Patents by Inventor George B. Raad

George B. Raad 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: 20200273518
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices in which multiple counters are provided to permit memory refresh commands greater freedom in targeting subsets of the memory device for data refresh operations. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided, comprising a plurality of memory banks, and circuitry configured to (i) store a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values corresponding to one of the plurality of memory banks; (ii) refresh first data stored in a first one of the plurality of memory banks; and (iii) update a first one of the plurality of values corresponding to the first one of the plurality of memory banks based at least in part on refreshing the first data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: George B. Raad, Jonathan S. Parry, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 10748600
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for phase charge sharing are described. In some memory systems or memory devices, one or more decoders may be used to bias access lines of a memory die. The decoders may transfer voltage or current between a first conductive line of the decoder and a second conductive line of the decoder via a shorting device. Transferring the voltage or current may be performed as part of or in association with an operation (e.g., an activate or pre-charge operation) to access one or more memory cells of the memory die. In some examples, the decoders may transfer voltage or current between a first conductive line of a decoder associated with a first refresh activity and a second conductive line of the decoder associated with a second refresh activity via a shorting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, George B. Raad, Debra M. Bell, Markus H. Geiger, Anthony D. Veches
  • Publication number: 20200243146
    Abstract: Memory devices, system, and methods for operating the same are provided. The memory device can comprise a non-volatile memory array and control circuitry. The control circuitry can be configured to store a value corresponding to a number of activate commands received at the memory device, update the value in response to receiving an activate command received from a host device, and trigger, in response to the value exceeding a predetermined threshold, a remedial action performed by the memory device. The control circuitry can be further configured to store a second value corresponding to a number of refresh operations performed by the memory device, update the second value in response to performing a refresh operation, and trigger, in response to the value exceeding a second predetermined threshold, a second remedial action performed by the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Parry, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20200234738
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device comprises a memory array and circuitry configured to determine one or more settings for the memory array corresponding to a powered-on state of the memory device, to store the one or more settings in a non-volatile memory location, and in response to returning to the powered-on state from a reduced-power state, to read the one or more settings from the non-volatile memory location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Parry, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20200227113
    Abstract: A memory device may include a phase driver circuit that may output a first voltage for refreshing a plurality of memory cells. The memory device may also include a plurality of word line driver circuits that may receive the first voltage via the phase driver circuit, such that each word line driver circuit of the plurality of word line driver circuits may provide the first voltage to a respective word line associated with a respective portion of the plurality of memory cells. In addition, each word line driver circuit may refresh the respective portion of the plurality of memory cells based on a respective word line enable signal provided to a first switch of the respective word line driver circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, Debra M. Bell, George B. Raad, Brian P. Callaway, Joshua E. Alzheimer
  • Publication number: 20200211621
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for sensing a signal associated with a memory cell capable of storing three or more logic states. To sense the memory cell (e.g., a signal associated with the memory cell), a charge may be transferred between a digit line and a node coupled with a plurality of sense components using a charge transfer device. Once the charge is transferred, at least some if not each of the plurality of sense components may sense the charge using one of a variety of sensing schemes. For example, the charge may be sensed by each sense component at a same time using a single fixed reference value, or at different times using different fixed reference values. Based on the charge being transferred or transferred with the node (e.g., using the charge transfer device) and each sense component sensing the charge, a logic state associated with the memory cell may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: George B. Raad, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20200211639
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for sensing a signal associated with a memory cell capable of storing three or more logic states. To sense a state of the memory cell, a charge may be transferred between a digit line and a node coupled with a plurality of sense components using a charge transfer device. Once the charge is transferred, one or more of the plurality of sense components may sense the charge with one of a variety of sensing schemes. Based on the charge being transferred using the charge transfer device and each sense component sensing the charge, a logic state associated with the memory cell may be determined. The number of sensed states may be correlated to the number of sense amplifiers. The ratio of the number of states read by the first sense component and the second sense component to the number of sense components may be greater than one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: George B. Raad, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20200211622
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for writing a high-level state to a memory cell capable of storing three or more logic states. After a sense operation performed by a first sense component and a second sense component, a digit line may be isolated from the first sense component and the second sense component. The high-level state may be stored in the memory cell, then a second state may be stored in the memory cell, in which the second state may be a mid-level state or a low-level state. The second state may be stored based on a write-back component identifying that the second state was stored in the memory cell before the write back procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: John F. Schreck, George B. Raad
  • Publication number: 20200211638
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for sensing a signal associated with a memory cell capable of storing one of three or more logic states. To sense the memory cell (e.g., to sense the signal associated with the memory cell), a first sense component may compare the signal with a first reference value. A reference selector may select a second reference value based on the comparison of the signal with the first reference value. A second sense component may compare the signal with the second reference value. The logic state of the memory cell may be determined based on the results of the first comparison and the second comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: George B. Raad, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20200211620
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for reading a memory cell capable of storing three or more logic states. To read the memory cell, a charge may be transferred between a digit line and a sense component using a charge transfer device. The charge may be transferred by biasing a gate of the charge transfer device to a first voltage and discharging the memory cell onto the digit line, which may result in the digit line being biased to a second voltage. Based on whether the second voltage exceeds the first voltage, the charge transfer device may transfer the charge associated with the memory cell (e.g., and discharged onto the digit line) to the sense component. A charge may be transferred from a memory cell to a sense component based on a value of the logic state stored to the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: George B. Raad, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20200211604
