Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Anton Spirkl

Wolfgang Anton Spirkl 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: 11276443
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for offset cancellation are described. A memory device may determine that a channel is in a state that interrupts an active termination of the channel and enable the calibration of a reference voltage (e.g., by the memory device). For example, a channel used for data communications with a second device (e.g., a controller) may initially be in a state of active termination. The memory device may determine that the channel has transitioned to another state that interrupts the active termination. While the channel is in the other state, the memory device may calibrate a reference voltage of a receiver by transmitting calibration signals on the channel and detecting an offset associated with a reference voltage. The memory device may use the detected offset and the reference voltage to identify signals transmitted to the memory device over the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20220058143
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for multi-level receivers with various operating modes (e.g., on-die termination mode, termination-off mode, etc.) are described. Different modes may be utilized for receiving different types of signaling over a channel. Each mode may correspond to the use of a respective set of receivers configured for the different types of signaling. For example, a device may include a first set of receivers used to receive a first type of signal (e.g., with the channel being actively terminated) and a second set of receivers used to receive a second type of signal (e.g., with the channel being non-terminated). When communicating with another device, based on the type of signaling used for communications, either the first set of receivers or the second set of receivers may be enabled (e.g., through selecting a receiver path for the corresponding mode).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Peter Mayer
  • Patent number: 11238917
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlled and mode-dependent heating of a memory device are described. In various examples, a memory device or an apparatus that includes a memory device may have circuitry configured to heat the memory device. The circuitry configured to heat the memory device may be activated, deactivated, or otherwise operated based on an indication of a temperature (e.g., of the memory device). In some examples, activating or otherwise operating the circuitry configured to heat the memory device may be based on an operating mode (e.g., of the memory device), which may be associated with certain access operations or operational states (e.g., of the memory device). Various operations or operating modes (e.g., of the memory device) may also be based on indications of a temperature (e.g., of the memory device).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20220027296
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for dynamically configuring transmission lines of a bus between two electronic devices (e.g., a controller and memory device) are described. A first device may determine a quantity of bits (e.g., data bits, control bits) to be communicated with a second device over a data bus. The first device may partition the data bus into a first set of transmission lines (e.g., based on the quantity of data bits) and a second set of transmission lines (e.g., based on the quantity of control bits). The first device may communicate the quantity of data bits over the first set of transmission lines and communicate the quantity of control bits over the second set of transmission lines. In some cases, the first device may repartition the data bus based on different quantities of data bits and control bits to be communicated with the second device at a different time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl
  • Publication number: 20220012122
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for error detection, error correction, and error management by memory devices are described. Programmable thresholds may be configured for a memory device based on a type of data or a location of stored data, among other aspects. For example, a host device may configure a threshold quantity of errors for data at a memory device. When retrieving the data, the memory device may track or count errors in the data and determine whether the threshold has been satisfied. The memory device may transmit (e.g., to the host device) an indication whether the threshold has been satisfied, and the system may perform functions to correct the errors and/or prevent further errors. The memory device may also identify errors in received commands or may identify errors introduced in data after the data was received (e.g., using an error detecting code associated with a command or bus).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20220004466
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for reporting control information errors are described. A state of a memory array may be monitored during operation. After detecting an error (e.g., in received control information), the memory device may enter a first state (e.g., a locked state) and may indicate to a host device that an error was detected, the state of the memory array before the error was detected, and/or at least a portion of a control signal carrying the received control information. The host device may diagnose a cause of the error based on receiving the indication of the error and/or the copy of the control signal. After identifying and/or resolving the cause of the error, the host device may transmit one or more commands (e.g., unlocking the memory device and returning the memory array to the original state) based on receiving the original state from the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20210397381
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for receive-side crosstalk cancelation are described. A device that receives multiple signals over different transmission lines may include a circuit for canceling crosstalk. The circuit may include one or more capacitors or inductors that are coupled with the inputs of multiple receive circuits. The circuit may also include a set of resistors that are coupled with the receive circuits. In some cases, the device may dynamically configure the cancelation circuit to provide a particular bandwidth or strength of cancelation. In such cases, the device may configure the circuit autonomously or based on control information from another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Peter Mayer, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20210318968
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for training procedures on reference voltages and sampling times associated with symbols communicated with a memory device are described. The training procedures may be configured to compensate for variations that may occur in different symbols of a signal. For example, an individual training operation may be performed for each reference voltage within a first unit interval. These individual training operations may allow a reference voltage of the first unit interval to be positionable independent of other reference voltages in the same unit interval or in different unit intervals. In another example, an individual training operation may be performed for the sampling time associated with a reference voltage. These individual training operations may allow a sampling time associated with a reference voltage in the first unit interval to be positionable independent of other sampling times in the same unit interval or in different unit intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Publication number: 20210319811
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for drive strength calibration for multi-level signaling are described. A driver may be configured to have an initial drive strength and to drive an output pin of a transmitting device toward an intermediate voltage level of a multi-level modulation scheme, where the output pin is coupled with a receiving device via a channel. The receiving device may generate, and the transmitting device may receive, a feedback signal indicating a relationship between the resulting voltage of the channel and an value for the intermediate voltage level. The transmitting device may determine and configure the driver to use an adjusted drive strength for the intermediate voltage level based on the feedback signal. The driver may be calibrated (e.g., independently) for each intermediate voltage level of the multi-level modulation scheme. Further, the driver may be calibrated for the associated channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Thomas Hein
  • Patent number: 11144385
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for transmission failure feedback associated with a memory device are described. A memory device may detect errors in received data and transmit an indication of the error when detected. The memory device may receive data and checksum information for the data from a controller. The memory device may generate a checksum for the received data and may detect transmission errors. The memory device may transmit an indication of detected errors to the controller, and the indication may be transmitted using a line that is different than an error detection code (EDC) line. A low-speed tracking clock signal may also be transmitted by the memory device over a line different than the EDC line. The memory device may transmit a generated checksum to the controller with a time offset applied to the checksum signaled over the EDC line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Patent number: 11138064
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for error detection, error correction, and error management by memory devices are described. Error thresholds for a memory device are configurable based on parameters such as a type of data or a location of stored data. When retrieving the data, the memory device tracks or counts errors in the data and determines whether the error threshold has been satisfied. The memory device transmits (e.g., to a host device) an indication of whether the error threshold has been satisfied, and the system is configured to perform functions to correct the errors and/or prevent further errors. The memory device is also configured to identify errors in received commands or to identify errors introduced in data after the data was received (e.g., using an error detecting code associated with a command or bus).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
  • Patent number: 11119700
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for receive-side crosstalk cancelation are described. A device that receives multiple signals over different transmission lines may include a circuit for canceling crosstalk. The circuit may include one or more capacitors or inductors that are coupled with the inputs of multiple receive circuits. The circuit may also include a set of resistors that are coupled with the receive circuits. In some cases, the device may dynamically configure the cancelation circuit to provide a particular bandwidth or strength of cancelation. In such cases, the device may configure the circuit autonomously or based on control information from another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Peter Mayer, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein
  • Patent number: 11113212
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for multi-level receivers with various operating modes (e.g., on-die termination mode, termination-off mode, etc.) are described. Different modes may be utilized for receiving different types of signaling over a channel. Each mode may correspond to the use of a respective set of receivers configured for the different types of signaling. For example, a device may include a first set of receivers used to receive a first type of signal (e.g., with the channel being actively terminated) and a second set of receivers used to receive a second type of signal (e.g., with the channel being non-terminated). When communicating with another device, based on the type of signaling used for communications, either the first set of receivers or the second set of receivers may be enabled (e.g., through selecting a receiver path for the corresponding mode).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Peter Mayer
  • Patent number: 11086803
