Patents by Inventor William K. Waller
William K. Waller 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: 20230282259Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-volatile memory apparatus includes a plurality of memory tiles that each include a set of main memory tiles arranged in rows and columns and a set of row termination tiles at the ends of the rows and a set of column termination tiles at the ends of the columns. Each main memory tile includes a set of address lines orthogonal to one another, memory cells between the overlapping areas of the orthogonal address lines, address line driver circuitry, and circuitry to selectively couple the address line driver circuitry to an address line decoder circuit of an adjacent memory tile to activate address lines in the main memory tile.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Intel CorporationInventor: William K. Waller
-
Publication number: 20230092848Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-volatile memory apparatus includes memory tiles comprising a set of main memory tiles in rows and columns, a set of row termination tiles at the ends of the rows, and a set of column termination tiles at the ends of the columns. Each memory tile includes a plurality of decks, with each deck comprising bitlines, wordlines orthogonal to the bitlines, and memory cells between overlapping areas of the bitlines and the wordlines. The bitlines/wordlines include a set of bitlines/wordlines of a first layer that traverse row/column termination tiles and main memory tiles adjacent the row/column termination tiles, with each bitline/wordline of the set of bitlines/wordlines connected to another bitline of a second layer in the termination tile.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2021Publication date: March 23, 2023Applicant: Intel CorporationInventor: William K. Waller
-
Publication number: 20230033277Abstract: Techniques for repair of a memory die are disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, a faulty wordline (or bitline) can be remapped to a redundant wordline on the same layer by entering the address of the faulty wordline in a repair table for the layer. If there are more faulty wordlines on a layer than redundant wordlines available on the layer, the faulty wordlines can be remapped to redundant wordlines on a different layer, and the address of the faulty wordline can be placed in a repair table for the different layer. When a memory operation is received, the wordline address for the memory operation is checked against the repair tables to check if it remapped.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2021Publication date: February 2, 2023Applicant: Intel CorporationInventors: William K. Waller, Dhruval J. Patel, Xiannan Di
-
Publication number: 20210407564Abstract: A memory accessed by rows and/or by columns in which an array of bits can be physically stored in multi-bit wide columns in physically contiguous rows is provided. A multi-bit wide logical column is arranged diagonally across (M/multi-bits) physical rows and (M/multi-bits) physical columns with each of the plurality of multi-bit wide logical columns in the logical row stored in a different physical row and physical multi-bit column.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Sourabh DONGAONKAR, Chetan CHAUHAN, Jawad B. KHAN, Sandeep K. GULIANI, William K. WALLER
-
Publication number: 20090273360Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
-
Patent number: 7567091Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2008Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
-
Patent number: 7323896Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
-
Patent number: 7315179Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
-
Patent number: 7276927Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
-
Patent number: 7276926Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
-
Patent number: 7212020Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugen H. Cloud
-
Patent number: 7034561Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2004Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
-
Patent number: 6831475Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
-
Publication number: 20040130345Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
-
Patent number: 6693833Abstract: A redundancy architecture for repairing a DRAM includes fuse banks for storing the row addresses of defective rows in sub-arrays of the DRAM. Row decoders activate a redundant row in one of the sub-arrays in response to receiving a row address matching one of the stored defective row addresses and, at the same time, disable a redundant row in the other of the sub-arrays that is arranged in an order complementary to that of the activated redundant row.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: William K. Waller, Huy T. Vo
-
Publication number: 20030229824Abstract: The current invention discloses a circuit design to detect whether an address on an address bus matches the state of a group of fuses which may have been blown in the process of permanently programming redundant circuitry used for integrated circuit repair. The fuse detection circuit provides a new combination of optimized speed, improved soft error immunity, reduced address line loading, and smaller device size.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2002Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventor: William K. Waller
-
Publication number: 20030206477Abstract: A redundancy architecture for repairing a DRAM includes fuse banks for storing the row addresses of defective rows in sub-arrays of the DRAM. Row decoders activate a redundant row in one of the sub-arrays in response to receiving a row address matching one of the stored defective row addresses and, at the same time, disable a redundant row in the other of the sub-arrays that is arranged in an order complementary to that of the activated redundant row.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: William K. Waller, Huy T. Vo
-
Patent number: 6636068Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
-
Patent number: 6621759Abstract: A wordline decoder circuit for a semiconductor memory device is disclosed, providing a new combination of optimized speed, power, and device area with self-latching wordline output and prevention of process parasitic latch-up. A method for high-speed copying of data from row to row within a memory section is disclosed for reducing time required to stress and to test the device. The wordline decoder circuit as disclosed can implement the row-copy method as disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Inventor: William K. Waller
-
Patent number: 6574156Abstract: A redundancy architecture for repairing a DRAM includes fuse banks for storing the row addresses of defective rows in sub-arrays of the DRAM. Row decoders activate a redundant row in one of the sub-arrays in response to receiving a row address matching one of the stored defective row addresses and, at the same time, disable a redundant row in the other of the sub-arrays that is arranged in an order complementary to that of the activated redundant row.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2002Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: William K. Waller, Huy T. Vo