Patents by Inventor Ferdinando Bedeschi

Ferdinando Bedeschi 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: 20240134533
    Abstract: A method including storing user data in memory cells of a memory array, storing, in a counter associated to the memory cells, count data corresponding to a number of bits in the user data having a predetermined first logic value, applying a read voltage to the memory cells to read the user data, applying the read voltage to the cells of the counter to read the count data and to provide a target value corresponding to the number of bits in the user data having the first logic value. During the application of the read voltage, the count data and the user data are read simultaneously such that the target value is provided during the reading of the user data. The application of the read voltage is stopped when the number of bits in the user data having the first logic value corresponds to the target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Riccardo Muzzetto, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto di Vincenzo
  • Publication number: 20240134802
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a memory device that stores a scrub list in a cache used to reduce data traffic to and from a memory array. In one approach, the cache merges the scrub list with cache data. Data in the scrub list can be identified and distinguished from the cache data by adding a one-bit scrub flag to each data entry in the merged cache. In this merged approach, the cache data shares the same memory as the scrub list. Read data that has an error is saved temporarily in this merged cache until the correct value for the data is written back into the memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Christophe Vincent Antoine Laurent, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 11967372
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for shared decoder architecture for three-dimensional memory arrays are described. A memory device may include pillars coupled to an access line using two transistors positioned between the pillar and the access line. The gates of the two transistors may be coupled with respective gate lines coupled with circuitry configured to bias the gate line as part of an access operation for a memory cell coupled with the pillar. In some cases, the circuitry may be positioned between tiles of the memory device, at an end of one or more tiles of the memory device, between word line combs of a tile of the memory device, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Vincent Antoine Laurent, Andrea Martinelli, Efrem Bolandrina, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 11963370
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a memory device comprising an array of memory cells arranged in a multideck configuration comprising a plurality of superimposed decks, a plurality of access lines comprising at least a first plurality of access lines arranged in a first level, a second plurality of access lines arranged in a second level, and a third plurality of access lines arranged in a third level between the first plurality of access lines and the second plurality of access lines, the third plurality of access lines being arranged between two decks of the plurality of decks, a plurality of drivers configured to drive signals to the access lines, and connection elements configured to electrically connect the access lines to the respective drivers. The connections elements and the access lines are arranged so that a single driver of the plurality of drivers is configured to drive at least one access line of each level of the at least three levels. Related memory systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Riccardo Muzzetto, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto di Vincenzo
  • Patent number: 11942151
    Abstract: A variety of applications can include one or more memory devices having one or more memory arrays of memory cells, where each memory cell is a resistive memory cell arranged such that a clamp current for the memory cell can be provided by an access line biasing circuit to the memory cell opposite a coupling of a sense circuit to a digit line to the memory array. The access line biasing circuit and the sense circuit can be operated in a digit line precharge phase and an access line biasing phase of a memory cell of the memory array using a set of switches to control activities for the memory cell in the memory array, the sense circuit, and the access line biasing circuit. A reference current can be provided from the access line biasing circuit to the sense circuit. Additional devices, systems, and methods are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Pierguido Garofalo, Umberto Di Vincenzo, Claudia Palattella
  • Patent number: 11929124
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for accessing memory cells comprising: applying an increasing read voltage with a first polarity to the plurality of memory cells; counting a number of switching memory cells in the plurality based on the applying the increasing read voltage; applying a first read voltage with the first polarity based on the number of switched memory cells reaching a threshold number; applying a second read voltage with a second polarity opposite to the first polarity; and determining that a memory cell in the plurality of memory cells has a first logic value based on the memory cell having switched during one of the applying the increasing read voltage and the applying the first read voltage or based on the memory cell not having switched during the applying the second read voltage. A related system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Riccardo Muzzetto, Umberto Di Vincenzo
  • Publication number: 20240071489
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a memory include a sensing circuitry connected to a memory cell through an address decoder, a precharge circuitry configured to be connected to the sensing circuitry during a precharge stage and at least partially disconnected from the sensing circuitry during a sensing stage immediately following the precharge stage, and a reference voltage provided to the precharge circuitry, wherein the reference voltage is mirrored to the memory cell by mirroring a current flowing from the precharge circuitry with a current flowing from the sensing circuitry during the precharge stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Umberto di Vincenzo, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Michele Maria Venturini, Claudia Palattella
