Patents by Inventor Cheng-Hsiung Kuo
Cheng-Hsiung Kuo 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: 20240249780Abstract: A sense amplifier control system includes a precharge control switch configured to receive a precharge signal. A reference cell is configured to receive a reference word line signal. In a precharge phase, the control switch is controlled in response to the precharge signal to precharge the reference input node to a predetermined precharge level. In a sensing phase subsequent to the pre-charge phase, the trigger circuit is configured to output a triggering signal at the output terminal in response to the reference input node reaching a triggering level.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2024Publication date: July 25, 2024Inventors: Chung-Chieh Chen, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Yu-Der Chih
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Patent number: 11978518Abstract: A sense amplifier control system includes a precharge control switch configured to receive a precharge signal. A reference cell is configured to receive a reference word line signal. In a precharge phase, the control switch is controlled in response to the precharge signal to precharge the reference input node to a predetermined precharge level. In a sensing phase subsequent to the pre-charge phase, the trigger circuit is configured to output a triggering signal at the output terminal in response to the reference input node reaching a triggering level.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chung-Chieh Chen, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Yu-Der Chih
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Patent number: 11935620Abstract: A memory device for memory cell programming and erasing with refreshing operation is disclosed. The memory device includes multiple location-related memory cells and a refresh module. The location-related memory cells are coupled to a bit line on which a selecting voltage is applied. The refresh module rewrites a stored data of a first cell of the location-related memory cells to the first cell of the location-related memory cells in response to an operation count being smaller than a number N. N is related to the number of the location-related memory cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yue-Der Chih, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Gu-Huan Li, Chien-Yin Liu
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Publication number: 20230343396Abstract: A memory device includes a column of at least three memory cells and a source line coupled to the source terminal of each memory cell. A source line driver is coupled to the source line, a voltage terminal, and a program voltage source and is switchable between a program operation, an erase operation, and a read operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Yu-Der CHIH, Cheng-Hsiung KUO, Chung-Chieh CHEN
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Patent number: 11742024Abstract: A memory device includes a column of at least three memory cells and a source line coupled to the source terminal of each memory cell. A source line driver is coupled to the source line, a voltage terminal, and a program voltage source and is switchable between a program operation, an erase operation, and a read operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Yu-Der Chih, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Chung-Chieh Chen
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Publication number: 20220406386Abstract: A sense amplifier control system includes a precharge control switch configured to receive a precharge signal. A reference cell is configured to receive a reference word line signal. In a precharge phase, the control switch is controlled in response to the precharge signal to precharge the reference input node to a predetermined precharge level. In a sensing phase subsequent to the pre-charge phase, the trigger circuit is configured to output a triggering signal at the output terminal in response to the reference input node reaching a triggering level.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Chung-Chieh Chen, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Yu-Der Chih
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Publication number: 20210375363Abstract: A memory device includes a column of at least three memory cells and a source line coupled to the source terminal of each memory cell. A source line driver is coupled to the source line, a voltage terminal, and a program voltage source and is switchable between a program operation, an erase operation, and a read operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2020Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Yu-Der CHIH, Cheng-Hsiung KUO, Chung-Chieh CHEN
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Publication number: 20210312960Abstract: A memory device for memory cell programming and erasing with refreshing operation is disclosed. The memory device includes multiple location-related memory cells and a refresh module. The location-related memory cells are coupled to a bit line on which a selecting voltage is applied. The refresh module rewrites a stored data of a first cell of the location-related memory cells to the first cell of the location-related memory cells in response to an operation count being smaller than a number N. N is related to the number of the location-related memory cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yue-Der CHIH, Cheng-Hsiung KUO, Gu-Huan LI, Chien-Yin LIU
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Patent number: 11043249Abstract: A memory device for memory cell programming and erasing with refreshing operation is disclosed. The memory device includes a location-related memory cell and a refresh module. The location-related memory cell is coupled to a bit line. The refresh module is configured to refresh the location-related memory cell by reading data stored in the location-related memory cell and then writing the data back to the location-related memory cell in a condition that a target memory cell that is coupled to the bit line is programmed or erased. A method for memory cell programming and erasing with refreshing operation is also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yue-Der Chih, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Gu-Huan Li, Chien-Yin Liu
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Publication number: 20200075068Abstract: A memory device for memory cell programming and erasing with refreshing operation is disclosed. The memory device includes a location-related memory cell and a refresh module. The location-related memory cell is coupled to a bit line. The refresh module is configured to refresh the location-related memory cell by reading data stored in the location-related memory cell and then writing the data back to the location-related memory cell in a condition that a target memory cell that is coupled to the bit line is programmed or erased. A method for memory cell programming and erasing with refreshing operation is also disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yue-Der CHIH, Cheng-Hsiung KUO, Gu-Huan LI, Chien-Yin LIU
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Patent number: 10475490Abstract: A memory device includes memory cells and a refresh module. The memory cells are coupled to a bit line, in which at least one memory cell of the memory cells is configured to store predetermined data. The refresh module is configured to refresh the at least one memory cell if a target memory cell of the memory cells is programmed or erased, in order to keep at least one cell current of the at least one memory cell away from a predetermined verify current level.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yue-Der Chih, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Gu-Huan Li, Chien-Yin Liu
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Patent number: 10386879Abstract: A bandgap reference voltage circuit includes a bandgap reference voltage generator and a startup current generator. The bandgap reference voltage generator is configured to generate a first voltage and a second voltage. The startup current generator includes a voltage comparator and a switch. The voltage comparator is connected to the bandgap reference voltage generator and is configured to compare the first voltage with the sum of the second voltage and an offset voltage and to generate a comparison result. The switch is connected between the voltage comparator and the bandgap reference voltage generator and is configured to selectively connect a supply voltage to the bandgap reference voltage generator based on the comparison result. A device that includes the circuit is also disclosed. A method of operating the circuit is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Chen-Lun Yen, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo
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Patent number: 10141063Abstract: A memory controller has a bit line driver configured to supply a selected bit line voltage to a selected bit line and an unselected bit line voltage to an unselected bit line. The selected bit line is coupled to a selected memory cell, and the unselected bit line is coupled to an unselected memory cell. The memory controller further has a word line driver configured to supply a selected word line voltage to a selected word line and an unselected word line voltage to an unselected word line. The selected word line is coupled to the selected memory cell, and the unselected word line is coupled to the unselected memory cell. The unselected bit line voltage is equal to or higher than a difference between the unselected word line voltage and a threshold voltage of the unselected memory cell.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yue-Der Chih, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Gu-Huan Li
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Patent number: 9934864Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device comprises a cell array including a memory cell. The nonvolatile memory device also includes a reference signal generator configured to generate a reference current for reading data stored in the memory cell. The reference signal generator includes a first circuit coupled to a current summation node and having a reference cell. The first circuit is configured to generate a first current that flows between drain and source terminals of a transistor in the reference cell. The reference signal generator also includes a second circuit coupled to the current summation node and configured to generate a second current that is a temperature-dependent current. The current summation node is configured to combine the first and second currents to generate the reference current that tracks a temperature trend of a current flowing through the memory cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2017Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Hsu-Shun Chen, Gu-Huan Li, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Yue-Der Chih
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Publication number: 20180033471Abstract: A memory device includes memory cells and a refresh module. The memory cells are coupled to a bit line, in which at least one memory cell of the memory cells is configured to store predetermined data. The refresh module is configured to refresh the at least one memory cell if a target memory cell of the memory cells is programmed or erased, in order to keep at least one cell current of the at least one memory cell away from a predetermined verify current level.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yue-Der CHIH, Cheng-Hsiung KUO, Gu-Huan LI, Chien-Yin LIU
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Patent number: 9812182Abstract: A method and a system for memory cell programming and erasing with refreshing operation are disclosed. The system includes a selecting module, a processing module and a refresh module. In the method, at first, a target memory cell from a plurality of memory cells in a memory device is selected. Thereafter, the target memory cell belonging to a line of the matrix is programmed or erased by applying a selecting voltage on the target memory cell and a location-related memory cell belonging to the line of the matrix. Then, a refreshing operation to refresh the location-related cell is performed.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yue-Der Chih, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Gu-Huan Li, Chien-Yin Liu
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Patent number: 9715245Abstract: A circuit for generating an output voltage and method for setting an output voltage of a low dropout regulator are provided. A current source is configured to generate a reference current, and an error amplifier has a first input, a second input, and a single-ended output. The first input is connected to a reference voltage, and the second input is connected to an output node of the circuit via a feedback resistor. A pass transistor includes a control electrode connected to the single-ended output of the error amplifier, a first electrode connected to a power supply voltage, and a second electrode connected to the output node of the circuit. A first branch of a current mirror is connected to the current source, and a second branch of the current mirror is connected to the second terminal of the feedback resistor. The output node provides an output voltage of the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Chen-Lun Yen, Gu-Huan Li, Chung-Chieh Chen, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo
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Publication number: 20170148523Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device comprises a cell array including a memory cell. The nonvolatile memory device also includes a reference signal generator configured to generate a reference current for reading data stored in the memory cell. The reference signal generator includes a first circuit coupled to a current summation node and having a reference cell. The first circuit is configured to generate a first current that flows between drain and source terminals of a transistor in the reference cell. The reference signal generator also includes a second circuit coupled to the current summation node and configured to generate a second current that is a temperature-dependent current. The current summation node is configured to combine the first and second currents to generate the reference current that tracks a temperature trend of a current flowing through the memory cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Hsu-Shun Chen, Gu-Huan Li, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Yue-Der Chih
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Patent number: 9613710Abstract: A multiple-time programmable (MTP) structure is provided that can operate using a power supply with a supply voltage of 1.5 V to 5.5 V. When the supply voltage is above a first voltage, a first circuit is configured to induce a second constant voltage at a drain of a second transistor, and to induce the second constant voltage on a terminal in a third circuit. In some embodiments, the third circuit provides a third constant voltage on a gate of a third transistor. When the supply voltage is below the first voltage, a fifth circuit is configured to induce a fourth constant voltage on a terminal in the third circuit. The fourth constant voltage is substantially equal to the second constant voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Hsu-Shun Chen, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Gu-Huan Li, Chung-Chieh Chen, Yu-Der Chih
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Patent number: 9595340Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device comprises a cell array including a memory cell. The nonvolatile memory device also includes a reference signal generator configured to generate a reference current for reading data stored in the memory cell. The reference signal generator includes a first circuit coupled to a current summation node and having a reference cell. The first circuit is configured to generate a first current that flows between drain and source terminals of a transistor in the reference cell. The reference signal generator also includes a second circuit coupled to the current summation node and configured to generate a second current that is a temperature-dependent current. The current summation node is configured to combine the first and second currents to generate the reference current that tracks a temperature trend of a current flowing through the memory cell.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Hsu-Shun Chen, Gu-Huan Li, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Yue-Der Chih