Patents by Inventor Kenji Asaki

Kenji Asaki 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: 12277986
    Abstract: Apparatuses including and methods for memory subword driver circuits with reduced gate induced drain leakage are described. An example apparatus includes a first subword line and a second subword line coupled to the first subword line by a first common transistor where, in response to a test mode signal, a voltage of each of the first and second subword lines is raised to a first voltage and a gate voltage of the first common transistor is raised to a second voltage. In another example apparatus first and second subword drivers are coupled to the first and second subword lines respectively, and a driver circuit is coupled to the first and second subword drivers. The driver circuit outputs a first high signal to cause the first and second subword lines to rise to the first voltage and the gate voltage of the first common transistor to rise to the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Asaki
  • Publication number: 20250029650
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes: a plurality of first regions each including second and third regions; a plurality of main word driver circuits each configured to activate an associated one of a plurality of main word lines responsive to a row address signal; and a voltage control circuit configured to supply a first power voltage to the plurality of main word driver circuits in a first operation mode and a second power voltage different from the first power voltage to the plurality of main word driver circuits in a second operation mode. One or ones of the plurality of main word driver circuits is arranged in the second region included in each of the plurality of first regions. The voltage control circuit is divided into multiple circuit portions arranged in two or more third regions in two or more of the plurality of first regions, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: KEIYA ANDO, Mamoru Nishizaki, KENJI ASAKI
  • Publication number: 20240355378
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for saving power at an input buffer are described. An example apparatus includes an input buffer comprising an amplifier coupled to a pair of serially coupled inverters, and a de-emphasis circuit coupled to the input buffer in parallel with one of the pair of serially-coupled inverters. The de-emphasis circuit comprising a plurality of transistors coupled in parallel to a resistance. The example apparatus further includes an input buffer control circuit configured to selectively enable one of the plurality of transistors to adjust a gain across the one of the pair of inverters based on a latency setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Akira Yamashita, Kenji Asaki
  • Patent number: 12046273
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for saving power at an input buffer are described. An example apparatus includes an input buffer comprising an amplifier coupled to a pair of serially coupled inverters, and a de-emphasis circuit coupled to the input buffer in parallel with one of the pair of serially-coupled inverters. The de-emphasis circuit comprising a plurality of transistors coupled in parallel to a resistance. The example apparatus further includes an input buffer control circuit configured to selectively enable one of the plurality of transistors to adjust a gain across the one of the pair of inverters based on a latency setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Akira Yamashita, Kenji Asaki
  • Patent number: 11709523
    Abstract: In some embodiments, clock input buffer circuitry and divider circuitry use a combination of externally-suppled voltages and internally-generated voltages to provide the various clock signals used by a semiconductor device. For example, a clock input buffer is configured to provide second complementary clock signals responsive to received first complementary clock signals using cross-coupled buffer circuitry coupled to a supply voltage and to drive the first complementary clock signals using driver circuitry coupled to an internal voltage. In another example, a divider circuitry may provide divided clock signals based on the second complementary clock signals via a divider coupled to the internal voltage and to drive the divided clock signals using driver circuitry coupled to the supply voltage. A magnitude of the supply voltage may be less than a magnitude of the internal voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventors: Kenji Asaki, Shuichi Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20230078117
    Abstract: Apparatuses including and methods for memory subword driver circuits with reduced gate induced drain leakage are described. An example apparatus includes a first subword line and a second subword line coupled to the first subword line by a first common transistor where, in response to a test mode signal, a voltage of each of the first and second subword lines is raised to a first voltage and a gate voltage of the first common transistor is raised to a second voltage. In another example apparatus first and second subword drivers are coupled to the first and second subword lines respectively, and a driver circuit is coupled to the first and second subword drivers. The driver circuit outputs a first high signal to cause the first and second subword lines to rise to the first voltage and the gate voltage of the first common transistor to rise to the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Kenji Asaki
  • Patent number: 11581032
