Patents by Inventor Daniele Vimercati

Daniele Vimercati 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: 10978130
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for temperature-based access timing for a memory device are described. In some memory devices, accessing memory cells may be associated with different operations that are variously dependent on a temperature of the memory device. For example, some operations associated with accessing a memory cell may have a longer duration and others a shorter duration depending on the temperature of the memory device. In accordance with examples as disclosed herein, a memory device may be configured for performing some portions of an access operation according to a duration that is proportional to a temperature of the memory device, and performing other portions of the access operation according to a duration that is inversely proportional to a temperature of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Wong, Sihong Kim, Hiroshi Akamatsu, Daniele Vimercati, John D. Porter
  • Patent number: 10971203
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to wear leveling for random access and ferroelectric memory are described. Non-volatile memory devices, e.g., ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) may utilize wear leveling to extend life time of the memory devices by avoiding reliability issues due to a limited cycling capability. A wear-leveling pool, or number of cells used for a wear-leveling application, may be expanded by softening or avoiding restrictions on a source page and a destination page within a same section of memory array. In addition, error correction code may be applied when moving data from the source page to the destination page to avoid duplicating errors present in the source page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Fackenthal, Daniele Vimercati, Duane R. Mills
  • Publication number: 20210098045
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for access line management for an array of memory cells are described. Some memory devices may include a plate that is coupled with memory cells associated with a plurality of digit lines and/or a plurality of word lines. Because the plate is coupled with a plurality of digit lines and/or word lines, unintended cross-coupling between various components of the memory device may be significant. To mitigate the impact of unintended cross-coupling between various components, the memory device may float unselected word lines during one or more portions of an access operation. Accordingly, a voltage of each unselected word line may relate to the voltage of the plate as changes in plate voltage may occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 10958271
    Abstract: An electronic device may include one or more output buffers each including a pair of final p-channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) and n-channel metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistors, a first pre-buffer to drive the PMOS transistor, and a second pre-buffer to drive the NMOS transistor. Each output buffer receives power from a pre-buffer supply filtering circuit, which may include a supply capacitor for stabilizing supply voltage, a low-pass first pre-buffer supply filter to filter the voltage supplied to the first pre-buffer, and a low-pass second pre-buffer supply filter the voltage supplied to the second pre-buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 10957383
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a memory device are described. A sense amplifier may be used to precharge an access line to increase the reliability of the sensing operation. The access line may then charge share with the memory cell and a capacitor, which may be a reference capacitor, which may result in high-level states and low-level states on the access line. By precharging the access line with the sense amplifier and implementing charge sharing between the access line and a capacitor, the resulting high-level state and the low-level states on the access line may account for any offset voltage associated with the sense amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 10943633
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for redundancy in a memory array are described. A memory array may include some memory cells that are redundant to other memory cells of the array. Such redundant memory cells may be used if a another memory cell is discovered to be defective in some way; for example, after the array is fabricated and before deployment, defects in portions of the array that affect certain memory cells may be identified. Memory cells may be designated as redundant cells for numerous other memory cells of the array so that a total number of redundant cells in the array is relatively small fraction of the total number of cells of the array. A configuration of switching components may allow redundant cells to be operated in a manner that supports redundancy for numerous other cells and may limit or disturbances to neighboring cells when accessing redundancy cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo
  • Patent number: 10937483
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses, methods, and systems for current separation for memory sensing. An embodiment includes applying a sensing voltage to a memory cell having a ferroelectric material, and determining a data state of the memory cell by separating a first current output by the memory cell while the sensing voltage is being applied to the memory cell and a second current output by the memory cell while the sensing voltage is being applied to the memory cell, wherein the first current output by the memory cell corresponds to a first polarization state of the ferroelectric material of the memory cell and the second current output by the memory cell corresponds a second polarization state of the ferroelectric material of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 10937487
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for differential amplifier schemes for sensing memory cells are described. In one example, a memory apparatus may include a differential amplifier having a first input node configured to be coupled with a memory cell and having an output node configured to be coupled with a sense component. In some examples, the memory apparatus may also include a capacitor having a first node coupled with the first input node, and a first switching component configured to selectively couple a second node of the capacitor with the output node. The differential amplifier may configured such that a current at the output node is proportional to a difference between a voltage at the first input node of the differential amplifier and a voltage at the second input node of the differential amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Stefan Frederik Schippers, Xinwei Guo
  • Patent number: 10930324
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-referencing sensing schemes with coupling capacitance are described. A sense component of a memory device may include a capacitive coupling between two nodes of the sense component. The capacitive coupling may, in some examples, be provided by a capacitive element of the sense component or an intrinsic capacitance between features of the sense component. An example of a method employing such a sense component for detecting a logic state stored by a memory cell may include generating a first sense signal at one of the nodes while the node is coupled with the memory cell, and generating a second sense signal at the other of the nodes while the other node is coupled with the memory cell. The sense signals may be based at least in part on the capacitive coupling between the two nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahdi Jamali, William A. Melton, Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo, Yasuko Hattori
  • Publication number: 20210050046
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for dual mode ferroelectric memory cell operation are described. A memory array or portions of the array may be variously operated in volatile and non-volatile modes. For example, a memory cell may operate in a non-volatile mode and then operate in a volatile mode following a command initiated by a controller while the cell is operating in the non-volatile mode. The memory cell may operate in the volatile mode and then operate in the non-volatile mode following a subsequent command. In some examples, one memory cell of the memory array may operate in the non-volatile mode while another memory cell of the memory array operates in the volatile mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 10902901