  • Publication number: 20240071476
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a memory device. In one approach, a memory device selectively enters a streaming mode when accessing memory cells in a memory array. A controller determines for new read operations whether memory cells will be accessed in a streaming mode or in a random mode. First memory cells addressed using a wordline are read by the controller. The wordline is charged to an initial voltage for reading the first memory cells. When in the streaming mode, instead of discharging the wordline after reading the first memory cells, as is done for a random mode, the controller keeps a minimum bias on the wordline and returns the wordline again to the initial voltage for performing a next read operation to read second memory cells. This saves memory device power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Andrea Martinelli, Christophe Vincent Antoine Laurent, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Efrem Bolandrina
  • Publication number: 20240071488
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reading a first and second plurality of memory cells include applying a first ramping voltage with a first increment for each ramping step to read the first plurality of cells, counting, among the first plurality of cells at each ramping step, a first number of logic 1 cells, comparing the first number with a threshold at each ramping step of the first ramping voltage, determining a first voltage reached by the first ramping voltage, at the first voltage the first number becoming equal to or higher than the threshold for the first time, applying a second voltage lower than the first voltage to read the second plurality of cells, and applying a second ramping voltage ramping up from the second voltage with a second predetermined increment lower than the first predetermined increment for each ramping step to read the second plurality of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 11915740
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for parallel access in a memory array are described. A set of memory cells of a memory device may be associated with an array of conductive structures, where such structures may be coupled using a set of transistors or other switching components that are activated by a first driver. The set of memory cells may be divided into two or more subsets of memory cells, where each subset may be associated with a respective second driver for driving access currents through memory cells of the subset. Two or more of such second drivers may operate concurrently, which may support distributing current or distributing associated circuit structures across a different footprint of the memory device than other different implementations with a single such second driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Efrem Bolandrina, Andrea Martinelli, Christophe Vincent Antoine Laurent, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 11901029
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses with counter-based reading are described. A memory cells of a codeword are accessed and respective voltages are generated. A reference voltage is generated and a logic state of each memory cell is determined based on the reference voltage and the respective generated cell voltage. The reference voltage is modified until a count of memory cells determined to be in a predefined logic state with respect to the last modified reference voltage value meets a criterium. In some embodiments the criterium may be an exact match between the memory cells count and an expected number of memory cells in the predefined logic state. In other embodiments, an error correction (ECC) algorithm may be applied while the difference between the count of cells in the predefined logic state and the expected number of cells in that state does not exceed a detection or correction power of the ECC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Umberto Di Vincenzo, Riccardo Muzzetto, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 11900989
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a memory device with multiplexed digit lines are described. In some cases, a memory cell of the memory device may include a storage component and a selection component that includes two transistors. A first transistor may be coupled with a word line and a second transistor may be coupled with a select line to selectively couple the memory cell with a digit line. The selection component, in conjunction with a digit line multiplexing component, may support a sense component common to a set of digit lines. In some cases, the digit line of the set may be coupled with the sense component during a read operation, while the remaining digit lines of the set are isolated from the sense component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Stefan Frederik Schippers
  • Publication number: 20240038301
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory cell read operation techniques are described. A memory device may determine a starting voltage for a second phase of a read operation for a set of memory cells which may have a different magnitude than a magnitude of a starting voltage of a first phase of the read operation. For example, the memory device may use an ending voltage of the first phase to determine the starting voltage for the second phase. In some cases, the starting voltage for the second phase may correspond to a difference of a voltage offset and the ending voltage of the first phase. As part of the second phase of the read operation, the memory device may apply a sequence of voltages to the set of memory cells in accordance with the determined starting voltage of the second phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Riccardo Muzzetto, Francesco Mastroianni, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Nevil N. Gajera
  • Publication number: 20240038322
