Signals Patents (Class 365/191)
  • Patent number: 8638637
    Abstract: A memory controller having a time-staggered request signal output. A first timing signal is generated while a second timing signal is generated having a first phase difference relative to the first timing signal. An address value is transmitted in response to the first timing signal and a control value is transmitted in response to the second timing signal, the address value and control value constituting portions of a first memory access request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Ian P. Shaeffer, Bret Stott, Benedict C. Lau
  • Patent number: 8638617
    Abstract: A switching circuit comprises a control and bias stage configured for receiving a first input voltage signal, a second input voltage signal and a selection signal and for generating therefrom a first bulk bias signal substantially equal to the first input voltage signal or to the second input voltage signal depending on the selection signal. The switching circuit further comprises a switching stage connected to the control and bias stage, including a transistor having a bulk terminal, and configured for receiving the bulk bias signal and generating an output signal having the first input voltage signal when the selection signal indicates the selection of the first input voltage signal or having the second input voltage signal when the selection signal indicates the selection of the second input voltage signal. The bulk bias signal is electrically coupled to the bulk terminal of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Carmelo Chiavetta
  • Patent number: 8630135
    Abstract: A row decoder is disposed on a side of a memory cell array in a column direction and supplies one of word lines with a first drive signal for selecting one of memory cells. A dummy word line is formed extending in the column direction. A dummy bit line is formed extending in a row direction. At least one of the dummy word line and the dummy bit line is disposed outside of the memory cell array. The row decoder outputs a second drive signal toward a sense amplifier circuit via the dummy bit line and the dummy word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Toshiaki Douzaka
  • Patent number: 8625371
    Abstract: A memory component has a signaling interface, data input/output (I/O) circuitry, command/address (CA) circuitry and clock generation circuitry. The signaling interface includes an on-die terminated data I/O and an unterminated CA input. The data I/O circuitry is dedicated to sampling write data bits at the data I/O timed by a strobe signal and to transmitting read data bits timed by a first clock signal, each of the write and read data bits being valid for a bit time at the data I/O. The CA circuitry samples CA signals at the CA input timed by a second clock signal, the CA signals indicating read and write operations to be performed within the memory component. The clock generation circuitry generates the first clock signal with a phase that establishes alignment between a leading edge of the bit time for each read data bit and a respective transition of the second clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Ely K. Tsern, Richard E. Perego, Craig E. Hampel
  • Patent number: 8619478
    Abstract: A first clock is received by a memory macro. In response to a first clock transition of the first clock, a first transition of a second clock and of a third clock is generated. A tracking transition of a tracking signal is caused by the second clock. Based on a later transition of a second clock transition of the first clock and the tracking transition of the tracking signal, a second transition of the third clock is generated. The third clock is for use by an input-output of the memory macro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Annie-Li-Keow Lum, Derek C. Tao, Bing Wang
  • Patent number: 8614919
    Abstract: A memory system is provided with a processor, a main memory, and a flash memory. Performance of the memory system is improved through achievement of speed-up and high data reliability. The memory system includes a nonvolatile memory device and a controller configured to drive a control program to control the nonvolatile memory device. The control program executes a second access operation for the nonvolatile memory device even before a first access operation to the nonvolatile memory device is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaesoo Lee, Kangho Roh, Wonhee Cho, Hojun Shim, Youngjoon Choi, Jaehoon Heo, Je-Hyuck Song, Seung-Duk Cho, Seontaek Kim, Moonwook Oh, Jong Tae Park, Wonmoon Cheon, Chanik Park, Yang-sup Lee
  • Publication number: 20130336068
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided that include a method including providing a first pulsed gate signal to a selected memory cell, wherein the pulsed gate signal alternates between a first voltage level and a second voltage level during a time period and sensing a data line response to determine data stored on the selected memory of cells. Further embodiments provide a system including a memory device, having a regulator circuit coupled to a plurality of access lines of a NAND memory cell, and a switching circuit configured to sequentially bias at least one of the plurality of the access lines between a first voltage level and a second voltage level based on an input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 8611170
    Abstract: Power management of an embedded dynamic random access memory (eDRAM) using collected performance counter statistics to generating a set of one or more eDRAM effectiveness predictions. Using a set of one or more eDRAM effectiveness thresholds, each corresponding to one of the set of eDRAM effectiveness predictions, to determine whether at least one eDRAM effectiveness prediction has crossed over threshold. In the case that at least one eDRAM effectiveness prediction has crossed over its threshold, transitioning the eDRAM to a new power state. Power management is achieved by transitioning to a power-off state or self-refresh state and reducing the amount of power consumed by the eDRAM as compared to a power-on state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Y. Kam, Jay D. Schwartz, Seongwoo Kim, Stephen H. Gunther
  • Patent number: 8611124
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory chips each including a chip identification (ID) generation circuit. The chip ID generation circuits of the respective memory chips are operatively connected together in a cascade configuration, and the chip ID generation circuits are activated in response to application of a power supply voltage the memory device to sequentially generate respective chip ID numbers of the plurality of device chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki-Tae Park
  • Patent number: 8610460
    Abstract: Semiconductor modules are provided. The semiconductor module includes a first semiconductor chip configured for storing an information signal that is set in response to a command/address signal and which determines reception of an on-die termination (ODT) signal in a power down mode in response to the information signal to control activation of a first ODT circuit; and a second semiconductor chip configured for sharing and utilizing the first ODT circuit included in the first semiconductor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Jin Kang
  • Patent number: 8605536
    Abstract: Power-on-reset (POR) circuits for resetting memory devices, and related circuits, systems, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a POR circuit is provided. The POR circuit is configured to receive as input, a plurality of decoded address outputs from at least one memory decoding device. The POR circuit is further configured to generate a POR reset if any of the plurality of decoded address outputs are active. As a result, memory decoding device latches can be reset to a known, default condition to avoid causing an unintentional word line selection in the memory during power-on state before an external reset is available. Because the POR circuit can generate the POR reset without need of an external reset, the memory decoding devices can be reset quickly to allow for quicker availability of memory after a power-on condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Esin Terzioglu, Balachander Ganesan, Alex Dongkyu Park, Sei Seung Yoon
  • Patent number: 8605492
    Abstract: A memory device, includes a recording medium; a probe to write a plurality of the signals; a first driving portion to vibratory drive the recording medium; a detecting unit which, when the first driving portion changes a frequency to vibratory drive the recording medium, detects a change in an amplitude of the resonance drive, detects the frequency at which the amplitude becomes maximum as a resonance frequency; and a calculating unit which calculates a timing when the probe writes a plurality of the signals using the resonance frequency; wherein, the first driving portion vibratory drives the recording medium and the probe writes a plurality of the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasushi Tomizawa, Kazuo Watabe, Akihito Ogawa, Yangfang Li, Akihiro Koga
  • Patent number: 8605522
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a program pulse generation block configured to generate write control signals and a program completion signal in response to a programming enable signal; a successive program control circuit configured to generate a successive programming enable signal in response to received program addresses and data count signals as a buffered program command or a buffered overwrite command; and a controller configured to generate the programming enable signal in response to the successive programming enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Bok An
  • Publication number: 20130322162
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a cell array including one or more bank groups, where each of the one or more bank groups includes a plurality of banks and each of the plurality of banks includes a plurality of spin transfer torque magneto resistive random access memory (STT-MRAM) cells. The semiconductor memory device further includes a source voltage generating unit for applying a voltage to a source line connected to the each of the plurality of STT-MRAM cells, and a command decoder for decoding a command from an external source in order to perform read and write operations on the plurality of STT-MRAM cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: YUN-SANG LEE, DONG-SEOK KANG, SANG-BEOM KANG, CHAN-KYUNG KIM, CHUL-WOO PARK, DONG-HYUN SOHN, HYUNG-ROK OH
  • Patent number: 8599629
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a device for synchronizing data output from two or more memory arrays that includes a plurality of sense circuits configured to be responsive to a clock signal. The device further includes a plurality of latches and a tracking circuit. The tracking circuit may be configured to produce a control signal responsive to the clock signal. The control signal may be operable to enable the plurality of latches. The tracking has an associated delay that is substantially the same as a delay associated with at least one of the plurality of sense circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon J. Lovett, Dean Gans
  • Patent number: 8599636
    Abstract: Power supplied to a memory module is provided. A first voltage is supplied to a first power distribution pathway, the first voltage being from a voltage supplied to a printed circuit board on which the memory module resides. A second voltage is generated, the second voltage being generated by a voltage regulator. The second voltage is supplied to a second power distribution pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Corsair Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Solvin, Martin Mueller, Donald Lieberman, John Beekley
  • Patent number: 8599641
