Patents by Inventor Giuseppe Castagna

Giuseppe Castagna 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: 10720223
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device may be integrated in a chip of semiconductor material. The memory device may include circuitry for receiving a measure instruction for obtaining a numerical measure value of a selected one among a plurality of predefined memory operations of the memory device. The memory device may also include circuitry for enabling the execution of the selected memory operation in response to the measure instruction. The execution of the selected memory operation may generate a corresponding result. The memory device may further include circuitry for providing at least one time signal, different from the corresponding result, relating to the execution of each memory operation, and circuitry for determining the measure value according to the at least one time signal of the selected memory operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Giuseppe Castagna
  • Patent number: 10115470
    Abstract: A circuit for biasing non-volatile memory cells includes a dummy decoding path between a global bias line and a biasing node, a reference current generator coupled to the dummy decoding path and configured to supply a reference current, a biasing stage configured to set a cell bias voltage on the biasing node, and a compensation stage configured to compensate a current absorption of the biasing stage at the biasing node so that the reference current will flow through the dummy decoding path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Fabio Enrico Carlo Disegni, Giuseppe Castagna, Maurizio Francesco Perroni
  • Patent number: 9978429
    Abstract: An address decoder circuit is designed to address and bias memory cells of a memory array of a non-volatile memory device. The address decoder circuit includes a charge-pump stage configured to generate a boosted negative voltage. A control stage is operatively coupled to the charge-pump stage for controlling switching on/off thereof as a function of a configuration signal that determines the value of the boosted negative voltage. A decoding stage is configured so as to decode address signals received at its input and generate biasing signals for addressing and biasing the memory cells. A negative voltage management module has a regulator stage, designed to receive the boosted negative voltage from the charge-pump stage and generate a regulated negative voltage for the decoding stage, having a lower ripple as compared to the boosted negative voltage generated by the charge-pump stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fabio Enrico Carlo Disegni, Giuseppe Castagna, Maurizio Francesco Perroni
  • Publication number: 20180061499
    Abstract: A circuit for biasing non-volatile memory cells includes a dummy decoding path between a global bias line and a biasing node, a reference current generator coupled to the dummy decoding path and configured to supply a reference current, a biasing stage configured to set a cell bias voltage on the biasing node, and a compensation stage configured to compensate a current absorption of the biasing stage at the biasing node so that the reference current will flow through the dummy decoding path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Fabio Enrico Carlo Disegni, Giuseppe Castagna, Maurizio Francesco Perroni
  • Patent number: 9830995
    Abstract: A circuit for biasing non-volatile memory cells includes a dummy decoding path between a global bias line and a biasing node, a reference current generator coupled to the dummy decoding path and configured to supply a reference current, a biasing stage configured to set a cell bias voltage on the biasing node, and a compensation stage configured to compensate a current absorption of the biasing stage at the biasing node so that the reference current will flow through the dummy decoding path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Fabio Enrico Carlo Disegni, Giuseppe Castagna, Maurizio Francesco Perroni
  • Publication number: 20170221580
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device may be integrated in a chip of semiconductor material. The memory device may include circuitry for receiving a measure instruction for obtaining a numerical measure value of a selected one among a plurality of predefined memory operations of the memory device. The memory device may also include circuitry for enabling the execution of the selected memory operation in response to the measure instruction. The execution of the selected memory operation may generate a corresponding result. The memory device may further include circuitry for providing at least one time signal, different from the corresponding result, relating to the execution of each memory operation, and circuitry for determining the measure value according to the at least one time signal of the selected memory operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Giuseppe Castagna
  • Publication number: 20170213580
    Abstract: An address decoder circuit is designed to address and bias memory cells of a memory array of a non-volatile memory device. The address decoder circuit includes a charge-pump stage configured to generate a boosted negative voltage. A control stage is operatively coupled to the charge-pump stage for controlling switching on/off thereof as a function of a configuration signal that determines the value of the boosted negative voltage. A decoding stage is configured so as to decode address signals received at its input and generate biasing signals for addressing and biasing the memory cells. A negative voltage management module has a regulator stage, designed to receive the boosted negative voltage from the charge-pump stage and generate a regulated negative voltage for the decoding stage, having a lower ripple as compared to the boosted negative voltage generated by the charge-pump stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Fabio Enrico Carlo Disegni, Giuseppe Castagna, Maurizio Francesco Perroni
  • Patent number: 9646717
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device may be integrated in a chip of semiconductor material. The memory device may include circuitry for receiving a measure instruction for obtaining a numerical measure value of a selected one among a plurality of predefined memory operations of the memory device. The memory device may also include circuitry for enabling the execution of the selected memory operation in response to the measure instruction. The execution of the selected memory operation may generate a corresponding result. The memory device may further include circuitry for providing at least one time signal, different from the corresponding result, relating to the execution of each memory operation, and circuitry for determining the measure value according to the at least one time signal of the selected memory operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Giuseppe Castagna
  • Publication number: 20170117051
    Abstract: An address decoder circuit is designed to address and bias memory cells of a memory array of a non-volatile memory device. The address decoder circuit includes a charge-pump stage configured to generate a boosted negative voltage. A control stage is operatively coupled to the charge-pump stage for controlling switching on/off thereof as a function of a configuration signal that determines the value of the boosted negative voltage. A decoding stage is configured so as to decode address signals received at its input and generate biasing signals for addressing and biasing the memory cells. A negative voltage management module has a regulator stage, designed to receive the boosted negative voltage from the charge-pump stage and generate a regulated negative voltage for the decoding stage, having a lower ripple as compared to the boosted negative voltage generated by the charge-pump stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Fabio Enrico Carlo Disegni, Giuseppe Castagna, Maurizio Francesco Perroni
  • Patent number: 9613712
    Abstract: An address decoder circuit is designed to address and bias memory cells of a memory array of a non-volatile memory device. The address decoder circuit includes a charge-pump stage configured to generate a boosted negative voltage. A control stage is operatively coupled to the charge-pump stage for controlling switching on/off thereof as a function of a configuration signal that determines the value of the boosted negative voltage. A decoding stage is configured so as to decode address signals received at its input and generate biasing signals for addressing and biasing the memory cells. A negative voltage management module has a regulator stage, designed to receive the boosted negative voltage from the charge-pump stage and generate a regulated negative voltage for the decoding stage, having a lower ripple as compared to the boosted negative voltage generated by the charge-pump stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fabio Enrico Carlo Disegni, Giuseppe Castagna, Maurizio Francesco Perroni
  • Publication number: 20170062064
    Abstract: A circuit for biasing non-volatile memory cells includes a dummy decoding path between a global bias line and a biasing node, a reference current generator coupled to the dummy decoding path and configured to supply a reference current, a biasing stage configured to set a cell bias voltage on the biasing node, and a compensation stage configured to compensate a current absorption of the biasing stage at the biasing node so that the reference current will flow through the dummy decoding path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Fabio Enrico Carlo Disegni, Giuseppe Castagna, Maurizio Francesco Perroni
  • Patent number: 9239583
    Abstract: A current-generator circuit is for generation of an output current of a value that is configurable as a function of a configuration signal. The circuit may have a first reference resistor element traversed by an intermediate current, the value of which is a function of a reference current, for supplying a first reference voltage. The circuit may also include a resistive divider stage receiving the configuration signal and supplying a second reference voltage as a function of the first reference voltage and of the configuration signal. A second reference resistor element supplies, as a function of the second reference voltage (Vref2), the output current on the output terminal. The value of resistance of the second reference resistor element may be matched to a respective value of resistance of the first reference resistor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Castagna, MaurizioFrancesco Perroni
  • Patent number: 9007844
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a discharge circuit configured to selectively connect circuit nodes to discharge terminals through corresponding discharge paths, and an accumulation device for accumulating electric charge. A driving circuit is for driving the discharge circuit in such a way to connect at least a part of such circuit nodes to the discharge terminals if the value of the external supply voltage falls below a corresponding threshold. A supply circuit is for supplying the driving circuit with an intermediate supply voltage. Each one of the intermediate supply voltages is the corresponding external supply voltage when the value of the external supply voltage is higher than the corresponding threshold, or it is an internal voltage locally generated by the supply circuit by exploiting the electric charge stored by the accumulation device when the value of the external supply voltage is lower than the corresponding threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Castagna, Vincenzo Matranga, Maurizio Francesco Perroni
