Patents by Inventor Giovanni Santin

Giovanni Santin 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: 7639534
    Abstract: Device, system, and method of bit line selection of a flash memory. In some demonstrative embodiments, the method may include connecting to ground at least one location along at least one bit line of a flash memory when the bit line is at an unselected state, wherein the bit line is connected to a multiplexer, and wherein at least one memory sector is coupled to the bit line between the multiplexer and the location; and connecting the location to a precharge path when the bit line is at a selected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventors: Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin, Violante Moschiano, Tommaso Vali
  • Patent number: 7630241
    Abstract: A single latch circuit is coupled to each bit line in a multiple level cell memory device to handle reading multiple data bits. The circuit is comprised of a latch having an inverted node and a non-inverted node. A first control transistor selectively couples the non-inverted node to a latch output. A second control transistor selectively couples the inverted node to the latch output. A reset transistor is coupled between the inverted node and circuit ground to selectively ground the circuit when the transistor is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Patent number: 7630266
    Abstract: A temperature sensor generates a digital representation of the temperature of the integrated circuit. A logic circuit reads the digital temperature and generates a multiple bit digital representation of an operational voltage and a multiple bit digital representation of a timing signal, both being functions of the integrated circuit temperature. A voltage generator converts the digital representation of the operational voltage to an analog voltage that biases portions of the integrated circuit requiring temperature compensated voltages. In one embodiment, the temperature compensated voltages bias memory cells. A timing generator converts the multiple bit digital representation of the timing signal to a logic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin
  • Publication number: 20090290426
    Abstract: In programming a selected word line of memory cells, a first program verify or read operation is performed, after one page of a selected word line is programmed, in order to determine a first quantity of memory cells that have been programmed to a predetermined reference point in the programmed first page distribution. Prior to programming the second page of the selected word line, a second program verify or read operation is performed to determine a second quantity of cells that are still at the reference point. The difference between the first and second quantities is an indication of the quantity of cells that experienced quick charge loss. The difference is used to determine an adjustment voltage for the second page verification operation after programming of the second page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Daniel Elmhurst, Giovanni Santin
  • Publication number: 20090273981
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for programming non-volatile semiconductor memory devices by using modulated pulses are disclosed. Embodiments generally comprise a pulse generator, to create a sequence of pulses and set a threshold voltage of a non-volatile memory cell, and a pulse coupler. Alternative embodiments may include a threshold verifier capable of verifying that the threshold voltage is set within an acceptable voltage range of a target threshold voltage. A pulse width modulator in some apparatus embodiments may modulate the pulse durations early in the sequence when programming fast bits and late in the sequence when programming slow bits. Method embodiments generally comprise generating a sequence of pulses, applying the sequence of pulses to a memory cell to set a threshold voltage of the memory cell, and modulating among pulses in the sequence the parameters of pulse duration, pulse separation time, and step voltage magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Walter Di Francesco
  • Publication number: 20090219761
    Abstract: A selected memory cell on a selected word line is programmed through a plurality of programming pulses that are incremented by a step voltage. After a successful program verify operation, programming of the selected memory cell is inhibited while other memory cells of the selected word line are being programmed. Another program verify operation is performed on the selected memory cell. If the program verify operation fails, a bit line coupled to the selected cell is biased at the step voltage and a final programming pulse is issued to the selected word line. The selected memory cell is then locked from further programming without evaluating the final program verify operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin, Danilo Orlandi
  • Publication number: 20090135650
    Abstract: In one or more of the disclosed embodiments, a read operation is compensated for back pattern effect. A bit line current is generated by a read operation that biases the word lines. As part of a back pattern effect measurement phase, at predetermined time intervals an indication of the discharge status of the bit line is stored in a latch of a set of N latches coupled to each bit line. At the end of the measurement phase, the set of latches contains a multiple bit word that is an indication of the back pattern effect experienced by that particular series string of memory cells. This back pattern effect indication is used in subsequent read operations to adjust the timing of the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin
  • Publication number: 20090080253
    Abstract: Device, system, and method of bit line selection of a flash memory. In some demonstrative embodiments, the method may include connecting to ground at least one location along at least one bit line of a flash memory when the bit line is at an unselected state, wherein the bit line is connected to a multiplexer, and wherein at least one memory sector is coupled to the bit line between the multiplexer and the location; and connecting the location to a precharge path when the bit line is at a selected state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: MICHELE INCARNATI, Giovanni Santin, Violante Moschiano, Tommaso Vali
  • Publication number: 20090016143
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods are disclosed, such as those facilitating flexibility in applying differing biasing schemes to word lines. For example, one such memory device can include an architecture capable of partitioning word lines into one of a plurality of address spaces. Each address space has a corresponding configuration control bus. By identifying the address space to which a word line belongs, its appropriate configuration control bus may be selected and the control signals from the selected bus used to select the appropriate potentials for driving the word lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin
  • Patent number: 7466602
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for filtering spurious output transitions with an adaptive filtering circuit which tracks the memory architecture and form factors with a reduced speed penalty. The filtering is selectable by a fuse option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20080285341
