Patents by Inventor Guowei Wang

Guowei Wang 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: 8358543
    Abstract: Techniques for programming a non-volatile memory device, such as a Flash memory, include floating source lines of memory cells based on a data pattern that is being programmed to the memory device. The source lines to float are selected such that a distance between drain bit lines and source bit lines of different memory cells in a row is maximized. In this manner, leakage current between these drain bit lines and source bit lines can be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Guowei Wang, Sachit Chandra, Nian Yang
  • Publication number: 20120294103
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Patent number: 8264898
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Publication number: 20110235412
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Patent number: 7986562
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Patent number: 7957204
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes an array of non-volatile memory cells. When programming the memory cells, a voltage supply source is used that includes multiple independent charge pumps. The independent charge pumps supply the programming voltage to different ones of bit lines in the array of memory cells. Using multiple charge pumps tends to reduce output voltage fluctuations and thereby reduce power loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Yonggang Wu, Guowei Wang, Nian Yang, Sachit Chandra, Aaron Lee
  • Patent number: 7804715
    Abstract: A memory device includes a sense amplifier to sense the state of a bitcell. The sense amplifier includes two input terminals connected via a switch. One of the input terminals is connected to a node, whereby a current through the node represents a difference in current drawn by a bitcell and a reference current. During a first phase, the switch between the input terminals of the sense amplifier is closed, so that a common voltage is applied to both input terminals. During a second phase, the switch is opened, and the sense amplifier senses a state of information stored at the bitcell based on the current through the node. By using the switch to connect and disconnect the inputs of the sense amplifier in the two phases, the accuracy and speed with which the state of the information stored at the bitcell can be determined is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Hongtau Mu, Nian Yang, Fan Wan Lai, Guowei Wang
  • Publication number: 20100103732
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Patent number: 7679967
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Publication number: 20090273998
    Abstract: A memory device includes a sense amplifier to sense the state of a bitcell. The sense amplifier includes two input terminals connected via a switch. One of the input terminals is connected to a node, whereby a current through the node represents a difference in current drawn by a bitcell and a reference current. During a first phase, the switch between the input terminals of the sense amplifier is closed, so that a common voltage is applied to both input terminals. During a second phase, the switch is opened, and the sense amplifier senses a state of information stored at the bitcell based on the current through the node. By using the switch to connect and disconnect the inputs of the sense amplifier in the two phases, the accuracy and speed with which the state of the information stored at the bitcell can be determined is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventors: Hongtau Mu, Nian Yang, Fan Wan Lai, Guowei Wang
  • Patent number: 7613044
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for high performance, high voltage memory operations on selected memory cells (200) of a semiconductor memory device (100). A high voltage generator (106) during program or erase operations provides a continuous high voltage level (702) on selected word lines (502) and maintains a continuous high voltage level supply to a bit line decoder (120) which sequentially provides the high voltage level (706) to a first portion of bit lines (504) and discharges (708) those bit lines (504) before providing the high voltage level to a second portion (710).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Nian Yang, Boon-Aik Ang, Yonggang Wu, Guowei Wang, Fan Wan Lai
  • Publication number: 20090161462
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Patent number: 7453724
    Abstract: A method is provided for programming a nonvolatile memory device including an array of memory cells, where each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element, a source region and a drain region. The method includes receiving a programming window that identifies a plurality of memory cells in the array. A first group of memory cells to be programmed is identified from the plurality of memory cells in the programming window. The first group of memory cells is programmed and a programming state of the first group of memory cells is verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Spansion, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Lee, Hounien Chen, Sachit Chandra, Nancy Leong, Guowei Wang
  • Patent number: 7443732
    Abstract: A method is provided for programming a nonvolatile memory array including an array of memory cells, where each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element, a source region and a drain region. The method includes receiving a programming window containing a predetermined number of bits that are to be programmed in the array and determining which of the predetermined number of bits are to be programmed in the memory array. The predetermined number of bits are simultaneously programmed to corresponding memory cells in the array. A programming state of the predetermined number of bits in the array is simultaneously verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Tiao-Hua Kuo, Nancy Leong, Nian Yang, Guowei Wang, Aaron Lee, Sachit Chandra, Michael A. VanBuskirk, Johnny Chen, Darlene Hamilton, Binh Quang Le
  • Publication number: 20080130371
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for high performance, high voltage memory operations on selected memory cells (200) of a semiconductor memory device (100). A high voltage generator (106) during program or erase operations provides a continuous high voltage level (702) on selected word lines (502) and maintains a continuous high voltage level supply to a bit line decoder (120) which sequentially provides the high voltage level (706) to a first portion of bit lines (504) and discharges (708) those bit lines (504) before providing the high voltage level to a second portion (710).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Nian Yang, Boon-Aik Ang, Yonggang Wu, Guowei Wang, Fan Wan Lai
  • Patent number: 7352626
    Abstract: A voltage regulator may include an operational-amplifier section, a capacitor connected to an output of the operational-amplifier section, and a switch configured to connect the capacitor to a voltage supply. The switch is configured to charge the capacitor before activating the operational-amplifier section. The capacitor is configured to store charge to supplement current being supplied from the operational-amplifier section. The voltage regulator may be used to supply power to non-volatile memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Yonggang Wu, Guowei Wang, Nian Yang, Aaron Lee
  • Patent number: 7345916
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for high performance, high voltage memory operations on selected memory cells (200) of a semiconductor memory device (100). A high voltage generator (106) during program or erase operations provides a continuous high voltage level (702) on selected word lines (502) and maintains a continuous high voltage level supply to a bit line decoder (120) which sequentially provides the high voltage level (706) to a first portion of bit lines (504) and discharges (708) those bit lines (504) before providing the high voltage level to a second portion (710).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Nian Yang, Boon-Aik Ang, Yonggang Wu, Guowei Wang, Fan Wan Lai
  • Publication number: 20080049516
    Abstract: A method is provided for programming a nonvolatile memory device including an array of memory cells, where each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element, a source region and a drain region. The method includes receiving a programming window that identifies a plurality of memory cells in the array. A first group of memory cells to be programmed is identified from the plurality of memory cells in the programming window. The first group of memory cells is programmed and a programming state of the first group of memory cells is verified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: SPANSION L.L.C.
    Inventors: Aaron LEE, Hounien CHEN, Sachit CHANDRA, Nancy LEONG, Guowei WANG
  • Publication number: 20070291550
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for high performance, high voltage memory operations on selected memory cells (200) of a semiconductor memory device (100). A high voltage generator (106) during program or erase operations provides a continuous high voltage level (702) on selected word lines (502) and maintains a continuous high voltage level supply to a bit line decoder (120) which sequentially provides the high voltage level (706) to a first portion of bit lines (504) and discharges (708) those bit lines (504) before providing the high voltage level to a second portion (710).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Nian Yang, Boon-Aik Ang, Yonggang Wu, Guowei Wang, Fan Wan Lai
  • Patent number: 7307878
    Abstract: A method is provided for programming a nonvolatile memory device including an array of memory cells, where each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element, a source region and a drain region. The method includes receiving a programming window that identifies a plurality of memory cells in the array. A first group of memory cells to be programmed is identified from the plurality of memory cells in the programming window. The first group of memory cells is programmed and a programming state of the first group of memory cells is verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Lee, Hounien Chen, Sachit Chandra, Nancy Leong, Guowei Wang