Patents by Inventor Christian N. Mohr

Christian N. Mohr 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: 11984189
    Abstract: Memory devices may have internal circuitry that employs voltages higher and/or lower than voltages provided by an external power source. Charge pumps are DC/DC converters that may be used to generate the higher voltages internally. The number of available charge pumps in a memory device may be conservatively dimensioned to be high, in some systems to protect yields. Some of the available charge pumps may be disabled during manufacturing or testing to reduce the number of active charge pumps. The testing process may employ dedicated logic in the memory device and the disabling may employ fuse circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, John E. Riley
  • Patent number: 11842985
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having through-stack interconnects for facilitating connectivity testing, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a stack of semiconductor dies and a plurality of through-stack interconnects extending through the stack to electrically couple the semiconductor dies. The interconnects include functional interconnects and at least one test interconnect. The test interconnect is positioned in a portion of the stack more prone to connectivity defects than the functional interconnects. Accordingly, testing the connectivity of the test interconnect can provide an indication of the connectivity of the functional interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 11810641
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for trimming input buffers based on identified mismatches. An example apparatus includes an input buffer having a first input stage circuit configured to receive a first signal, a second input stage circuit configured to receive a second signal, and an output stage coupled to the first and second input stage circuits and configured to provide an output signal. The first input stage circuit includes serially-coupled transistor pairs that are each coupled between the output stage and a bias voltage. Each of the plurality of serially-coupled transistors pairs are selectively enabled in response to a respective enable signal. The apparatus further including a trim circuit coupled to the first input stage circuit and comprising a plurality of programmable components. The trim circuit is configured to be programmed to provide the respective enable signals based on a detected transition voltage offset relative to a target transition voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Jennifer E. Taylor, Vijayakrishna J. Vankayala
  • Patent number: 11710534
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein are directed to testing and/or debugging a memory device of a memory module (e.g., a dual in-line memory module (DIMM)) without having to remove the DIMM from a corresponding computing device and without having to interrupt operation of the computing device. A particular memory device (e.g., DRAM) may be identified for testing and/or debugging based on a failure message. However, the failure message may not identify a specific location or hardware of the module that caused the failure. Embodiments presented herein provide techniques to obtain data for analysis to determine and/or deliver a cause of the failure while reducing or eliminating downtime of the computing device. Test modes to do so may include a synchronous test mode, an asynchronous test mode, and an analog compare mode. A test mode may be selected based on the failure or a signal/function of the DRAM to be tested or debugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Scott E. Smith, Manoj Vijay
  • Publication number: 20230037349
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having through-stack interconnects for facilitating connectivity testing, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a stack of semiconductor dies and a plurality of through-stack interconnects extending through the stack to electrically couple the semiconductor dies. The interconnects include functional interconnects and at least one test interconnect. The test interconnect is positioned in a portion of the stack more prone to connectivity defects than the functional interconnects. Accordingly, testing the connectivity of the test interconnect can provide an indication of the connectivity of the functional interconnects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 11495577
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having through-stack interconnects for facilitating connectivity testing, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a stack of semiconductor dies and a plurality of through-stack interconnects extending through the stack to electrically couple the semiconductor dies. The interconnects include functional interconnects and at least one test interconnect. The test interconnect is positioned in a portion of the stack more prone to connectivity defects than the functional interconnects. Accordingly, testing the connectivity of the test interconnect can provide an indication of the connectivity of the functional interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 11437116
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a memory array, a test circuit coupled to the memory array, a counter circuit coupled to the test circuit and an input/output (I/O) circuit coupled to the counter circuit. During a test operation, the test circuit may receive blocks of data from the memory array and compare the data to detect errors in the blocks of data. The counter circuit may increment a count value in response to detection of an error by the test circuit, and the I/O circuit may provide the count value to an output. The test circuit may also provide test comparison data based on the received blocks of data, and the I/O circuit may provide one of the count value and the test comparison data to the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Gregg D. Wolff, Christopher G. Wieduwilt, C. Omar Benitez, Dennis G. Montierth
  • Publication number: 20210210122
    Abstract: Memory devices may have internal circuitry that employs voltages higher and/or lower than voltages provided by an external power source. Charge pumps are DC/DC converters that may be used to generate the higher voltages internally. The number of available charge pumps in a memory device may be conservatively dimensioned to be high, in some systems to protect yields. Some of the available charge pumps may be disabled during manufacturing or testing to reduce the number of active charge pumps. The testing process may employ dedicated logic in the memory device and the disabling may employ fuse circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, John E. Riley
  • Patent number: 10957364
    Abstract: Memory devices may have internal circuitry that employs voltages higher and/or lower than voltages provided by an external power source. Charge pumps are DC/DC converters that may be used to generate the higher voltages internally. The number of available charge pumps in a memory device may be conservatively dimensioned to be high, in some systems to protect yields. Some of the available charge pumps may be disabled during manufacturing or testing to reduce the number of active charge pumps. The testing process may employ dedicated logic in the memory device and the disabling may employ fuse circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, John E. Riley
  • Publication number: 20200342922
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for trimming input buffers based on identified mismatches. An example apparatus includes an input buffer having a first input stage circuit configured to receive a first signal, a second input stage circuit configured to receive a second signal, and an output stage coupled to the first and second input stage circuits and configured to provide an output signal. The first input stage circuit includes serially-coupled transistor pairs that are each coupled between the output stage and a bias voltage. Each of the plurality of serially-coupled transistors pairs are selectively enabled in response to a respective enable signal. The apparatus further including a trim circuit coupled to the first input stage circuit and comprising a plurality of programmable components. The trim circuit is configured to be programmed to provide the respective enable signals based on a detected transition voltage offset relative to a target transition voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Jennifer E. Taylor, Vijayakrishna J. Vankayala
