Patents by Inventor Michael A. Dieter

Michael A. Dieter 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: 10840971
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for pre-distortion of multi-level signaling are described. A device may identify two multi-level signals that are to be transmitted over two transmission lines at the same time. The device may estimate the crosstalk expected to be caused by one of the multi-level signals on the other during propagation. Based on the expected crosstalk, the device may generate a signal that compensates for the expected crosstalk. In some examples, the signal may be a combination of the first signal and a cancelation signal. In some examples, once the compensated signal has been generated, it is transmitted over its respective transmission line at the same time that the other multi-level is transmitted over its respective transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20200334172
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for signal path biasing in an electronic system (e.g., a memory system) are described. In one example, a memory device, a host device, or both may be configured to bias a signal path, between an idle state and an information transfer or between an information transfer and an idle state, to an intermediate or mid-bias voltage level, which may reduce signal interference associated with such transitions. In various examples, the described biasing to a voltage, such as a mid-bias voltage, may be associated with an access command or other command for information to be communicated between devices of the electronic system, such as a command for information to be communicated between a memory device and a host device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Publication number: 20200293230
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for receive-side crosstalk cancelation are described. A device that receives multiple signals over different transmission lines may include a circuit for canceling crosstalk. The circuit may include one or more capacitors or inductors that are coupled with the inputs of multiple receive circuits. The circuit may also include a set of resistors that are coupled with the receive circuits. In some cases, the device may dynamically configure the cancelation circuit to provide a particular bandwidth or strength of cancelation. In such cases, the device may configure the circuit autonomously or based on control information from another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Peter Mayer, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20200233741
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for channel modulation for a memory device are described. A system may include a memory device and a host device coupled with the memory device. The system may be configured to communicate a first signal modulated using a first modulation scheme and communicate a second signal that is based on the first signal and that is modulated using a second modulation scheme. The first modulation scheme may include a first quantity of voltage levels that span a first range of voltages, and the second modulation scheme may include a second quantity of voltage levels that span a second range of voltages different than (e.g., smaller than) the first range of voltages. The first signal may include write data carried over a data channel, and the second signal may include error detection information based on the write data that is carried over an error detection channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirki, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
  • Publication number: 20200210110
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for detection of illegal commands are described. A memory device, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), may receive a command from a device, such as a host device, to perform an access operation on at least one memory cell of a memory device. The memory device may determine, using a detection component, that a timing threshold associated with an operation of the memory device would be violated by performing the access operation. The memory device may refrain from executing the access operation based on determining that performing the access operation included in the command would violate the timing threshold. The memory device may transmit, to the device, an indication that performing the command would violate the timing threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Markus Balb
  • Publication number: 20200201718
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for reporting control information errors are described. A state of a memory array may be monitored during operation. After detecting an error (e.g., in received control information), the memory device may enter a first state (e.g., a locked state) and may indicate to a host device that an error was detected, the state of the memory array before the error was detected , and/or at least a portion of a control signal carrying the received control information. The host device may diagnose a cause of the error based on receiving the indication of the error and/or the copy of the control signal. After identifying and/or resolving the cause of the error, the host device may transmit one or more commands (e.g., unlocking the memory device and returning the memory array to the original state) based on receiving the original state from the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20200201418
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory device operation are described. A memory device may operate in different modes in response to various conditions and user constraints. Such modes may include a power-saving or low power mode. While in the low power mode, the memory device may refrain from operations, such as self-refresh operations, on one or more of the memory array(s) included in the memory device. The memory device may deactivate external interface components and components that may generate operating voltages for the memory array(s), while the memory device may continue to power circuits that store operating information for the memory device. The memory device may employ similar techniques in other operating modes to accommodate or react to different conditions or user constraints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20200192749
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for error detection, error correction, and error management by memory devices are described. Programmable thresholds may be configured for a memory device based on a type of data or a location of stored data, among other aspects. For example, a host device may configure a threshold quantity of errors for data at a memory device. When retrieving the data, the memory device may track or count errors in the data and determine whether the threshold has been satisfied. The memory device may transmit (e.g., to the host device) an indication whether the threshold has been satisfied, and the system may perform functions to correct the errors and/or prevent further errors. The memory device may also identify errors in received commands or may identify errors introduced in data after the data was received (e.g., using an error detecting code associated with a command or bus).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20200185049
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for testing of multi-level signaling associated with a memory device are described. A tester may be used to test one or more operations of a memory device. The memory device may be configured to communicate data using a modulation scheme that includes three or more symbols. The tester may be configured to communicate data using a modulation scheme that includes three or fewer symbols. Techniques for testing the memory device using such a tester are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Peter Mayer, Martin Brox
  • Publication number: 20200167088
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory operations that support configuring a channel, such as a command/address (C/A) channel, are described. A configuration of a C/A channel may be dynamically adapted based on power saving considerations, control information execution latency, or both. Configuring a C/A channel may include determining a quantity of pins, or a quantity of cycles, both for communicating control information over the C/A channel. The quantity of pins may be determined based on previous control information transmissions, characteristics of a memory device, or predicted control information transmissions, or any combination thereof in some cases. The determined quantity of pins, quantity of cycles, or both may be explicitly or implicitly indicated to other devices (e.g., that use the C/A channel).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Peter Mayer, Martin Brox
  • Publication number: 20200159441
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for temperature-based memory management are described. A system may include a memory device and a host device. The host device may identify a temperature (e.g., of the memory device). The host device may determine a value for a parameter for operating the memory device—such as a timing, voltage, or frequency parameter—based on the temperature of the memory device. The host device may transmit signaling to the memory device or another component of the system based on the value of the parameter. In some cases, the host device may determine the temperature of the memory device based on an indication (e.g., provided by the memory device). In some cases, the host device may determine the temperature of the memory device based on a temperature of the host device or a temperature of another component of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Publication number: 20200126612
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlled and mode-dependent heating of a memory device are described. In various examples, a memory device or an apparatus that includes a memory device may have circuitry configured to heat the memory device. The circuitry configured to heat the memory device may be activated, deactivated, or otherwise operated based on an indication of a temperature (e.g., of the memory device). In some examples, activating or otherwise operating the circuitry configured to heat the memory device may be based on an operating mode (e.g., of the memory device), which may be associated with certain access operations or operational states (e.g., of the memory device). Various operations or operating modes (e.g., of the memory device) may also be based on indications of a temperature (e.g., of the memory device).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20200125505
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for multi-level receivers with various operating modes (e.g., on-die termination mode, termination-off mode, etc.) are described. Different modes may be utilized for receiving different types of signaling over a channel. Each mode may correspond to the use of a respective set of receivers configured for the different types of signaling. For example, a device may include a first set of receivers used to receive a first type of signal (e.g., with the channel being actively terminated) and a second set of receivers used to receive a second type of signal (e.g., with the channel being non-terminated). When communicating with another device, based on the type of signaling used for communications, either the first set of receivers or the second set of receivers may be enabled (e.g., through selecting a receiver path for the corresponding mode).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20200118609
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for offset cancellation are described. A memory device may determine that a channel is in a state that interrupts an active termination of the channel and enable the calibration of a reference voltage (e.g., by the memory device). For example, a channel used for data communications with a second device (e.g., a controller) may initially be in a state of active termination. The memory device may determine that the channel has transitioned to another state that interrupts the active termination. While the channel is in the other state, the memory device may calibrate a reference voltage of a receiver by transmitting calibration signals on the channel and detecting an offset associated with a reference voltage. The memory device may use the detected offset and the reference voltage to identify signals transmitted to the memory device over the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20200119838
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating memory cell(s) using adapting the current on a channel are described. A current on a channel may be adapted during a transition period between signaling a first logic value over the channel and signaling a second (e.g. subsequent) logic value over the channel. Adapting the current may include increasing or decreasing the current on the channel during the transition period. The degree of adaptation may be based on a difference between the first logic value and the subsequent logic value. In some cases, a logic circuit may be configured to determine a difference between the first and subsequent logic value. The logic circuit may be further configured to communicate the difference to an adaptive driver. And the adaptive driver may adapt a current of the channel based on the communicated difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl
  • Publication number: 20200110714
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for dynamically configuring transmission lines of a bus between two electronic devices (e.g., a controller and memory device) are described. A first device may determine a quantity of bits (e.g., data bits, control bits) to be communicated with a second device over a data bus. The first device may partition the data bus into a first set of transmission lines (e.g., based on the quantity of data bits) and a second set of transmission lines (e.g., based on the quantity of control bits). The first device may communicate the quantity of data bits over the first set of transmission lines and communicate the quantity of control bits over the second set of transmission lines. In some cases, the first device may repartition the data bus based on different quantities of data bits and control bits to be communicated with the second device at a different time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl
  • Publication number: 20200066309
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for drive strength calibration for multi-level signaling are described. A driver may be configured to have an initial drive strength and to drive an output pin of a transmitting device toward an intermediate voltage level of a multi-level modulation scheme, where the output pin is coupled with a receiving device via a channel. The receiving device may generate, and the transmitting device may receive, a feedback signal indicating a relationship between the resulting voltage of the channel and an value for the intermediate voltage level. The transmitting device may determine and configure the driver to use an adjusted drive strength for the intermediate voltage level based on the feedback signal. The driver may be calibrated (e.g., independently) for each intermediate voltage level of the multi-level modulation scheme. Further, the driver may be calibrated for the associated channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20200067568
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for pre-distortion of multi-level signaling are described. A device may identify two multi-level signals that are to be transmitted over two transmission lines at the same time. The device may estimate the crosstalk expected to be caused by one of the multi-level signals on the other during propagation. Based on the expected crosstalk, the device may generate a signal that compensates for the expected crosstalk. In some examples, the signal may be a combination of the first signal and a cancelation signal. In some examples, once the compensated signal has been generated, it is transmitted over its respective transmission line at the same time that the other multi-level is transmitted over its respective transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20200065267
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for training procedures on reference voltages and sampling times associated with symbols communicated with a memory device are described. The training procedures may be configured to compensate for variations that may occur in different symbols of a signal. For example, an individual training operation may be performed for each reference voltage within a first unit interval. These individual training operations may allow a reference voltage of the first unit interval to be positionable independent of other reference voltages in the same unit interval or in different unit intervals. In another example, an individual training operation may be performed for the sampling time associated with a reference voltage. These individual training operations may allow a sampling time associated with a reference voltage in the first unit interval to be positionable independent of other sampling times in the same unit interval or in different unit intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Publication number: 20200065185
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for transmission failure feedback associated with a memory device are described. A memory device may detect errors in received data and transmit an indication of the error when detected. The memory device may receive data and checksum information for the data from a controller. The memory device may generate a checksum for the received data and may detect transmission errors. The memory device may transmit an indication of detected errors to the controller, and the indication may be transmitted using a line that is different than an error detection code (EDC) line. A low-speed tracking clock signal may also be transmitted by the memory device over a line different than the EDC line. The memory device may transmit a generated checksum to the controller with a time offset applied to the checksum signaled over the EDC line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter