Patents by Inventor Salvatore Polizzi

Salvatore Polizzi 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: 10818368
    Abstract: A level shifter circuit configured to shift an input signal switching within a first voltage range to generate a first output signal correspondingly switching within a second voltage range higher than the first voltage range. The level shifter circuit including a latching core having latching input and output terminals and a supply line configured to be supplied by a supply voltage, and a reference line configured to be coupled to a reference voltage. Capacitive coupling elements are coupled to the latching input and output terminals of the latching core. A driving stage is configured to bias the capacitive coupling elements with biasing signals generated based on the input signal. A decoupling stage is configured to be driven by the driving stage through the capacitive coupling elements to decouple the supply line from the supply voltage and the reference line from the reference voltage during switching of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Antonino Conte, Leopoldo Maria Marino, Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Publication number: 20190287633
    Abstract: A level shifter circuit configured to shift an input signal switching within a first voltage range to generate a first output signal correspondingly switching within a second voltage range higher than the first voltage range. The level shifter circuit including a latching core having latching input and output terminals and a supply line configured to be supplied by a supply voltage, and a reference line configured to be coupled to a reference voltage. Capacitive coupling elements are coupled to the latching input and output terminals of the latching core. A driving stage is configured to bias the capacitive coupling elements with biasing signals generated based on the input signal. A decoupling stage is configured to be driven by the driving stage through the capacitive coupling elements to decouple the supply line from the supply voltage and the reference line from the reference voltage during switching of the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Antonino Conte, Leopoldo Maria Marino, Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Patent number: 10249373
    Abstract: A circuit for reading a memory cell of a non-volatile memory device provided with a memory array with cells arranged in wordlines and bitlines, among which a first bitline, associated to the memory cell, and a second bitline, has: a first circuit branch associated to the first bitline and a second circuit branch associated to the second bitline, each with a local node, coupled to which is a first dividing capacitor, and a global node, coupled to which is a second dividing capacitor; a decoder stage for coupling the local node to the first or second bitlines and coupling the global node to the local node; and a differential comparator stage supplies an output signal indicative of the datum stored; and a control unit for controlling the decoder stage, the coupling stage, and the differential comparator stage for generation of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giovanni Campardo, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Patent number: 10186317
    Abstract: A phase change memory device includes two portions with local bitlines connected to memory cells. A reading stage is configured to read logic data stored by the first and second memory cells. A first main bitline extends between the reading stage and the first local bitlines and a first main switch is coupled between the first main bitline and reading stage and likewise for the second portion. Local switches are associated with respective ones of the local bitlines. A first reference signal generator is coupled to the reading stage. The phase change memory device is configured to operate in a first reading mode, in which the logic data stored by the first memory cell is read by the reading stage by comparison with the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Carmelo Paolino, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Patent number: 10115462
    Abstract: An address decoder, for a non-volatile memory device provided with a memory array having memory cells arranged in word lines (WL) and bit lines (BL), each memory cell being having a memory element and an access element with a MOS transistor for enabling access to the memory element. Source terminals of the MOS transistors of the access elements of the memory cells of a same word line are connected to a respective source line. The address decoder has a row-decoder circuit and a column-decoder circuit, for selecting and biasing the word lines and the bit lines, respectively, of the memory array with row-driving signals (VWL) and column-driving signals (VBL), respectively. The address decoder has a source-decoder circuit for generating source-driving signals (VSL) for biasing the source lines of the memory array, on the basis of the logic combination of the row-driving signals of associated word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Salvatore Polizzi, Maurizio Francesco Perroni
  • Patent number: 10002672
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array with memory cells arranged in rows and columns and with word lines and bit lines. A dummy structure includes a dummy row of dummy cells and a dummy word line. A first pre-charging stage biases a word line of the memory array. An output stage includes a plurality of sense amplifiers. Each sense amplifier generates a corresponding output signal representing a datum stored in a corresponding memory cell pre-charged by the first pre-charging stage. A second pre-charging stage biases the dummy word line simultaneously with the word line biased by the first pre-charging stage. The output stage includes an enable stage, which detects a state of complete pre-charging of an intermediate dummy cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giovanni Campardo, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Patent number: 9972394