    Abstract: Each of the core chips includes a data output circuit that outputs read data to the interface chip in response to a read command, and an output timing adjustment circuit that equalizes the periods of time required between the reception of the read command and the outputting of the read data from the data output circuit among the core chips. With this arrangement, a sufficient latch margin for read data to be input can be secured on the interface chip side. Furthermore, as the output timing is adjusted on each core chip side, there is no need to prepare the same number of latch timing control circuits as the number of core chips on the interface chip side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Yoko, Naohisa Nishioka, Chikara Kondo, Ryuji Takishita
  • Publication number: 20130315009
    Abstract: A period signal generation circuit includes a first discharger configured to discharge first current from a control node which is driven in response to a first reference voltage, and a second discharger configured to discharge second current from the control node. The total current of the first and second currents is substantially constant when an internal temperature of the discharge controller is below a predetermined temperature, and the total current of the first and second currents varies as the internal temperature increases over the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Kyun KIM
  • Publication number: 20130315008
    Abstract: A period signal generation circuit includes a first discharger configured to discharge first current having a constant value from a control node in response to a temperature signal; and a second discharger configured to discharge second current varying according to an internal temperature thereof from the control node in response to the temperature signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Kyun KIM
  • Publication number: 20130315010
    Abstract: A period signal generation circuit includes a period signal generator configured to alternately charge and discharge a control node according to a level of the control node to generate a period signal, a discharge controller configured to discharge a first current having a constant value from the control node in response to a temperature signal and discharge a second current varying according to an internal temperature thereof from the control node in response to the temperature signal, and a tester configured to control a charging speed and a discharging speed of the control node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Kyun KIM
  • Publication number: 20130315004
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory cell array, pad groups, a first option pad, a second option pad and a data input multiplexer block configured to transmit data, input through all or part of the pad groups, to the memory cell array based on whether the first option pad and a ground are connected to each other, wherein the data input multiplexer block is configured to select first pad groups among the pad groups or second pad groups among the pad groups as the part of the pad groups based on whether the second option pad and the ground are connected to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Yong Gyu Chu, Hyo Soon Kang, Seung Bum KO, Sang Jae Rhee
  • Patent number: 8593891
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of core chips to which chip identification information different from each other is allocated and an interface chip are layered, the plurality of core chips are commonly connected to the interface chip through a first current path including at least a through silicon via, the interface chip serially supplies an enable signal to the plurality of core chips through the first current path, and the plurality of core chips are activated based on a logic level of a bit corresponding to the chip identification information among a plurality of bits configuring the enable signal. The present invention can reduce the number of through silicon vias required to supply an enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Naohisa Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8593901
    Abstract: Embodiments may be directed to a method of operating a semiconductor device, the method including receiving a first write training command, receiving a first write data responsive to the first write training command through a first data line, and transmitting the first write data through a second data line. Transmitting the first write data is performed without an additional training command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Young Oh, Young-Soo Sohn, Seung-Jun Bae, Kwang-Il Park
  • Publication number: 20130308401
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes an internal signal generation block configured to generate a control signal which is enabled from a generation time of an internal active signal enabled if it is determined that a combination of external commands in synchronization with a rising edge of an external clock inputted from an outside is a preset combination, to a disable time an internal idle signal; and an internal command signal generation block configured to generate an internal write signal if it is determined that a combination of counting signals counted during an enable period of the control signal is a first combination and generate an internal precharge signal if it is determined that the combination of the counting signals is a second combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Sun Suk YANG
  • Patent number: 8582391
    Abstract: A system is provided with clock skew measurement and correction technology. A first circuit or memory controller 4 includes measuring circuits to measure relative timing or phase offsets of multiple clock signals of a second circuit or memory 6. One measuring circuit is configured for incremental changing of the phase of a transmitted test data sequence to measure and correct timing of a memory receiver circuit's quadrature clocks based on results of a data comparison of transmitted and received test data. Another measuring circuit is configured to scan a received test data sequence for data transitions to measure and correct timing of a memory transmitter circuit's quadrature clocks based on spacing or timing between detected transitions. Individual memory clock generators 30 are controlled with adjustable delay circuits 47 for changing phase of different clock signals of the memory to set the clock signals based on the measurements of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn Chiu
  • Publication number: 20130294182
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, which can increase a read efficiency of the non-volatile semiconductor device using the Low Power Double Data Rate (LPDDR) 2 specifications. The non-volatile semiconductor device includes a decoder configured to output a plurality of active control signals by decoding an active address and an active signal, and a plurality of active controls configured to be controlled by the plurality of active control signals and a plurality of active reset signals so as to generate a plurality of active enable signals that are independently activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Sun Hyuck YUN
  • Patent number: 8576644
    Abstract: A memory device using error correcting code and a system including the same are provided. The memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of memory cells; an access block for accessing the memory cell array; and a controller block for receiving a first operation command signal, dividing the first operation command signal into at least two paths pulse signals corresponding to at least two paths, based on a pre-determined criterion, and then supplying the at least two path pulse signals to the access block. The access block operates based on an output signal of the controller block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong Hyun Jeon, Hoi Ju Chung, Jung Sunwoo
  • Patent number: 8576645
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a signal processing unit configured to generate a control signal corresponding to burst length information and an output controlling unit configured to control an output of a data strobe signal in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Tae-Kyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8570817
    Abstract: A data input device for use in a memory device to avoid false data being written due to a postamble ringing phenomenon in a write operation is provided. The data input device comprises a buffer, a combinational logic circuit and a flip-flop unit. The buffer receives the data and outputs internal data to the flip-flop unit. The combinational logic circuit receives an external data strobe signal to generate a first data strobe signal and a second data strobe signal. The flip-flop unit stores the data in synchronization with the first data strobe signal and outputs the stored data in synchronization with the second data strobe signal. A last rising edge of the second data strobe signal is generated prior to onset of the postamble ringing on the external data strobe signal, so that a data transferred path in the flip-flop unit is closed prior to onset of the postamble ringing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming-Chien Huang
  • Publication number: 20130272073
    Abstract: Command signal management methods and circuits in memory devices are disclosed. Command signals are selectively passed and blocked to enforce safe operating characteristics within a memory device. In at least one embodiment, a command signal management circuit is configured to selectively block a command signal while a memory device operation is being performed. In at least one other embodiment, one or more command blocking circuits are configured to selectively pass and block one or more command signals generated by a memory access device coupled to the memory device while a memory device operation is being performed in the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Nicholas Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 8559261
    Abstract: A dual function memory device architecture compatible with asynchronous operation and synchronous serial operation. The dual function memory device architecture includes one set of physical ports having two different functional assignments. Coupled between the physical ports and core circuits of the memory device are asynchronous and synchronous input and output signal paths or circuits. The signal paths include shared or dedicated buffers coupled to the ports, asynchronous and synchronous command decoders, a network of switches, and a mode detector. The mode detector determines the operating mode of the dual function memory device from a port, and provides the appropriate switch selection signal. The network of switches routes the input or output signals through the asynchronous or synchronous circuits in response to the switch selection signal. The appropriate command decoder interprets the input signals and provides common control logic with the necessary signals for initiating the corresponding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: Jin-Ki Kim
  • Publication number: 20130265837
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a set pulse generator configured to generate a set pulse, a reset pulse generator configured to generate a reset pulse based on the set pulse, and a write driver block configured to write second data to a second non-volatile memory cell using the reset pulse, while writing first data to a first non-volatile memory cell using the set pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Yong Jin Kwon, Kwang Jin Lee, Hye-Jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20130265836
    Abstract: Embodiments of a memory are disclosed that may allow for the detection and compensation of weak data storage cells. The memory may include data storage cells, a selection circuit, a sense amplifier, and a timing and control block. The timing and control block may be operable to controllably select differing time periods between the activation of the selection circuit and the activation of the sense amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Michael R. Seningen, Michael E. Runas
  • Patent number: 8553475
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory controller that writes data to and reads data from a memory device. A write data strobe accompanying the write data indicates to the memory device when the write data is valid, whereas a read strobe accompanying data from the memory device indicates to the memory controller when the read data is valid. The memory controller adaptively controls the phase of the write data strobe to compensate for timing drift at the memory device. The memory controller uses read signals as a measure of the drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick A. Ware
  • Publication number: 20130258747
    Abstract: A memory assist apparatus includes a detection circuit and a compensation circuit. The detection circuit is configured to provide a detection signal indicating whether a bit line configured to provide read access to a data bit stored at a memory bit cell has a voltage below a predetermined threshold. The compensation circuit is configured to pull down the voltage of the bit line if the detection signal indicates that the voltage of the bit line is below the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jonathan Tsung-Yung CHANG, Cheng Hung LEE, Chung-Cheng CHOU, Hung-Jen LIAO, Bin-Hau LO
  • Publication number: 20130258793
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a sense amplifier circuit. The sense amplifier circuit includes a cross-coupled first transistor and second transistor that perform amplification. The sources of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively connected in series with a third transistor and a fourth transistor, and electrical current supply capability of the third and fourth transistors is controlled by a control voltage given to control electrodes of the third and fourth transistors. In a data retaining period, a minimum sub-threshold current necessary for retaining the data is flowed to the third and fourth transistors according to the control voltage, and bit line potential is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Shinichi TAKAYAMA, Akira KOTABE, Kiyoo ITOH, Tomonori SEKIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8547761
    Abstract: A memory module comprises a plurality of semiconductor memory devices each having a termination circuit for a command/address bus. The semiconductor memory devices are formed in a substrate of the memory module, and they operate in response to a command/address signal, a data signal, and a termination resistance control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok-Il Kim, You-Keun Han, Jung-Joon Lee
  • Publication number: 20130250705
    Abstract: A clock signal generation apparatus for generating a reference clock signal for outputting data in synchronization with an external clock signal from a semiconductor memory device, including: a clock signal generation unit for receiving an internal clock signal to generate the reference clock signal according to a control signal; and a control unit for generating the control signal based on a read command, a write command and an external address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: 658868 N.B. INC.
    Inventor: Tae-Jin KANG
  • Publication number: 20130250701
    Abstract: Circuits, memories, and methods for latching a write command and later provided write data including write command and write data timing circuits. One such timing circuit includes internal write command latch to latch an internal write command in response to write command latch signal. The internal write command latch releases the latched write command in response to the write command latch signal after a latency delay. The timing circuit further includes a write leveling flip-flop (FF) circuit and a write data register. One such method includes generating and latching an internal write command. The latched internal write command is released after a latency delay responsive to the memory clock signal. The internal write command is propagated over an internal write command path. Write data is captured and internal write command latched in response to a write clock signal. The captured write data is released to be written to memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatraghavan Bringivijayaraghavan, Jason Brown
  • Publication number: 20130242678
    Abstract: In a method, a first edge of a first tracking signal in a first direction of a memory array is generated. A first edge of a second tracking signal in a second direction of the memory array is generated. A first edge of a write-timing control signal is generated based on a slower edge of the first edge the first tracking signal and of the first edge of the second tracking signal. The first edge of the write-timing control signal is used to generate a second edge of the second tracking signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Bing WANG, Kuoyuan (Peter) HSU, Young Suk KIM
  • Publication number: 20130242639
    Abstract: Even in a circuit which always needs power supply, with a structure in which power supply is stopped in a period which does not need power supply, power consumption at the time of writing data to a memory device included in the circuit is reduced. A volatile memory portion and a nonvolatile memory portion are provided in the memory device included in the circuit which always needs power supply. As a memory element for storing data stored in the volatile memory portion which is included in the nonvolatile memory portion, a variable resistance memory element whose resistance value can be varied depending on voltage applied between both end terminals thereof is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Koyama
  • Patent number: 8537601
    Abstract: A DRAM controller component generates a timing signal and transmits, to a DRAM, write data that requires a first time interval to propagate from the DRAM controller component to the DRAM and to be sampled by the DRAM on one or more edges of the timing signal, a clock signal that requires a second time interval to propagate from the DRAM controller component to the DRAM, and a write command, associated with the write data, to be sampled by the DRAM on one or more edges of the clock signal. The DRAM controller component includes series-coupled delay elements to generate respective incrementally delayed signals, and a multiplexer to select one of the delayed signals to time the transmission of the write data, such that transmission of the write data is delayed based on a difference between the first time interval and the second time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Ely K. Tsern, Richard E. Perego, Craig E. Hampel
