Patents by Inventor CHUNYUAN HOU

CHUNYUAN HOU 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).

  • Publication number: 20240005993
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bit line unit, a word line unit, a bit line drive unit, and a word line drive unit. The bit line unit is configured to divide the word line unit into a first word line unit and a second word line unit. The distance between the second word line unit and the word line drive unit is greater than that the distance between the first word line unit and the word line drive unit. The word line drive unit is configured to provide the driving voltage for programming to the word line unit. The bit line drive unit is configured to apply the first bias voltage to the bit line unit that performs the dividing to obtain the first word line unit in the charging phase of programming, and to apply the second bias voltage to the bit line unit that performs the dividing to obtain the second word line unit in the discharging phase of programming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan WANG, Chunyuan HOU, Masao KURIYAMA, Zhichao DU, Lichuan ZHAO
  • Patent number: 11769559
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a three-dimensional NAND memory device, comprising a first NAND string including a first channel corresponding to a first cell to be inhibited to program, and a controller configured to control a word line driver and a bit line driver to do the following operations: prior to applying a program voltage to a selected word line, charging a first bit line electrically coupling with the first channel to a first voltage level for charging the first channel to the first voltage level, charging an array common source electrically coupling with the first bit line for further charging the first channel to a second voltage level higher than the first voltage level, and cutting off the electrical coupling between the first bit line and the first channel for preparing to apply the program voltage to the selected word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weijun Wan, Chunyuan Hou
  • Patent number: 11715523
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes a memory cell array having rows of memory cells, word lines respectively coupled to the rows of memory cells, and a peripheral circuit coupled to the memory cell array through the word lines. The peripheral circuit is configured to program a row of memory cells using a first program voltage and verify the programmed row of memory cells using a verify voltage and a sample voltage smaller than the verify voltage. The peripheral circuit is also configured to obtain a first number of memory cells of the programmed row of memory cells based on the sample voltage. The peripheral circuit is further configured to predict, based on the first number of memory cells and the sample voltage, a second number of memory cells of the programmed row of memory cells that fail to pass the verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Yueping Li, Chunyuan Hou
  • Publication number: 20230154510
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first substrate, a first memory array, a second substrate, and at least one first vertical transistor. The first memory array is disposed on the first substrate. The first memory array includes at least one first word line structure. The first memory array is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate in a vertical direction. The first vertical transistor is electrically connected with the first word line structure. At least a part of the at least one first vertical transistor is disposed in the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qiang TANG, Chunyuan HOU
  • Publication number: 20230073118
    Abstract: Semiconductor structure, comprising a memory-array unit comprising: a substrate, a memory array disposed on the substrate, and a first bonding region disposed around the memory array. The memory array comprises multiple word lines, multiple bit lines, and multiple source lines. The first bonding region comprises a first substrate-connecting bonding region, a first bit-line bonding region, a first word-line bonding region, and a first source-line bonding region. The first substrate-connecting bonding region is configured to connect the substrate electrically to a surface of the memory-array unit, the first bit-line bonding region is configured to connect the bit lines electrically to the surface of the memory-array unit, the first word-line bonding region is configured to connect the word lines electrically to the surface of the memory-array unit, and the first source-line bonding region is configured to connect the source lines electrically to the surface of the memory-array unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Wuhan Xinxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaiwei CAO, Peng SUN, Jun ZHOU, Qiong ZHAN, Wei HUANG, Chunyuan HOU
  • Patent number: 11557329
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first substrate, a first memory array, a second substrate, and at least one first vertical transistor. The first memory array is disposed on the first substrate. The first memory array includes at least one first word line structure. The first memory array is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate in a vertical direction. The first vertical transistor is electrically connected with the first word line structure. At least a part of the at least one first vertical transistor is disposed in the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qiang Tang, Chunyuan Hou
  • Patent number: 11527292