    Abstract: An apparatus including a temperature dependent circuit is configured to receive a temperature dependent power supply voltage, and further is configured to receive a first input signal and provide a temperature dependent output signal responsive to the input signal. A power control circuit including the temperature dependent circuit is configured to receive a second input signal, and further configured provide a first control voltage based on the first temperature dependent output signal and provide a second control voltage based on the second input signal. The second control voltage has a temperature dependency based on the temperature dependent power supply voltage. A sense amplifier coupled to a pair of digit lines is configured to receive the first and second control voltages and amplify a voltage difference between the digit lines of the pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Asaki
  • Publication number: 20230019887
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for saving power at an input buffer are described. An example apparatus includes an input buffer comprising an amplifier coupled to a pair of serially coupled inverters, and a de-emphasis circuit coupled to the input buffer in parallel with one of the pair of serially-coupled inverters. The de-emphasis circuit comprising a plurality of transistors coupled in parallel to a resistance. The example apparatus further includes an input buffer control circuit configured to selectively enable one of the plurality of transistors to adjust a gain across the one of the pair of inverters based on a latency setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Akira Yamashita, Kenji Asaki
  • Publication number: 20220336007
    Abstract: An apparatus including a temperature dependent circuit is configured to receive a temperature dependent power supply voltage, and further is configured to receive a first input signal and provide a temperature dependent output signal responsive to the input signal. A power control circuit including the temperature dependent circuit is configured to receive a second input signal, and further configured provide a first control voltage based on the first temperature dependent output signal and provide a second control voltage based on the second input signal. The second control voltage has a temperature dependency based on the temperature dependent power supply voltage. A sense amplifier coupled to a pair of digit lines is configured to receive the first and second control voltages and amplify a voltage difference between the digit lines of the pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Kenji Asaki
  • Patent number: 11475939
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for saving power at an input buffer are described. An example apparatus includes an input buffer comprising an amplifier coupled to a pair of serially coupled inverters, and a de-emphasis circuit coupled to the input buffer in parallel with one of the pair of serially-coupled inverters. The de-emphasis circuit comprising a plurality of transistors coupled in parallel to a resistance. The example apparatus further includes an input buffer control circuit configured to selectively enable one of the plurality of transistors to adjust a gain across the one of the pair of inverters based on a latency setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Yamashita, Kenji Asaki
  • Publication number: 20220199146
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for saving power at an input buffer are described. An example apparatus includes an input buffer comprising an amplifier coupled to a pair of serially coupled inverters, and a de-emphasis circuit coupled to the input buffer in parallel with one of the pair of serially-coupled inverters. The de-emphasis circuit comprising a plurality of transistors coupled in parallel to a resistance. The example apparatus further includes an input buffer control circuit configured to selectively enable one of the plurality of transistors to adjust a gain across the one of the pair of inverters based on a latency setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Akira Yamashita, Kenji Asaki
  • Publication number: 20220011809
    Abstract: In some embodiments, clock input buffer circuitry and divider circuitry use a combination of externally-suppled voltages and internally-generated voltages to provide the various clock signals used by a semiconductor device. For example, a clock input buffer is configured to provide second complementary clock signals responsive to received first complementary clock signals using cross-coupled buffer circuitry coupled to a supply voltage and to drive the first complementary clock signals using driver circuitry coupled to an internal voltage. In another example, a divider circuitry may provide divided clock signals based on the second complementary clock signals via a divider coupled to the internal voltage and to drive the divided clock signals using driver circuitry coupled to the supply voltage. A magnitude of the supply voltage may be less than a magnitude of the internal voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kenji Asaki, Shuichi Tsukada
  • Patent number: 11132015