    Abstract: A level shifter circuit is designed to shift an input signal that switches within a first voltage range to supply an output signal that switches within a second voltage range, higher than the first voltage range. A first inverter stage has an input receiving the input signal and also has an output. A first capacitive element is connected between the output of the first input inverter stage and a first holding node. A latch stage is connected between the first holding node and a second holding node that is coupled to an output terminal, on which the output signal is present. The first input inverter stage is designed to operate in the first voltage range, and the latch stage is designed to operate in the second voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Antonino Conte, Carmelo Paolino, Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Publication number: 20180130538
    Abstract: A circuit for reading a memory cell of a non-volatile memory device provided with a memory array with cells arranged in wordlines and bitlines, among which a first bitline, associated to the memory cell, and a second bitline, has: a first circuit branch associated to the first bitline and a second circuit branch associated to the second bitline, each with a local node, coupled to which is a first dividing capacitor, and a global node, coupled to which is a second dividing capacitor; a decoder stage for coupling the local node to the first or second bitlines and coupling the global node to the local node; and a differential comparator stage supplies an output signal indicative of the datum stored; and a control unit for controlling the decoder stage, the coupling stage, and the differential comparator stage for generation of the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Giovanni Campardo, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Patent number: 9966145
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a memory array having memory cells arranged in wordlines and receiving a supply voltage. A row decoder includes an input and pre-decoding module, which is configured to receive address signals and generate pre-decoded address signals at low voltage, in the range of the supply voltage. A driving module is configured to generate biasing signals for biasing the wordlines of the memory array starting from decoded address signals, which are a function of the pre-decoded address signals, at high voltage and in the range of a boosted voltage higher than the supply voltage. A processing module is configured to receive the pre-decoded address signals and to jointly execute an operation of logic combination and an operation of voltage boosting of the pre-decoded address signals for generation of the decoded address signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Salvatore Polizzi, Giovanni Campardo
  • Publication number: 20180108405
    Abstract: A phase change memory device includes two portions with local bitlines connected to memory cells. A reading stage is configured to read logic data stored by the first and second memory cells. A first main bitline extends between the reading stage and the first local bitlines and a first main switch is coupled between the first main bitline and reading stage and likewise for the second portion. Local switches are associated with respective ones of the local bitlines. A first reference signal generator is coupled to the reading stage. The phase change memory device is configured to operate in a first reading mode, in which the logic data stored by the first memory cell is read by the reading stage by comparison with the reference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Carmelo Paolino, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Publication number: 20180096727
    Abstract: An address decoder, for a non-volatile memory device provided with a memory array having memory cells arranged in word lines (WL) and bit lines (BL), each memory cell being having a memory element and an access element with a MOS transistor for enabling access to the memory element. Source terminals of the MOS transistors of the access elements of the memory cells of a same word line are connected to a respective source line. The address decoder has a row-decoder circuit and a column-decoder circuit, for selecting and biasing the word lines and the bit lines, respectively, of the memory array with row-driving signals (VWL) and column-driving signals (VBL), respectively. The address decoder has a source-decoder circuit for generating source-driving signals (VSL) for biasing the source lines of the memory array, on the basis of the logic combination of the row-driving signals of associated word lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Salvatore Polizzi, Maurizio Francesco Perroni
  • Publication number: 20180061495
    Abstract: A level shifter circuit is designed to shift an input signal that switches within a first voltage range to supply an output signal that switches within a second voltage range, higher than the first voltage range. A first inverter stage has an input receiving the input signal and also has an output. A first capacitive element is connected between the output of the first input inverter stage and a first holding node. A latch stage is connected between the first holding node and a second holding node that is coupled to an output terminal, on which the output signal is present. The first input inverter stage is designed to operate in the first voltage range, and the latch stage is designed to operate in the second voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Antonino Conte, Carmelo Paolino, Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Publication number: 20180047455
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array with memory cells arranged in rows and columns and with word lines and bit lines. A dummy structure includes a dummy row of dummy cells and a dummy word line. A first pre-charging stage biases a word line of the memory array. An output stage includes a plurality of sense amplifiers. Each sense amplifier generates a corresponding output signal representing a datum stored in a corresponding memory cell pre-charged by the first pre-charging stage. A second pre-charging stage biases the dummy word line simultaneously with the word line biased by the first pre-charging stage. The output stage includes an enable stage, which detects a state of complete pre-charging of an intermediate dummy cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Giovanni Campardo, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Patent number: 9865356
    Abstract: A circuit for reading a memory cell of a non-volatile memory device provided with a memory array with cells arranged in wordlines and bitlines, among which a first bitline, associated to the memory cell, and a second bitline, has: a first circuit branch associated to the first bitline and a second circuit branch associated to the second bitline, each with a local node, coupled to which is a first dividing capacitor, and a global node, coupled to which is a second dividing capacitor; a decoder stage for coupling the local node to the first or second bitlines and coupling the global node to the local node; and a differential comparator stage supplies an output signal indicative of the datum stored; and a control unit for controlling the decoder stage, the coupling stage, and the differential comparator stage for generation of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giovanni Campardo, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Patent number: 9865346
    Abstract: A phase change memory device includes two portions with local bitlines connected to memory cells. A reading stage is configured to read logic data stored by the first and second memory cells. A first main bitline extends between the reading stage and the first local bitlines and a first main switch is coupled between the first main bitline and reading stage and likewise for the second portion. Local switches are associated with respective ones of the local bitlines. A first reference signal generator is coupled to the reading stage. The phase change memory device is configured to operate in a first reading mode, in which the logic data stored by the first memory cell is read by the reading stage by comparison with the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maurizio Francesco Perroni, Carmelo Paolino, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Patent number: 9805810
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array with memory cells arranged in rows and columns and with word lines and bit lines. A dummy structure includes a dummy row of dummy cells and a dummy word line. A first pre-charging stage biases a word line of the memory array. An output stage includes a plurality of sense amplifiers. Each sense amplifier generates a corresponding output signal representing a datum stored in a corresponding memory cell pre-charged by the first pre-charging stage. A second pre-charging stage biases the dummy word line simultaneously with the word line biased by the first pre-charging stage. The output stage includes an enable stage, which detects a state of complete pre-charging of an intermediate dummy cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giovanni Campardo, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Patent number: 9767907
    Abstract: A row decoder for a non-volatile memory device includes an input and pre-decoding module that receives address signals and generates pre-decoded address signals. A decoding module receives the pre-decoded address signals for generation on an output of decoded address signals. A driving module generates biasing signals for biasing wordlines of a memory array. The decoding module envisages a plurality of decoding stages, each of which carries out an operation of an OR logic combination between a first and a second predecoded address signal to be combined. The decoding module includes at least one first pass transistor for selectively transferring onto the output the one between the first and second predecoded address signals to be combined in a first operating condition. The decoding module includes at least one first pull-up transistor to selectively bring the output to a high state in at least one second operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Salvatore Polizzi, Giovanni Campardo
  • Publication number: 20170263319
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a memory array having memory cells arranged in wordlines and receiving a supply voltage. A row decoder includes an input and pre-decoding module, which is configured to receive address signals and generate pre-decoded address signals at low voltage, in the range of the supply voltage. A driving module is configured to generate biasing signals for biasing the wordlines of the memory array starting from decoded address signals, which are a function of the pre-decoded address signals, at high voltage and in the range of a boosted voltage higher than the supply voltage. A processing module is configured to receive the pre-decoded address signals and to jointly execute an operation of logic combination and an operation of voltage boosting of the pre-decoded address signals for generation of the decoded address signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Salvatore Polizzi, Giovanni Campardo
  • Publication number: 20170263323
    Abstract: A circuit for reading a memory cell of a non-volatile memory device provided with a memory array with cells arranged in wordlines and bitlines, among which a first bitline, associated to the memory cell, and a second bitline, has: a first circuit branch associated to the first bitline and a second circuit branch associated to the second bitline, each with a local node, coupled to which is a first dividing capacitor, and a global node, coupled to which is a second dividing capacitor; a decoder stage for coupling the local node to the first or second bitlines and coupling the global node to the local node; and a differential comparator stage supplies an output signal indicative of the datum stored; and a control unit for controlling the decoder stage, the coupling stage, and the differential comparator stage for generation of the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Giovanni Campardo, Salvatore Polizzi
  • Patent number: 9679655
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a memory array having memory cells arranged in wordlines and receiving a supply voltage. A row decoder includes an input and pre-decoding module, which is configured to receive address signals and generate pre-decoded address signals at low voltage, in the range of the supply voltage. A driving module is configured to generate biasing signals for biasing the wordlines of the memory array starting from decoded address signals, which are a function of the pre-decoded address signals, at high voltage and in the range of a boosted voltage higher than the supply voltage. A processing module is configured to receive the pre-decoded address signals and to jointly execute an operation of logic combination and an operation of voltage boosting of the pre-decoded address signals for generation of the decoded address signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Salvatore Polizzi, Giovanni Campardo