Patents by Inventor Hernan A. Castro

Hernan A. Castro 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: 11043267
    Abstract: Row electrode drivers and column electrode drivers for a memory device are distributed within a footprint share by a memory cell array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Everardo Torres Flores, Jeremy M. Hirst
  • Patent number: 11043496
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for thin film transistors and related fabrication techniques are described. The thin film transistors may access two or more decks of memory cells disposed in a cross-point architecture. The fabrication techniques may use one or more patterns of vias formed at a top layer of a composite stack, which may facilitate building the thin film transistors within the composite stack while using a reduced number of processing steps. Different configurations of the thin film transistors may be built using the fabrication techniques by utilizing different groups of the vias. Further, circuits and components of a memory device (e.g., decoder circuitry, interconnects between aspects of one or more memory arrays) may be constructed using the thin film transistors as described herein along with related via-based fabrication techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Stephen W. Russell, Stephen H. Tang
  • Publication number: 20210167127
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for a cross-point memory array and related fabrication techniques are described. The fabrication techniques described herein may facilitate concurrently building two or more decks of memory cells disposed in a cross-point architecture. Each deck of memory cells may include a plurality of first access lines (e.g., word lines), a plurality of second access lines (e.g., bit lines), and a memory component at each topological intersection of a first access line and a second access line. The fabrication technique may use a pattern of vias formed at a top layer of a composite stack, which may facilitate building a 3D memory array within the composite stack while using a reduced number of processing steps. The fabrication techniques may also be suitable for forming a socket region where the 3D memory array may be coupled with other components of a memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Stephen H. Tang, Stephen W. Russell
  • Publication number: 20210098531
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for a cross-point memory array and related fabrication techniques are described. The fabrication techniques described herein may facilitate concurrently building two or more decks of memory cells disposed in a cross-point architecture. Each deck of memory cells may include a plurality of first access lines (e.g., word lines), a plurality of second access lines (e.g., bit lines), and a memory component at each topological intersection of a first access line and a second access line. The fabrication technique may use a pattern of vias formed at a top layer of a composite stack, which may facilitate building a 3D memory array within the composite stack while using a reduced number of processing steps. The fabrication techniques may also be suitable for forming a socket region where the 3D memory array may be coupled with other components of a memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Stephen H. Tang, Stephen W. Tang, Stephen W. Russell
  • Publication number: 20210098061
    Abstract: In an example, a method may include comparing input data to stored data stored in a memory cell and determining whether the input data matches the stored data based on whether the memory cell snaps back in response to an applied voltage differential across the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventor: Hernan A. Castro
  • Patent number: 10950663
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for a cross-point memory array and related fabrication techniques are described. The fabrication techniques described herein may facilitate concurrently building two or more decks of memory cells disposed in a cross-point architecture. Each deck of memory cells may include a plurality of first access lines (e.g., word lines), a plurality of second access lines (e.g., bit lines), and a memory component at each topological intersection of a first access line and a second access line. The fabrication technique may use a pattern of vias formed at a top layer of a composite stack, which may facilitate building a 3D memory array within the composite stack while using a reduced number of processing steps. The fabrication techniques may also be suitable for forming a socket region where the 3D memory array may be coupled with other components of a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Stephen H. Tang, Stephen W. Russell
  • Publication number: 20210073622
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for in- or near-memory processing are described. Spiking events in a spiking neural network may be processed via a memory system. A memory system may store a group of destination neurons, and at each time interval in a series of time intervals of a spiking neural network (SNN), pass through a group of pre-synaptic spike events from respective source neurons, wherein the group of pre-synaptic spike events are subsequently stored in memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Dmitri Yudanov, Sean S. Eilert, Hernan A. Castro, Ameen D. Akel
  • Publication number: 20210073623
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for in-or near-memory processing are described. Spiking events in a spiking neural network may be processed via a memory system. A memory system may store data corresponding to a group of destination neurons. The memory system may, at each time interval of a SNN, pass through data corresponding to a group of pre-synaptic spike events from respective source neurons. The data corresponding to the group of pre-synaptic spike events may be subsequently stored in the memory system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Dmitri Yudanov, Sean S. Eilert, Hernan A. Castro, Ameen D. Akel
  • Patent number: 10942873
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus, such as a memory device, is disclosed. The apparatus includes multiple memory tiles and selection circuitry. Each memory tile has an array of storage components at intersections of a plurality of digit line conductors and a plurality of access line conductors. The selection circuitry includes line drivers that select a storage component of a memory tile based on a corresponding digit line conductor and a corresponding access line conductor to the storage component. The selection circuitry may select two or more storage components of a memory tile in a consecutive manner before selecting the storage components of a different memory tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Kerry Dean Tedrow, Jack Chinho Wu
  • Publication number: 20210035612
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for thin film transistors and related fabrication techniques are described. The thin film transistors may access two or more decks of memory cells disposed in a cross-point architecture. The fabrication techniques may use one or more patterns of vias formed at a top layer of a composite stack, which may facilitate building the thin film transistors within the composite stack while using a reduced number of processing steps. Different configurations of the thin film transistors may be built using the fabrication techniques by utilizing different groups of the vias. Further, circuits and components of a memory device (e.g., decoder circuitry, interconnects between aspects of one or more memory arrays) may be constructed using the thin film transistors as described herein along with related via-based fabrication techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Stephen W. Russell, Stephen H. Tang