    Abstract: Devices and methods for a sensing scheme are described. A device may include a memory array and a column select line configured to couple with a single page of a set of pages within the memory array when the single page is selected during an access operation. The column select line may be isolated from other pages (e.g., unselected pages) of the set. The device may include a set of sense component groups coupled with the single page. Each sense component group of the set may be configured to access one or more memory cells of the single page using the column select line. The device may include a decoding component configured to couple a sense component group of the set with an I/O line of an I/O channel. The device may communicate information with the I/O line during the access operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: George B. Raad, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20200211623
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for charging a node of a sense component during an access operation are described. The node of the sense component may be coupled with a charge transfer device and with a voltage source using a switching component. The voltage source may be configured to output different voltages (e.g., two different precharge voltages) during different phases of the access operation. The switching component may be configured to selectively couple the node with the voltage source and the different voltages may be used to precharge the node during different phases of the access operation. The different voltages of the voltage source may provide an adequate sense window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: George B. Raad, John F. Schreck
  • Patent number: 10699783
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for sensing a signal associated with a memory cell capable of storing one of three or more logic states. To sense the memory cell (e.g., to sense the signal associated with the memory cell), a first sense component may compare the signal with a first reference value. A reference selector may select a second reference value based on the comparison of the signal with the first reference value. A second sense component may compare the signal with the second reference value. The logic state of the memory cell may be determined based on the results of the first comparison and the second comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: George B. Raad, John F. Schreck
  • Patent number: 10692562
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices in which multiple counters are provided to permit memory refresh commands greater freedom in targeting subsets of the memory device for data refresh operations. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided, comprising a plurality of memory banks, and circuitry configured to (i) store a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values corresponding to one of the plurality of memory banks; (ii) refresh first data stored in a first one of the plurality of memory banks; and (iii) update a first one of the plurality of values corresponding to the first one of the plurality of memory banks based at least in part on refreshing the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George B. Raad, Jonathan S. Parry, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20200185024
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for phase charge sharing are described. In some memory systems or memory devices, one or more decoders may be used to bias access lines of a memory die. The decoders may transfer voltage or current between a first conductive line of the decoder and a second conductive line of the decoder via a shorting device. Transferring the voltage or current may be performed as part of or in association with an operation (e.g., an activate or pre-charge operation) to access one or more memory cells of the memory die. In some examples, the decoders may transfer voltage or current between a first conductive line of a decoder associated with a first refresh activity and a second conductive line of the decoder associated with a second refresh activity via a shorting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, George B. Raad, Debra M. Bell, Markus H. Geiger, Anthony D. Veches
  • Patent number: 10665292
    Abstract: Devices and methods for sensing a memory cell using a charge transfer device are described. In some examples, the charge transfer device may be coupled with an input transistor of a differential transistor pair that may be coupled with a sense component. The differential transistor pair may be configured to isolate the sense component from the charge transfer device during a read operation. To read the memory cell, a gate of the charge transfer device may be charged to a first voltage. Subsequently, a digit line may be biased to a second voltage by discharging the memory cell onto the digit line. A charge may be transferred, using the charge transfer device, between the digit line and a gate of the input transistor such that the sense component may determine a logic state stored on the memory cell based on the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George B. Raad, John F. Schreck
  • Patent number: 10650888
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for tuning the voltages of a circuit for reading a memory cell capable of storing three or more logic states. To read the memory cell, a charge may be transferred between a digit line and a sense component using a charge transfer device. The gate of the charge transfer device may initially be biased to a first voltage and subsequently tuned to a second voltage to optimize the sense window. After biasing the gate of the charge transfer device to the second voltage, the memory cell may discharge its charge onto the digit line, which may result in the digit line being biased to a third voltage. Based on whether the third voltage exceeds the second voltage, the charge transfer device may transfer the charge associated with the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George B. Raad, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20200143872
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices in which multiple counters are provided to permit memory refresh commands greater freedom in targeting subsets of the memory device for data refresh operations. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided, comprising a plurality of memory banks, and circuitry configured to (i) store a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values corresponding to one of the plurality of memory banks; (ii) refresh first data stored in a first one of the plurality of memory banks; and (iii) update a first one of the plurality of values corresponding to the first one of the plurality of memory banks based at least in part on refreshing the first data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: George B. Raad, Jonathan S. Parry, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 10643717
    Abstract: Memory devices, system, and methods for operating the same are provided. The memory device can comprise a non-volatile memory array and control circuitry. The control circuitry can be configured to store a value corresponding to a number of activate commands received at the memory device, update the value in response to receiving an activate command received from a host device, and trigger, in response to the value exceeding a predetermined threshold, a remedial action performed by the memory device. The control circuitry can be further configured to store a second value corresponding to a number of refresh operations performed by the memory device, update the second value in response to performing a refresh operation, and trigger, in response to the value exceeding a second predetermined threshold, a second remedial action performed by the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Parry, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 10643672
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device comprises a memory array and circuitry configured to determine one or more settings for the memory array corresponding to a powered-on state of the memory device, to store the one or more settings in a non-volatile memory location, and in response to returning to the powered-on state from a reduced-power state, to read the one or more settings from the non-volatile memory location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Parry, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles