Patents by Inventor Mattia Boniardi
Mattia Boniardi 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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Patent number: 11158358Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adaptive write operations for a memory device are described. In an example, the described techniques may include identifying a quantity of access operations performed on a memory array, modifying one or more parameters for a write operation based on the identified quantity of access operations, and writing logic states to the memory array by performing the write operation according to the one or more modified parameters. In some examples, the memory array may include memory cells associated with a configurable material element, such as a chalcogenide material, that stores a logic state based on a material property of the material element. In some examples, the described techniques may at least partially compensate for a change in memory material properties due to aging or other degradation or changes over time (e.g., due to accumulated access operations).Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Richard K. Dodge, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Mattia Robustelli, Mario Allegra
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Publication number: 20210272615Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and other implementations to store fuse data in memory devices are described. Some implementations may include an array of memory cells with different portions of cells for storing data. A first portion of the array may store fuse data and may contain a chalcogenide storage element, while a second portion of the array may store user data. Sense circuitry may be coupled with the array, and may determine the value of the fuse data using various signaling techniques. In some cases, the sense circuitry may implement differential storage and differential signaling to determine the value of the fuse data stored in the first portion of the array.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Anna Maria Conti, Mattia Robustelli, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Mario Allegra
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Patent number: 11062767Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for mimicking neuro-biological architectures that may be present in a nervous system are described herein. A memory device may include a memory unit configured to store a value. A memory unit may include a first memory cell (e.g., an aggressor memory cell) and a plurality of other memory cells (e.g., victim memory cells). The memory unit may use thermal disturbances of the victim memory cells that may be based on an access operation to store the analog value. Thermal energy output by the aggressor memory cell during an access operation (e.g., a write operation) may cause the state of the victim memory cells to alter based on thermal relationship between the aggressor memory cell and at least some of the victim memory cells. The memory unit may be read by detecting and combining the weights of the victim memory cells during a read operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2020Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Innocenzo Tortorelli
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Patent number: 11037613Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and other implementations to store fuse data in memory devices are described. Some implementations may include an array of memory cells with different portions of cells for storing data. A first portion of the array may store fuse data and may contain a chalcogenide storage element, while a second portion of the array may store user data. Sense circuitry may be coupled with the array, and may determine the value of the fuse data using various signaling techniques. In some cases, the sense circuitry may implement differential storage and differential signaling to determine the value of the fuse data stored in the first portion of the array.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Anna Maria Conti, Mattia Robustelli, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Mario Allegra
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Patent number: 11024372Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating memory cell(s) are described. A resistance of a storage element included in a memory cell may be programmed by applying a voltage to the memory cell that causes ion movement within the storage element, where the storage element remains in a single phase and has different resistivity based on a location of the ions within the storage element. In some cases, multiple of such storage elements may be included in a memory cell, where ions within the storage elements respond differently to electric pulses, and a non-binary logic value may be stored in the memory cell by applying a series of voltages or currents to the memory cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Agostino Pirovano, Innocenzo Tortorelli
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Publication number: 20210104276Abstract: In an example, an apparatus can include an array of memory cells and a neural memory unit controller coupled to the array of memory cells and configured to assert respective voltage pulses during a first training interval to memory cells of the array to change respective threshold voltages of the memory cells from voltages associated with a reset state to effectuate respective synaptic weight changes. The neural memory unit controller can be configured to initiate a sleep interval, during which no pulses are applied to the memory cells, to effectuate respective voltage drifts in the changed respective threshold voltages of the memory cells from a voltage associated with a set state toward the voltage associated with the reset state, and determine an output of the memory cells responsive to the respective voltage drifts in the changed respective threshold voltages after the sleep interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Innocenzo Tortorelli
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Publication number: 20210027813Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adaptive write operations for a memory device are described. In an example, the described techniques may include identifying a quantity of access operations performed on a memory array, modifying one or more parameters for a write operation based on the identified quantity of access operations, and writing logic states to the memory array by performing the write operation according to the one or more modified parameters. In some examples, the memory array may include memory cells associated with a configurable material element, such as a chalcogenide material, that stores a logic state based on a material property of the material element. In some examples, the described techniques may at least partially compensate for a change in memory material properties due to aging or other degradation or changes over time (e.g., due to accumulated access operations).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2019Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Richard K. Dodge, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Mattia Robustelli, Mario Allegra
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Publication number: 20210020218Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and other implementations to store fuse data in memory devices are described. Some implementations may include an array of memory cells with different portions of cells for storing data. A first portion of the array may store fuse data and may contain a chalcogenide storage element, while a second portion of the array may store user data. Sense circuitry may be coupled with the array, and may determine the value of the fuse data using various signaling techniques. In some cases, the sense circuitry may implement differential storage and differential signaling to determine the value of the fuse data stored in the first portion of the array.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2019Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Anna Maria Conti, Mattia Robustelli, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Mario Allegra
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Publication number: 20210004174Abstract: An example apparatus can include a memory array and a memory controller. The memory array can include a first portion including a first plurality of memory cells. The memory array can further include a second portion including a second plurality of memory cells. The memory controller can be coupled to the first portion and the second portion. The memory controller can be configured to operate the first plurality of memory cells for short-term memory operations. The memory controller can be further configured to operate the second plurality of memory cells for long-term memory operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Innocenzo Tortorelli
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Patent number: 10884640Abstract: One embodiment provides a memory controller. The memory controller includes a memory controller circuitry and a set pulse determination circuitry. The memory controller circuitry is to identify an address of a target memory cell to be set. The set pulse determination circuitry is to select a positive polarity set pulse if the target memory cell is included in a positive polarity deck or to select a negative polarity set pulse if the target memory cell is included in a negative polarity deck. Each set pulse includes a respective nucleation portion and a respective growth portion. Each portion has a respective current amplitude and a respective time duration.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Koushik Banerjee, Lu Liu, Sanjay Rangan, Enrico Varesi, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Hongmei Wang, Mattia Boniardi
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Patent number: 10861539Abstract: In an example, an apparatus can include an array of memory cells and a neural memory unit controller coupled to the array of memory cells and configured to assert respective voltage pulses during a first training interval to memory cells of the array to change respective threshold voltages of the memory cells from voltages associated with a reset state to effectuate respective synaptic weight changes. The neural memory unit controller can be configured to initiate a sleep interval, during which no pulses are applied to the memory cells, to effectuate respective voltage drifts in the changed respective threshold voltages of the memory cells from a voltage associated with a set state toward the voltage associated with the reset state, and determine an output of the memory cells responsive to the respective voltage drifts in the changed respective threshold voltages after the sleep interval.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Innocenzo Tortorelli
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Patent number: 10714177Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating and forming a multilevel memory cell and array are described. A multilevel memory cell includes two or more binary memory elements, which may include phase change material. Each memory element may be programmed to one of two possible states—e.g., a fully amorphous state or a fully crystalline state. By combining multiple binary memory elements in a single memory cell, the memory cell may be programmed to store more than two states. The different memory elements may be programmed by selectively melting each memory element. Selective melting may be controlled by using memory elements with different melting temperatures or using electrodes with different electrical resistances, or both.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mario Allegra, Mattia Boniardi
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Publication number: 20200152262Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for mimicking neuro-biological architectures that may be present in a nervous system are described herein. A memory device may include a memory unit configured to store a value. A memory unit may include a first memory cell (e.g., an aggressor memory cell) and a plurality of other memory cells (e.g., victim memory cells). The memory unit may use thermal disturbances of the victim memory cells that may be based on an access operation to store the analog value. Thermal energy output by the aggressor memory cell during an access operation (e.g., a write operation) may cause the state of the victim memory cells to alter based on thermal relationship between the aggressor memory cell and at least some of the victim memory cells. The memory unit may be read by detecting and combining the weights of the victim memory cells during a read operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Innocenzo Tortorelli
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Patent number: 10636966Abstract: A thermally optimized phase change memory cell includes a phase change material element disposed between first and second electrodes. The second electrode includes a thermally insulating region having a first thermal resistivity over the first electrode and a metallic contact region interposed between the phase change material element and the thermally insulating region, where the metallic contact layer has a second thermal resistivity lower than the first thermal resistivity.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Andrea Redaelli
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Publication number: 20200051626Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating memory cell(s) are described. A resistance of a storage element included in a memory cell may be programmed by applying a voltage to the memory cell that causes ion movement within the storage element, where the storage element remains in a single phase and has different resistivity based on a location of the ions within the storage element. In some cases, multiple of such storage elements may be included in a memory cell, where ions within the storage elements respond differently to electric pulses, and a non-binary logic value may be stored in the memory cell by applying a series of voltages or currents to the memory cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2018Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Agostino Pirovano, Innocenzo Tortorelli
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Patent number: 10559353Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for mimicking neuro-biological architectures that may be present in a nervous system are described herein. A memory device may include a memory unit configured to store a value. A memory unit may include a first memory cell (e.g., an aggressor memory cell) and a plurality of other memory cells (e.g., victim memory cells). The memory unit may use thermal disturbances of the victim memory cells that may be based on an access operation to store the analog value. Thermal energy output by the aggressor memory cell during an access operation (e.g., a write operation) may cause the state of the victim memory cells to alter based on thermal relationship between the aggressor memory cell and at least some of the victim memory cells. The memory unit may be read by detecting and combining the weights of the victim memory cells during a read operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Innocenzo Tortorelli
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Patent number: 10553792Abstract: The present disclosure includes textured memory cell structures and method of forming the same. In one or more embodiments, a memory cell includes a buffer portion formed on an amorphous portion and an active portion formed on the buffer portion, wherein the active portion is textured with a single out of plane orientation.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Andrea Redaelli, Mattia Boniardi, Enrico Varesi, Raffaella Calarco, Jos E. Boschker
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Publication number: 20190378566Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for mimicking neuro-biological architectures that may be present in a nervous system are described herein. A memory device may include a memory unit configured to store a value. A memory unit may include a first memory cell (e.g., an aggressor memory cell) and a plurality of other memory cells (e.g., victim memory cells). The memory unit may use thermal disturbances of the victim memory cells that may be based on an access operation to store the analog value. Thermal energy output by the aggressor memory cell during an access operation (e.g., a write operation) may cause the state of the victim memory cells to alter based on thermal relationship between the aggressor memory cell and at least some of the victim memory cells. The memory unit may be read by detecting and combining the weights of the victim memory cells during a read operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2018Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Innocenzo Tortorelli
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Publication number: 20190324671Abstract: One embodiment provides a memory controller. The memory controller includes a memory controller circuitry and a set pulse determination circuitry. The memory controller circuitry is to identify an address of a target memory cell to be set. The set pulse determination circuitry is to select a positive polarity set pulse if the target memory cell is included in a positive polarity deck or to select a negative polarity set pulse if the target memory cell is included in a negative polarity deck. Each set pulse includes a respective nucleation portion and a respective growth portion. Each portion has a respective current amplitude and a respective time duration.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Applicant: Intel CorporationInventors: Koushik Banerjee, Lu Liu, Sanjay Rangan, Enrico Varesi, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Hongmei Wang, Mattia Boniardi
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Publication number: 20190252608Abstract: A thermally optimized phase change memory cell includes a phase change material element disposed between first and second electrodes. The second electrode includes a thermally insulating region having a first thermal resistivity over the first electrode and a metallic contact region interposed between the phase change material element and the thermally insulating region, where the metallic contact layer has a second thermal resistivity lower than the first thermal resistivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Andrea Redaelli