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes an array of memory cells including a plurality of rows of memory cells, a plurality of word lines respectively coupled to the plurality of rows of memory cells, and a peripheral circuit coupled to the plurality of word lines and configured to perform an erase operation on a selected row of memory cells of the plurality of rows of memory cells. The selected row of memory cells is coupled to a selected word line. To perform the erase operation, the peripheral circuit is configured to discharge an unselected word line coupled to an unselected row of memory cells of the plurality of rows of memory cells from an initial voltage to a discharge voltage in a first time period, and float the unselected word line in a second time period after the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Chunyuan Hou
  • Publication number: 20220392550
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a three-dimensional NAND memory device, comprising a first NAND string including a first channel corresponding to a first cell to be inhibited to program, and a controller configured to control a word line driver and a bit line driver to do the following operations: prior to applying a program voltage to a selected word line, charging a first bit line electrically coupling with the first channel to a first voltage level for charging the first channel to the first voltage level, charging an array common source electrically coupling with the first bit line for further charging the first channel to a second voltage level higher than the first voltage level, and cutting off the electrical coupling between the first bit line and the first channel for preparing to apply the program voltage to the selected word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weijun Wan, Chunyuan Hou
  • Publication number: 20220310169
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes an array of memory cells including a plurality of rows of memory cells, a plurality of word lines respectively coupled to the plurality of rows of memory cells, and a peripheral circuit coupled to the plurality of word lines and configured to perform an erase operation on a selected row of memory cells of the plurality of rows of memory cells. The selected row of memory cells is coupled to a selected word line. To perform the erase operation, the peripheral circuit is configured to discharge an unselected word line coupled to an unselected row of memory cells of the plurality of rows of memory cells from an initial voltage to a discharge voltage in a first time period, and float the unselected word line in a second time period after the first time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Chunyuan Hou
  • Publication number: 20220301626
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes a memory cell array having rows of memory cells, word lines respectively coupled to the rows of memory cells, and a peripheral circuit coupled to the memory cell array through the word lines. The peripheral circuit is configured to program a row of memory cells using a first program voltage and verify the programmed row of memory cells using a verify voltage and a sample voltage smaller than the verify voltage. The peripheral circuit is also configured to obtain a first number of memory cells of the programmed row of memory cells based on the sample voltage. The peripheral circuit is further configured to predict, based on the first number of memory cells and the sample voltage, a second number of memory cells of the programmed row of memory cells that fail to pass the verification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Yueping Li, Chunyuan Hou
  • Patent number: 11264101
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells. Each row of the plurality of memory cells is coupled to a respective one of a plurality of wordlines. A method of programming the memory device includes applying a program voltage to a selected wordline of the plurality of wordlines. The method also includes applying a series of incremental verifying voltages to the selected wordline in a first time period after applying the program voltage. The method further includes floating an unselected wordline of the plurality of wordlines in a second time period at least partially overlapping the first time period. The unselected wordline is adjacent to the selected wordline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Shuang Li, Khanh Nguyen, Chunyuan Hou, Qiang Tang
  • Patent number: 11205488
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for protecting transistors through charge sharing are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a transistor comprising a gate node and a bulk node, a charge sharing circuit coupled between the gate and bulk nodes, and logic. The charge sharing circuit is configure to equalize charge differences between the gate and bulk nodes, and the logic is configured to enable the charge sharing circuit based at least in part on a combination of first and second signals, which indicate the presence of a condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yafeng Zhang, Liang Qiao, Chunyuan Hou, Jun Xu
  • Publication number: 20210327482
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first substrate, a first memory array, a second substrate, and at least one first vertical transistor. The first memory array is disposed on the first substrate. The first memory array includes at least one first word line structure. The first memory array is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate in a vertical direction. The first vertical transistor is electrically connected with the first word line structure. At least a part of the at least one first vertical transistor is disposed in the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Qiang Tang, Chunyuan Hou
  • Patent number: 11114168
