Patents by Inventor Roy E. Greeff

Roy E. Greeff 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: 11386004
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems and methods include a buffer interface to translate high speed data interactions on a host interface side into slower, wider data interactions on a DRAM interface side. The slower, and wider DRAM interface may be configured to substantially match the capacity of the narrower, higher speed host interface. In some configurations, the buffer interface may be configured to provide multiple sub-channel interfaces each coupled to one or more regions within the memory structure and configured to facilitate data recovery in the event of a failure of some portion of the memory structure. Selected memory devices, systems and methods include an individual DRAM die, or one or more stacks of DRAM dies coupled to a buffer die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Owen Fay, Chan H. Yoo, Roy E. Greeff, Matthew B. Leslie
  • Publication number: 20220005512
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include signal processing methods to reduce crosstalk between signal lines of a channel bus using feed forward equalizers (FFEs) configured smear pulse response energy transmitted on signal lines of the channel to reduce pulse edge rates. The coefficients for the FFE may be based on crosstalk interference characteristics. Smearing or spreading pulse response energy across a longer time period using a FFE increases inter-symbol interference (ISI). To counter increased inter-symbol interference caused by smearing pulse response energy, receivers configured to recover symbol data transmitted on the channel bus may each include respective decision-feedback equalizers (DFEs) that are configured to filter ISI from transmitted symbols based on previous symbol decisions of the channel. The combination of the FFE configured to smear pulse responses and the DFE to filter ISI may improve data eye quality for recovery of transmitted data on a channel bus when crosstalk dominates noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Leslie, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
  • Publication number: 20220005515
    Abstract: A memory subsystem architecture that includes clock signal routing architecture to split a clock signal to support two register clock driver (RCD) devices. The clock signal routing architecture may include clock signal splitter circuit that enables contemporaneous provision of a common clock signal to the two register clock driver devices. The clock signal splitter circuit may have three legs: a first leg to receive the clock signal from an external bus, and two similar legs to route the clock signal to the RCD devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Leslie, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
  • Publication number: 20220004317
    Abstract: A memory subsystem architecture that includes two register clock driver (RCD) devices to increase a number of output drivers for signaling memories of the memory subsystem is described herein. In a two RCD device implementation, first and second RCD devices may contemporaneously provide first subchannel C/A information and second subchannel C/A information, respectively, to respective first and second group of memories of the memory subsystem responsive to a common clock signal. Because each of the first and second RCD devices operate responsive to the common clock signal, operation of the first and second RCD devices may be synchronized such that all subchannel driver circuits drive respective subchannel C/A information contemporaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Leslie, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
  • Publication number: 20220004517
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to configured dual register clock driver (RCD) devices on a single memory subsystem using different configuration information are described. In some examples, configuration of the two RCD devices with different configuration information may include use of a serial data bus to receive and store first RCD configuration data, which is provided to both of the RCD devices to configure one or more parameters of each respective RCD device. One of the RCD devices may receive second configuration data via a command and address bus to independently update the one or more configuration parameters of one of the two RCD devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Leslie, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
  • Publication number: 20210391305
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for coupling semiconductor devices are disclosed. In a group of semiconductor devices (e.g., a stack of semiconductor devices), a signal is provided to a point of coupling at an intermediate semiconductor device of the group, and the signal is propagated away from the point of coupling over different (e.g., opposite) signal paths to other semiconductor devices of the group. Loading from the point of coupling at the intermediate semiconductor device to other semiconductor devices of a group may be more balanced than, for example, having a point of coupling at semiconductor device at an end of the group (e.g., a lowest semiconductor device of a stack, a highest semiconductor device of the stack, etc.) and providing a signal therefrom. The more balanced topology may reduce a timing difference between when signals arrive at each of the semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Leslie, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
  • Publication number: 20210318956
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including memory devices and systems. Example memory devices, systems and methods include a buffer interface to translate high speed data interactions on a host interface side into slower, wider data interactions on a DRAM interface side. The slower, and wider DRAM interface may be configured to substantially match the capacity of the narrower, higher speed host interface. In some examples, the buffer interface may be configured to provide multiple sub-channel interfaces each coupled to one or more regions within the memory structure and configured to facilitate data recovery in the event of a failure of some portion of the memory structure. Selected example memory devices, systems and methods include an individual DRAM die, or one or more stacks of DRAM dies coupled to a buffer die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Owen Fay, Chan H. Yoo, Roy E. Greeff, Matthew B. Leslie
  • Publication number: 20210280557
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for coupling semiconductor devices are disclosed. Terminals (e.g., die pads) of a plurality of semiconductor devices may be coupled in a daisy chain manner through conductive structures that couple one or more terminals of a semiconductor device to two conductive bond pads. The conductive structures may be included in a redistribution layer (RDL) structure. The RDL structure may have a ā€œUā€ shape in some embodiments of the disclosure. Each end of the ā€œUā€ shape may be coupled to a respective one of the two conductive bond pads, and the terminal of the semiconductor device may be coupled to the RDL structure. The conductive bond pads of a semiconductor device may be coupled to conductive bond pads of other semiconductor devices by conductors (e.g., bond wires). As a result, the terminals of the semiconductor devices may be coupled in a daisy chain manner through the RDL structures, conductive bond pads, and conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Leslie, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
  • Patent number: 11106367
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for multi-level communication architectures are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include a driver circuit configured to convert a plurality of bitstreams into a plurality of multilevel signals. A count of the plurality of bitstreams is greater than count of the plurality of multilevel signals. The driver circuit further configured to drive the plurality of multilevel signals onto a plurality of signal lines using individual drivers. A driver of the individual drivers is configured to drive more than two voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
  • Publication number: 20210240357
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for multi-level communication architectures are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include a driver circuit configured to convert a plurality of bitstreams into a plurality of multilevel signals. A count of the plurality of bitstreams is greater than count of the plurality of multilevel signals. The driver circuit further configured to drive the plurality of multilevel signals onto a plurality of signal lines using individual drivers. A driver of the individual drivers is configured to drive more than two voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
  • Publication number: 20200272560
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including memory devices and systems. Example memory devices, systems and methods include a buffer interface to translate high speed data interactions on a host interface side into slower, wider data interactions on a DRAM interface side. The slower, and wider DRAM interface may be configured to substantially match the capacity of the narrower, higher speed host interface. In some examples, the buffer interface may be configured to provide multiple sub-channel interfaces each coupled to one or more regions within the memory structure and configured to facilitate data recovery in the event of a failure of some portion of the memory structure. Selected example memory devices, systems and methods include an individual DRAM die, or one or more stacks of DRAM dies coupled to a buffer die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Owen Fay, Chan H. Yoo, Roy E. Greeff, Matthew B. Leslie
  • Publication number: 20200272564
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including memory devices and systems. Example memory devices, systems and methods include a buffer interface to translate high speed data interactions on a host interface side into slower, wider data interactions on a DRAM interface side. The slower, and wider DRAM interface may be configured to substantially match the capacity of the narrower, higher speed host interface. In some examples, the buffer interface may be configured to provide multiple sub-channel interfaces each coupled to one or more regions within the memory structure and configured to facilitate data recovery in the event of a failure of some portion of the memory structure. Selected example memory devices, systems and methods include an individual DRAM die, or one or more stacks of DRAM dies coupled to a buffer die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Owen Fay, Chan H. Yoo, Roy E. Greeff, Matthew B. Leslie
  • 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: 20190332279
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for multi-level communication architectures are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include a driver circuit configured to convert a plurality of bitstreams into a plurality of multilevel signals. A count of the plurality of bitstreams is greater than count of the plurality of multilevel signals. The driver circuit further configured to drive the plurality of multilevel signals onto a plurality of signal lines using individual drivers. A driver of the individual drivers is configured to drive more than two voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
  • Patent number: 10365833
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for multi-level communication architectures are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include a driver circuit configured to convert a plurality of bitstreams into a plurality of multilevel signals. A count of the plurality of bitstreams is greater than count of the plurality of multilevel signals. The driver circuit further configured to drive the plurality of multilevel signals onto a plurality of signal lines using individual drivers. A driver of the individual drivers is configured to drive more than two voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
  • Patent number: 10340913
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for partial bit de-emphasis are provided. An example apparatus includes an output driver and control circuit. The output driver includes a pull-up circuit including one or more pull-up legs, and a pull-down circuit including one or more pull-down legs. The control circuit may be coupled to the output driver and configured to receive an input signal having a first logical value and a second logical value, and in response to determining the logical transition has occurred from the second logic value to the first logic value, cause the pull-up circuit and pull-down circuit respectively to enter a first state for a duration of a first portion of a bit period and to enter a second state for a duration of a second portion of the bit period preceding the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy E. Greeff
  • Patent number: 10339075
    Abstract: A computing system including multiple integrated circuit memory devices is described. One or more command and address buses are connected to the memory devices to transmit command and address signals to each memory device. Multiple clock lines are connected to the multiple memory devices in a tree structure to transmit multiple clock signals to these memory devices. The tree structure allows each distributed clock signal to be individually trained such that the multiple clock signals provide each memory device with a clock signal that is temporally aligned with the command and address signals as received by that memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E. Greeff, George Pax, Timothy Mowry Hollis
  • Publication number: 20190064871
    Abstract: A computing system including multiple integrated circuit memory devices is described. One or more command and address buses are connected to the memory devices to transmit command and address signals to each memory device. Multiple clock lines are connected to the multiple memory devices in a tree structure to transmit multiple clock signals to these memory devices. The tree structure allows each distributed clock signal to be individually trained such that the multiple clock signals provide each memory device with a clock signal that is temporally aligned with the command and address signals as received by that memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Roy E. Greeff, George Pax, Timothy Mowry Hollis
  • Publication number: 20190013809
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for partial bit de-emphasis are provided. An example apparatus includes an output driver and control circuit. The output driver includes a pull-up circuit including one or more pull-up legs, and a pull-down circuit including one or more pull-down legs. The control circuit may be coupled to the output driver and configured to receive an input signal having a first logical value and a second logical value, and in response to determining the logical transition has occurred from the second logic value to the first logic value, cause the pull-up circuit and pull-down circuit respectively to enter a first state for a duration of a first portion of a bit period and to enter a second state for a duration of a second portion of the bit period preceding the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventor: Roy E. Greeff
  • Patent number: 10128843
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for partial bit de-emphasis are provided. An example apparatus includes an output driver and control circuit. The output driver includes a pull-up circuit including one or more pull-up legs, and a pull-down circuit including one or more pull-down legs. The control circuit may be coupled to the output driver and configured to receive an input signal having a first logical value and a second logical value, and in response to determining the logical transition has occurred from the second logic value to the first logic value, cause the pull-up circuit and pull-down circuit respectively to enter a first state for a duration of a first portion of a bit period and to enter a second state for a duration of a second portion of the bit period preceding the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy E. Greeff