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for performing sense operations in memory are disclosed. The memory can have a group of memory cells, and circuitry can be configured to perform a sense operation on the group, wherein performing the sense operation includes performing a first sense operation in a first polarity on the group of memory cells to determine a quantity of the memory cells of the group that are in a particular data state, and performing a second sense operation in a second polarity on the group of memory cells to determine a data state of the memory cells of the group. The second polarity is opposite the first polarity, and the second sense operation is a count-based sense operation that uses the determined quantity of memory cells in the particular data state as a counting threshold to determine the data state of the memory cells of the group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Michele Maria Venturini, Umberto Di Vincenzo, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Riccardo Muzzetto, Christophe Vincent Antoine Laurent, Christian Caillat
  • Patent number: 11887663
    Abstract: Methods and systems include memory devices with a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells. The memory devices include a control circuit operatively coupled to the memory array and configured to receive a read request for data and to apply a first voltage at a first time duration to the memory array based on the read request. The control circuit is additionally configured to count a number of the plurality of memory cells that have switched to an active read state based on the first voltage and to derive a second time duration. The control circuit is further configured to apply a second voltage at the second duration to the memory array. The control circuit is also configured to return the data based at least on bits stored in a first and a second set of the plurality of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Graziano Mirichigni, Riccardo Muzzetto, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 11887689
    Abstract: Methods and devices for techniques for precharging a memory cell are described. Precharging a memory cell while the memory cell is coupled with its digit line may reduce a total duration of an access operation thereby reducing a latency associated with accessing a memory device. During a read operation, the memory device may select a word line to couple the memory cell with a selected digit line. Further, the memory device may selectively couple the selected digit line with a reference digit line that is to be precharged to a given voltage. A difference in voltage between the selected digit line and the reference digit line at the completion of precharging may represent a signal indicative of a logic state of the memory cell. The memory device may use a capacitor precharged to a first voltage to capture the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto Di Vincenzo
  • Patent number: 11880571
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for accessing an array of memory cells, comprising the steps of storing user data in a plurality of memory cells of a memory array, storing, in a counter associated to the array of memory cells, count data corresponding to a number of bits in the user data having a predetermined first logic value, applying a read voltage to the memory cells to read the user data stored in the array of memory cells, applying the read voltage to the cells of the counter to read the count data stored in the counter and to provide a target value corresponding to the number of bits in the user data having the first logic value, wherein, during the application of the read voltage, the count data are read simultaneously to the user data in such a way that the target value is provided during the reading of the user data, and based on the target value of the counter, stopping the application of the read voltage when the number of bits in the user data having the first logic value corresponds
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Riccardo Muzzetto, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto di Vincenzo
  • Publication number: 20240013831
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a memory device comprising memory cells at cross points of access lines of a memory array, and a two-transistor driver comprising a P-type transistor and a N-type transistor connected to the P-type transistor, the two-transistor driver being configured to drive an access line of the memory array to a discharging voltage during an IDLE phase, to drive said access line to a floating voltage during an ACTIVE phase, and to drive said access line at least to a first or second read/program voltage during a PULSE phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventor: Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Publication number: 20240012576
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a memory device. In one approach, known reference patterns are stored in a memory array. The patterns are associated with codewords stored in the memory array. A first pattern has all memory cells written to a first logic state (e.g., all logic ones), and a second pattern has all memory cells written to an opposite second logic state (e.g., all logic zeros). When a controller reads a codeword, the controller first reads memory cells of the associated reference patterns to determine data for estimating a threshold voltage distribution of memory cells in the codeword. Based on a number of memory cells of the reference patterns that snap when reading the first and second patterns, the controller selects a read voltage for reading the associated codeword.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Andrea Martinelli, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 11869587
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and techniques for read operations are described. In some examples, a memory device may include a first transistor (e.g., memory node transistor) configured to receive a precharge voltage at a first gate and output first voltage based on a threshold of the first transistor to a reference node via a first switch. The device may include a second transistor (e.g., a reference node transistor) configured to receive a precharge voltage and output a second voltage based on a threshold of the second transistor to a memory node via a second switch. The first voltage may be modified by a reference voltage and input to the second transistor. The second voltage may be modified by a voltage stored on a memory cell and input to the first transistor. The first and second transistor may output third and fourth voltages to be sampled to a latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Riccardo Muzzetto, Umberto Di Vincenzo