  • Publication number: 20200303349
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having through-stack interconnects for facilitating connectivity testing, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a stack of semiconductor dies and a plurality of through-stack interconnects extending through the stack to electrically couple the semiconductor dies. The interconnects include functional interconnects and at least one test interconnect. The test interconnect is positioned in a portion of the stack more prone to connectivity defects than the functional interconnects. Accordingly, testing the connectivity of the test interconnect can provide an indication of the connectivity of the functional interconnects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Scott E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200243155
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a memory array, a test circuit coupled to the memory array, a counter circuit coupled to the test circuit and an input/output (I/O) circuit coupled to the counter circuit. During a test operation, the test circuit may receive blocks of data from the memory array and compare the data to detect errors in the blocks of data. The counter circuit may increment a count value in response to detection of an error by the test circuit, and the I/O circuit may provide the count value to an output. The test circuit may also provide test comparison data based on the received blocks of data, and the I/O circuit may provide one of the count value and the test comparison data to the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Gregg D. Wolff, Christopher G. Wieduwilt, C. Omar Benitez, Dennis G. Montierth
  • Patent number: 10714156
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for trimming input buffers based on identified mismatches. An example apparatus includes an input buffer having a first input stage circuit configured to receive a first signal, a second input stage circuit configured to receive a second signal, and an output stage coupled to the first and second input stage circuits and configured to provide an output signal. The first input stage circuit includes serially-coupled transistor pairs that are each coupled between the output stage and a bias voltage. Each of the plurality of serially-coupled transistors pairs are selectively enabled in response to a respective enable signal. The apparatus further including a trim circuit coupled to the first input stage circuit and comprising a plurality of programmable components. The trim circuit is configured to be programmed to provide the respective enable signals based on a detected transition voltage offset relative to a target transition voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Jennifer E. Taylor, Vijayakrishna J. Vankayala
  • Patent number: 10692841
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having through-stack interconnects for facilitating connectivity testing, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a stack of semiconductor dies and a plurality of through-stack interconnects extending through the stack to electrically couple the semiconductor dies. The interconnects include functional interconnects and at least one test interconnect. The test interconnect is positioned in a portion of the stack more prone to connectivity defects than the functional interconnects. Accordingly, testing the connectivity of the test interconnect can provide an indication of the connectivity of the functional interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 10643734
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a memory array, a test circuit coupled to the memory array, a counter circuit coupled to the test circuit and an input/output (I/O) circuit coupled to the counter circuit. During a test operation, the test circuit may receive blocks of data from the memory array and compare the data to detect errors in the blocks of data. The counter circuit may increment a count value in response to detection of an error by the test circuit, and the I/O circuit may provide the count value to an output. The test circuit may also provide test comparison data based on the received blocks of data, and the I/O circuit may provide one of the count value and the test comparison data to the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Gregg D. Wolff, Christopher G. Wieduwilt, C. Omar Benitez, Dennis G. Montierth
  • Publication number: 20200098398
    Abstract: Memory devices may have internal circuitry that employs voltages higher and/or lower than voltages provided by an external power source. Charge pumps are DC/DC converters that may be used to generate the higher voltages internally. The number of available charge pumps in a memory device may be conservatively dimensioned to be high, in some systems to protect yields. Some of the available charge pumps may be disabled during manufacturing or testing to reduce the number of active charge pumps. The testing process may employ dedicated logic in the memory device and the disabling may employ fuse circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, John E. Riley
  • Publication number: 20200075067
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for trimming input buffers based on identified mismatches. An example apparatus includes an input buffer having a first input stage circuit configured to receive a first signal, a second input stage circuit configured to receive a second signal, and an output stage coupled to the first and second input stage circuits and configured to provide an output signal. The first input stage circuit includes serially-coupled transistor pairs that are each coupled between the output stage and a bias voltage. Each of the plurality of serially-coupled transistors pairs are selectively enabled in response to a respective enable signal. The apparatus further including a trim circuit coupled to the first input stage circuit and comprising a plurality of programmable components. The trim circuit is configured to be programmed to provide the respective enable signals based on a detected transition voltage offset relative to a target transition voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Jennifer E. Taylor, Vijayakrishna J. Vankayala
  • Publication number: 20200005885
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a memory array, a test circuit coupled to the memory array, a counter circuit coupled to the test circuit and an input/output (I/O) circuit coupled to the counter circuit. During a test operation, the test circuit may receive blocks of data from the memory array and compare the data to detect errors in the blocks of data. The counter circuit may increment a count value in response to detection of an error by the test circuit, and the I/O circuit may provide the count value to an output. The test circuit may also provide test comparison data based on the received blocks of data, and the I/O circuit may provide one of the count value and the test comparison data to the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Gregg D. Wolff, Christopher G. Wieduwilt, C. Omar Benitez, Dennis G. Montierth
  • Publication number: 20200006291
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having through-stack interconnects for facilitating connectivity testing, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a stack of semiconductor dies and a plurality of through-stack interconnects extending through the stack to electrically couple the semiconductor dies. The interconnects include functional interconnects and at least one test interconnect. The test interconnect is positioned in a portion of the stack more prone to connectivity defects than the functional interconnects. Accordingly, testing the connectivity of the test interconnect can provide an indication of the connectivity of the functional interconnects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Scott E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190348138
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method of operating a memory device includes assigning a plurality of signals to a group and multiplexing the group of assigned signals onto a data transmission line. Each of the multiplexed signals can be individually demultiplexed by locally latching individual signals at corresponding target destinations. Demultiplexing each of the signals can be based on a phase signal received at the target destination and that includes the group which the corresponding individual signal was assigned to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Scott E. Smith