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for access line management for an array of memory cells are described. Some memory devices may include a plate that is coupled with memory cells associated with a plurality of digit lines and/or a plurality of word lines. Because the plate is coupled with a plurality of digit lines and/or word lines, unintended cross-coupling between various components of the memory device may be significant. To mitigate the impact of unintended cross-coupling between various components, the memory device may float unselected word lines during one or more portions of an access operation. Accordingly, a voltage of each unselected word line may relate to the voltage of the plate as changes in plate voltage may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 10896713
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for access line management for an array of memory cells are described. Some memory devices may include a plate that is coupled with memory cells associated with a plurality of digit lines and/or a plurality of word lines. Because the plate is coupled with a plurality of digit lines and/or word lines, unintended cross-coupling between various components of the memory device may be significant. To mitigate the impact of unintended cross-coupling between various components, the memory device may float unselected word lines during one or more portions of an access operation. Accordingly, a voltage of each unselected word line may relate to the voltage of the plate as changes in plate voltage may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 10885945
    Abstract: A plurality of block configurations may be employed for read while write operations. In one apparatus example, a plurality of block configurations may be employed. Block configurations may include an arrangement of similarly doped semiconductor switches. Block configurations may select a respective tile of a memory array, a particular memory cell of the respective tile, and select a memory operation to apply to the particular memory cell. Immediately adjacent block configurations within a particular slice of the memory array may be substantially mirrored and immediately adjacent block configurations in separate immediately adjacent slices of the memory array may be substantially similar. Similarly doped diffusion regions for similarly doped semiconductor switches in substantially mirrored block configurations may be arranged to electrically share a common potential signal value level. Other apparatus and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald John Barkley, Daniele Vimercati, Pierguido Garofalo
  • Publication number: 20200402563
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for digit line management for a memory array are described. A memory array may include a plate that is common to a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell associated with the common plate may be coupled with a respective digit line. One or more memory cells common to the plate may be accessed by concurrently selecting the plate and each digit line associated with the plate. Concurrent selection of all digit lines associated with the plate may be supported by shield lines between the selected digit lines. Additionally or alternatively, selection of all digit lines associated with the plate may be supported by improved sensing schemes and related amplifier configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Xinwei Guo, Daniele Vimercati
  • Publication number: 20200395058
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for self-referencing memory cells are described. A reference value for a cell may be created through multiple sense operations on the cell. The cell may be sensed several times and an average of at least two sensing operations may be used as a reference for another sense operation. For example, the cell may be sensed and the resulting charge stored at a capacitor. The cell may be biased to one state, sensed a second time, and the resulting charge stored at another capacitor. The cell may be biased to another state, sensed a third time, and the resulting charge stored to another capacitor. The values from the second and third sensing operations may be averaged and used as a reference value in a comparison with value of the first sensing operation to determine a logic state of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 10855295
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for section-based data protection in a memory device are described. In one example, a memory device may include a set memory sections each having memory cells configured to be selectively coupled with access lines of the respective memory section. A method of operating the memory device may include selecting at least one of the sections for a voltage adjustment operation based on a determined value of a timer, and performing the voltage adjustment operation on the selected section by activating each of a plurality of word lines of the selected section. The voltage adjustment operation may include applying an equal voltage to opposite terminals of the memory cells, which may allow built-up charge, such as leakage charge accumulating from access operations of the selected memory section, to dissipate from the memory cells of the selected section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Fackenthal, Daniele Vimercati, Jahanshir Javanifard
  • Patent number: 10839881
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for dual mode ferroelectric memory cell operation are described. A memory array or portions of the array may be variously operated in volatile and non-volatile modes. For example, a memory cell may operate in a non-volatile mode and then operate in a volatile mode following a command initiated by a controller while the cell is operating in the non-volatile mode. The memory cell may operate in the volatile mode and then operate in the non-volatile mode following a subsequent command. In some examples, one memory cell of the memory array may operate in the non-volatile mode while another memory cell of the memory array operates in the volatile mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 10839891
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing a memory cell using lower offset, higher speed sense amplifiers are described. A sense amplifier may include an amplifier component that is configurable to operate in an amplifier mode or a latch mode. In some examples, the amplifier component may be configured to operate in the amplifier or latch mode by activating or deactivating switching components inside the amplifier component. When configured to operate in the amplifier mode, the amplifier component may be used, during a read operation of a memory cell, to pre-charge a digit line and/or amplify a signal received from the memory cell. When configured to operate in the latch mode, the amplifier component may be used to latch a state of the memory cell. In some cases, the amplifier component may use some of the same internal circuitry for pre-charging the digit line, amplifying the signal, and/or latching the state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xinwei Guo, Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 10839882
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for dual mode ferroelectric memory cell operation are described. A memory array or portions of the array may be variously operated in volatile and non-volatile modes. For example, a memory cell may operate in a non-volatile mode and then operate in a volatile mode following a command initiated by a controller while the cell is operating in the non-volatile mode. The memory cell may operate in the volatile mode and then operate in the non-volatile mode following a subsequent command. In some examples, one memory cell of the memory array may operate in the non-volatile mode while another memory cell of the memory array operates in the volatile mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Publication number: 20200335152
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a memory device are described. A sense amplifier may be used to precharge an access line to increase the reliability of the sensing operation. The access line may then charge share with the memory cell and a capacitor, which may be a reference capacitor, which may result in high-level states and low-level states on the access line. By precharging the access line with the sense amplifier and implementing charge sharing between the access line and a capacitor, the resulting high-level state and the low-level states on the access line may account for any offset voltage associated with the sense amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati