Patents by Inventor Nigel Chan

Nigel Chan 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).

  • Publication number: 20140367794
    Abstract: A device includes an array of a plurality of memory cells, at least one N-well contact area and at least one P-well contact area. The memory cells are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each column includes an N-well region and at least one P-well region. The N-well and P-well regions extend between a first end of the column and a second end of the column. Each N-well contact area electrically contacts at least one of the N-well regions, wherein the N-well region of at least one of the columns is electrically contacted at only one of the first and second ends of the column. Each P-well contact area electrically contacts at least one of the P-well regions, wherein the P-well region of at least one of the columns is electrically contacted at only one of the first and second ends of the column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Nigel Chan, Michael Otto
  • Patent number: 8817528
    Abstract: A method comprises writing data to one or more static random access memory (SRAM) cells. Writing data to the one or more SRAM cells comprises applying a first data signal to at least one bit line electrically connected to the one or more SRAM memory cells, electrically disconnecting at least one of a first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal of each of the one or more SRAM cells from a power supply and applying a word line signal to a word line electrically connected to the one or more SRAM cells. Thereafter, the at least one of the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal of each of the one or more SRAM cells is electrically connected to the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Otto, Nigel Chan
  • Publication number: 20140050017
    Abstract: A method comprises writing data to one or more static random access memory (SRAM) cells. Writing data to the one or more SRAM cells comprises applying a first data signal to at least one bit line electrically connected to the one or more SRAM memory cells, electrically disconnecting at least one of a first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal of each of the one or more SRAM cells from a power supply and applying a word line signal to a word line electrically connected to the one or more SRAM cells. Thereafter, the at least one of the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal of each of the one or more SRAM cells is electrically connected to the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Michael Otto, Nigel Chan
  • Publication number: 20140050033
    Abstract: A memory array assembly and a method for performing a write operation without disturbing data stored in other SRAM cells are provided. The memory array assembly comprises a plurality of SRAM cells, a plurality of avoid-disturb cells, a plurality of sense amplifiers and a plurality of write drivers. The SRAM cells are arranged in rows and columns, wherein each column is coupled to an avoid-disturb cell, a sense amplifier, and a write driver. The avoid-disturb cell receives a select signal capable of assuming first or second states. An output of the sense amplifier is coupled to an input of the write driver when the select signal is in the first state. A data-in bus is coupled to the input of the write driver if the select signal is in the second state. The write driver then sends the output signal to the SRAM cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Michael Otto, Nigel Chan
  • Patent number: 8509007
    Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a read circuit that uses a hybrid read scheme as set forth herein. In this hybrid read scheme, a state machine, at a first time in the read operation, sets a reference signal SRef to a first reference value to induce determination of a first comparison result. At a second subsequent time in the read operation, the state machine sets the reference signal SRef to a second reference value, which is based on the first comparison result. Setting the reference signal to the second reference value induces determination of a second comparison result. The first and second comparison results are then used to determine the digital value read from the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Nirschl, Nigel Chan, Jan Otterstedt
  • Patent number: 8243520
    Abstract: A method of operating an integrated circuit includes applying at least one first programming pulse to a plurality of non-volatile memory cells to adjust a level of a storage parameter of each of the non-volatile memory cells, the at least one first programming pulse defined by a plurality of pulse parameters each having a fixed valued, and determining a fail count by measuring the number of non-volatile memory cells of the plurality of non-volatile memory cells having a storage parameter level exceeding a verify level. The method further includes determining a change in an programming behavior of the plurality of non-volatile memory cells based on the fail count, adjusting a value of at least one pulse parameter of at least one second programming pulse defined by the plurality of pulse parameters to a desired value based on the change in programming behavior, and applying the at least one second programming pulse to the plurality non-volatile memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Nigel Chan, Wolf Allers, Michael Bollu, Dimitri Lebedev, Jan Otterstedt, Christian Peters
  • Publication number: 20120170386
    Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a read circuit that uses a hybrid read scheme as set forth herein. In this hybrid read scheme, a state machine, at a first time in the read operation, sets a reference signal SRef to a first reference value to induce determination of a first comparison result. At a second subsequent time in the read operation, the state machine sets the reference signal SRef to a second reference value, which is based on the first comparison result. Setting the reference signal to the second reference value induces determination of a second comparison result. The first and second comparison results are then used to determine the digital value read from the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Nirschl, Nigel Chan, Jan Otterstedt
  • Publication number: 20110103150
    Abstract: A method of operating an integrated circuit includes applying at least one first programming pulse to a plurality of non-volatile memory cells to adjust a level of a storage parameter of each of the non-volatile memory cells, the at least one first programming pulse defined by a plurality of pulse parameters each having a fixed valued, and determining a fail count by measuring the number of non-volatile memory cells of the plurality of non-volatile memory cells having a storage parameter level exceeding a verify level. The method further includes determining a change in an programming behavior of the plurality of non-volatile memory cells based on the fail count, adjusting a value of at least one pulse parameter of at least one second programming pulse defined by the plurality of pulse parameters to a desired value based on the change in programming behavior, and applying the at least one second programming pulse to the plurality non-volatile memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Nigel Chan, Wolf Allers, Michael Bollu, Dimitri Lebedev, Jan Otterstedt, Christian Peters
  • Patent number: 7623390
    Abstract: A method for programming a flash memory cell comprises providing input data to the flash cell and providing a segmented programming pulse to the flash memory cell. The segmented programming pulse includes programming segments, each successive programming segment including a programming potential higher than the programming potential used in a previous programming segment, each programming segment followed by a zero-potential compare segment. The output of the flash memory cell is compared with the input data during the compare segment after each programming segment. The segmented programming pulse is terminated if the output of the flash memory cell matches the input data. The programming potential in each programming segment is increased during the programming segment. The programming potential in successive segments is either is increased or stepped up to the final value of the previous programming segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Salter, III, Kyung Joon Han, Sung-Rae Kim, Nigel Chan
  • Publication number: 20080137436
    Abstract: A method for programming a flash memory cell comprises providing input data to the flash cell and providing a segmented programming pulse to the flash memory cell. The segmented programming pulse includes programming segments, each successive programming segment including a programming potential higher than the programming potential used in a previous programming segment, each programming segment followed by a zero-potential compare segment. The output of the flash memory cell is compared with the input data during the compare segment after each programming segment. The segmented programming pulse is terminated if the output of the flash memory cell matches the input data. The programming potential in each programming segment is increased during the programming segment. The programming potential in successive segments is either is increased or stepped up to the final value of the previous programming segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: ACTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert M. Salter, Kyung Joon Han, Sung-Rae Kim, Nigel Chan
  • Patent number: 7362610
    Abstract: A method for programming a flash memory cell comprises providing input data to the flash cell and providing a segmented programming pulse to the flash memory cell. The segmented programming pulse includes programming segments, each successive programming segment including a programming potential higher than the programming potential used in a previous programming segment, each programming segment followed by a zero-potential compare segment. The output of the flash memory cell is compared with the input data during the compare segment after each programming segment. The segmented programming pulse is terminated if the output of the flash memory cell matches the input data. The programming potential in each programming segment is increased during the programming segment. The programming potential in successive segments is either is increased or stepped up to the final value of the previous programming segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Salter, III, Kyung Joon Han, Sung-Rae Kim, Nigel Chan