With Sensing Amplifier Patents (Class 327/51)
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Patent number: 12165724Abstract: A method for determining a status of a fuse element are provided. The method includes providing the memory device including a first terminal and a second terminal; applying a first power signal on the first terminal of the semiconductor device, wherein the memory device includes a configurable reference resistor unit electrically coupled to the fuse element; obtaining an evaluation signal, in response to the first power signal, at the second terminal of the memory device; and identifying the evaluation signal to determine whether the memory device is redundant.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Wu-Der Yang
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Patent number: 12160238Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing a low-power single-phase logic gate latch for clock-gating are disclosed. A latch circuit includes shared clocked transistors without including clock inverters. The shared clocked transistors include a P-type clocked transistor and an N-type clocked transistor, with the clock input coupled to the gate of the P-type clocked transistor and to the gate of the N-type clocked transistor. The P-type clocked transistor is coupled between first and second transistor stacks of the latch. The N-type clocked transistor is coupled to a source gate of a first stack N-type transistor gated by a data input and to a source gate of a second stack N-type transistor gated by the inverted data input. The latch has a lower clock pin capacitance than a traditional logic gate latch while also avoiding having clock inverters which reduces dynamic power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2021Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Nur Mohammad Baksh, Deepesh John
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Patent number: 12073870Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for sense amplifier with digit line multiplexing are described. A method includes precharging an input and an output of an amplifier stage of a sense component to a first voltage based on a read operation associated with a memory cell. The method includes precharging a first side and a second side of a latch stage of the sense component to the first voltage based on precharging the output of the amplifier stage to the first voltage, the latch stage coupled with the amplifier stage. The method may also include coupling a second voltage from a digit line associated with the memory cell to the input of the amplifier stage, the amplifier stage generating a third voltage on the output based on coupling the second voltage to the input, and the latch stage latching a logic value associated with the memory cell based on the third voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2023Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Eric Carman, Daniele Vimercati
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Patent number: 12061115Abstract: A data output device is provided. The data output device includes a converter circuit configured to generate a conversion signal based on an output signal; a boosting circuit configured to generate a boosting signal based on the output signal; and an output circuit configured to generate the output signal based on an input signal and a feedback signal, the feedback signal being based on the conversion signal and the boosting signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2023Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yun Jae Suh, Sung Ho Kim, Jun Seok Kim
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Patent number: 12003249Abstract: The present invention discloses a DAC method having signal calibration mechanism used in a DAC circuit having thermometer-controlled current sources generating an output analog signal according to a total current thereof and a control circuit. Current offset values of the current sources are retrieved. The current offset values are sorted to generate a turn-on order, in which the current offset values are separated into current offset groups according to the turn-on order, the signs of each neighboring two groups being opposite such that the current offset values cancel each other when the current sources turn on according to the turn-on order to keep an absolute value of a total offset not larger than a half of a largest absolute value of the current offset values. The current sources are turned on based on the turn-on order according to a thermal code included in an input digital signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2022Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Kai-Yue Lin, Hsuan-Ting Ho, Liang-Wei Huang, Chi-Hsi Su
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Patent number: 11988785Abstract: The present invention relates to photon counting. In particular, a photon-counting data acquisition module is provided. The photon-counting data acquisition module comprises a signal input unit and one or more data acquisition channels, each channel adapted for converting at least one train of pulses received from the signal input unit to a counter signal. Each data acquisition channel comprises a pulse maximum identifier and a discriminator/counter pair comprising a discriminator and a counter. The pulse maximum identifier is configured to identify a maximum of a pulse in the at least one received train of pulses. The discriminator is configured to be triggered, by a detection of a maximum of a pulse in the at least one received train of pulses, to compare the pulse with at least one signal threshold to generate the counter signal. Alternatively, the counter is configured to be enabled in response to a detection of a maximum of a pulse to generate the counter signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2020Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Roger Steadman Booker, Christoph Herrmann
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Patent number: 11962331Abstract: A sigma-delta ADC is described including a passive filter with an input coupled to the ADC input and a filter output. A gain stage has an input connected to the filter output. A quantiser has an input connected to the gain stage output and a quantiser output. The passive filter includes a first filter resistor between the filter input and the filter output and a filter capacitor having first terminal coupled to the filter output. A feedback resistor is coupled between the quantiser output and the filter output and receives a negative of the value of the output to provide negative feedback to the filter output. The gain stage has a capacitor and resistor in series, and a gain element connected to the gain stage input and an output connected to the gain stage output. One terminal of the gain stage capacitor is connected to the gain element output.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventor: Robert van Veldhoven
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Patent number: 11923673Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a switching device including a main portion and a current sensing portion for detecting a current value of the main portion; a control IC including a gate drive unit that drives the switching device; a sensing resistor connected between an emitter of the main portion and an emitter of the current sensing portion and formed inside the control IC; a comparator comparing a sense voltage applied to the sensing resistor with a reference voltage; and a shut-down circuit shutting down an energization of the switching device when the sense voltage exceeds the reference voltage, wherein the sense voltage is more than or equal to 1 V when the energization of the switching device is shut down.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Keisuke Eguchi, Takamasa Miyazaki
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Patent number: 11783889Abstract: A memory device according to the present technology includes a memory cell array configured to include planes having a plurality of memory cells, a page buffer connected to at least one memory cell among the memory cells through a bit line and configured to perform a sensing operation of reading data stored in the at least one memory cell connected to the bit line, a common reference voltage generator configured to generate a common reference voltage, a plurality of merged buffers configured to generate a reference signal using the common reference voltage, and control logic configured to control an operation of the common reference voltage generator and the merged buffers so that page buffer control signals generated based on the reference signal are supplied to the page buffer.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventor: Chan Hui Jeong
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Patent number: 11774609Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus suitable for detecting x-ray, comprising: an X-ray absorption layer configured to generate an electrical signal from an X-ray photon incident on the X-ray absorption layer; an electronics layer comprising an electronics system configured to process or interpret the electrical signal; and an interposer chip embedded in a board of an electrically insulating material; wherein the X-ray absorption layer is bonded to the electronics layer; wherein the electronics layer is bonded to the interposer chip.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: SHENZHEN XPECTVISION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Peiyan Cao, Yurun Liu
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Patent number: 11761992Abstract: A current measurement circuit, for wireless charging systems, for instance, comprises a differential input configured to have applied an input voltage sensed across a shunt resistor traversed by a current to be measured, a voltage reversal switch arrangement selectively switchable to reverse the polarity of the input voltage as applied between a first and a second voltage sensing nodes as well as a first and a second current flow line between the voltage sensing nodes and ground. A difference resistor intermediate the two current flow lines is traversed by a current which is a function of the input voltage as applied to the first and second sensing nodes via the voltage reversal switch arrangement. First and second current sensing nodes at the two current flow lines are coupled to a differential current output via a current reversal switch arrangement selectively switchable to reverse the output current polarity.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.LInventors: Paolo Angelini, Roberto Pio Baorda, Francesco Borgioli
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Patent number: 11757411Abstract: A power amplifier circuit includes a first transistor having an emitter electrically connected to a common potential, a base to which a first high-frequency signal is input, and a collector from which a third high-frequency signal is output; a second transistor having an emitter electrically connected to the common potential, a base to which a second high-frequency signal is input, and a collector from which a fourth high-frequency signal is output; a first capacitance circuit electrically connected between the collector of the second transistor and the base of the first transistor; and a second capacitance circuit electrically connected between the collector of the first transistor and the base of the second transistor.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoshi Tanaka, Satoshi Arayashiki, Satoshi Goto, Yusuke Tanaka
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Patent number: 11756601Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for differential sensing for a memory device are described. A memory device in accordance with examples as disclosed herein may include a sense component having a signal development component for generating a sense signal, a reference component for generating a reference signal, and a tail component coupled with the signal development component and the reference component. The tail component may be configured for canceling common aspects of the sense signal and the reference signal. Additionally or alternatively, a memory device in accordance with examples as disclosed herein may include a sense component having a sense amplifier configured to operate in multiple power domains, with one power domain associated with sense signal and reference signal generation and comparison, and another power domain associated with logical signal or information transfer.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Ferdinando Bedeschi
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Patent number: 11728731Abstract: A Ton/2 generator retrofits a digital tracking algorithm to an analog Constant-On-Time (COT) Controller to enable fast sensing. The Ton/2 generation is cognizant of the delay between high-side switch (HSFET) on generation and the actual turn-on time of the HSFET so that there is no deviation of sampling point, and current is reported with high accuracy. The digital tracking algorithm automatically takes higher steps during load transients to enable faster tracking and scales the measured current (Ipeak/2) based on a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) period for DCM current reporting.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Shobhit Tyagi, Saurabh Verma, Anup Deka
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Patent number: 11676649Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for sense timing coordination are described. In some systems, to sense the logic states of memory cells, a memory device may generate an activation signal and route the activation signal over a signal line (e.g., a dummy word line) located at a memory array level of the memory device to one or more sense amplifiers. Based on receiving the activation signal, a sense amplifier may latch and determine the logic state of a corresponding memory cell. A first sense amplifier may sense a state of a first memory cell at a first time and a second sense amplifier may sense a state of a second memory cell at a second time in response to the same activation signal due to a propagation delay of the activation signal routed over the signal line (e.g., and corresponding to a propagation delay for activating a word line).Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Makoto Kitagawa
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Patent number: 11670345Abstract: A sense amplifier includes first, second and third circuits. The third circuit includes; a first NMOS transistor connected between a first node connected with the first circuit and a third node, generates first internal data, and operates in response to second internal data, a second NMOS transistor connected between a second node connected with the first circuit and a fourth node, generates the second internal data, and operates in response to the first internal data, a first PMOS transistor connected between a first input node of receiving the input data and the third node and operates in response to a sensing signal, a second PMOS transistor connected between a second input node of receiving the inverted input data and the fourth node and operates in response to the sensing signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kyung-Hwan Kim
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Patent number: 11581032Abstract: An apparatus including a temperature dependent circuit is configured to receive a temperature dependent power supply voltage, and further is configured to receive a first input signal and provide a temperature dependent output signal responsive to the input signal. A power control circuit including the temperature dependent circuit is configured to receive a second input signal, and further configured provide a first control voltage based on the first temperature dependent output signal and provide a second control voltage based on the second input signal. The second control voltage has a temperature dependency based on the temperature dependent power supply voltage. A sense amplifier coupled to a pair of digit lines is configured to receive the first and second control voltages and amplify a voltage difference between the digit lines of the pair.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Kenji Asaki
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Patent number: 11532362Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes a peripheral circuit part supplied with a first voltage, a core circuit part supplied with a second voltage greater than the first voltage, a pre-decoder provided in the peripheral circuit part, input with a signal and outputting a one-hot signal corresponding to the signal, a first wiring provided in the peripheral circuit part, electrically connected to the pre-decoder, and supplied with the one-hot signal, a second wiring provided in the core circuit part, a level shifter provided in the peripheral circuit part, supplied with a first voltage and a second voltage, and transferring the one-hot signal from the first wiring in the peripheral circuit part to the second wiring in the core circuit part, and a memory cell array provided in the core circuit part and operating based on the transferred one-hot signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventor: Atsushi Kawasumi
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Patent number: 11527283Abstract: A sense amplifier circuit includes a bitline node, a sense node, and a feedback circuit which is connected to the bitline node and to the sense node. The feedback circuit includes a cascode-connected pair of transistors configured to isolate the bitline node from an occurrence of a voltage variation on the sense node.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Sudipto Chakraborty, Rajiv Joshi, Alexander Fritsch, Holger Wetter
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Patent number: 11513299Abstract: A photon detection device, configured to couple to a multicore optical fibre, the device comprising a plurality of detection regions, each detection region being arranged to align with just a single core of the multicore optical fibre when the device is coupled to the multicore optical fibre.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Andrew James Shields, Zakaria Moktadir
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Patent number: 11450402Abstract: A sensing circuit is provided which generates a sensing result according to a reading voltage of a non-volatile memory. The sensing circuit includes four transistors and a switch group. A first transistor is coupled between an operating voltage and a first node. A second transistor is coupled between the first node and a second node. A third transistor is coupled between the second node and a reference ground voltage. A control terminal of the first transistor, a control terminal of the second transistor, and a control terminal of the third transistor all receive the reading voltage. A fourth transistor is coupled between the operating voltage and the first node. The switch group forms or disconnects a conduction path between a control terminal of the fourth transistor and the second node according to a control signal, so that the first node obtains the sensing result.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2021Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Chien-Fa Lee, Yi-Chun Lin
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Patent number: 11448667Abstract: A bidirectional sensor circuit includes a sensing impedance with first and second terminals; a first operational amplifier which non-inverting input is connected to the first terminal and its inverting input is connected to the second terminal; a second operational amplifier with the non-inverting input connected to the second terminal and its inverting input is connected to the first terminal; a first diode with the anode connected to the inverting input of the first operational amplifier and whose cathode is connected to the output of the first operational amplifier; and a second diode with the anode connected to the output of the first operational amplifier and to the cathode of the first diode. The input of the circuit consists of the terminals of the sensing impedance, and the output is at the anode of the second diode and senses a load impedance connected to the first terminal of the sensing impedance.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: PANACEA QUANTUM LEAP TECHNOLOGY LLCInventor: Francisco Javier Velasco Valcke
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Patent number: 11276469Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a first transistor and a second transistor connected in series with the first transistor. The second transistor is programmable between a first state and a second state. A bit line connected to the second transistor. A sense amplifier connected to the bit line. The sense amplifier is operative to sense data from the bit line. A feedback circuit connected to the sense amplifier, wherein the feedback circuit is operative to control a bit line current of the bit-line.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Yu-Der Chih
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Patent number: 11170864Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed that improve performance while reading memory. The method includes initializing an output of a of a sensing circuit to be a first logic high value, obtaining, from the memory, a first current corresponding to a memory bit stored in the memory, replicating the first current, determining whether the replicated first current is greater than a second current, and in response to determining that the replicated first current is greater than the second current, generating a second logic high value at the output of the sensing circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Suresh Balasubramanian, Stephen Wayne Spriggs, George B. Jamison
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Patent number: 10930324Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-referencing sensing schemes with coupling capacitance are described. A sense component of a memory device may include a capacitive coupling between two nodes of the sense component. The capacitive coupling may, in some examples, be provided by a capacitive element of the sense component or an intrinsic capacitance between features of the sense component. An example of a method employing such a sense component for detecting a logic state stored by a memory cell may include generating a first sense signal at one of the nodes while the node is coupled with the memory cell, and generating a second sense signal at the other of the nodes while the other node is coupled with the memory cell. The sense signals may be based at least in part on the capacitive coupling between the two nodes.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mahdi Jamali, William A. Melton, Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo, Yasuko Hattori
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Patent number: 10861567Abstract: A memory sub-system includes a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) compatible with operation at an uppermost PMIC supply voltage that is lower than a primary supply voltage of the memory sub-system. The PMIC is configured to output multiple voltages for operation of the memory sub-system based on a PMIC supply voltage. The memory sub-system further includes a capacitive voltage modifier (CVM) coupled to the PMIC. The CVM is configured to receive the primary supply voltage of the memory sub-system as an input and provide a first modified primary supply voltage (MPSV) to the PMIC as the PMIC supply voltage, where the first MPSV is not higher than the uppermost PMIC supply voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Matthew D. Rowley, Dustin J. Carter
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Patent number: 10826536Abstract: A single-ended inter-chip data transmission system and a single-ended inter-chip data reception system are provided for processing data. A controlled Hamming weight parallel data encoder at a transmitter device accepts N data bits with an arbitrary Hamming weight as input and generates M data bits with a controlled Hamming weight as output, wherein M is greater than N. A transmission circuit provides a time-aligned transmission of the controlled Hamming weight encoded data across a single-ended data bus.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Troy James Beukema, Mounir Meghelli
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Patent number: 10783955Abstract: A circuit includes a column of memory cells, a first read data line coupled exclusively with a first subset of memory cells of the column of memory cells, a second read data line coupled exclusively with a second subset of memory cells of the column of memory cells, and a plurality of read word lines. Each read word line of the plurality of read word lines is coupled with a memory cell of the first subset of memory cells and with a memory cell of the second subset of memory cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Li-Wen Wang, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao
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Patent number: 10761221Abstract: A counting x-ray detector includes a converter element, a rewiring unit and an evaluation unit including pixel electrodes. In an embodiment, the converter element includes a first electrode on a surface facing away from the evaluation unit and a pixelated second electrode having a plurality of electrode elements on a surface facing toward the evaluation unit. The rewiring unit is on a surface of the converter element facing toward the evaluation unit. First contacts of electrically conductive connections between the electrode elements and the pixel electrodes are provided on a surface of the rewiring unit and include a first areal distribution; and second such contacts are provided on a surface of the rewiring unit, including a relatively smaller second areal distribution. An areal extent of the evaluation unit is relatively smaller than an areal extent of the converter element.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBHInventors: Thorsten Ergler, Harald Geyer, Christian Schroeter, Justus Tonn, Jan Wrege
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Patent number: 10707852Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a comparator, an AD converter, a solid-state imaging apparatus, an electronic apparatus, and a method of controlling a comparator each of which enables power consumption to be reduced while a decision speed of the comparator is enhanced. A comparator, including: a differential input circuit operating at a first power source voltage, and outputting a signal when a voltage of an input signal is higher than a voltage of a reference signal; a positive feedback circuit operating at a second power source voltage lower than the first power source voltage, and speeding up a transition speed when a comparison result signal representing a result of comparison in voltage between the input signal and the reference signal is inverted; and a voltage converting circuit. The present disclosure can be applied to an ADC or the like arranged for each pixel of a solid-state imaging apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventor: Masaki Sakakibara
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Patent number: 10692547Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-referencing sensing schemes with coupling capacitance are described. A sense component of a memory device may include a capacitive coupling between two nodes of the sense component. The capacitive coupling may, in some examples, be provided by a capacitive element of the sense component or an intrinsic capacitance between features of the sense component. An example of a method employing such a sense component for detecting a logic state stored by a memory cell may include generating a first sense signal at one of the nodes while the node is coupled with the memory cell, and generating a second sense signal at the other of the nodes while the other node is coupled with the memory cell. The sense signals may be based at least in part on the capacitive coupling between the two nodes.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mahdi Jamali, William A. Melton, Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo, Yasuko Hattori
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Patent number: 10685700Abstract: A PVT detection circuit including: first and second transistors of a first conduction type each having its control node coupled to a control line, the first and second transistors being configured such that the variations in their threshold voltages as a function of temperature and/or process are different from each other; and an amplifier coupled to a second main conducting node of each of the first and second transistors and configured to amplify a difference in the currents conducted by the first and second transistors in order to generate an output signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies AlternativesInventors: Pablo Royer, Adam Makosiej
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Patent number: 10656184Abstract: A signal process circuit includes a signal modulation unit, a first resistor, a second resistor, a first discharge unit, a second discharge unit and a discharge detection unit. The signal modulation unit is used to modulate an input signal for generating a modulated signal. The first resistor is coupled between the signal modulation unit and an operation node. The second resistor is coupled between the operation node and the signal modulation unit. The first discharge unit is coupled to the signal modulation unit. The discharge unit is coupled to the signal modulation unit. The discharge detection unit is coupled to the first discharge unit, the operation node and the second discharge unit for detecting an output common voltage and control a discharge path accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: NATIONAL APPLIED RESEARCH LABORATORIESInventors: Ying-Zong Juang, Hann-Huei Tsai, Po-Chang Wu, Yu-Chen Liu, Chih-Yuan Yeh
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Patent number: 10627458Abstract: A sensor is provided having a magnetic field sensing element to generate a magnetic field signal, a switching circuit coupled to receive the magnetic field signal and generate a switching signal that changes a polarity of the magnetic field signal at a predetermined frequency, and a comparison device configured to receive the switching signal and generate an output signal that changes a level in response to the switching signal crossing a predetermined threshold. The switching circuit is disposed between the magnetic field sensing element and the comparison device and can provide the comparison device an input signal (i.e., the switching signal) that changes polarity at the predetermined frequency. The comparison device can sense characteristics, such as but not limited to crossing operate and release threshold levels, of both north and south polarity magnetic field signals using the switching signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLCInventor: Pablo Javier Bolsinger
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Patent number: 10594265Abstract: A semiconductor device may include an amplification circuit. The amplification circuit may be configured to generate an output signal and an output bar signal based on a mode signal, first and second control signals, an input signal, and an input bar signal. The amplification circuit may determine voltage levels of the output signal and the output bar signal based on the mode signal and the first and second control signals regardless of the input signal and the input bar signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventor: Kyu Dong Hwang
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Patent number: 10586592Abstract: An example method includes determining a time between writes in place to a particular memory cell, incrementing a disturb count corresponding to a neighboring memory cell by a particular count increment that is based on the time between the writes to the particular memory cell, and determining whether to check a write disturb status of the neighboring memory cell based on the incremented disturb count.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Edward C. McGlaughlin, Samuel E. Bradshaw
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Patent number: 10573355Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-referencing sensing schemes with coupling capacitance are described. A sense component of a memory device may include a capacitive coupling between two nodes of the sense component. The capacitive coupling may, in some examples, be provided by a capacitive element of the sense component or an intrinsic capacitance between features of the sense component. An example of a method employing such a sense component for detecting a logic state stored by a memory cell may include generating a first sense signal at one of the nodes while the node is coupled with the memory cell, and generating a second sense signal at the other of the nodes while the other node is coupled with the memory cell. The sense signals may be based at least in part on the capacitive coupling between the two nodes.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2019Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mahdi Jamali, William A. Melton, Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo, Yasuko Hattori
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Patent number: 10529389Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for calibrating sense amplifiers in a semiconductor memory are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an amplifier circuit and a calibration circuit. The amplifier circuit is configured to be coupled to a supply voltage and a reference voltage, and when activated the amplifier circuit is configured to provide an output signal at an output that is complementary to an input signal provided to an input. When activated by a calibration signal, the calibration circuit is configured to provide a calibration voltage to the output of the amplifier circuit, wherein the calibration voltage is an equilibration voltage between the supply voltage and the reference voltage provided to the amplifier circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2019Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Stefan Frederik Schippers
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Patent number: 10431268Abstract: A semiconductor device receiving a differential data strobe signal and a method of operating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a differential signal phase detector receiving a differential signal including a first signal and a second signal, detecting a phase of the differential signal, and generating a mode control signal; and a receiver receiving the differential signal and a reference voltage and performing a processing operation using the differential signal in a differential mode or using the first signal and the reference voltage in a single mode according to the mode control signal. The semiconductor device may be a memory controller. Data transfer may be disabled in the single mode to prevent false data recognition due to noise.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jin-Ho Choi, Seok-Kyun Ko, Sang-Hune Park
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Patent number: 10395697Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-referencing sensing schemes with coupling capacitance are described. A sense component of a memory device may include a capacitive coupling between two nodes of the sense component. The capacitive coupling may, in some examples, be provided by a capacitive element of the sense component or an intrinsic capacitance between features of the sense component. An example of a method employing such a sense component for detecting a logic state stored by a memory cell may include generating a first sense signal at one of the nodes while the node is coupled with the memory cell, and generating a second sense signal at the other of the nodes while the other node is coupled with the memory cell. The sense signals may be based at least in part on the capacitive coupling between the two nodes.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mahdi Jamali, William A. Melton, Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo, Yasuko Hattori
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Patent number: 10382017Abstract: Inventive aspects include a dynamic flip flop, comprising a data independent P-stack feedback circuit. The data independent P-stack feedback circuit may include a first P-type transistor gated by a first dynamic inverted net signal, and a second P-type transistor gated by an inverted clock signal. A drain of the second P-type transistor may be coupled to a source of the first P-type transistor. A source of the second P-type transistor may be coupled to a node that is configured to receive a second dynamic inverted net signal. The source of the second P-type transistor may be directly coupled to the node that is configured to receive the second dynamic inverted net signal instead of a constant power source. The data independent P-stack feedback circuit may include one or more delay stages to eliminate race conditions.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Matthew Berzins, Sumanth Suraneni
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Patent number: 10361695Abstract: An apparatus includes: a first power transistor having a first current conduction path coupled between an input for receiving a supply voltage and a node and a first gate terminal coupled to a first gate control signal; a second power transistor having a second current conduction path coupled between the node and an output terminal for supplying a load current to a load; and a second gate terminal coupled to a second gate control signal; and a current sense transistor having a third gate terminal coupled to the first gate control signal, and outputting a sense current. The apparatus further includes: a differential amplifier having an output signal, and a feedback transistor having a gate terminal coupled to the output signal of the differential amplifier; and a resistor coupled between a monitor node and ground.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Ankur Chauhan, Sudheer Prasad, Md. Abidur Rahman, Subrato Roy
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Patent number: 10332571Abstract: A memory device includes a first memory cell, a second memory cell, a third memory cell, a bitline sense amplifier, and a switch circuit. The first memory cell is connected to a first wordline and a first bitline. The second memory cell is connected to the first wordline and a second bitline. The third memory cell is connected to the first wordline and a third bitline. The bitline sense amplifier is connected to the third bitline. The switch circuit is connected to the first bitline, the second bitline, and the bitline sense amplifier. The switch circuit performs charge sharing between the first memory cell and the first bitline to generate a first reference voltage, and charge sharing between the second memory cell and the second bitline to generate a second reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Soo-Ho Cha, Chankyung Kim, Sungchul Park, Hoyoung Song, Kwangchol Choe
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Patent number: 10312894Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus is described. The apparatus comprises a first phase mixer circuit configured to receive a first signal and a second signal and provide a first intermediate signal having a phase between a phase of the first signal and a phase of the clock signal. The apparatus further comprises a second phase mixer circuit configured to receive a complement of the first signal and a complement of the second signal and provide a second intermediate signal having a phase between a phase of the complement of the first signal and a phase of the complement of the second signal, wherein the second intermediate signal is combined with the first intermediate signal at a node to provide an output signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Yantao Ma
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Patent number: 10269414Abstract: To sense an impedance state of one or more correlated electron switch elements, a bit-line may be precharged to a voltage level that is less than a precharge voltage level for a sense amplifier, and a bit-line may be discharged through one or more correlated electron switch elements. A bit-line may be buffered from a sense amplifier via an electronic switch device.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: ARM Ltd.Inventors: Piyush Agarwal, Shruti Aggarwal, Mudit Bhargava, Akshay Kumar
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Patent number: 10250236Abstract: A differential sense flip flop (DSFF) that is named the Kulkarni Vrudhula flip flop (KVFF) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the DSFF includes a differential sense amplifier and an SR latch. The differential sense amplifier includes a first amplifier branch having a first output node, a second amplifier branch having a second, a first switchable discharge path, and a second switchable discharge path. The first switchable discharge path is closed to discharge the first output node when first output node is being discharged by the first amplifier branch and the second switchable discharge path is closed to discharge the second output node when second output node is being discharged by the second amplifier branch. This prevents the output nodes from floating and increases the reliability and robustness of the DSFF.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State UniversityInventors: Sarma Vrudhula, Niranjan Kulkarni, Jinghua Yang
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Patent number: 10210928Abstract: Apparatus, devices, systems, and methods are described that include variable state material data storage. Example devices include current compliance circuits that are configured to dynamically adjust a current passing through a variable resistance material during a memory operation. Some configurations utilize components within an array of memory cells to form a current compliance circuit. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Marco-Domenico Tiburzi, Giulio-Giuseppe Marotta
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Patent number: 10163483Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A first value may be written to a first memory cell and a second value may be written to a second memory cell. Each value may have a corresponding voltage when the memory cells are discharged onto their respective digit lines. The voltage on each digit line after a read operation may be temporarily stored at a node in electronic communication with the respective digit line. A conductive path may be established between the nodes so that charge sharing occurs between the nodes. The voltage resulting from the charge sharing may be used to adjust a reference voltage that is used by other components.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Scott James Derner, Christopher John Kawamura, Charles L. Ingalls
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Patent number: 10152613Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating a physically unclonable function for SRAM are disclosed. An example method includes after applying a voltage to a memory array: determining a first duration between the applying of the voltage and a first output of a first bit cell, the first output corresponding to a first value stored in the first bit cell, and determining a second duration between the applying of the voltage and a second output of a second bit cell, the second output corresponding to a second value stored in the second bit cell. The example method further includes determining a function based on a comparison of the first duration and the second duration, the function to establish an identification of a circuit that includes the memory array.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Joyce Kwong, Clive Bittlestone, Manish Goel
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Patent number: 10110208Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus is described. The apparatus comprises a first phase mixer circuit configured to receive a first signal and a second signal and provide a first intermediate signal having a phase between a phase of the first signal and a phase of the clock signal. The apparatus further comprises a second phase mixer circuit configured to receive a complement of the first signal and a complement of the second signal and provide a second intermediate signal having a phase between a phase of the complement of the first signal and a phase of the complement of the second signal, wherein the second intermediate signal is combined with the first intermediate signal at a node to provide, an output signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Yantao Ma