Patents by Inventor Kang Yong Kim

Kang Yong Kim 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: 12366975
    Abstract: Described apparatuses and methods provide automated error correction with memory refresh. Memory devices can include error correction code (ECC) technology to detect or correct one or more bit-errors in data. Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), including low-power double data rate (LPPDR) synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), performs refresh operations to maintain data stored in a memory array. A refresh operation can be a self-refresh operation or an auto-refresh operation. Described implementations can combine ECC technology with refresh operations to determine a data error with data that is being refreshed or to correct erroneous data that is being refreshed. In an example, data for a read operation is checked for errors. If an error is detected, a corresponding address can be stored. Responsive to the corresponding address being refreshed, corrected data is stored at the corresponding address in conjunction with the refresh operation. Alternatively, data being refreshed can be checked for an error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc
    Inventors: Hyun Yoo Lee, Kang-Yong Kim
  • Publication number: 20250217053
    Abstract: An apparatus can include memory devices and a memory controller coupled to the memory devices via memory channels. The memory channels can disable a first memory channel associated with a first memory die in a respective memory chip of a memory device and perform a memory operation via a second memory channel involving a second memory die in the respective memory chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2025
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Yu-Sheng Hsu, Kang-Yong Kim, Ke Wei Chan, Jason Wong
  • Patent number: 12321288
    Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques for implementing an asymmetric read-write sequence for interconnected dies are described. The asymmetric read-write sequence refers to an asymmetric die-access sequence for read versus write operations. The “asymmetric” term refers to a difference in an order in which data is written to or read from interface and linked dies of the interconnected die architecture. The orders for the read and write operations can be chosen such that a delay associated with transferring data between the interconnected dies occurs as data passes between the interface die and a memory controller. With asymmetric read-write burst sequences, overall timing of the read and write operations of a memory device may be impacted less, if at all, by a timing delay associated with the interconnected die architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Yoo Lee, Kang-Yong Kim, Jason McBride Brown, Venkatraghavan Bringivijayaraghavan, Vijayakrishna J. Vankayala
  • Patent number: 12315548
    Abstract: In various examples, refreshing a bank can include receiving a refresh command, wherein the refresh command comprises selector bits and receiving mode register bits from the mode registers. Refreshing a bank can also include refreshing a number of banks from the plurality of banks utilizing the mode register bits and the selector bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Kang-Yong Kim
  • Publication number: 20250130877
    Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques for handling faulty usage-based-disturbance data are described. In an example aspect, a memory device uses a report flag to indicate that an address of a row that corresponds to the faulty usage-based-disturbance data is logged at a global-bank level and is accessible by a host device. The report flag also enables the memory device to avoid reporting another error until the host device has cleared information associated with a previously-reported error. In another example aspect, the memory device temporarily prevents usage-based-disturbance mitigation from being performed based on the faulty usage-based-disturbance data. This means that if the faulty usage-based-disturbance data would otherwise trigger refreshing of one or more rows that are proximate to the row corresponding to the faulty usage-based-disturbance data, the memory device does not perform these refresh operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Mark Kalei Hadrick, Kang-Yong Kim, Donald Morgan, Victor Wong
  • Publication number: 20250131973
    Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques for logging a memory address associated with faulty usage-based disturbance data are described. In an example aspect, a memory device can detect, at a local-bank level, a fault associated with usage-based disturbance data. This detection enables the memory device to log a row address associated with the faulty usage-based disturbance data. To avoid increasing a complexity and/or a size of the memory device, some implementations of the memory device can perform the address logging at the multi-bank level with the assistance of an engine, such as a test engine. The memory device stores the logged address in at least one mode register to communicate the fault to a memory controller. With the logged address, the memory controller can initiate a repair procedure to fix the faulty usage-based disturbance data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Mark Kalei Hadrick, Kang-Yong Kim, Donald Morgan, Victor Wong
  • Publication number: 20250118358
    Abstract: Single (1T) and multi (MT) memory cell architectures may be included in a same memory array. In some embodiments, the individual memory cells of the MT memory cells may have a same polarity. In some embodiments, the individual memory cells of the MT memory cells may have complementary polarity. In some examples, digit lines at memory mats and edge memory mats may be folded for MT memory cells. In some examples, digit lines may be rerouted through local input-output line breaks for the MT memory cells. In some examples, the LIO lines from the MT memory cells may be twisted. In some examples, larger sense amplifiers may be used for the MT memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Toby D. Robbs, Christopher J. Kawamura, Kang-Yong Kim