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for dynamically configuring transmission lines of a bus between two electronic devices (e.g., a controller and memory device) are described. A first device may determine a quantity of bits (e.g., data bits, control bits) to be communicated with a second device over a data bus. The first device may partition the data bus into a first set of transmission lines (e.g., based on the quantity of data bits) and a second set of transmission lines (e.g., based on the quantity of control bits). The first device may communicate the quantity of data bits over the first set of transmission lines and communicate the quantity of control bits over the second set of transmission lines. In some cases, the first device may repartition the data bus based on different quantities of data bits and control bits to be communicated with the second device at a different time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl
  • Patent number: 11086733
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for reporting control information errors are described. A state of a memory array may be monitored during operation. After detecting an error (e.g., in received control information), the memory device may enter a first state (e.g., a locked state) and may indicate to a host device that an error was detected, the state of the memory array before the error was detected , and/or at least a portion of a control signal carrying the received control information. The host device may diagnose a cause of the error based on receiving the indication of the error and/or the copy of the control signal. After identifying and/or resolving the cause of the error, the host device may transmit one or more commands (e.g., unlocking the memory device and returning the memory array to the original state) based on receiving the original state from the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
  • Patent number: 11036410
    Abstract: A method includes varying a number of clock characteristics of each a plurality of memory devices of a memory concurrently, determining a fitness of the memory for each variation of the number of clock characteristics, selecting a particular variation of the number of clock characteristics based on the determined fitness of the memory for the particular variation, changing a setting in each of the plurality of memory devices corresponding to the particular variation to generate an additional variation of the number of clock characteristics, and determining a fitness of the memory for the additional variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Marcos Alvarez Gonzalez, Casto Salobrena Garcia, Andreas Schneider
  • Patent number: 10997095
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for training procedures on reference voltages and sampling times associated with symbols communicated with a memory device are described. The training procedures may be configured to compensate for variations that may occur in different symbols of a signal. For example, an individual training operation may be performed for each reference voltage within a first unit interval. These individual training operations may allow a reference voltage of the first unit interval to be positionable independent of other reference voltages in the same unit interval or in different unit intervals. In another example, an individual training operation may be performed for the sampling time associated with a reference voltage. These individual training operations may allow a sampling time associated with a reference voltage in the first unit interval to be positionable independent of other sampling times in the same unit interval or in different unit intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Patent number: 10998011
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for drive strength calibration for multi-level signaling are described. A driver may be configured to have an initial drive strength and to drive an output pin of a transmitting device toward an intermediate voltage level of a multi-level modulation scheme, where the output pin is coupled with a receiving device via a channel. The receiving device may generate, and the transmitting device may receive, a feedback signal indicating a relationship between the resulting voltage of the channel and an value for the intermediate voltage level. The transmitting device may determine and configure the driver to use an adjusted drive strength for the intermediate voltage level based on the feedback signal. The driver may be calibrated (e.g., independently) for each intermediate voltage level of the multi-level modulation scheme. Further, the driver may be calibrated for the associated channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20210089230
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlled and mode-dependent heating of a memory device are described. In various examples, a memory device or an apparatus that includes a memory device may have circuitry configured to heat the memory device. The circuitry configured to heat the memory device may be activated, deactivated, or otherwise operated based on an indication of a temperature (e.g., of the memory device). In some examples, activating or otherwise operating the circuitry configured to heat the memory device may be based on an operating mode (e.g., of the memory device), which may be associated with certain access operations or operational states (e.g., of the memory device). Various operations or operating modes (e.g., of the memory device) may also be based on indications of a temperature (e.g., of the memory device).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20210083720
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for pre-distortion of multi-level signaling are described. A device may identify two multi-level signals that are to be transmitted over two transmission lines at the same time. The device may estimate the crosstalk expected to be caused by one of the multi-level signals on the other during propagation. Based on the expected crosstalk, the device may generate a signal that compensates for the expected crosstalk. In some examples, the signal may be a combination of the first signal and a cancelation signal. In some examples, once the compensated signal has been generated, it is transmitted over its respective transmission line at the same time that the other multi-level is transmitted over its respective transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein