Patents by Inventor Luca Fasoli
Luca Fasoli 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).
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Publication number: 20130010523Abstract: A storage system includes a three-dimensional memory array that has multiple layers of non-volatile storage elements grouped into blocks. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines (e.g. bit lines) of a first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines that are connected to control circuitry. To increase the performance of memory operations, the second selection circuits can change their selections independently of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Tianhong Yan, Luca Fasoli
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Patent number: 8320196Abstract: A non-volatile memory core comprises one or more memory bays. Each memory bay comprises one or more memory blocks that include a grouping of non-volatile storage elements. In one embodiment, memory blocks in a particular memory bay share a group of read/write circuits. During a memory operation, memory blocks are transitioned into active and inactive states. The process of transitioning blocks from an inactive state to an active state includes enabling charge sharing between a memory block entering the active state and another memory block that was previously in the active state. This charge sharing improves performance and/or reduces energy consumption for the memory system.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Thomas Yan, Luca Fasoli, Roy E Scheuerlein
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Publication number: 20120287734Abstract: A system connects a signal driver to a first control line that is connected to a first non-volatile storage element, charges the first control line while the signal driver is connected to the first control line, disconnects the signal driver from the first control line while the first control line remains charged from the signal driver, connects the signal driver to a second control line that is connected to a second non-volatile storage element, charges the second control line using the signal driver while the signal driver is connected to the second control line, and disconnects the signal driver from the second control line. The disconnecting of the signal driver from the first control line, the connecting the signal driver to the second control line and the charging of the second control line are performed without waiting for the first non-volatile storage element's program operation to complete.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventors: Tianhong Yan, Luca Fasoli
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Publication number: 20120257433Abstract: A storage system includes a three-dimensional memory array that has multiple layers of non-volatile storage elements grouped into blocks. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines (e.g. bit lines) of a first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines that are connected to control circuitry. To increase the performance of memory operations, the second selection circuits can change their selections independently of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Inventors: Tianhong Yan, Luca Fasoli
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Patent number: 8279650Abstract: A storage system includes a three-dimensional memory array that has multiple layers of non-volatile storage elements grouped into blocks. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines (e.g. bit lines) of a first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines that are connected to control circuitry. To increase the performance of memory operations, the second selections circuits can change their selections independently of each other. For example, a memory operation is performed concurrently on a first non-volatile storage element of each group of a plurality of groups of non-volatile storage elements. Completion of the memory operation for the first non-volatile storage element of each group is independently detected.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Tianhong Yan, Luca Fasoli
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Publication number: 20120243349Abstract: A non-volatile storage system includes technology for skipping programming cycles while programming a page (or other unit) of data. While programming a current subset of the page (or other unit) of data, the system will evaluate whether the next subsets of the page (or other unit) of data should be programmed into non-volatile storage elements or skipped. Subsets of the page (or other unit) of data that should not be skipped are programmed into non-volatile storage elements. Some embodiments include transferring the appropriate data to temporary latches/registers, in preparation for programming, concurrently with the evaluation of whether to program or skip the programming.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Gopinath Balakrishnan, Luca Fasoli, Tz-Yi Liu, Yuheng Zhang, Yan Li
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Publication number: 20120236663Abstract: A non-volatile storage system includes technology for skipping programming cycles while programming a page (or other unit) of data. While programming a current subset of the page (or other unit) of data, the system will evaluate whether the next subsets of the page (or other unit) of data should be programmed into non-volatile storage elements or skipped. Subsets of the page (or other unit) of data that should not be skipped are programmed into non-volatile storage elements. Some embodiments include transferring the appropriate data to temporary latches/registers, in preparation for programming, concurrently with the evaluation of whether to program or skip the programming.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Gopinath Balakrishnan, Luca Fasoli, Tz-Yi Liu, Yuheng Zhang, Yan Li
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Patent number: 8238174Abstract: A non-volatile storage system connects a signal driver to a first control line that is connected to a first non-volatile storage element, charges the first control line using the signal driver while the signal driver is connected to the first control line, disconnects the signal driver from the first control line while the first control line remains charged from the signal driver, connects the signal driver to a second control line that is connected to a second non-volatile storage element, charges the second control line using the signal driver while the signal driver is connected to the second control line, and disconnects the signal driver from the second control line. Charging the control lines causes the respective non-volatile storage elements to experience a program operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Tianhong Yan, Luca Fasoli
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Patent number: 8223525Abstract: A non-volatile storage device includes a substrate, a monolithic three-dimensional memory array of non-volatile storage elements arranged above a portion of the substrate, a plurality of sense amplifiers in communication with the non-volatile storage elements, a plurality of temporary storage devices in communication with the sense amplifiers, a page register in communication with the temporary storage devices, and one or more control circuits. The one or more control circuits are in communication with the page register, the temporary storage devices and the sense amplifiers. The sense amplifiers are arranged on the substrate underneath the monolithic three-dimensional memory array. The temporary storage devices are arranged on the substrate underneath the monolithic three-dimensional memory array. The page register is arranged on the substrate in an area that is not underneath the monolithic three-dimensional memory array.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Gopinath Balakrishnan, Jeffrey Koon Yee Lee, Yuheng Zhang, Tz-Yi Liu, Luca Fasoli
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Publication number: 20120170347Abstract: The system includes multiple sets of local data lines in one or more routing metal layers below the three-dimensional memory array and multiple sets of global data lines in one or more top metal layers above the three-dimensional memory array. Each set of one or more blocks include one set of the local data lines. Each bay includes one set of global data lines that connect to the group of sense amplifiers associated with the blocks of the respective bay. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines of the first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines associated with a respective bay.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2012Publication date: July 5, 2012Inventors: Tianhong Yan, Luca Fasoli
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Publication number: 20120170346Abstract: The system includes multiple sets of local data lines in one or more routing metal layers below the three-dimensional memory array and multiple sets of global data lines in one or more top metal layers above the three-dimensional memory array. Each set of one or more blocks include one set of the local data lines. Each bay includes one set of global data lines that connect to the group of sense amplifiers associated with the blocks of the respective bay. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines of the first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines associated with a respective bay.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2012Publication date: July 5, 2012Inventors: Tianhong Yan, Luca Fasoli
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Patent number: 8213243Abstract: A non-volatile storage system includes technology for skipping programming cycles while programming a page (or other unit) of data. While programming a current subset of the page (or other unit) of data, the system will evaluate whether the next subsets of the page (or other unit) of data should be programmed into non-volatile storage elements or skipped. Subsets of the page (or other unit) of data that should not be skipped are programmed into non-volatile storage elements. Some embodiments include transferring the appropriate data to temporary latches/registers, in preparation for programming, concurrently with the evaluation of whether to program or skip the programming.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Gopinath Balakrishnan, Luca Fasoli, Tz-Yi Liu, Yuheng Zhang, Yan Li
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Patent number: 8199576Abstract: A three-dimensional array especially adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. A two-dimensional array of bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected is oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes. A double-global-bit-line architecture provides a pair of global bit lines for each bit lines for accessing a row of memory elements in parallel. A first one of each pair allows the local bit lines of the row to be sensed while a second one of each pair allows local bit lines in an adjacent row to be set to a definite voltage so as to eliminate leakage currents between adjacent rows of local bit lines.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Luca Fasoli, George Samachisa
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Publication number: 20120106253Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) high density memory array includes multiple layers of segmented bit lines (i.e., sense lines) with segment switch devices within the memory array that connect the segments to global bit lines. The segment switch devices reside on one or more layers of the integrated circuit, preferably residing on each bit line layer. The global bit lines reside preferably on one layer below the memory array, but may reside on more than one layer. The bit line segments preferably share vertical connections to an associated global bit line. In certain EEPROM embodiments, the array includes multiple layers of segmented bit lines with segment connection switches on multiple layers and shared vertical connections to a global bit line layer. Such memory arrays may be realized with much less write-disturb effects for half selected memory cells, and may be realized with a much smaller block of cells to be erased.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2012Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: Roy E. Scheuerlein, Alper Ilkbahar, Luca Fasoli
