bin boundary is determined based on a calibration scan performed for the first voltage bin. A first new bin boundary for the first voltage bin is determined on each die of the set of dies based on the first bin boundary offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Sheperek, Bruce A. Liikanen, Steve Kientz
  • Patent number: 11392328
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Cadloni, Michael Sheperek, Francis Chew, Bruce A. Liikanen, Larry J. Koudele
  • Patent number: 11393534
    Abstract: A processing device determines a measured slope value of a portion of a programming voltage distribution of memory cells of a memory sub-system. The measured slope value of the portion of the programming voltage distribution is compared to a threshold slope value to generate a comparison result. An adjusted program voltage level is determined in view of the comparison result. A programming process is executed using the adjusted program voltage level as a starting voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Liikanen, Michael Sheperek, Larry J. Koudele
  • Publication number: 20220214837
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to read sample offset most probable bit operation associated with a memory component. A processing device generates a first set of read data associated with a memory component, the first set of read data comprising a first sequence of bit values. The processing device generates a second set of read data associated with the memory component, the second set of read data comprising a second sequence of bit values. The processing device generates a third set of read data associated with the memory component, the third set of read data comprising a third sequence of bit values. A most probable bit operation is performed to compare the first sequence of bit values, the second sequence of bit values, and the third sequence of bit values to generate and store a most probable bit sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Sheperek, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Patent number: 11373712
    Abstract: A system includes a memory device and a processing device, operatively coupled with the memory device, to perform operations including determining first values of a metric that is indicative of a margin for a valley that is located between programming distributions of a memory cell of the memory device. The operations further include determining second values of the metric based on the first values, and adjusting valley margins of the memory cell in accordance with the second values of the metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sheperek, Larry J. Koudele, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Publication number: 20220197795
    Abstract: A system includes a memory device and a processing device, operatively coupled to the memory device, the processing device to perform operations comprising: measuring one of a temperature voltage shift or a read bit error rate of fixed data stored in the memory device in response to detecting a power on of the memory device, the fixed data having been programmed in response to detecting a power loss; estimating an amount of time for which the memory device was powered off based on results of the measuring; and in response to the amount of time satisfying a threshold criterion, updating a value for a temporal voltage shift of a block family based on the amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Sheperek, Bruce A. Liikanen, Steven Michael Kientz
  • Patent number: 11361825
    Abstract: A system includes a memory array with memory cells and a processing device coupled thereto. The processing device performs program targeting operations that include to: determine a set of difference error counts corresponding to programming distributions of the memory array; identify, based on a comparison of the set of difference error counts, valley margins corresponding to the programming distributions; select, based on values of the valley margins, a program targeting rule from a set of rules; perform, based on the program targeting rule, a program targeting operation to adjust a voltage level associated with an erase distribution of the memory array; determine a bit error rate (BER) of the memory array; in response to the BER satisfying a BER control value, reduce the voltage level by a voltage step; and in response to the BER not satisfying the BER control value, increase the voltage level by the voltage step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Liikanen, Michael Sheperek, Larry J. Koudele
  • Patent number: 11361833
    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: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Liikanen, Gerald L. Cadloni, Gary F. Besinga, Michael G. Miller, Renato C. Padilla
  • Patent number: 11360670
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Koudele, Bruce A. Liikanen, Steve Kientz
  • Publication number: 20220180962
    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: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Gerald L. Cadloni, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Patent number: 11354193
    Abstract: A system includes a memory array including a plurality of memory cells; and a processing device coupled to the memory array, the processing device configured to iteratively adjust an active processing level used to process data, wherein, for each iteration, the processing device is configured to: determine a first error rate corresponding to the active processing level, determine a second error rate based on using an offset processing level different than the active processing level, and incrementally adjust the active processing level based on a comparison of the first error rate and the second error rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Koudele, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Patent number: 11354043
    Abstract: An example memory sub-system includes a memory device and a processing device, operatively coupled to the memory device. The processing device is configured to identify a first temperature level of a first block family associated with a memory device; identify a second temperature level of a second block family associated with the memory device; determine if a condition is satisfied based on the first temperature level and the second temperature level; and in response to the condition being satisfied, combine the first block family and the second block family to generate a combined block family.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Michael Kientz, Larry J. Koudele, Shane Nowell, Michael Sheperek, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Patent number: 11347405
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory array including a plurality of memory cells; and a controller coupled to the memory array, the controller configured to: determine a target profile including distribution targets, wherein each of the distribution targets represent a program-verify target corresponding to a logic value for the memory cells, determine a feedback measure based on implementing a processing level for processing data, and dynamically adjust the program-verify target according to the feedback measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Koudele, Bruce A. Liikanen
  • Publication number: 20220164112
    Abstract: An example memory sub-system includes a memory device and a processing device, operatively coupled to the memory device. The processing device is configured to identify a first temperature level of a first block family associated with a memory device; identify a second temperature level of a second block family associated with the memory device; determine if a condition is satisfied based on the first temperature level and the second temperature level; and in response to the condition being satisfied, combine the first block family and the second block family to generate a combined block family.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Steven Michael Kientz, Larry J. Koudele, Shane Nowell, Michael Sheperek, Bruce A. Liikanen