  • Publication number: 20210020240
    Abstract: Methods, a memory device, and a system are disclosed to reduce power consumption in a cross-point memory device, including providing a first portion of a first pulse of a memory operation to a memory cell at a first time using a first capacitive discharge from a first discharge path, and providing a second portion of the first pulse of the memory operation to the memory cell at a second time, later than the first time, using a second discharge path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Jeremy M. Hirst, Eric S. Carman
  • Publication number: 20210005263
    Abstract: In an example, a plurality of signal pulses is applied across a plurality of memory cells concurrently until each respective memory cell reaches a desired state. Each respective memory cell is commonly coupled to a first signal line and is coupled to a different respective second signal line. Each signal pulse causes each respective memory cell to move toward the desired state by causing each respective memory cell to snap back. Current to a respective second signal line is turned off in response to each time the respective memory cell coupled thereto snaps back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventor: Hernan A. Castro
  • Publication number: 20210005257
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for programming a self-selecting memory cell that stores a first logic state. To program the memory cell, a pulse having a first polarity may be applied to the cell, which may result in the memory cell having a reduced threshold voltage. During a duration in which the threshold voltage of the memory cell may be reduced (e.g., during a selection time), a second pulse having a second polarity (e.g., a different polarity) may be applied to the memory cell. Applying the second pulse to the memory cell may result in the memory cell storing a second logic state different than the first logic state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Agostino Pirovano, Fabio Pellizzer
  • Patent number: 10867670
    Abstract: In an example, a method may include comparing input data to stored data stored in a memory cell and determining whether the input data matches the stored data based on whether the memory cell snaps back in response to an applied voltage differential across the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hernan A. Castro
  • Patent number: 10854287
    Abstract: Methods and structures for accessing memory cells in parallel in a cross-point array include accessing in parallel a first memory cell disposed between a first selected column and a first selected row and a second memory cell disposed between a second selected column different from the first selected column and a second selected row different from the first selected row. Accessing in parallel includes simultaneously applying access biases between the first selected column and the first selected row and between the second selected column and the second selected row. The accessing in parallel is conducted while the cells are in a thresholded condition or while the cells are in a post-threshold recovery period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hernan A. Castro
  • Patent number: 10847220
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to apparatuses and methods of operating the same, and more particularly to cross point memory arrays and methods of accessing memory cells in a cross point memory array. In one aspect, an apparatus comprises a memory array. The apparatus further comprises a memory controller configured to cause an access operation, where the access operation includes application of a first bias across a memory cell of the memory array for a selection phase of the access operation and application of a second bias, lower in magnitude than the first bias, across the memory cell for an access phase of the access operation. The memory controller is further configured to cause a direction of current flowing through the memory cell to be reversed between the selection phase and the access phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hernan A. Castro
  • Patent number: 10825867
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for a cross-point memory array and related fabrication techniques are described. The fabrication techniques described herein may facilitate concurrently building two or more decks of memory cells disposed in a cross-point architecture. Each deck of memory cells may include a plurality of first access lines (e.g., word lines), a plurality of second access lines (e.g., bit lines), and a memory component at each topological intersection of a first access line and a second access line. The fabrication technique may use a pattern of vias formed at a top layer of a composite stack, which may facilitate building a 3D memory array within the composite stack while using a reduced number of processing steps. The fabrication techniques may also be suitable for forming a socket region where the 3D memory array may be coupled with other components of a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Stephen H. Tang, Stephen W. Russell
  • Publication number: 20200343308
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to an integrated circuit device having a socket interconnect region for connecting a plurality of conductive lines at a first vertical level to interconnect structures formed at a second vertical level different from the first vertical level. The conductive lines include a plurality of contacted lines that are vertically connected to the interconnect structures at the socket interconnect region, a plurality of terminating lines terminating at the socket interconnect region, and a plurality of pass-through lines that pass through the socket interconnect region without being vertically connected and without being terminated at the socket interconnect region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventor: Hernan A. Castro
  • Patent number: 10818324
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for thin film transistors and related fabrication techniques are described. The thin film transistors may access two or more decks of memory cells disposed in a cross-point architecture. The fabrication techniques may use one or more patterns of vias formed at a top layer of a composite stack, which may facilitate building the thin film transistors within the composite stack while using a reduced number of processing steps. Different configurations of the thin film transistors may be built using the fabrication techniques by utilizing different groups of the vias. Further, circuits and components of a memory device (e.g., decoder circuitry, interconnects between aspects of one or more memory arrays) may be constructed using the thin film transistors as described herein along with related via-based fabrication techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Stephen W. Russell, Stephen H. Tang
  • Patent number: 10803939
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for programming a self-selecting memory cell that stores a first logic state. To program the memory cell, a pulse having a first polarity may be applied to the cell, which may result in the memory cell having a reduced threshold voltage. During a duration in which the threshold voltage of the memory cell may be reduced (e.g., during a selection time), a second pulse having a second polarity (e.g., a different polarity) may be applied to the memory cell. Applying the second pulse to the memory cell may result in the memory cell storing a second logic state different than the first logic state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Agostino Pirovano, Fabio Pellizzer