Patents by Inventor Michael A. Sadd
Michael A. Sadd 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: 20240420796Abstract: A memory device including a first configuration bit group including a plurality of bits, the plurality of bits including: a plurality of configuration bits; at least one redundant configuration bit; a plurality of configuration bit multiplexers each configured to receive (i) a first input from a first bit in the plurality of bits and/or a second input from a second bit in the plurality of bits and (ii) a third input from a decoder, each of the first, second, and third inputs indicating a respective logical state, wherein the logical state includes a first state or a second state; and wherein, based on the logical state of the third input received from the decoder, each configuration bit multiplexer is configured to output: the logical state of the first input from the first bit, or the logical state of the second input from the second bit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2024Publication date: December 19, 2024Applicant: Everspin Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Syed M. ALAM, Jacob T. WILLIAMS, Michael A. SADD, Kerry Joseph NAGEL, Sumio IKEGAWA, Frederick B. MANCOFF, Sanjeev AGGARWAL
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Patent number: 12051476Abstract: Memory built-in self-test (MBIST) circuitry for a disruptive memory includes an address sequencer configured to select an address with the disruptive memory as a test location, and control circuitry configured to direct a test sequence including a plurality of test operations on the test location. The control circuitry includes a first fault counter and a second fault counter, in which the control circuitry is configured to, after each test operation of the test sequence, determine whether to selectively update a first fault counter and whether to selectively update a second fault counter. The address sequencer, after completion of the test sequence, selects a next address within the disruptive memory as a next test location.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2022Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Strauss, Jon Scott Choy, Michael A. Sadd
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Publication number: 20230368859Abstract: Memory built-in self-test (MBIST) circuitry for a disruptive memory includes an address sequencer configured to select an address with the disruptive memory as a test location, and control circuitry configured to direct a test sequence including a plurality of test operations on the test location. The control circuitry includes a first fault counter and a second fault counter, in which the control circuitry is configured to, after each test operation of the test sequence, determine whether to selectively update a first fault counter and whether to selectively update a second fault counter. The address sequencer, after completion of the test sequence, selects a next address within the disruptive memory as a next test location.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2022Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Timothy Strauss, Jon Scott Choy, Michael A. Sadd
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Patent number: 11404118Abstract: A memory includes a pair of sense amplifiers where the pair of sense amplifiers perform a multiphase memory operation to read data from two memory cells. Each sense amplifier includes two current paths. During a first phase of the memory read operation, one of the two sense amplifiers provides current through both a first memory cell and a first reference cell and the other sense amplifier of the two provides current through both a second memory cell and a second reference cell. The reference cells each have different resistance values. During a second phase of the memory read operation, one of the sense amplifiers provides current through both of the first memory cell and the second reference cell and the second sense amplifier provides current through the second memory cell and the first reference cell.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventors: Michael A. Sadd, Jon Scott Choy
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Publication number: 20220238153Abstract: A memory includes a pair of sense amplifiers where the pair of sense amplifiers perform a multiphase memory operation to read data from two memory cells. Each sense amplifier includes two current paths. During a first phase of the memory read operation, one of the two sense amplifiers provides current through both a first memory cell and a first reference cell and the other sense amplifier of the two provides current through both a second memory cell and a second reference cell. The reference cells each have different resistance values. During a second phase of the memory read operation, one of the sense amplifiers provides current through both of the first memory cell and the second reference cell and the second sense amplifier provides current through the second memory cell and the first reference cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2021Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Michael A. Sadd, Jon Scott Choy
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Patent number: 10410705Abstract: A memory includes a first memory cell; and a second memory cell. A selectable current path is coupled between the first memory cell and the second memory cell. The selectable current path includes a first transistor. A first amplifier is coupled in a first feedback arrangement between the first memory cell and the first transistor. During a read operation of the first memory cell, a current through the first memory cell is substantially equal to a current through the second memory cell. The memory cell may include a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ).Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventors: Bruce L. Morton, Michael A. Sadd
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Patent number: 10297314Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first plurality of flip flops; a first bank of resistive memory cells, wherein each flip flop of the first plurality of flip flops uniquely corresponds to a resistive memory cell of the first bank of resistive memory cells; write circuitry configured to store data from the first plurality of flip flops to the first bank of resistive memory cells; and read circuitry configured to read data from the first bank of resistive memory cells and provide the data from the first bank for storage into the first plurality of flip flops.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Anirban Roy, Michael A. Sadd
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Patent number: 10224088Abstract: A memory includes a global reference circuit for generating a signal that controls the resistance of a plurality of reference devices used to read data in memory cells by sense amplifiers of the memory. The signal is generated by an output of an operational amplifier of the global reference circuit. The operational amplifier includes a first input whose voltage is set by flowing current through a reference circuit and a second input whose voltage is set by flowing current through a master reference device. The signal controls the resistance of the master reference device such that the voltages of the inputs of the operational amplifier match.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventors: Jon Scott Choy, Michael Garrett Neaves, Michael A. Sadd
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Patent number: 9935616Abstract: The present disclosure provides circuit and method embodiments for calibrating a signal of an integrated circuit. A programmable resistive element is coupled in series with a node of the integrated circuit, where at least part of the integrated circuit is formed in at least one front end of line (FEOL) device level. The programmable resistive element is formed in at least one back end of line (BEOL) wiring level, and the programmable resistive element is in a non-volatile resistive state that is variable across a plurality of non-volatile resistive states in response to a program signal applied to the programmable resistive element.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Sadd, Anirban Roy
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Patent number: 9923553Abstract: A non-volatile flip flop integrated circuit includes a master latch circuit, a slave latch circuit coupled to the master latch circuit, and a non-volatile memory array coupled to the slave latch circuit. The non-volatile memory array includes a first pair of memory cells coupled to the slave latch circuit, and a second pair of memory cells coupled to the slave latch circuit in parallel with the first pair of memory cells. The first and second pair of memory cells are configured to store data from the slave latch circuit, and to restore data to the slave latch circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Anirban Roy, Michael A. Sadd
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Publication number: 20180019735Abstract: A non-volatile flip flop integrated circuit includes a master latch circuit, a slave latch circuit coupled to the master latch circuit, and a non-volatile memory array coupled to the slave latch circuit. The non-volatile memory array includes a first pair of memory cells coupled to the slave latch circuit, and a second pair of memory cells coupled to the slave latch circuit in parallel with the first pair of memory cells. The first and second pair of memory cells are configured to store data from the slave latch circuit, and to restore data to the slave latch circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2016Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: ANIRBAN ROY, MICHAEL A. SADD
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Patent number: 9847127Abstract: A memory device includes a sense amplifier coupled to a first read voltage during a first phase of a read operation and a second read voltage during a second phase of the read operation. A first and second bias voltages are based on the first and second read voltages and corresponding current on a bit line. A first capacitor includes a terminal coupled to the first and second bias voltages. A first amplifier includes an input coupled to another terminal of the first capacitor and another input coupled to a common mode voltage during the first phase and to a reference voltage during the second phase. A second capacitor includes a terminal coupled to an output of the first amplifier. A second amplifier includes an inverting input coupled to another terminal of the second capacitor and another input coupled to a common mode voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Anirban Roy, Michael A. Sadd
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Publication number: 20170345491Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first plurality of flip flops; a first bank of resistive memory cells, wherein each flip flop of the first plurality of flip flops uniquely corresponds to a resistive memory cell of the first bank of resistive memory cells; write circuitry configured to store data from the first plurality of flip flops to the first bank of resistive memory cells; and read circuitry configured to read data from the first bank of resistive memory cells and provide the data from the first bank for storage into the first plurality of flip flops.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2016Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Anirban ROY, Michael A. SADD
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Publication number: 20170337960Abstract: A memory includes a first memory cell; and a second memory cell. A selectable current path is coupled between the first memory cell and the second memory cell. The selectable current path includes a first transistor. A first amplifier is coupled in a first feedback arrangement between the first memory cell and the first transistor. During a read operation of the first memory cell, a current through the first memory cell is substantially equal to a current through the second memory cell. The memory cell may include a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Bruce L. Morton, Michael A. Sadd
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Patent number: 9823874Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments for methods and memory devices. One embodiment of a memory device includes a first volatile memory cell having a first volatile access transistor with a current electrode coupled with a first volatile bit line; a first non-volatile memory cell having a first non-volatile access transistor with a current electrode coupled with a first non-volatile bit line; and a transfer circuit coupled between the first volatile bit line and the first non-volatile bit line. The transfer circuit is configured to: couple data latched from the first volatile bit line with the first non-volatile bit line during a store operation, and couple the first volatile bit line with the first non-volatile bit line during a restore operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Sadd, Anirban Roy
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Patent number: 9779795Abstract: A memory device includes a first line coupled to a first terminal of a first memory cell, a second bit line coupled to a first terminal of a second memory cell, a sense amplifier coupled to a second end of the first bit line and a second end of the second bit line, a capacitor including a first terminal coupled to a first input of the sense amplifier and a second terminal coupled to a switch. The switch couples the second terminal of the capacitor to the second bit line during a calibration phase of a read operation and to the first bit line during a sense phase of the read operation. A current/voltage source drives current on the first bit line while the second line is floating during the calibration phase, and drives current on the second bit line while the first bit line is floating during the sense phase.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Sadd, Anirban Roy
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Patent number: 9773537Abstract: A memory includes a first memory cell; and a second memory cell. A selectable current path is coupled between the first memory cell and the second memory cell. The selectable current path includes a first transistor. A first amplifier is coupled in a first feedback arrangement between the first memory cell and the first transistor. During a read operation of the first memory cell, a current through the first memory cell is substantially equal to a current through the second memory cell. The memory cell may include a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ).Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventors: Bruce L. Morton, Michael A. Sadd
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Patent number: 9741417Abstract: In one embodiment, a sense amplifier circuit includes two current paths. Each path includes a transistor configured as a current source during a memory read operation and a second transistor. During the first phase of a memory read operation, the first current path is coupled to one cell and the second current path is coupled to a second cell. The sense amplifier circuit includes a capacitor that during a first phase of a memory read operation, is coupled between two corresponding nodes of the two paths to store a voltage difference between the two nodes. During the second phase, the cell/current path couplings are swapped and the capacitor is coupled to the control terminal of one of the second transistors to control the conductivity of the transistor for adjusting a voltage of an output node to indicate the value of the data being read.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventors: Michael A. Sadd, Jon Scott Choy, Michael Garrett Neaves
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Patent number: 9741435Abstract: A sense amplifier circuit includes a sampling capacitor coupled to the input of an inverting amplifier. The output of the inverting amplifier is coupled to a transistor that includes a current terminal. The memory read operation includes two phases. During a first phase, a terminal of the capacitor is coupled to a first cell. During a second phase, the terminal of the capacitor is coupled a second cell.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventors: Jon Scott Choy, Michael A. Sadd, Michael Garrett Neaves
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Patent number: 9697897Abstract: A memory device includes a volatile memory cell, a non-volatile memory cell, and a transfer system connected between the volatile memory cell and the non-volatile memory cell. The transfer circuit allows data transfer from the volatile memory cell to the non-volatile memory cell when the memory device is operating in a first mode, and from the non-volatile memory cell to the volatile memory cell when the memory device is operating in a second mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Michael A Sadd, Anirban Roy