Reference Signal (e.g., Dummy Cell) Patents (Class 365/185.2)
  • Patent number: 11581027
    Abstract: A memory device, such as an MRAM memory, includes a memory array with a plurality of bit cells. The memory array is configured to store trimming information and store user data. A sense amplifier is configured to read the trimming information from the memory array, and a trimming register is configured to receive the trimming information from the sense amplifier. The sense amplifier is configured to receive the trimming information from the trimming register so as to operate in a trimmed mode for reading the user data from the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Chun Shih, Chia-Fu Lee, Yu-Der Chih
  • Patent number: 11568941
    Abstract: A memory includes a first portion, a second portion and a controller. The first portion includes a first word line to a kth word line. The second portion is formed above the first portion and includes a (k+1)th word line to an mth word line. When an xth word line is used to perform a program operation, the controller is used to apply a first voltage to the first word line to an (x?2)th word line, a second voltage to an (x?1)th word line, and a third voltage to an (x+1)th word line. x, k and m are positive integers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yali Song, XiangNan Zhao, Ying Cui
  • Patent number: 11546177
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a physically unclonable function device includes a set of floating gate transistor pairs, floating gate transistors of the set of floating gate transistor pairs having a randomly distributed effective threshold voltage belonging to a common random distribution; a differential read circuit configured to measure a threshold difference between the effective threshold voltages of floating gate transistors of floating gate transistor pairs of the set of floating gate transistor pairs, and to identify a floating gate transistor pair in which the measured threshold difference is smaller than a margin value as being an unreliable floating gate transistor pair; and a write circuit configured to shift the effective threshold voltage of a floating gate transistor of the unreliable floating gate transistor pair to be inside the common random distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Francesco La Rosa
  • Patent number: 11537469
    Abstract: An exemplary method for reading data stored in a flash memory includes: selecting an initial gate voltage combination from a plurality of predetermined gate voltage combination options; controlling a plurality of memory units in the flash memory according to the initial gate voltage combination, and reading a plurality of bit sequences; performing a codeword error correction upon the plurality of bit sequences, and determining if the codeword error correction successful; if the codeword error correction is not successful, determining an electric charge distribution parameter; determining a target gate voltage combination corresponding to the electric charge distribution parameter by using a look-up table; and controlling the plurality of memory units to read a plurality of updated bit sequences according to the target gate voltage combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Silicon Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Tsung-Chieh Yang
  • Patent number: 11527279
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a read algorithm for a memory device are described. When performing a read operation, the memory device may access a memory cell to retrieve a value stored by the memory cell. The memory device may compare a set of reference voltages with a signal output by the memory cell based on accessing the memory cell. Thus, the memory device may determine a set of candidate values stored by the memory cell, where each candidate value is associated with one of the reference voltages. The memory device may determine and output the value stored by the memory cell based on determining the set of candidate values. In some cases, the memory device may determine the value stored by the memory cell based on performing an error control operation on each of the set of candidate values to detect a quantity of errors within each candidate value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto Di Vincenzo, Riccardo Muzzetto
  • Patent number: 11488682
    Abstract: An integrated memory assembly comprises a memory die and a control die bonded to the memory die. The memory die includes a memory structure of non-volatile memory cells. The control die is configured to program user data to and read user data from the memory die based on one or more operational parameters. The control die is configured to calibrate the one or more operational parameters for the memory die. The control die is also configured to perform testing of the memory die using the calibrated one or more operational parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Tomer Eliash, Alexander Bazarsky, Eran Sharon
  • Patent number: 11468956
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a memory device that includes a plurality of memory cells. The memory device also includes a peripheral circuit configured to perform a program operation of storing data in the plurality of memory cells, which includes a plurality of program loops each including an operation of applying a program voltage to a selected word line commonly connected to the plurality of memory cells and a verify operation of applying at least one verify voltage among verify voltages respectively corresponding to target program states of the plurality of memory cells. The memory device additionally includes control logic configured to control the peripheral circuit so that the at least one verify voltage increases according to a program loop of the plurality of program loops during the program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Hyun Hwang
  • Patent number: 11443818
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for improving the safety of the reading phase of a non-volatile memory device including at least an array of memory cells and with associated decoding and sensing circuitry and a memory controller, the method comprising: storing in a dummy row of said memory block at least a known pattern; performing some reading cycles changing the read trimming parameters up to the moment wherein said known value is read correctly; adopting the trimming parameters of the correct reading for the subsequent reading phases. The disclosure further relates to a memory device structured for implementing the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonino Mondello, Alberto Troia
  • Patent number: 11430528
    Abstract: A change in a read window of a group of memory cells of a memory device that has undergone a plurality of program/erase cycles (PECs) can be determined. read voltage can be determined based at least in part on the determined change in the read window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vamsi Pavan Rayaprolu, Giuseppina Puzzilli, Karl D. Schuh, Jeffrey S. McNeil, Jr., Kishore K. Muchherla, Ashutosh Malshe, Niccolo′ Righetti
  • Patent number: 11393508
    Abstract: Devices and methods for accessing resistive change elements in a resistive change element array to determine resistive states of the resistive change elements are disclosed. According to some aspects of the present disclosure the devices and methods access resistive change elements in a resistive change element array through a variety of operations. According to some aspects of the present disclosure the devices and methods supply an amount of current tailored for a particular operation. According to some aspects of the present disclosure the devices and methods compensate for circuit conditions of a resistive change element array by adjusting an amount of current tailored for a particular operation to compensate for circuit conditions of the resistive change element array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventor: Jia Luo
  • Patent number: 11367487
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of cell strings, each of the plurality of cell strings includes a gate-induced drain leakage (GIDL) transistor and a memory cell group, and a control logic to apply a voltage to each of the plurality of cell strings. The control logic performs a first erase operation of erasing the memory cell groups of each of the plurality of cell strings, a first verification operation of detecting erase results of the memory cell groups of each of the plurality of cell strings, and a program operation of programming the GIDL transistors of some of the plurality of cell strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Won Park, Won Bo Shim, Bong Soon Lim
  • Patent number: 11367485
    Abstract: A memory array includes strings that are configured to store keywords and inverse keywords corresponding to keys according to content addressable memory (CAM) storages schemes. A read circuit performs a CAM read operation over a plurality of iterations to determine which of the keywords are matching keywords that match a target keyword. During the iterations, a read controller biases word lines according to a plurality of modified word line bias setting that are each modified from an initial word line bias setting corresponding to the target keyword. At the end of the CAM read operation, the read controller detects which of the keywords are matching keywords, even if the strings are storing the keywords or inverse keywords with up a certain number of bit errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Idan Alrod, Eran Sharon, Alon Marcu, Yan Li
  • Patent number: 11355188
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a plurality of data arrays each comprising first memory cells, a plurality of read reference arrays each comprising second memory cells, a plurality of write reference arrays each comprising third memory cells, an access block comprising a memory cell from each of the plurality of data arrays, each of the plurality of read reference arrays, and each of the plurality of write reference arrays, and a memory controller. The memory controller is configured to determine a read threshold voltage to compensate a drift of a threshold voltage of the first memory cells, wherein the read threshold voltage is determined based on threshold voltages of a plurality of second memory cells, and a read offset voltage to compensate an offset voltage of the first memory cells, wherein the read offset voltage is determined based on offset voltages of a plurality of second memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Grobis, Daniel Bedau
  • Patent number: 11355193
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a control circuit configured to control a soft program operation of setting nonvolatile memory cells to a first threshold voltage distribution state of the nonvolatile memory cells. When a characteristic of the nonvolatile memory cells is in a first state, the control circuit executes the soft program operation by applying a first voltage for setting the nonvolatile memory cells to the first threshold voltage distribution state to first word lines, and applying a second voltage higher than the first voltage to a second word line. When the characteristic of the nonvolatile memory cells is in a second state, the control circuit executes the soft program operation by applying a third voltage equal to or lower than the first voltage to the first word lines and applying a fourth voltage lower than the second voltage to the second word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shiino, Eietsu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11342031
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a memory array and a read voltage regulator that generates read voltages from the memory array. The read voltage regulator includes a replica memory cell and the replica bitline current path. The replica memory cell is a replica of memory cells of the memory array. The replica bitline current path is a replica of current paths associated with deadlines of the memory array. The read voltage regulator generates a read voltage based on the current passed through the replica bitline current path. This read voltage is then supplied to the wordlines of the memory array during a read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Marco Pasotti, Dario Livornesi, Roberto Bregoli, Vikas Rana, Abhishek Mittal
  • Patent number: 11327112
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a first monitoring pad and a second monitoring pad; a test circuit including an NMOS transistor having a drain and source coupled between a first voltage terminal and a common node, a PMOS transistor having a drain and source coupled between the common node and a second voltage terminal, a first switching element having a first terminal coupled to the common node via a first resistor and a second terminal coupled to the first monitoring pad, and a second switching element having a third terminal coupled to the common node via a second resistor and a fourth terminal coupled to the second monitoring pad; and a test control circuit suitable for controlling the test circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Yun Seok Hong
  • Patent number: 11302405
    Abstract: A nonvolatile (NV) memory device includes an NV storage media and a storage controller to control access to the NV storage media. In response to a host read request, the storage controller can determine if the NV storage media is in a stable Vt (threshold voltage) state. If the NV storage media is in a stable Vt state, the storage controller can perform a reset read operation prior to servicing the host read request. A reset read is a read operation that does not produce data to send back to the host. The reset read operation is a dummy read that puts the NV storage media into a transient Vt state, which has lower risk of read disturb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sriram Natarajan, Shankar Natarajan, Yihua Zhang, Hinesh K. Shah, Rohit S. Shenoy, Arun Sitaram Athreya
  • Patent number: 11269551
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a peripheral circuit, and a control logic. The memory cell array includes a plurality of planes. The peripheral circuit is configured to perform a plane interleaving operation for the plurality of planes. The control logic controls the peripheral circuit to reset an operation of at least one plane of the plurality of planes based on a type of an operation reset command received by the control logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Ki Cheol Son
  • Patent number: 11244714
    Abstract: A method of writing to a magnetic random access memory cell includes applying an alternating current signal to the magnetic random access memory cell having a first magnetic orientation, and applying a direct current pulse to the magnetic random access memory cell to change the magnetic orientation of the magnetic random access memory cell from the first magnetic orientation to a second magnetic orientation. The first magnetic orientation and the second magnetic orientation are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-Feng Ying, Jhong-Sheng Wang, Duen-Huei Hou
  • Patent number: 11227640
    Abstract: A memory device, such as an MRAM memory, includes a memory array with a plurality of bit cells. The memory array is configured to store trimming information and store user data. A sense amplifier is configured to read the trimming information from the memory array, and a trimming register is configured to receive the trimming information from the sense amplifier. The sense amplifier is configured to receive the trimming information from the trimming register so as to operate in a trimmed mode for reading the user data from the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Chun Shih, Chia-Fu Lee, Yu-Der Chih
  • Patent number: 11211133
    Abstract: To detect deterioration of a correction memory, provided is a semiconductor device including the correction memory that stores therein correction data for correcting a correction target; a correcting section that corrects a detection value of a sensor element, using correction data read from the correction memory; a diagnosing section that diagnoses the correction memory, using the correction data read from the correction memory; and a control section that controls reading conditions used when reading the correction data from the correction memory, wherein the control section causes a first reading condition, used when reading the correction data for correcting a correction target, to differ from a second reading condition, which is used when reading the correction data for the diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Matsunami, Katsuhiro Shimazu
  • Patent number: 11195562
    Abstract: A memory device, such as an MRAM memory, includes a memory array with a plurality of bit cells. The memory array is configured to store trimming information and store user data. A sense amplifier is configured to read the trimming information from the memory array, and a trimming register is configured to receive the trimming information from the sense amplifier. The sense amplifier is configured to receive the trimming information from the trimming register so as to operate in a trimmed mode for reading the user data from the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Chun Shih, Chia-Fu Lee, Yu-Der Chih
  • Patent number: 11195590
    Abstract: A memory includes a first portion, a second portion and a controller. The first portion includes a first word line to a kth word line. The second portion is formed above the first portion and includes a (k+1)th word line to an mth word line. When an xth word line is used to perform a program operation, the controller is used to apply a first voltage to the first word line to an (x?2)th word line, a second voltage to an (x?1)th word line, and a third voltage to an (x+1)th word line. x, k and m are positive integers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yali Song, XiangNan Zhao, Ying Cui
  • Patent number: 11189352
    Abstract: A processing device determines difference error counts that are indicative of relative widths of valleys. Each of the valleys is located between a respective pair of programming distributions of a memory cell of the memory component. A program targeting operation is performed on the memory cell to calibrate one or more program verify (PV) targets associated with the programming distributions. To perform the program targeting operation, a rule from a set of rules is selected based on the difference error counts. The set of rules corresponds to an adjusting of a PV target of a programming distribution adjacent to an initial programming distribution. One or more program verify (PV) targets associated with the programming distributions are adjusted based on the selected rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Liikanen, Larry J. Koudele, Michael Sheperek
  • Patent number: 11175983
    Abstract: An error management system for a data storage device can generate soft-decision log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) using multiple reads of memory locations. Bit patterns provided by multiple reads of reference memory locations can be counted and used to generate probability data that is used to generate possible LLR values for decoding target pages. Possible LLR values are stored in one or more look-up tables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guangming Lu, Kent D. Anderson, Anantha Raman Krishnan, Shafa Dahandeh
  • Patent number: 11170861
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory includes a cell array, a current supply circuit, a path selecting circuit and a verification circuit. The cell array includes plural multi-level memory cells in an m×n array. The cell array is connected with m word lines and n lines. Each of the plural multi-level memory cells is in one of X storage states. The current supply circuit provides plural reference currents. The path selecting circuit is connected with the current supply circuit and the n bit lines. The verification circuit is connected with the path selecting circuit, and generates n verification signals. A first path selector of the path selecting circuit is connected with a path selecting circuit and a first bit line. A first verification device of the verification circuit is connected with the first path selector and generates a first verification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: EMEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Chia-Fu Chang, Hung-Yi Liao
  • Patent number: 11152038
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for testing a one-time programmable (OTP) memory device, including the functionality of a sense amplifier circuit. The OTP memory device includes a memory array, an input latch circuit, and a sense amplifier circuit comprising a current source and a multiplexer. The multiplexer has a first input coupled to an output of the memory array, a second input coupled to the input latch circuit, and an output coupled to an input of the current source circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Anil Chowdary Kota, Keejong Kim, Hochul Lee
  • Patent number: 11145368
    Abstract: A memory device has a switch matrix with a power supply input, a control input and a power supply output, a random access memory with a power supply connection coupled with the power supply output of the switch matrix. The switch matrix has a capacitor being chargeable by a power supply and upon receiving a control signal through the control input, the switch matrix is designed to decouple the capacitor from the power supply and the random access memory and to couple the capacitor through the power supply output with the random access memory in reverse polarity thereby providing a negative power supply to the power supply output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Ajay Kumar
  • Patent number: 11127473
    Abstract: A memory apparatus and a data reading method thereof are provided. In the method, a plurality of memory cells of the memory apparatus are read to obtain read data, in which a threshold voltage of each memory cell is sensed and respectively compared with a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage to determine bit values. The first reference voltage and the second reference voltage are used to distinguish different states of the memory cell and the second reference voltage is larger than the first reference voltage. The bit values of the memory cells having the threshold voltage between the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage in the read data are gradually changed and syndromes of the changed read data are calculated. The read data is corrected according to values of the syndromes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Wen-Chiao Ho
  • Patent number: 11127471
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a method for reading data from storage that includes selecting a block of memory to read, identifying a read retry table for reading the block, determining that the read retry table for the selected block of memory needs to be updated, and reading the block of memory using a new set of read threshold voltages from the read retry table. Responsive to a successful read operation using the new set of voltages, the method can also include replacing the initial set of read voltages in the first field with the new set of read voltages, and filling the plurality of subsequent fields in the read retry table with additional sets of read threshold voltages identified from a read retry neighbor table, where at least one of the additional sets of read voltages is closest in distance to the initial set of read voltages in read voltage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Xuanxuan Lu, Fan Zhang, Chenrong Xiong, Haobo Wang, Meysam Asadi
  • Patent number: 11106396
    Abstract: A memory apparatus and compensation method for a computation result thereof are provided. The memory apparatus includes a memory sub-block, a reference memory sub-block and a control circuit. During a computation phase, the memory sub-block receives an input signal, and generates a computation result by a multiply-accumulate operation according to the input signal. The reference memory sub-block includes a plurality of memory cells pre-programmed with a reference weight value. The reference memory sub-block receives a reference input signal during a calibration phase, and generates a reference computation value by a multiply-accumulate operation according to the reference input signal and the reference weight value. The control circuit generates an adjustment value according to the reference computation value and a standard computation value, and during the computation phase, adjusts the computation result according to the adjustment value to generate an adjusted computation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Kai Hsu, Teng-Hao Yeh, Ming-Liang Wei, Hang-Ting Lue
  • Patent number: 11107540
    Abstract: Techniques for reducing program disturb of memory cells which are formed in a NAND string extending in a lower tier and an upper tier of a stack, the lower tier including a first plurality of memory cells and the upper tier including a second plurality of memory cells, wherein each memory cell of the first and second pluralities of memory cells is connected to a respective word line. The NAND string includes a joint region formed of a dielectric material and disposed between the lower tier and the upper tier of the stack; a first non-data memory cell adjacent to and below the joint region; a second non-data memory cell adjacent to and above the joint region; and a conductive gate connected to the first non-data memory cell and the second non-data memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jayavel Pachamuthu, Dengtao Zhao
  • Patent number: 11099931
    Abstract: A memory system includes a semiconductor storage device and a memory controller including a storage circuit that stores correction value for read voltages in association with the word line, and a control circuit that reads data from the memory cells, performs a correction operation on the read data to determine a number of error bits therein, determines the correction value for each read voltage based on the number of error bits and a ratio of a lower tail fail bit count and an upper tail fail bit count, and stores the correction values for the read voltages in the storage circuit. The lower tail fail bit count represents the number of memory cells in a first state having threshold voltages of an adjacent state, and the upper tail fail bit count represents the number of memory cells in the adjacent state having threshold voltages of the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kengo Kurose, Masanobu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 11081178
    Abstract: Reliability of stored data is improved without increasing power consumption in a case where a threshold of a control element in a memory cell changes. In a memory including the memory cell, a reference cell, and an access control unit, the memory cell changes from a non-conduction state to a conduction state according to an applied voltage at a threshold voltage and changes to a high resistance state and a low resistance state according to the voltage applied in the conduction state. The reference cell changes from a non-conduction state to a conduction state at a reference threshold voltage according to an applied voltage. The access control unit estimates that the reference threshold voltage measured in the reference cell is the threshold voltage of the memory cell and applies a voltage to the memory cell when accessing the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Haruhiko Terada
  • Patent number: 11081204
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for method for setting a reference voltage for read operations are described. A memory device may perform a first read operation on a set of memory cells using a first reference voltage and detect a first codeword based on performing the first read operation using the first reference voltage. The memory device may compare a first quantity of bits of the first codeword having a first logic value (e.g., a logic value ‘1’) with an expected quantity of bits having the first logic value (e.g., the expected quantity of logic value ‘1’s stored by the set of memory cells). The memory device may determine whether to perform a second read operation on the set of memory cells using a second reference voltage different than the first reference voltage (e.g., greater or less than the first reference voltage) based on the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Bedeschi, Umberto Di Vincenzo, Riccardo Muzzetto
  • Patent number: 11056163
    Abstract: In a particular implementation, an apparatus including first and second bias circuits and an inner amplifier provides sense amplifier offset cancellation. The inner amplifier includes: first and second current generators configured to replicate respective first and second currents from the first and second bias circuits, first and second transistors configured to transform the first and second currents into voltage samples, and first and second capacitors configured to store the voltage samples. In a sampling phase, a sampling of the first and second currents may be performed in the inner amplifier, and further, in an amplification phase, an amplification of the stored voltage samples may also be performed in the inner amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Arm Limited
    Inventors: El Mehdi Boujamaa, Cyrille Nicolas Dray
  • Patent number: 11048654
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are provided to combine multiple channels in a multi-channel memory controller to save area and reduce power and cost. An apparatus may comprise a first memory controller configured to access a first channel using a first protocol, a second memory controller configured to access a second channel using a second protocol that is different from the first protocol and a physical interface coupled to the first memory controller and a second memory controller. The physical interface may comprise a set of pins for an address and command bus shared by the first memory controller and the second memory controller for the first memory controller and the second memory controller to send address or command to respective channels by time division multiplexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: INNOGRIT TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shawn Chen, Wei Jiang, Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 11036631
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to configurable trim settings on a memory device. An example apparatus can include configuring a set of trim settings for an array of memory cells such that the array of memory cells have desired operational characteristics in response to being operated with the set of trim settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aswin Thiruvengadam, Daniel L. Lowrance, Peter Feeley
  • Patent number: 11024395
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an adjustment circuit that can be used, for example, in a memory system with partitioned memory blocks. The adjustment circuit can include a controller circuit, a timer circuit, and a temperature adaptive reference (TAR) generator. The controller circuit can be configured to output a control signal that indicates a memory type (e.g., code memory or data memory) associated with a partitioned memory block. The timer circuit can be configured to output a timing signal for a read memory operation based on the control signal. And, the TAR generator can be configured to adjust a verify reference current for a verify memory operation based on temperature, where the verify reference current is set based on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventors: Yu-Der Chih, Hung-Chang Yu, Ku-Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 11011234
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a non-volatile memory and operating method thereof. The non-volatile memory includes multiple memory strings, multiple bit switch units, a memory operation circuit and multiple source switch units. The bit switch units are electrically connected to the memory strings. The memory operation circuit is electrically connected to the bit switch units to transmit a write signal to the memory unit strings. The source switch units are electrically connected to the memory string so that the memory strings receive a bias signal via the source switch unit. In a program mode, when a first bit switch unit of the bit switch units is turned on and a first memory strings receives the write signal through the first bit switch unit, the source switch units electrically connected to the other memory strings will be turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teng-Hao Yeh, Hang-Ting Lue, Yi-Ching Liu
  • Patent number: 11004519
    Abstract: A memory controller having improved read performance controls a memory device including a plurality of memory cells. The memory controller includes a read operation controller, a history bias storage, and a read voltage setting circuit. The read operation controller read data stored selected memory cells among the plurality of memory cells. The history bias storage stores a plurality of history mean biases, which are mean biases of a plurality of threshold voltage distributions that the plurality of memory cells have, and a plurality of reference cell count values respectively corresponding to the plurality of threshold voltage distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Seon Ju Lee, Min Hwan Moon
  • Patent number: 11004508
    Abstract: A memory system is provided that includes a first memory array including a first memory cell, a second memory array including a second memory cell, and a memory controller configured to determine a threshold voltage of the second memory cell to compensate a drift of a threshold voltage of the first memory cell and/or determine an offset voltage of the second memory cell to compensate an offset voltage of the first memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Grobis, Daniel Bedau
  • Patent number: 10998058
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an adjustment circuit that can be used, for example, in a memory system with partitioned memory blocks. The adjustment circuit can include a controller circuit, a timer circuit, and a temperature adaptive reference (TAR) generator. The controller circuit can be configured to output a control signal that indicates a memory type (e.g., code memory or data memory) associated with a partitioned memory block. The timer circuit can be configured to output a timing signal for a read memory operation based on the control signal. And, the TAR generator can be configured to adjust a verify reference current for a verify memory operation based on temperature, where the verify reference current is set based on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventors: Yu-Der Chih, Hung-Chang Yu, Ku-Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 10990466
    Abstract: A system includes a memory circuitry configured to receive a command, and in response to the command: generate a first read result based on reading a set of memory cells using a first read voltage; and generate a second read result based on reading the set of memory cells using a second read voltage, wherein: the first read voltage and the second read voltage are separately associated with a read level voltage initially assigned to read the set of memory cells, and the first read result and the second read result are for calibrating the read level voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Cadloni, Bruce A. Liikanen, Violante Moschiano
  • Patent number: 10991438
    Abstract: A memory includes an upper deck and a lower deck. The upper deck includes a first upper dummy word line. The lower deck includes a first lower dummy word line. A method for reducing program disturbance of the memory includes adjusting a first upper bias voltage applied to the first upper dummy word line and/or a first upper threshold voltage of the first upper dummy word line to adjust a first difference between the first upper bias voltage and the first upper threshold voltage; and adjusting a first lower bias voltage applied to the first lower dummy word line and/or a first lower threshold voltage of the first lower dummy word line to adjust a second difference between the first lower bias voltage and the first lower threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yali Song, Jianquan Jia, Kaikai You, An Zhang, XiangNan Zhao, Ying Cui, Shan Li, Kaiwei Li, Lei Jin, Xueqing Huang, Meng Lou, Jinlong Zhang
  • Patent number: 10986614
    Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from an improved signaling protocol. For example, communication systems may benefit from an improved network support for a narrowband internet of things in a hosting long term evolution carrier. A method, in certain embodiments, includes shifting a frequency of a downlink long term evolution channel by a pre-determined amount. The shift causes a duplex distance between the downlink long term evolution channel and an uplink long term evolution channel to change. The method includes blanking at least one overlapping radio resource in at least one of the uplink long term evolution channel or an uplink narrowband internet of things channel. The uplink narrowband internet of things channel and the uplink long term evolution channel at least partially overlap. In addition, the method includes receiving data on the uplink narrowband internet of things channel and an additional uplink narrowband internet of things channel at a network entity from a user equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Gunter Wolff, Man Hung Ng, Iwajlo Angelow
  • Patent number: 10964399
    Abstract: A one-time programmable (OTP) memory device including: a cell array circuit including an OTP cell array and dummy cell block, the OTP cell array includes OTP memory cells coupled to bit-lines, read word-lines and voltage word-lines and the dummy cell block is coupled to the read word-lines and voltage word-lines; a row decoder coupled to the dummy cell block and the OTP cell array through the read word-lines and voltage word-lines; a column decoder coupled to the OTP cell array through the bit-lines; a write-sensing circuit coupled to the column decoder; and a control circuit to control the cell array circuit, row decoder and write-sensing circuit based on a command and address, the cell array circuit further includes an isolation circuit to cut off first and second voltages which are transferred to the OTP cell array from the row decoder, in response to control codes in a test mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min-Yeol Ha
  • Patent number: 10964387
    Abstract: A resistive memory device according to an example embodiment of the inventive concepts includes: a cell array including a first section and a second section; a first column switch circuit connected to a memory cell and a reference cell of the first section through first bit lines; a second column switch circuit connected to a memory cell and a reference cell of the second section through second bit lines; and a column decoder configured to control the first and second column switch circuits such that one of the first bit lines connected to the memory cell and one of the second bit lines connected to the reference cell are selected according to a first column address, and one of the first bit lines connected to the reference cell and one of the second bit lines connected to the memory cell are selected according to a second column address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Artur Antonyan
  • Patent number: 10957412
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of strings, a peripheral circuit coupled to the memory cell array and configured for sequentially performing a program voltage apply operation, a program verify operation, and a hole injection operation on the plurality of strings, and a control logic configured for controlling an operation of the peripheral circuit, wherein the control logic controls the operation of peripheral circuit to generate Gate Induced Drain Leakage (GIDL) at a channel under a select transistor of each of the plurality of strings during the hole injection operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Hee Youl Lee, Byung In Lee, Sang Heon Lee
  • Patent number: 10950617
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of word lines spaced from one another in a first direction, a first insulating film provided between adjacent word lines, a plurality of select gates located above the plurality of word lines in the first direction, a first intermediate electrode provided between the plurality of word lines and the select gates, a second insulating film provided between the first intermediate electrode and the select gates, a semiconductor pillar extending through the plurality of word lines, the first insulating film, the first intermediate electrode, the second insulating film, and the select gates, and extending in the first direction, and a charge retention film located between each of the plurality of word lines and the semiconductor pillar, wherein the second insulating film has a second thickness in the first direction that is greater than a first thickness of the first insulating film in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideto Takekida