  • Patent number: 8982612
    Abstract: A row decoder circuit for a phase change non-volatile memory device may include memory cells arranged in a wordlines. The device may be configured to receive a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage higher than the first supply voltage. The row decoder may include a global predecoding stage configured to receive address signals and generate high-voltage decoded address signals in a range of the second supply voltage and a biasing signal with a value based upon an operation. The row decoder may include a row decoder stage coupled to the global predecoding stage. The row decoder stage may include a selection driving unit configured to generate block-address signals based upon the high-voltage decoded address signals and a row-driving unit configured to generate a row-driving signal for biasing the wordlines based upon the block-address signals and the biasing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Guido Desandre, Salvatore Polizzi, Giuseppe Castagna
  • Patent number: 8750047
    Abstract: A circuit for reading memory cells includes: a sense node connectable to a memory cell; a sense device connected to the sense node and configured to be activated in a precharging step which precedes a cell reading step and to provide such an output signal to assume logic values dependent on an electric signal present at the sense node; a precharging circuit connected to the sense node and configured to be activated to make the sense node reach a precharging voltage and to be deactivated upon the output signal switching in the precharging step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Giuseppe Castagna
  • Patent number: 8619491
    Abstract: An address decoding device may include a supply terminal for a supply voltage, a conductive path configured to provide an electric signal, associated with an address of at least one memory cell, and an address terminal connected to the conductive path and structured to receive the electric signal. An address decoder may be connected to the address terminal to receive the electric signal. The decoder may have a decoding operative voltage associated therewith. A switch circuit may be structured to electrically connect the address terminal to the supply terminal when the address terminal takes a threshold voltage imposed by the electric signal, and may bring the address terminal to the decoding operative voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Giuseppe Castagna
  • Publication number: 20130321068
    Abstract: A current-generator circuit is for generation of an output current of a value that is configurable as a function of a configuration signal. The circuit may have a first reference resistor element traversed by an intermediate current, the value of which is a function of a reference current, for supplying a first reference voltage. The circuit may also include a resistive divider stage receiving the configuration signal and supplying a second reference voltage as a function of the first reference voltage and of the configuration signal. A second reference resistor element supplies, as a function of the second reference voltage (Vref2), the output current on the output terminal. The value of resistance of the second reference resistor element may be matched to a respective value of resistance of the first reference resistor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe CASTAGNA, MaurizioFrancesco PERRONI
  • Publication number: 20130301348
    Abstract: A row decoder circuit for a phase change non-volatile memory device may include memory cells arranged in a wordlines. The device may be configured to receive a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage higher than the first supply voltage. The row decoder may include a global predecoding stage configured to receive address signals and generate high-voltage decoded address signals in a range of the second supply voltage and a biasing signal with a value based upon an operation. The row decoder may include a row decoder stage coupled to the global predecoding stage. The row decoder stage may include a selection driving unit configured to generate block-address signals based upon the high-voltage decoded address signals and a row-driving unit configured to generate a row-driving signal for biasing the wordlines based upon the block-address signals and the biasing signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Guido Desandre, Salvatore Polizzi, Giuseppe Castagna
  • Patent number: 8441863
    Abstract: An electrically programmable non-volatile memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, a plurality of lines for selectively biasing the memory cells, reconnection circuitry for reconnecting a pair of selected lines having different voltages, and a controller for controlling the memory device. The reconnection means includes a discharge circuit for discharging one of the selected lines being at the higher voltage in absolute value, an equalization circuit for equalizing the selected lines, a comparator circuit for measuring an indication of a voltage difference between the selected lines, and an evaluation circuit responsive to an enabling signal from the controller for activating the discharge circuit until an absolute value of the voltage difference exceeds a threshold value and for disabling the discharge circuit and enabling the equalization circuit when the absolute value of the voltage difference reaches the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Giuseppe Castagna
  • Patent number: 8441865
    Abstract: An electrically programmable non-volatile memory device being integrated on a chip of semiconductor material is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Giuseppe Castagna