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: 20220399070
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for compensating for signal drop in memory. Compensating for signal drop can include applying a first signal to a terminal of a particular transistor and mirroring the first signal to a decoder replica. Compensating for signal drop can also include applying a second signal to a gate of the particular transistor, the second signal comprising a sensing signal and a signal drop on the decoder replica and sensing a state of the particular transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventor: Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Publication number: 20220399055
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for decoder architecture for memory device are described. An apparatus includes a memory array having a memory cell and an access line coupled with the cell and a decoder having a first stage and a second stage. The decoder supplying a first voltage during a first access operation and a second voltage during a second access operation to the access line. The second stage of the decoder includes a first transistor that supplies the first voltage based on a third voltage at the source of the first transistor exceeding a fourth voltage at a gate of the first transistor and a first threshold voltage. The second stage includes a second transistor that supplies the second voltage based on a fifth voltage at a gate of the second transistor exceeding a sixth voltage at the source of the second transistor and a second threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Jeffrey E. Koelling, Hari Giduturi, Riccardo Muzzetto, Corrado Villa
  • Patent number: 11527279
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a read algorithm for a memory device are described. When performing a read operation, the memory device may access a memory cell to retrieve a value stored by the memory cell. The memory device may compare a set of reference voltages with a signal output by the memory cell based on accessing the memory cell. Thus, the memory device may determine a set of candidate values stored by the memory cell, where each candidate value is associated with one of the reference voltages. The memory device may determine and output the value stored by the memory cell based on determining the set of candidate values. In some cases, the memory device may determine the value stored by the memory cell based on performing an error control operation on each of the set of candidate values to detect a quantity of errors within each candidate value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto Di Vincenzo, Riccardo Muzzetto
  • Publication number: 20220392527
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for voltage equalization for pillars of a memory array are described. In some examples, a memory array may be configured with conductive pillars that are each coupled with a respective set of memory cells, and may be selectively coupled with an access line. To support a dissipation or equalization of charge from unselected pillars, the memory array may be configured with a material layer or level that provides a dissipative coupling, such as a coupling having a relatively high resistance or a degree of capacitance, with a ground voltage or other voltage source (e.g., to support a passive equalization). Additionally, or alternatively, a memory array may be configured to support an active dissipation of accumulated charge or voltage by selectively coupling pillars that have been operated in a floating condition with a ground voltage or other voltage source (e.g., to perform a dynamic equalization).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Corrado Villa, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Paolo Fantini
  • Patent number: 11514969
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for an arbitrated sense amplifier are described. A memory device may couple a memory cell to a first node via a digit line and may couple the first node to a second node. If a voltage at the second node is associated with a first logic value stored at the memory cell, the memory device may couple the second node with a third node and may charge the third node according to the voltage. However, if the voltage at the second node is associated with a second logic value stored at the memory cell, the memory device may not couple the second node with the third node. The memory device may compare the resulting voltage at the third node with a reference voltage and may generate a signal indicative of a logic value stored by the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Huy T. Vo, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Suryanarayana B. Tatapudi, Hyunyoo Lee, Adam S. El-Mansouri
  • Patent number: 11508455
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for compensating for signal drop in memory. Compensating for signal drop can include applying a first signal to a terminal of a particular transistor and mirroring the first signal to a decoder replica. Compensating for signal drop can also include applying a second signal to a gate of the particular transistor, the second signal comprising a sensing signal and a signal drop on the decoder replica and sensing a state of the particular transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 11501817
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A cell may be written with a value that is intended to convey a different logic state than may typically be associated with the value. For example, a cell that has stored a charge associated with one logic state for a time period may be re-written to store a different charge, and the re-written cell may still be read to have the originally stored logic state. An indicator may be stored in a latch to indicate whether the logic state currently stored by the cell is the intended logic state of the cell. A cell may, for example, be re-written with an opposite value periodically, based on the occurrence of an event, or based on a determination that the cell has stored one value (or charge) for a certain time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Kirk Prall, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 11495321
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for method for setting a reference voltage for read operations are described. A memory device may perform a first read operation on a set of memory cells using a first reference voltage and detect a first codeword based on performing the first read operation using the first reference voltage. The memory device may compare a first quantity of bits of the first codeword having a first logic value (e.g., a logic value ‘1’) with an expected quantity of bits having the first logic value (e.g., the expected quantity of logic value ‘1’s stored by the set of memory cells). The memory device may determine whether to perform a second read operation on the set of memory cells using a second reference voltage different than the first reference voltage (e.g., greater or less than the first reference voltage) based on the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto Di Vincenzo, Riccardo Muzzetto
  • Publication number: 20220351758
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating memory cells, comprising reading a previous user data from the memory cells; writing a new user data and merging the new user data with the previous user data into write registers; generating mask register information, and wherein the mask register information indicates bits of the previous user data stored in the memory cells to be switched or not to be switched in their logic values; counting numbers of a first logic value and a second logic value to be written using the mask register information, respectively; storing the numbers of the first logic value and the second logic value into a first counter and a second counter, respectively; and applying a programming pulse to the memory cells according to the mask register information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Riccardo Muzzetto, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto Di Vincenzo
  • Publication number: 20220351784
    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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Riccardo Muzzetto, Umberto Di Vincenzo
  • Publication number: 20220343979
    Abstract: A memory device with single transistor drivers and methods to operate the memory device are described. In some embodiments, the memory device may comprise memory cells at cross points of access lines of a memory array, a first even single transistor driver configured to drive a first even access line to a discharging voltage during an IDLE phase, to drive the first even access line to a floating voltage during an ACTIVE phase, and to drive the first even access line to a read/program voltage during a PULSE phase, and a first odd single transistor driver configured to drive a first odd access line, the first odd access line physically adjacent to the first even access line, to the discharging voltage during the IDLE phase, to drive the first odd access line to the floating voltage during the ACTIVE phase, and to drive the first odd access line to a shielding voltage during the PULSE phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Efrem Bolandrina, Umberto Di Vincenzo, Riccardo Muzzetto
  • Publication number: 20220328087
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory array with multiplexed select lines are described. In some cases, a memory cell of the memory device may include a storage component, a first transistor coupled with a word line, and a second transistor coupled with a selection line to selectively couple the memory cell with a digit line. The selection line may be provided in parallel to each digit line for multiplexing the digit lines toward a sense amplifier while a plurality of drivers, one for each selection line, may be provided in a staggered configuration under the memory array and split in even drivers and odd drivers for corresponding adjacent tiles of the memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventor: Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Publication number: 20220319618
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for accessing an array of memory cells, including storing a set of user data in a plurality of memory cells, storing, in a portion of the array, additional information representative of a voltage difference between a first threshold voltage and a second threshold voltage of the memory cells programmed to a first logic state, applying to the array a read voltage to activate a first group of memory cells corresponding to a preset number of memory cells, determining that the first group of memory cells has been activated based on applying the read voltage, wherein the read voltage is equal to the first threshold voltage when the first group of memory cells has been activated, and based on the additional data information, applying the voltage difference to the array to activate a second group of memory cells programmed to the first logic state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Riccardo Muzzetto, Umberto Di Vincenzo, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Publication number: 20220301622
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method, a circuit, and a system for reading memory cells. The method may include: applying a first voltage with a first polarity to a plurality of the memory cells; applying a second voltage with a second polarity to one or more of said plurality of the memory cells; applying at least a third voltage with the first polarity to one or more of said plurality of the memory cells; detecting electrical responses of memory cells to the first voltage, the second voltage, and the third voltage; and determining a logic state of respective memory cells based on the electrical responses of the memory cells to the first voltage, the second voltage, and the third voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Umberto Di Vincenzo, Riccardo Muzzetto, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 11450358
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating memory cells, comprising reading a previous user data from the memory cells; writing a new user data and merging the new user data with the previous user data into write registers; generating mask register information, and wherein the mask register information indicates bits of the previous user data stored in the memory cells to be switched or not to be switched in their logic values; counting numbers of a first logic value and a second logic value to be written using the mask register information, respectively; storing the numbers of the first logic value and the second logic value into a first counter and a second counter, respectively; and applying a programming pulse to the memory cells according to the mask register information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Riccardo Muzzetto, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto Di Vincenzo
  • Patent number: 11437097
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for voltage equalization for pillars of a memory array are described. In some examples, a memory array may be configured with conductive pillars that are each coupled with a respective set of memory cells, and may be selectively coupled with an access line. To support a dissipation or equalization of charge from unselected pillars, the memory array may be configured with a material layer or level that provides a dissipative coupling, such as a coupling having a relatively high resistance or a degree of capacitance, with a ground voltage or other voltage source (e.g., to support a passive equalization). Additionally or alternatively, a memory array may be configured to support an active dissipation of accumulated charge or voltage by selectively coupling pillars that have been operated in a floating condition with a ground voltage or other voltage source (e.g., to perform a dynamic equalization).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Corrado Villa, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Paolo Fantini
  • Patent number: 11398276
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for decoder architecture for memory device are described. An apparatus includes a memory array having a memory cell and an access line coupled with the cell and a decoder having a first stage and a second stage. The decoder supplying a first voltage during a first access operation and a second voltage during a second access operation to the access line. The second stage of the decoder includes a first transistor that supplies the first voltage based on a third voltage at the source of the first transistor exceeding a fourth voltage at a gate of the first transistor and a first threshold voltage. The second stage includes a second transistor that supplies the second voltage based on a fifth voltage at a gate of the second transistor exceeding a sixth voltage at the source of the second transistor and a second threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Jeffrey E. Koelling, Hari Giduturi, Riccardo Muzzetto, Corrado Villa
  • Publication number: 20220230697
    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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Umberto Di Vincenzo, Riccardo Muzzetto, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Publication number: 20220223187
    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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto Di Vincenzo
  • Publication number: 20220199140
    Abstract: Techniques are described for maintaining a stable voltage difference in a memory device, for example, during a critical operation (e.g., a sense operation). The voltage difference to be maintained may be a read voltage across a memory cell or a difference associated with a reference voltage, among other examples. A component (e.g., a local capacitor) may be coupled, before the operation, with a node biased to a first voltage (e.g., a global reference voltage) to sample a voltage difference between the first voltage and a second voltage while the circuitry is relatively quiet (e.g., not noisy). The component may be decoupled from the node before the operation such that a node of the component (e.g., a capacitor) may be allowed to float during the operation. The voltage difference across the component may remain stable during variations in the second voltage and may provide a stable voltage difference during the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Efrem Bolandrina, Ferdinando Bedeschi