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Publication number: 20120091427Abstract: In some embodiments, a memory array is provided that includes (1) a first memory cell having (a) a first conductive line; (b) a first bipolar storage element formed above the first conductive line; and (c) a second conductive line formed above the first bipolar storage element; and (2) a second memory cell formed above the first memory cell and having (a) a second bipolar storage element formed above the second conductive line; and (b) a third conductive line formed above the second bipolar storage element. The first and second memory cells share the second conductive line; the first bipolar storage element has a first storage element polarity orientation within the first memory cell; the second bipolar storage element has a second storage element polarity orientation within the second memory cell; and the second storage element polarity orientation is opposite the first storage element polarity orientation. Numerous other aspects are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Inventors: Yung-Tin Chen, Andrei Mihnea, Roy E. Scheuerlein, Luca Fasoli
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Patent number: 8149607Abstract: The embodiments described herein are directed to a memory device with multi-level, write-once memory cells. In one embodiment, a memory device has a memory array comprising a plurality of multi-level write-once memory cells, wherein each memory cell is programmable to one of a plurality of resistivity levels. The memory device also contains circuitry configured to select a group of memory cells from the memory array, and read a set of flag bits associated with the group of memory cells. The set of flag bits indicate a number of times the group of memory cells has been written to. The circuitry is also configured to select a threshold read level appropriate for the number of times the group of memory cells has been written to, and for each memory cell in the group, read the memory cell as an unprogrammed single-bit memory cell or as a programmed single-bit memory cell based on the selected threshold read level.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Roy E. Scheuerlein, Luca Fasoli
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Patent number: 8130528Abstract: A storage system includes a three-dimensional memory array that has multiple layers of non-volatile storage elements grouped into blocks. The blocks are grouped into bays. The storage system includes array lines of a first type in communication with storage elements, array lines of a second type in communication with storage elements, and sense amplifiers. Each block is geographically associated with two sense amplifiers and all blocks of a particular bay share a group of sense amplifiers associated with the blocks of the particular bay. The system includes multiple sets of local data lines in one or more routing metal layers below the three-dimensional memory array and multiple sets of global data lines in one or more top metal layers above the three-dimensional memory array. Each set of one or more blocks include one set of the local data lines. Each bay includes one set of global data lines that connect to the group of sense amplifiers associated with the blocks of the respective bay.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Tianhong Yan, Luca Fasoli
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Publication number: 20120002476Abstract: A non-volatile memory core comprises one or more memory bays. Each memory bay comprises one or more memory blocks that include a grouping of non-volatile storage elements. In one embodiment, memory blocks in a particular memory bay share a group of read/write circuits. During a memory operation, memory blocks are transitioned into active and inactive states. The process of transitioning blocks from an inactive state to an active state includes enabling charge sharing between a memory block entering the active state and another memory block that was previously in the active state. This charge sharing improves performance and/or reduces energy consumption for the memory system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Thomas Yan, Luca Fasoli, Roy E. Scheuerlein
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Publication number: 20110305071Abstract: A non-volatile storage system connects a signal driver to a first control line that is connected to a first non-volatile storage element, charges the first control line using the signal driver while the signal driver is connected to the first control line, disconnects the signal driver from the first control line while the first control line remains charged from the signal driver, connects the signal driver to a second control line that is connected to a second non-volatile storage element, charges the second control line using the signal driver while the signal driver is connected to the second control line, and disconnects the signal driver from the second control line. Charging the control lines causes the respective non-volatile storage elements to experience a program operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Inventors: Tianhong Yan, Luca Fasoli
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Publication number: 20110299340Abstract: A three-dimensional array is especially adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. A two-dimensional array of bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected is oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes. During sensing, to compensate for word line resistance, a sense amplifier references a stored reference value during sensing of a memory element at a given location of the word line. A layout with a row of sense amplifiers between two memory arrays is provided to facilitate the referencing. A selected memory element is reset without resetting neighboring ones when it is subject to a bias voltage under predetermined conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: George Samachisa, Luca Fasoli, Yan Li, Tianhong Yan