  • Patent number: 8537626
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a data input/output circuit connected to the memory cell array via a sense circuit, and an access control circuit that controls access to the memory cell array. The access control circuit includes: a first signal unit outputting a first signal for activating or inactivating a word line; a second signal unit outputting a second signal for activating or inactivating a bit line and the sense circuit; a third signal unit outputting a third signal for starting or stopping a supply of an overdrive voltage to the sense circuit; and a fourth signal unit outputting a fourth signal for inactivating the word line. The period during which the third signal remains activated is determined in accordance with the magnitude of an external voltage. In the fourth signal unit, the timing to generate the fourth signal is determined independently of the magnitude of the external voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Fujisawa, Kazuhisa Ureshino
  • Publication number: 20130235680
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein that reduce the read latency of a cache by separating read and write column select signals that cause the cache to initiate certain read and write operations, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hoyeol CHO, Ioannis Orginos, Daniel Fung
  • Patent number: 8531895
    Abstract: A current control device is disclosed, which reduces a standby current of a semiconductor memory device and a turn-on current of a transistor. The current control device includes an input controller configured to combine a trigger signal and a set signal controlling a circuit operation status, and a drive unit configured to drive an output signal of the input controller, wherein the drive unit includes a current controller for selectively providing a ground voltage in response to an activation status of a pull-down driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Woo Seok Song
  • Patent number: 8531905
    Abstract: A memory apparatus includes a memory cell array comprising a plurality of memory cells connected with a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of word lines, a page buffer unit connected to the plurality of bit lines and latch data read from a memory cell selected from the plurality of memory cells, and a control unit configured to generate a refresh signal according to a prestored current status and provide the refresh signal to the page buffer unit in order to substantially prevent loss of the data latched by the page buffer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Hyun Song
  • Publication number: 20130229856
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to semiconductors and memory technology, and more particularly, to systems, integrated circuits, and methods to implement circuits configured to compensate for parameter variations in layers of memory by adjusting access signals during memory operations. In some embodiments, memory cells are based on third dimensional memory technology. In at least some embodiments, an integrated circuit includes multiple layers of memory, a layer including sub-layers of semiconductor material. The integrated circuit also includes an access signal generator configured to generate an access signal to facilitate an access operation, and a characteristic adjuster configured to adjust the access signal for each layer in the multiple layers of memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Christophe Chevallier, Seow Fong Lim, Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 8526248
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory apparatus may include a bonding pad; a control signal pad; and an operation mode signal generation unit configured to generate a plurality of operation mode signals in response to a bonding signal inputted through the bonding pad and a control signal inputted through the control signal pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jeong Tae Hwang, Kang Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 8526247
    Abstract: Memories and methods for providing and receiving non-data signals at a signal node are disclosed. One such memory includes first and second signal nodes, and first and second signal buffer. The first signal buffer is configured to be operative responsive to a first data strobe signal and further configured to be operative responsive to a non-data signal. The second signal buffer is configured to be operative responsive to a second data strobe signal. An example first data strobe signal is a read data strobe signal provided by the memory. In another example, the first data strobe signal is a write data strobe signal received by the memory. Examples of non-data signals include a data mask signal, data valid signal, error correction signal, as well as other signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mircon Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Huber
  • Patent number: 8520456
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory apparatus may comprise: an input buffer block configured to receive a write signal and a reference level signal, compare a the write signal with a the reference level signal to generate a first write control signal, and delay the first write control signal by a predetermined time to generate a second write control signal; a first decoder block configured to combine the second write control signal inputted from the input buffer block with externally inputted command signals, and generate a first write command signal; a clock control block configured to generate a clock control signal for determining determine a level of an internal clock signal in response to a level of the first write control signal outputted from the input buffer block; and a write signal control block configured to generate an internal write command signal according to a level of the first write command signal inputted from the first decoder block and the clock control signal inputted from the clock control block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Young Kyu Noh