  • Publication number: 20250118353
    Abstract: Single (1T) and multi (MT) memory cell architectures may be included in a same memory array. In some embodiments, the individual memory cells of the MT memory cells may have a same polarity. In some embodiments, the individual memory cells of the MT memory cells may have complementary polarity. In some examples, digit lines at memory mats and edge memory mats may be folded for MT memory cells. In some examples, digit lines may be rerouted through local input-output line breaks for the MT memory cells. In some examples, the LIO lines from the MT memory cells may be twisted. In some examples, larger sense amplifiers may be used for the MT memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Song Guo, Yuan He, Kang-Yong Kim
  • Publication number: 20250118352
    Abstract: Single (1 T) and multi (MT) memory cell architectures may be included in a same memory array. In some embodiments, the individual memory cells of the MT memory cells may have a same polarity. In some embodiments, the individual memory cells of the MT memory cells may have complementary polarity. In some examples, digit lines at memory mats and edge memory mats may be folded for MT memory cells. In some examples, digit lines may be rerouted through local input-output line breaks for the MT memory cells. In some examples, the LIO lines from the MT memory cells may be twisted. In some examples, larger sense amplifiers may be used for the MT memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Toby D. Robbs, Christopher J. Kawamura, Kang-Yong Kim
  • Publication number: 20250103523
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods including memory commands for semiconductor memories are described. A controller provides a memory system with memory commands to access memory. The commands are decoded to provide internal signals and commands for performing operations, such as operations to access the memory array. The memory commands provided for accessing memory may include timing command and access commands. Examples of access commands include a read command and a write command. Timing commands may be used to control the timing of various operations, for example, for a corresponding access command. The timing commands may include opcodes that set various modes of operation during an associated access operation for an access command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Kang-Yong Kim, Dean Gans
  • Patent number: 12260098
    Abstract: An apparatus can include memory devices and a memory controller coupled to the memory devices via memory channels. The memory channels can disable a first memory channel associated with a first memory die in a respective memory chip of a memory device and perform a memory operation via a second memory channel involving a second memory die in the respective memory chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Yu-Sheng Hsu, Kang-Yong Kim, Ke Wei Chan
  • Publication number: 20250095699
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for programmable column access are described. A device may transfer voltages from memory cells of a row in a memory array to respective digit lines for the memory cells. The voltages may be indicative of logic values stored at the memory cells. The device may communicate respective control signals to a set of multiplexers coupled with the digit lines, where each multiplexer is coupled with a respective subset of the digit lines. Each multiplexer may couple a digit line of the respective subset of digit lines with a respective sense component for that multiplexer based on the respective control signal for that multiplexer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Hyunyoo Lee, Kang-Yong Kim, Taeksang Song
  • Publication number: 20250094054
    Abstract: This document describes apparatuses and techniques for an efficient command protocol for memory access. In various aspects, a memory controller may implement combined operations of different command types (e.g., an activation command plus a read, an activation command plus a write, or an activation command plus a pre-charge command) to better utilize a multiple clock ratio of a command bus (e.g., a (1.5+0.5) N operation in a dual clocking WCK2CK ratio of 4:1), which may improve utilization of a data bus for associated memory responses. By so doing, the efficient command protocol may improve power efficiency and system level performance of a computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kang-Yong Kim
  • Publication number: 20250068345
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods per-row count based refresh target identification. A memory device stores count values associated with the word lines. An aggressor detector circuit stores a maximum of the count values and a row address associated with the maximum count value. Responsive to a targeted refresh signal, the stored count value is compared to a threshold. If the count value has crossed the threshold, then a targeted refresh operation may be performed on one or more refresh addresses based on the stored address, and the count value may be reset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Yuan He, Kang-Yong Kim, Randall J. Rooney, Dong Pan
  • Patent number: 12235784
    Abstract: Described apparatuses and methods facilitate bus training with multiple dice, such as multiple memory dice. A controller can communicate with multiple dice to perform bus training by sending a test pattern and receiving in return a feedback pattern indicative of the bits detected by the dice. Because suitable signal timing can differ between dice, even those using the same bus, a controller may train each die separately from the others. In some situations, however, individualized training may be infeasible. To accommodate such situations, logic associated with two or more dice can combine, using at least one logical operation, bits as detected from the test pattern into a combined feedback pattern. A timing parameter that is jointly suitable for multiple dice can be determined, and the bus training may be concluded, responsive to the combined feedback pattern matching the test pattern. The multiple dice may be stacked or linked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Creston M. Dupree, Smruti Subhash Jhaveri, Hyun Yoo Lee, John Christopher Sancon, Kang-Yong Kim, Francesco Douglas Verna-Ketel
  • Patent number: 12235783
    Abstract: Described apparatuses and methods facilitate bus training with multiple dice, such as multiple memory dice. A controller can communicate with multiple dice over a bus to perform bus training by sending a test pattern and receiving in return a feedback pattern indicative of the bits detected by the dice. Because suitable signal timing can differ between dice, even those using the same bus, the controller may attempt to train each die separately from the others. In some situations, however, individualized training may be infeasible. To accommodate such situations, logic associated with two or more dice can combine the bits as detected from the test pattern into a combined feedback pattern. A timing parameter that is jointly suitable for multiple dice can be determined, and the bus training may be concluded, responsive to the combined feedback pattern matching the test pattern. The multiple dice may be stacked or linked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Francesco Douglas Verna-Ketel, Hyun Yoo Lee, Smruti Subhash Jhaveri, John Christopher Sancon, Yang Lu, Kang-Yong Kim
  • Publication number: 20250060898
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for improved inter-memory movement in a multi-memory system are described. A memory device may receive from a host device a command to move data from a first memory controlled by a first controller to a second memory controller by a second controller. The memory device may use the first and second controllers to facilitate the movement of the data from the first memory to the second memory via a path external to the host device. The memory device may indicate to the host device when to suspend activity to the first memory or the second memory and when to resume activity to the first memory or second memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Sourabh Dhir, Kang-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 12229062
    Abstract: Described apparatuses and methods relate to erroneous select die access (SDA) detection for a memory system. A memory system may include a memory controller and a memory device that are capable of implementing an SDA protocol that enables selective memory die access to multiple memory devices that couple to a command bus. A memory device can include logic that determines if signaling that conflicts with the SDA protocol is detected. If it is determined that conflicting signaling is detected, the logic may provide an indication of the conflicted signaling. In doing so, the erroneous SDA detection described herein may reduce the likelihood of a memory device erroneously masking memory dice, thereby limiting the memory device from exhibiting unexpected, and in some cases, dangerous behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Creston M. Dupree, Kang-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 12223995
    Abstract: Described apparatuses and methods relate to adaptive memory registers for a memory system that may support a nondeterministic protocol. To help manage power-delivery networks in a memory system, a device includes logic that can write values to memory registers associated with memory blocks of a memory array. The values indicate whether an associated memory block has been refreshed within a refresh interval. Other logic can read the registers to determine whether a block has been refreshed. The device also includes logic that can access data indicating a row address that was most recently, or is next to be, refreshed and write values representing the address to another register. The register can be read by other logic to determine whether a wordline potentially affected by an activation-based disturb event is near to being refreshed. These techniques can reduce the number of refresh operations performed, saving power and reducing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Christopher Sancon, Kang-Yong Kim, Yang Lu, Hyun Yoo Lee
  • Patent number: 12204780
    Abstract: Described apparatuses and methods relate to self-refresh arbitration. In a memory system with multiple memory components, an arbiter is configured to manage the occurrence of self-refresh operations. In aspects, the arbiter can receive one or more self-refresh request signals from at least one memory controller for authorization to command one or more memory components to enter a self-refresh mode. Upon receiving the one or more self-refresh request signals, the arbiter, based on a predetermined configuration, can transmit one or more self-refresh enable signals to the at least one memory controller with authorization to command the one or more memory components to enter the self-refresh mode. The configuration can ensure that fewer than all memory components simultaneously enter the self-refresh mode. In so doing, memory components can perform self-refresh operations without exceeding an instantaneous power threshold. The arbiter can be included in, for instance, a Compute Express Link™ (CXL™) memory module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kalei Hadrick, Yu-Sheng Hsu, John Christopher Sancon, Kang-Yong Kim, Yang Lu