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for reading non-volatile multilevel memory cells. One method includes receiving a request to read data stored in a first cell of a first word line, performing a read operation on an adjacent cell of a second word line in response to the request, determining whether the first cell is in a disturbed condition based on the read operation. The method includes reading data stored in the first cell in response to the read request by applying a read reference voltage to the first word line and adjusting a sensing parameter if the first cell is in the disturbed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20080266953
    Abstract: A single latch circuit is coupled to each bit line in a multiple level cell memory device to handle reading multiple data bits. The circuit is comprised of a latch having an inverted node and a non-inverted node. A first control transistor selectively couples the non-inverted node to a latch output. A second control transistor selectively couples the inverted node to the latch output. A reset transistor is coupled between the inverted node and circuit ground to selectively ground the circuit when the transistor is turned on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20080239806
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for programming multilevel non-volatile multilevel memory cells. One method includes increasing a threshold voltage (Vt) for each of a number of memory cells until the Vt reaches a verify voltage (VFY) corresponding to a program state among a number of program states. The method includes determining whether the Vt of each of the cells has reached a pre-verify voltage (PVFY) associated with the program state, selectively biasing bit lines coupled to those cells whose Vt has reached the PVFY, adjusting the PVFY to a different level, and selectively biasing bit lines coupled to cells whose Vt has reached the adjusted PVFY, wherein the PVFY and the adjusted PVFY are less than the VFY.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Tommaso Vali, Massimo Rossini
  • Publication number: 20080205155
    Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive subject matter provide systems and methods for programming a set of memory cells by inducing a first voltage on the lower page of a first group of memory cells to hold a first least significant bit, and by inducing a second voltage on the lower page of a second group of memory cells to hold a second least significant bit. Once the lower page is programmed, the voltage may be shifted to the upper page of each memory cell into a final range representing one or more most significant bits to be programmed. Each memory cell may store a voltage within a final programmed range representing a binary value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Giovanni Santin, Violante Moschiano
  • Publication number: 20080205147
    Abstract: A NAND architecture non-volatile memory device and programming process is described that reduces the effects of word line to word line voltage coupling by utilizing sets of two or more adjacent word lines and applying the same voltage to each in array access operations. This allows each word line of the set or pair to shield the other from word line to word line capacitive voltage coupling. In NAND memory string embodiments the various cells of strings of non-volatile memory cells are programmed utilizing modified or unmodified drain-side self boost, source-side self boost, local self boost, and virtual ground programming processes that utilize two or more “blocking” memory cells on either the source line side and drain line side of a selected memory cell. The paired blocking cells shield each other during programming to reduce coupled noise, to prevent charge leakage from the boosted channel of the selected memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Patent number: 7417894
    Abstract: A single latch circuit is coupled to each bit line in a multiple level cell memory device to handle reading multiple data bits. The circuit is comprised of a latch having an inverted node and a non-inverted node. A first control transistor selectively couples the non-inverted node to a latch output. A second control transistor selectively couples the inverted node to the latch output. A reset transistor is coupled between the inverted node and circuit ground to selectively ground the circuit when the transistor is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Patent number: 7408814
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for filtering spurious output transitions with an adaptive filtering circuit which tracks the memory architecture and form factors with a reduced speed penalty. The filtering is selectable by a fuse option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20080158986
    Abstract: In a method of operation, a flash memory cell is programmed, a word-line voltage is coupled to the flash memory cell, and a state of the flash memory cell is sensed at intervals to generate data to indicate a state of the flash memory cell. In a method of operation, a latch in a cache memory of a NAND flash memory is switched off, and the latch is initialized while the latch is switched off. A read voltage is coupled to a gate of a selected flash memory cell in the NAND flash memory where the selected flash memory cell is coupled to a bit-line, and the bit-line is coupled to an input of the latch while a voltage on the bit-line is changing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Elmhurst, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati, Violante Moschiano, Ercole Diiorio
  • Patent number: 7394699
    Abstract: The memory device has a plurality of memory cells each coupled to a bitline. A feedback transistor is coupled to the bitline and provides voltage feedback on the bitline's precharge status. A biasing transistor is coupled to the feedback transistor. The biasing transistor provides a bias voltage to the feedback transistor in response to a reference voltage on the biasing transistor. A cascode-connected transistor is coupled to the feedback transistor and the biasing transistor. This transistor provides a stable bias voltage to the biasing transistor. An output latch circuit is coupled to the bitline for providing a latched output of the memory cell's data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20080137460
    Abstract: A temperature sensor generates a digital representation of the temperature of the integrated circuit. A logic circuit reads the digital temperature and generates a multiple bit digital representation of an operational voltage and a multiple bit digital representation of a timing signal, both being functions of the integrated circuit temperature. A voltage generator converts the digital representation of the operational voltage to an analog voltage that biases portions of the integrated circuit requiring temperature compensated voltages. In one embodiment, the temperature compensated voltages bias memory cells. A timing generator converts the multiple bit digital representation of the timing signal to a logic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin