Patents by Inventor Michael Chaine

Michael Chaine 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: 11901727
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, apparatuses, and methods, such as those for protecting circuits against electrostatic discharge events are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a thyristor coupled to a node and configured to limit the voltage and discharge the current associated with an over-voltage event at the node. The over-voltage event includes a negative voltage having a magnitude that exceeds a trigger voltage of the thyristor. The example apparatus further comprising a transistor coupled to the thyristor and configured to adjust the magnitude of the trigger voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Davis, Michael Chaine
  • Publication number: 20220069572
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, apparatuses, and methods, such as those for protecting circuits against electrostatic discharge events are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a thyristor coupled to a node and configured to limit the voltage and discharge the current associated with an over-voltage event at the node. The over-voltage event includes a negative voltage having a magnitude that exceeds a trigger voltage of the thyristor. The example apparatus further comprising a transistor coupled to the thyristor and configured to adjust the magnitude of the trigger voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James Davis, Michael Chaine
  • Patent number: 11183837
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, apparatuses, and methods, such as those for protecting circuits against electrostatic discharge events are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a thyristor coupled to a node and configured to limit the voltage and discharge the current associated with an over-voltage event at the node. The over-voltage event includes a negative voltage having a magnitude that exceeds a trigger voltage of the thyristor. The example apparatus further comprising a transistor coupled to the thyristor and configured to adjust the magnitude of the trigger voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Davis, Michael Chaine
  • Publication number: 20190148934
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, apparatuses, and methods, such as those for protecting circuits against electrostatic discharge events are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a thyristor coupled to a node and configured to limit the voltage and discharge the current associated with an over-voltage event at the node. The over-voltage event includes a negative voltage having a magnitude that exceeds a trigger voltage of the thyristor. The example apparatus further comprising a transistor coupled to the thyristor and configured to adjust the magnitude of the trigger voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James Davis, Michael Chaine
  • Patent number: 10193334
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, apparatuses, and methods, such as those for protecting circuits against electrostatic discharge events are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a thyristor coupled to a node and configured to limit the voltage and discharge the current associated with an over-voltage event at the node. The over-voltage event includes a negative voltage having a magnitude that exceeds a trigger voltage of the thyristor. The example apparatus further comprising a transistor coupled to the thyristor and configured to adjust the magnitude of the trigger voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Davis, Michael Chaine
  • Patent number: 9705318
    Abstract: Protection circuits and methods for protecting an integrated circuit against an over-limit electrical condition are provided. One example includes a snapback circuit having at least a portion formed in an isolated doped well region and configured to switch to a low impedance state in response to an input exceeding a trigger condition and further having a control circuit coupled to a reference voltage and further coupled to the isolated doped well region and the portion of the snapback circuit formed in the doped well region. The control circuit includes an impedance adjustable in response to a control signal and configured to adjust an isolated doped well impedance in which at least a portion of the snapback circuit is formed relative to the reference voltage. A modulated trigger and hold condition tot the snapback circuit can be set according to a control signal adjusting an electrical impedance of the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Techology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Chaine, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Patent number: 9607930
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt
  • Patent number: 9490631
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for protecting a circuit from an over-limit electrical condition are disclosed. One example apparatus includes a protection circuit coupled to a circuit to be protected. The circuit to be protected is coupled to a pad node. The protection circuit is configured to conduct current from the pad node to a reference voltage node to protect the circuit from an over-limit electrical condition. The protection circuit has a trigger circuit coupled to the pad node and configured to trigger a shunt circuit to conduct current from the pad node to the reference voltage node responsive to a voltage provided to the pad node having a voltage exceeding a trigger voltage. In some embodiments, the trigger circuit is matched to the circuit being protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Fan, Michael Chaine, John David Porter
  • Publication number: 20160247747
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt
  • Publication number: 20160172847
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, apparatuses, and methods, such as those for protecting circuits against electrostatic discharge events are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a thyristor coupled to a node and configured to limit the voltage and discharge the current associated with an over-voltage event at the node. The over-voltage event includes a negative voltage having a magnitude that exceeds a trigger voltage of the thyristor, The example apparatus further comprising a transistor coupled to the thyristor and configured to adjust the magnitude of the trigger voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Davis, Michael Chaine
  • Patent number: 9343368
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt
  • Patent number: 9281682
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, apparatuses, and methods, such as those for protecting circuits against electrostatic discharge events are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a thyristor coupled to a node and configured to limit the voltage and discharge the current associated with an over-voltage event at the node. The over-voltage event includes a negative voltage having a magnitude that exceeds a trigger voltage of the thyristor. The example apparatus further comprising a transistor coupled to the thyristor and configured to adjust the magnitude of the trigger voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Davis, Michael Chaine
  • Publication number: 20140319697
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt
  • Publication number: 20140268438
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, apparatuses, and methods, such as those for protecting circuits against electrostatic discharge events are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a thyristor coupled to a node and configured to limit the voltage and discharge the current associated with an over-voltage event at the node. The over-voltage event includes a negative voltage having a magnitude that exceeds a trigger voltage of the thyristor. The example apparatus further comprising a transistor coupled to the thyristor and configured to adjust the magnitude of the trigger voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Davis, Michael Chaine
  • Publication number: 20140240883
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for protecting a circuit from an over-limit electrical condition are disclosed. One example apparatus includes a protection circuit coupled to a circuit to be protected. The circuit to be protected is coupled to a pad node. The protection circuit is configured to conduct current from the pad node to a reference voltage node to protect the circuit from an over-limit electrical condition. The protection circuit has a trigger circuit coupled to the pad node and configured to trigger a shunt circuit to conduct current from the pad node to the reference voltage node responsive to a voltage provided to the pad node having a voltage exceeding a trigger voltage. In some embodiments, the trigger circuit is matched to the circuit being protected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Fan, Michael Chaine, John David Porter
  • Publication number: 20140218830
    Abstract: Protection circuits and methods for protecting an integrated circuit against an over-limit electrical condition are provided. One example includes a snapback circuit having at least a portion formed in an isolated doped well region and configured to switch to a low impedance state in response to an input exceeding a trigger condition and further having a control circuit coupled to a reference voltage and further coupled to the isolated doped well region and the portion of the snapback circuit formed in the doped well region. The control circuit includes an impedance adjustable in response to a control signal and configured to adjust an isolated doped well impedance in which at least a portion of the snapback circuit is formed relative to the reference voltage. A modulated trigger and hold condition tot the snapback circuit can be set according to a control signal adjusting an electrical impedance of the control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Chaine, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Patent number: 8772086
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt
  • Patent number: 8724268
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for protecting a circuit from an over-limit electrical condition are disclosed. One example apparatus includes a protection circuit coupled to a circuit to be protected. The circuit to be protected is coupled to a pad node. The protection circuit is configured to conduct current from the pad node to a reference voltage node to protect the circuit from an over-limit electrical condition. The protection circuit has a trigger circuit coupled to the pad node and configured to trigger a shunt circuit to conduct current from the pad node to the reference voltage node responsive to a voltage provided to the pad node having a voltage exceeding a trigger voltage. In some embodiments, the trigger circuit is matched to the circuit being protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Fan, Michael Chaine, John David Porter
  • Patent number: 8693148
    Abstract: Integrated circuits, memories, protection circuits and methods for protecting against an over-limit electrical condition at a node of an integrated circuit. One such protection circuit includes a snapback circuit having at least a portion formed in an isolated doped well region and configured to switch to a low impedance state in response to an input exceeding a trigger condition and further having a control circuit electrically coupled to a reference voltage and further electrically coupled to the isolated doped well region and the portion of the snapback circuit formed in the doped well region. The control circuit includes an impedance adjustable in response to a control signal and configured to adjust an isolated doped well impedance in which at least a portion of the snapback circuit is formed relative to the reference voltage. A modulated trigger and hold condition for the snapback circuit can be set according to a control signal adjusting an electrical impedance of the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Chaine, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Patent number: 8404521
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt, Russell D. Slifer