Patents by Inventor Dean Gans

Dean Gans 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: 20190131972
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for identifying memory devices of a semiconductor device sharing an external resistance are disclosed. A memory device of a semiconductor device may be set in an identification mode and provide an identification request to other memory devices that are coupled to a common communication channel. The memory devices that are coupled to the common communication channel may share an external resistance, for example, for calibration of respective programmable termination components of the memory devices. The memory devices that receive the identification request set a respective identification flag which can be read to determine which memory devices share an external resistance with the memory device having the set identification mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Gans
  • Publication number: 20190109755
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, A data buffer is described. The data buffer comprises a first input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a first signal encoded according to a first communications protocol, a second input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a second signal encoded according to a second communications protocol, and a conversion circuit coupled to the first and second input/output circuits and configured to convert the first signal to the second signal and to convert the second signal to the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Dean Gans, Randon Richards, Bruce W. Schober
  • Publication number: 20190087366
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for asymmetric input output interfaces for memory are disclosed. An example apparatus may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be configured to receive first data signals having a first voltage swing and having a first slew rate. The transmitter may be configured to provide second data signals having a second voltage swing and having a second slew rate, wherein the first and second voltage swings are different, and wherein the first and second slew rates are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dean Gans, Bruce Schober, Moo Sung Chae
  • Publication number: 20190027208
    Abstract: A memory channel including an internal clock circuit is disclosed. The clock circuit may synthesize an internal clock signal for use by one or more components of the memory channel. The internal clock signal may have a different frequency than an external clock frequency. The memory channel may include multiple clock circuits that generate multiple internal clock signals. Each portion of the memory channel associated with a different clock circuit may be phase and/or frequency independent of the other portions of the memory channel. The clock circuit may synthesize an internal clock signal based on an external clock signal. The clock circuit may use encoded timing data from an encoded I/O scheme to align the phase of the internal clock signal to a data signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Gans, Moo Sung Chae, Daniel Skinner
  • Patent number: 10180920
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for asymmetric input/output interfaces for memory are disclosed. An example apparatus may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be configured to receive first data signals having a first voltage swing and having a first slew rate. The transmitter may be configured to provide second data signals having a second voltage swing and having a second slew rate, wherein the first and second voltage swings are different, and wherein the first and second slew rates are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Gans, Bruce Schober, Moo Sung Chae
  • Patent number: 10164817
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, A data buffer is described. The data buffer comprises a first input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a first signal encoded according to a first communications protocol, a second input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a second signal encoded according to a second communications protocol, and a conversion circuit coupled to the first and second input/output circuits and configured to convert the first signal to the second signal and to convert the second signal to the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Dean Gans, Randon Richards, Bruce W. Schober
  • Patent number: 10115449
    Abstract: A memory channel including an internal clock circuit is disclosed. The clock circuit may synthesize an internal clock signal for use by one or more components of the memory channel. The internal clock signal may have a different frequency than an external clock frequency. The memory channel may include multiple clock circuits that generate multiple internal clock signals. Each portion of the memory channel associated with a different clock circuit may be phase and/or frequency independent of the other portions of the memory channel. The clock circuit may synthesize an internal clock signal based on an external clock signal. The clock circuit may use encoded timing data from an encoded I/O scheme to align the phase of the internal clock signal to a data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventors: Dean Gans, Moo Sung Chae, Daniel Skinner
  • Publication number: 20180278461
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, A data buffer is described. The data buffer comprises a first input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a first signal encoded according to a first communications protocol, a second input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a second signal encoded according to a second communications protocol, and a conversion circuit coupled to the first and second input/output circuits and configured to convert the first signal to the second signal and to convert the second signal to the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: TIMOTHY M. HOLLIS, Dean Gans, Randon Richards, Bruce W. Schober
  • Publication number: 20180247689
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first power supply having a first fixed voltage, a second power supply having a second fixed voltage, a plurality of circuits coupled to the first power supply via a first switch and the second power supply via a second switch, and a power control circuit configured to selectively enable one of the first switch and the second switch responsive to power demand information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Gans
  • Publication number: 20180246822
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for asymmetric input/output interfaces for memory are disclosed. An example apparatus may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be configured to receive first data signals having a first voltage swing and having a first slew rate. The transmitter may be configured to provide second data signals having a second voltage swing and having a second slew rate, wherein the first and second voltage swings are different, and wherein the first and second slew rates are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Gans, Bruce Schober, Moo Sung Chae
  • Publication number: 20180167055