    Abstract: In some embodiments, clock input buffer circuitry and divider circuitry use a combination of externally-suppled voltages and internally-generated voltages to provide the various clock signals used by a semiconductor device. For example, a clock input buffer is configured to provide second complementary clock signals responsive to received first complementary clock signals using cross-coupled buffer circuitry coupled to a supply voltage and to drive the first complementary clock signals using driver circuitry coupled to an internal voltage. In another example, a divider circuitry may provide divided clock signals based on the second complementary clock signals via a divider coupled to the internal voltage and to drive the divided clock signals using driver circuitry coupled to the supply voltage. A magnitude of the supply voltage may be less than a magnitude of the internal voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Asaki, Shuichi Tsukada
  • Patent number: 10985753
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for providing bias signals in a semiconductor device are described. As example apparatus includes a power supply line configured to provide a supply voltage and further includes first and second nodes. An impedance element is coupled between the power supply line and the first node and a first transistor having a gate, a source coupled to the first node, and a drain coupled to the second node. A reference line is configured to provide a reference voltage. A second transistor has a gate, a source coupled to the reference line, and a drain. The gate and the drain of the second transistor are coupled to the gate of the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Asaki, Shuichi Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20200257331
    Abstract: In some embodiments, clock input buffer circuitry and divider circuitry use a combination of externally-suppled voltages and internally-generated voltages to provide the various clock signals used by a semiconductor device. For example, a clock input buffer is configured to provide second complementary clock signals responsive to received first complementary clock signals using cross-coupled buffer circuitry coupled to a supply voltage and to drive the first complementary clock signals using driver circuitry coupled to an internal voltage. In another example, a divider circuitry may provide divided clock signals based on the second complementary clock signals via a divider coupled to the internal voltage and to drive the divided clock signals using driver circuitry coupled to the supply voltage. A magnitude of the supply voltage may be less than a magnitude of the internal voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kenji Asaki, Shuichi Tsukada
  • Patent number: 10559343
    Abstract: A memory device includes an internal storage unit configured to store mode data specifying an operating speed of the memory device; a control decoder coupled to the internal storage unit, the control decoder configured to generate a delay control signal based on the mode data; and an input buffer coupled to the control decoder, the input buffer configured to adjust a delay of an input signal based on the delay control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Yamashita, Kenji Asaki
  • Publication number: 20200027494
    Abstract: A memory device includes an internal storage unit configured to store mode data specifying an operating speed of the memory device; a control decoder coupled to the internal storage unit, the control decoder configured to generate a delay control signal based on the mode data; and an input buffer coupled to the control decoder, the input buffer configured to adjust a delay of an input signal based on the delay control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Akira Yamashita, Kenji Asaki
  • Patent number: 10438650
    Abstract: A memory device includes an internal storage unit configured to store mode data specifying an operating speed of the memory device; a control decoder coupled to the internal storage unit, the control decoder configured to generate a delay control signal based on the mode data; and an input buffer coupled to the control decoder, the input buffer configured to adjust a delay of an input signal based on the delay control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Yamashita, Kenji Asaki
  • Patent number: 10373655
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for providing bias signals in a semiconductor device are described. An example apparatus includes a power supply configured to provide a supply voltage and further includes a bias circuit coupled to the power supply to produce a bias current. The bias circuit is configured to decrease the bias current as the supply voltage increases from a first value to a second value. The bias circuit continues to decrease the bias current as the supply voltage further increases from the second value in a first operation mode. The bias circuit also prevents the bias current from decreasing against a further increase of the supply voltage from the second value in a second operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Asaki, Shuichi Tsukada, Sachiko Edo
  • Publication number: 20190172505
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for providing bias signals in a semiconductor device are described. An example apparatus includes a power supply configured to provide a supply voltage and further includes a bias circuit coupled to the power supply to produce a bias current. The bias circuit is configured to decrease the bias current as the supply voltage increases from a first value to a second value. The bias circuit continues to decrease the bias current as the supply voltage further increases from the second value in a first operation mode. The bias circuit also prevents the bias current from decreasing against a further increase of the supply voltage from the second value in a second operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kenji Asaki, Shuichi Tsukada, Sachiko Edo