    Abstract: A sense circuit of a memory cell includes a first switch, a sense node, a third switch, a connection node, a fourth switch, and a memory cell coupled in series. A boost driver is coupled to the sense node. A second switch and the connection node are coupled in series. The boost driver outputs a first voltage when the first, second, third, fourth switches are turned on. The third switch is then turned off and the boost driver outputs a second voltage higher than the first voltage such that the voltage level at the sense node is not higher than a system voltage. The third switch is turned on, then turned off and the boost driver outputs an intermediate voltage between the first voltage and the second voltage. A state of the memory cell is determined during output of the intermediate voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Liang Qiao, Chunyuan Hou
  • Publication number: 20210272638
    Abstract: A storage array includes multiple wordlines of storage cells that can be selectively charged to an erase voltage or an inhibit voltage. Control logic associated with the storage array can perform erase verify in stages. On a first erase verify pass, the control logic can set wordlines of an erase block or subblock to a first erase voltage. On a second erase verify pass, the control logic can trigger a second erase verify pulse and set passing wordlines to an inhibit voltage, and failing wordlines to a second erase voltage higher than the first voltage. Inhibiting the already passing wordlines can reduce threshold voltage differences among the wordlines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Chunyuan HOU, Ke LIANG, Jun XU, Si LI
  • Publication number: 20210174880
    Abstract: A sense circuit of a memory cell includes a first switch, a sense node, a third switch, a connection node, a fourth switch, and a memory cell coupled in series. A boost driver is coupled to the sense node. A second switch and the connection node are coupled in series. The boost driver outputs a first voltage when the first, second, third, fourth switches are turned on. The third switch is then turned off and the boost driver outputs a second voltage higher than the first voltage such that the voltage level at the sense node is not higher than a system voltage. The third switch is turned on, then turned off and the boost driver outputs an intermediate voltage between the first voltage and the second voltage. A state of the memory cell is determined during output of the intermediate voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Liang Qiao, Chunyuan Hou
  • Publication number: 20210166766
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells. Each row of the plurality of memory cells is coupled to a respective one of a plurality of wordlines. A method of programming the memory device includes applying a program voltage to a selected wordline of the plurality of wordlines. The method also includes applying a series of incremental verifying voltages to the selected wordline in a first time period after applying the program voltage. The method further includes floating an unselected wordline of the plurality of wordlines in a second time period at least partially overlapping the first time period. The unselected wordline is adjacent to the selected wordline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Shuang Li, Khanh Nguyen, Chunyuan Hou, Qiang Tang
  • Patent number: 10963191
    Abstract: An integration method for a 3D NAND flash memory device includes disposing a plurality of 3D triple-level cell (TLC) NAND flash memories on a CMOS die; disposing at least a NOR Flash memory on the CMOS die of the 3D NAND flash memory device; and connecting the at least a NOR Flash memory to an Open NAND Flash Interface (ONFI) of the 3D NAND flash memory device; wherein the at least a NOR Flash memory is disposed on an unused area of the CMOS die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi Gu, Chunyuan Hou, Yueping Li, Jiawei Chen
  • Patent number: 10943663
    Abstract: A method of programming a flash memory device includes selecting a first wordline of a plurality of wordlines to select a selected wordline, the selected wordline corresponding to a target memory cell and performing a programming loop. The programming loop includes applying a program voltage to the selected wordline and performing a verification to the target memory cell. The verification includes applying a pre-pulse voltage to the selected wordline, applying a plurality of pass voltages to unselected wordlines of the plurality of wordlines, after applying the pre-pulse voltage, applying a series of incremental verifying voltages to the selected wordline, and after applying the pre-pulse voltage, applying a floating voltage to a second wordline of the plurality of wordlines. The second wordline being adjacent to the selected wordline is programmed after the selected wordline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Shuang Li, Khanh Nguyen, Chunyuan Hou, Qiang Tang
  • Publication number: 20210065808
    Abstract: A method of programming a flash memory device includes selecting a first wordline of a plurality of wordlines to select a selected wordline, the selected wordline corresponding to a target memory cell and performing a programming loop. The programming loop includes applying a program voltage to the selected wordline and performing a verification to the target memory cell. The verification includes applying a pre-pulse voltage to the selected wordline, applying a plurality of pass voltages to unselected wordlines of the plurality of wordlines, after applying the pre-pulse voltage, applying a series of incremental verifying voltages to the selected wordline, and after applying the pre-pulse voltage, applying a floating voltage to a second wordline of the plurality of wordlines. The second wordline being adjacent to the selected wordline is programmed after the selected wordline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Shuang Li, Khanh Nguyen, Chunyuan Hou, Qiang Tang