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for calibrating adjustable impedances of a semiconductor device are disclosed in the present application. An example apparatus includes a register configured to store impedance calibration information and further includes programmable termination resistances having a programmable impedance. The example apparatus further includes an impedance calibration circuit configured to perform a calibration operation to determine calibration parameters for setting the programmable impedance of the programmable termination resistances. The impedance calibration circuit is further configured to program the impedance calibration information in the register related to the calibration operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Gans
  • Patent number: 9978437
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first power supply having a first fixed voltage, a second power supply having a second fixed voltage, a plurality of circuits coupled to the first power supply via a first switch and the second power supply via a second switch, and a power control circuit configured to selectively enable one of the first switch and the second switch responsive to power demand information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Gans
  • Patent number: 9965408
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for asymmetric input/output interfaces for memory are disclosed. An example apparatus may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be configured to receive first data signals having a first voltage swing and having a first slew rate. The transmitter may be configured to provide second data signals having a second voltage swing and having a second slew rate, wherein the first and second voltage swings are different, and wherein the first and second slew rates are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Gans, Bruce Schober, Moo Sung Chae
  • Publication number: 20170351451
    Abstract: An arbitration system and method is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first and a second memory devices, and a resistor coupled in common to the first and second memory devices, the first memory device includes a first calibration circuit configured to perform a first calibration operation responsive, at least in part, to an external calibration command, the first calibration operation being performed based on the resistor, and the second memory device includes a second calibration circuit configured to perform a second calibration operation responsive, at least in part, to the external calibration command, the second calibration operation being performed based on the resistor after the first calibration operation has finished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Dean Gans
  • Patent number: 9766831
    Abstract: An arbitration system and method is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first and a second memory devices, and a resistor coupled in common to the first and second memory devices, the first memory device includes a first calibration circuit configured to perform a first calibration operation responsive, at least in part, to an external calibration command, the first calibration operation being performed based on the resistor, and the second memory device includes a second calibration circuit configured to perform a second calibration operation responsive, at least in part, to the external calibration command, the second calibration operation being performed based on the resistor after the first calibration operation has finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Gans
  • Publication number: 20170169875
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first power supply having a first fixed voltage, a second power supply having a second fixed voltage, a plurality of circuits coupled to the first power supply via a first switch and the second power supply via a second switch, and a power control circuit configured to selectively enable one of the first switch and the second switch responsive to power demand information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: DEAN GANS
  • Publication number: 20170133080
    Abstract: A memory channel including an internal clock circuit is disclosed. The clock circuit may synthesize an internal clock signal for use by one or more components of the memory channel. The internal clock signal may have a different frequency than an external clock frequency. The memory channel may include multiple clock circuits that generate multiple internal clock signals. Each portion of the memory channel associated with a different clock circuit may be phase and/or frequency independent of the other portions of the memory channel. The clock circuit may synthesize an internal clock signal based on an external clock signal. The clock circuit may use encoded timing data from an encoded I/O scheme to align the phase of the internal clock signal to a data signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: DEAN GANS, MOO SUNG CHAE, DANIEL SKINNER
  • Publication number: 20170109091
    Abstract: An arbitration system and method is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fiat and a second memory devices, and a resistor coupled in common to the first and second memory devices, the first memory device includes a first calibration circuit configured to perform a first calibration operation responsive, at least in part, to an external calibration command, the first calibration operation being performed based on the resistor, and the second memory device includes a second calibration circuit configured to perform a second calibration operation responsive, at least in part, to the external calibration command, the second calibration operation being performed based on the resistor after the first calibration operation has finished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventor: Dean Gans
  • Patent number: 9601182
    Abstract: A memory channel including an internal clock circuit is disclosed. The clock circuit may synthesize an internal clock signal for use by one or more components of the memory channel. The internal clock signal may have a different frequency than an external clock frequency. The memory channel may include multiple clock circuits that generate multiple internal clock signals. Each portion of the memory channel associated with a different clock circuit may be phase and/or frequency independent of the other portions of the memory channel. The clock circuit may synthesize an internal clock signal based on an external clock signal. The clock circuit may use encoded timing data from an encoded I/O scheme to align the phase of the internal clock signal to a data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Gans, Moo Sung Chae, Daniel Skinner
  • Publication number: 20160335204
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for asymmetric input/output interfaces for memory are disclosed. An example apparatus may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be configured to receive first data signals having a first voltage swing and having a first slew rate. The transmitter may be configured to provide second data signals having a second voltage swing and having a second slew rate, wherein the first and second voltage swings are different, and wherein the first and second slew rates are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Dean Gans, Bruce Schober, Moo Sung Chae