Testing Patents (Class 365/201)
  • Patent number: 11835595
    Abstract: A chip and a chip testing method are provided. The chip includes a sending terminal circuit and a test circuit. The sending terminal circuit includes a signal sending unit and a first signal bump. The first signal bump is coupled to the signal sending unit. The test circuit is coupled to a circuit node between the signal sending unit and the first signal bump. The test circuit includes a first resistor, a unit gain buffer, and an analog-to-digital converter. A first terminal of the first resistor is coupled to the circuit node. A first input terminal of the unit gain buffer is coupled to a second terminal of the first resistor. A second input terminal of the unit gain buffer is coupled to an output terminal of the unit gain buffer. An input terminal of the analog-to-digital converter is coupled to the output terminal of the unit gain buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Shanghai Biren Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kai Lei, Yikai Liang, Yudan Deng, Linglan Zhang, Jinfu Ye, Huan Liu
  • Patent number: 11837267
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and other implementations to store fuse data in memory devices are described. Some implementations may include an array of memory cells with different portions of cells for storing data. A first portion of the array may store fuse data and may contain a chalcogenide storage element, while a second portion of the array may store user data. Sense circuitry may be coupled with the array, and may determine the value of the fuse data using various signaling techniques. In some cases, the sense circuitry may implement differential storage and differential signaling to determine the value of the fuse data stored in the first portion of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mattia Boniardi, Anna Maria Conti, Mattia Robustelli, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Mario Allegra
  • Patent number: 11836099
    Abstract: Memory controllers, devices, modules, systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory module includes a pin interface for coupling to a bus. The bus has a first width. The module includes at least one storage class memory (SCM) component and at least one DRAM component. The memory module operates in a first mode that utilizes all of the first width, and in a second mode that utilizes less than all of the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Kenneth L. Wright, John Eric Linstadt, Craig Hampel
  • Patent number: 11835572
    Abstract: Techniques for usage metering by bias temperature instability with differential sensing on pairs of matching transistors are provided. In one aspect, a usage metering device includes: at least one metering circuit on a chip, the at least one metering circuit having a pair of matching transistors, and a differential current sense circuit connected to the pair of matching transistors, wherein the pair of matching transistors includes a reference transistor which is unused during regular operation of the chip, and a stressed transistor that is on continuously during the regular operation of the chip, and wherein the differential current sense circuit determines a Vt difference between the reference transistor and the stressed transistor. A method for usage metering and a method of forming a usage metering device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Effendi Leobandung
  • Patent number: 11829605
    Abstract: A memory device includes several normal memory circuits and a redundant memory circuit is disclosed. The several normal memory circuits include several normal memory arrays. The redundant memory circuit includes a redundant memory array. The several normal memory arrays share the redundant memory array. When a first normal memory cell of a first normal memory array of the several normal memory arrays is destructed, a first redundant memory cell of the redundant memory array replaces the first normal memory cell. When a second normal memory cell of a second normal memory array of the several normal memory arrays is destructed, a second redundant memory cell of the redundant memory array replaces the second normal memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: JIANGSU ADVANCED MEMORY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., SILOAM HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jui-Jen Wu, Toshio Sunaga, Tzu-Hao Yang
  • Patent number: 11823888
    Abstract: A memory device includes a peripheral circuit layer, a first memory layer provided on the peripheral circuit layer, an inter-metal layer provided on the first memory layer, and a second memory layer provided on the inter-metal layer. The peripheral circuit layer includes a first substrate and a peripheral circuit provided on the first substrate. The first memory layer includes a first memory structure electrically connected to the peripheral circuit through metal bonding pads. The inter-metal layer includes intermediate pads electrically connected to the peripheral circuit through metal bonding pads. The second memory layer includes a second memory structure electrically connected with the intermediate pads and a second substrate provided on the second memory structure. The peripheral circuit, the first memory structure, and the second structure are provided between the first substrate and the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youn-Yeol Lee, Chanho Kim
  • Patent number: 11817174
    Abstract: A spatial disturbance that occurs when an access is concentrated in a specific memory area in a volatile semiconductor memory like DRAM is properly solved by a memory controller. The memory controller includes a concentration access detection part generating a concentration access detection signal when an address for accessing a specific memory area among memory areas of volatile semiconductor memory is concentratedly received. In the case that the concentration access detection signal is generated, the memory controller includes a controller for easing or preventing corruption of data which memory cells of the specific memory area and/or memory cells of memory areas adjacent to the specific memory area hold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyo Min Sohn, Dong Su Lee, Young Jin Cho, Hyung Woo Choi
  • Patent number: 11815985
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory device including a plurality of memory blocks, each including a plurality of memory cells coupled to a plurality of word lines, and a controller configured to determine an operation status regarding a selected memory block among the plurality of memory blocks by performing read test operations to the selected memory block in stages. During the read test operations, the controller adjusts the numbers of word lines selected in each of the stages, based on an error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jong-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 11817168
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for environmental condition tracking for a memory system are described. A memory system may include one or more sensors (e.g., temperature sensors) for identifying a temperature of a memory device. For example, the sensor(s) may identify a first temperature of the memory device when performing a write operation on a memory cell and may identify a second temperature of the memory device when performing a read operation on the memory cell. The memory system may determine a performance characteristic of the memory device based on a correlation between the first temperature and the second temperature and may transmit the performance characteristic to a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Olivier Duval
  • Patent number: 11816361
    Abstract: A circuit for transmitting data includes a mode register data processing module, an external data transmission module, and an internal data transmission module provided in a memory array; the mode register data processing module is configured to write initial data into a reserved mode register in a mode register in response to a write enable command; and the external data transmission module is electrically connected to both the reserved mode register and the internal data transmission module, and is configured to write, in response to an enable signal, target data into the memory array via the internal data transmission module according to the initial data and a preset encoding rule, wherein a number of bytes of the target data is greater than a number of bytes of the initial data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Enpeng Gao
  • Patent number: 11809743
    Abstract: A memory controller includes a command queue having a first input for receiving memory access requests, and a memory interface queue having an output for coupling to a memory channel adapted for connecting to at least one dynamic random access memory (DRAM) module. A refresh control circuit monitors activate commands to be sent over the memory channel. In response to an activate command meeting a designated condition, the refresh control circuit identifies a candidate aggressor row associated with the activate command. A command is sent to the DRAM requesting that the candidate aggressor row be queued for mitigation in a future refresh or refresh management event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Brandl
  • Patent number: 11810615
    Abstract: A memory cell has first, second, third and fourth transistors forming first and second cross-coupled inverters. The inverters define first and inverted first storage nodes; the first connected to first reference and first supply voltages, second connected to second reference and second supply voltages. A fifth transistor connected between first storage node and first bit line; sixth transistor connected between inverted first node and second bit line; first word line connected to fifth transistor, controlling access of first bit line to first node; second word line connected to sixth transistor, controlling access of second bit line to inverted first node. Relative voltage levels of first word line and first reference voltages, or first supply and first reference voltages, or second word line and second reference voltages, or second supply and second reference voltages, or first and second reference voltages are configured so first/inverted node are read/written independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventors: Babak Mohammadi, Berta Morral Escofet, Reza Meraji
  • Patent number: 11809740
    Abstract: A circuit for reading or writing a RAM includes a shift register coupled to the RAM, a test data input, and a test data output. The circuit further includes a control circuit configured to generate a pulse every N clock cycles, each pulse triggering a RAM access operation transferring data between the shift register and the RAM, N being equal to a data width of the RAM divided by a parallel factor, the parallel factor being a number of pins in either the test data input or the test data output configured for parallel data loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Walter Girardi
  • Patent number: 11798617
    Abstract: A method for determining a sense boundary of a sense amplifier includes: writing first data into a memory array; reading the first data in a first memory cell of the memory array, and reversely writing second data into the first memory cell; reading, after a preset row precharge time, the first data in a second memory cell on a bit line where the first memory cell is located; and reversely writing the second data into the second memory cell when the first data is read in the second memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Xikun Chu
  • Patent number: 11790999
    Abstract: A method for erasing a memory cell includes applying a first erase to memory cells to erase the memory cells, wherein first memory cells are in a weakly erased state in response to the first erase, and wherein second memory cells are in a normally erased state in response to the first erase, thereafter applying a first weak program to the memory cells, wherein the second memory cells enter a programmed state and the third memory cells remain in the erased state in response to the first weak program, and thereafter applying a read to the memory cells to identify the second memory cells, and applying a second erase to the second memory cells to thereby erase the second memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CROSSBAR, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Guy, Sung Hyun Jo, Hagop Nazarian, Ruchirkumar Shah, Liang Zhao
  • Patent number: 11783880
    Abstract: Disclosed is an operating method of a memory device communicating with a memory controller, which includes receiving a first command from the memory controller, the first command indicating initiation of synchronization of a data clock signal and defining a clock section corresponding to the synchronization, preparing a toggling of the data clock signal during a preparation time period, processing a first data stream based on the data clock signal toggling at a reference frequency, and processing a second data stream based on the data clock toggling at the reference frequency and extended for a period of the defined first clock section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-Hoon Jang, Kyungryun Kim, Young Ju Kim, Seung-Jun Lee, Youngbin Lee, Yeonkyu Choi
  • Patent number: 11776647
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, which contains a memory bank including M primary word lines and R replacement word lines, a row/column decoder, and an array of redundancy fuse elements. A sorted primary failed bit count list is generated in a descending order for the bit fail counts per word line. A sorted replacement failed bit count list is generated in an ascending order of the M primary word lines in an ascending order. The primary word lines are replaced with the replacement word lines from top to bottom on the lists until a primary failed bit count equals a replacement failed bit count or until all of the replacement word lines are used up. Optionally, the sorted primary failed bit count list may be re-sorted in an ascending or descending order of the word line address prior to the replacement process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chien-Hao Huang, Cheng-Yi Wu, Katherine H. Chiang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11776646
    Abstract: A TPM with programmable fuses in an SOC includes an on-die RAM storing a blown-fuse count and a TPM state read from off-die NV memory. During initialization, if the blown-fuse count is greater than a TPM state fuse count, a TPM state PIN-attempt-failure count is incremented, thereby thwarting a replay attack. If a PIN satisfies a PIN failure policy, and if a TPM state previously-passed-PIN indicator is set to true, a fuse is blown and the blown-fuse count incremented depending on the PIN being incorrect, but if the TPM state previously-passed-PIN indicator is set to false, a fuse is blown and the blown-fuse count incremented independent of whether the PIN is correct or incorrect. The TPM state fuse count is set equal to the blown-fuse count. If a counter cleared before processing the PIN remains cleared during the next initialization, a fuse voltage cut is detected and a penalty imposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ling Tony Chen, Felix Domke, Ankur Choudhary, Bradley Joseph Litterell
  • Patent number: 11776657
    Abstract: A memory device includes a page buffer, a voltage generator, and a test controller. The page buffer is connected to a memory cell through a bit line, and is configured to sense a threshold voltage of the memory cell through a potential of a sensing node electrically connected to the bit line. The voltage generator is configured to generate a test voltage to be applied to the sensing node. The test controller is configured to control the voltage generator to apply the test voltage to the sensing node, and detect a defect of the page buffer, based on a leakage current value of the sensing node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: In Gon Yang, Tae Ho Kim, Jae Hyeon Shin, Sungmook Lim
  • Patent number: 11776619
    Abstract: Techniques to couple a high bandwidth memory device on a silicon substrate and a package substrate are disclosed. Examples include selectively activating input/out (I/O) or command and address (CA) contacts on a bottom side of a logic layer for the high bandwidth device based on a mode of operation. The I/O and CA contacts are for accessing one or more memory devices include in the high bandwidth memory device via one or more data channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Tahoe Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong J. Zhao, James A. McCall, Shigeki Tomishima, George Vergis, Kuljit S. Bains
  • Patent number: 11768941
    Abstract: An apparatus to implement an IP independent secure firmware load into an IP agent without a ROM to establish hardware root of trust is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of agents, at least one agent including an isolated memory region accessible only to a trusted entity of the at least one agent and a main memory, and a processor to allocate a section of the isolated memory region of the at least one agent, verify a first stage firmware module, the first stage firmware module comprising instructions to enable the at least one agent to load and verify a second stage firmware module, place the first stage firmware module into memory of the at least one agent without a ROM to establish the hardware root of trust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vinupama Godavarthi, Andrzej Mialkowski, Kar Leong Wong, Aditya Katragada, Maciej Kusio, Prashant Dewan, Karunakara Kotary
  • Patent number: 11769535
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, first and second pads, an interface circuit connected to the first pad and configured to transmit data input through the first pad to the memory cell array and output data received from the memory cell array through the first pad, a ZQ calibration circuit that is connected to the second pad and executes a ZQ calibration to generate a ZQ calibration value, and a sequencer configured to control the ZQ calibration circuit to apply the ZQ calibration value to the interface circuit. A command set is input through the first pad after reading data from the memory cell array to cause the interface circuit to output the data read from the memory cell array, and the ZQ calibration circuit executes the ZQ calibration after the command set is input and before the data is output through the first pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Hirashima
  • Patent number: 11763876
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of banks each including a plurality of memory cells connected to a plurality of word lines, and a row decoder block connected to the plurality of banks. In a first operation mode, the row decoder block receives a first row address and a first bank address together with an activation command and activates a word line selected by the first row address from among the plurality of word lines of a bank selected by the first bank address from among the plurality of banks. In a second operation mode, the row decoder block receives a second row address and a second bank address together with the activation command and activates a word line selected by the second row address from among the plurality of word lines of each of at least two banks of the plurality of banks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventors: Sang-Hyuk Kwon, Nam Sung Kim, Kyomin Sohn, Seongil O, Haesuk Lee
  • Patent number: 11749371
    Abstract: A memory controller includes: a test module for generating a test command, a test address, and test data during a test operation; a refresh control module for receiving the test command and the test address as an active command and an active address, and generating a first target address by sampling the active address according to the active command, during the test operation; a command/address generation module for providing the active address together with the active command, and providing the first target refresh command together with the first target address to a memory device, while determining whether to repair the active address according to a repair control signal; and a repair analysis module for generating the repair control signal based on a comparison result of the test data and read data from the memory device, during the test operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Woongrae Kim
  • Patent number: 11749366
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes a fuse array circuit including a plurality of fuse sets each assigned to a corresponding one of a plurality of fuse addresses and configured to operatively store a fuse data, and a first circuit configured to generate and sequentially update a fuse address to sequentially read the fuse data from the plurality of fuse sets. The first circuit is configured to change a frequency of updating the fuse address based on a first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Matsubara, Alan Wilson, Minoru Someya
  • Patent number: 11740285
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, the semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a pattern generator, a result comparator, and a control circuit. The pattern generator supplies input data to a device-under-test. The result comparator compares output data of the device-under-test with expected value data and outputs a test result signal. The control circuit controls the pattern generator and the result comparator. The device-under-test and the result comparator are commonly connected to a first clock line. The pattern generator and the control circuit are commonly connected to a second clock line different from the first clock line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Yuusuke Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11742006
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a memory device that is capable of performing command address interface training operations, to determine that certain timing conditions are met, with fewer I/O pins relative to prior approaches. Prior approaches for command address interface training involve loading data via a set of input pins, a clock signal, and a clock enable signal that identifies when the input pins should be sampled. Instead, the disclosed memory device generates a data pattern within the memory device that matches the data pattern continuously being transmitted to the memory device by an external memory controller. The memory device compares the generated data pattern with the received data pattern and transmits the result of the comparison on one or more data output pins. The memory controller receives and analyzes the result of the comparison to determine whether the command address interface training passed or failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Bloemer, Gautam Bhatia
  • Patent number: 11742045
    Abstract: A decoder decodes a memory address and selectively drives a select line (such as a word line or mux line) of a memory. An encoding circuit encodes the data on select lines to generate an encoded address. The encoded address and the memory address are compared by a comparison circuit to generate a test result signal which is indicative of whether the decoder is operating properly. To test the comparison circuit for proper operation, a subset of an MBIST scan routine causes the encoded address to be blocked from the comparison circuit and a force signal to be applied in its place. A test signal from the scan routine and the force signal are then compared by the comparison circuit, with the test result signal generated from the comparison being indicative of whether the comparison circuit itself is operating properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Rohit Bhasin, Shishir Kumar, Tanmoy Roy, Deepak Kumar Bihani
  • Patent number: 11742041
    Abstract: A TPM with programmable fuses in an SOC includes an on-die RAM storing a blown-fuse count and a TPM state read from off-die NV memory. During initialization, if the blown-fuse count is greater than a TPM state fuse count, a TPM state PIN-attempt-failure count is incremented, thereby thwarting a replay attack. If a PIN satisfies a PIN failure policy, and if a TPM state previously-passed-PIN indicator is set to true, a fuse is blown and the blown-fuse count incremented depending on the PIN being incorrect, but if the TPM state previously-passed-PIN indicator is set to false, a fuse is blown and the blown-fuse count incremented independent of whether the PIN is correct or incorrect. The TPM state fuse count is set equal to the blown-fuse count. If a counter cleared before processing the PIN remains cleared during the next initialization, a fuse voltage cut is detected and a penalty imposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ling Tony Chen, Felix Domke, Ankur Choudhary, Bradley Joseph Litterell
  • Patent number: 11733290
    Abstract: Presented embodiments facilitate efficient and effective flexible implementation of different types of testing procedures in a test system. In one embodiment, a flexible sideband support system comprises a load board, testing electronics coupled to the load board, a controller coupled to the testing electronics. The load board is configured to couple with a plurality of devices under test (DUTs), wherein the load board includes in-band testing ports and sideband testing ports. The testing electronics is configured to test the plurality of DUTs, wherein a portion of testing electronics are organized in sideband resource groups. The controller is configured to direct testing of the DUTs, wherein the controller is coupled to the testing electronics and the controller directs selective allocation of the testing electronics in the sideband resource groups to various testing operations of the DUTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Srdjan Malisic, Chi Yuan, Seth Craighead
  • Patent number: 11733994
    Abstract: A data processing device for providing data storage services includes memory, persistent storage, and a device manager. The persistent storage stores a code repository. The state manager obtains a code update request for a new state for the device manager; injects state manager code to begin execution of the state manager in response to obtaining the code update request; updates the device manager data using the code repository and a memory region state map to obtain an updated device manager; and extracts the state manager code to resume execution of the updated device manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan I. Krasner, Li Lang, Avraham Goldin
  • Patent number: 11726695
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are provided for electrical mirroring implemented by a storage controller in a non-volatile storage system. In one embodiment, a non-volatile storage system may comprise a plurality of non-volatile storage devices and a storage controller. The storage controller may be configured to perform an electrical mirroring configuration process comprising: determining a system topology of the non-volatile storage system and which targets are in mirrored non-volatile storage devices and setting respective register bits in the storage controller for all targets in all mirrored non-volatile storage devices of the plurality of non-volatile storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Innogrit Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gang Zhao, Jie Chen, Lin Chen, Wei Jiang
  • Patent number: 11727987
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory is provided wherein a memory cell includes a capacitorless transistor having a floating body configured to store data as charge therein when power is applied to the cell. The cell further includes a nonvolatile memory comprising a resistance change element configured to store data stored in the floating body under any one of a plurality of predetermined conditions. A method of operating semiconductor memory to function as volatile memory, while having the ability to retain stored data when power is discontinued to the semiconductor memory is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 11726670
    Abstract: In a method of operating a memory controller, a decoding status flag is received from a memory module including a plurality of data chips and at least one parity chip. Each of the plurality of data chips and the at least one parity chip may include an on-die error correction code (ECC) engine. The decoding status flag is generated by the on-die ECC engines. A first number and a second number may be obtained based on the decoding status flag. The first number represents a number of first chips including an uncorrectable error that is uncorrectable by the on-die ECC engine. The second number represents a number of second chips including a correctable error that is correctable by the on-die ECC engine. At least one of a plurality of decoding schemes is selected based on at least one of the first number and the second number. A system ECC engine may perform ECC decoding on at least one of the first chips and the second chips based on the selected decoding scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventors: Sungrae Kim, Sunghye Cho, Kijun Lee, Myungkyu Lee
  • Patent number: 11721408
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell array and a test controller. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells, where the memory cell array is divided into multiple regions. The test controller is configured to perform a parallel bit test (PBT) on the plurality of memory cells, where the test controller selects fail data including a fail data bit among internal data output from the multiple regions during the PBT, and outputs the fail data via a data input/output signal line to the outside of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daejeong Kim, Namhyung Kim, Dohan Kim, Deokho Seo, Wonjae Shin, Insu Choi
  • Patent number: 11716073
    Abstract: A chip with pad tracking having an input/output buffer (I/O buffer), a pad, and a bias circuit. The I/O buffer is powered by a first power and is coupled to the pad. The pad is coupled to the system power. The bias circuit generates a bias signal to be transferred to the I/O buffer to block a leakage path within the I/O buffer when the system power is on and the first power is off. The bias circuit is a voltage divider which generates a divided voltage as the bias signal. In an example, the bias circuit is powered by a second power that is independent from the first power and is not drawn from the pad. In another example, a power terminal of the bias circuit is coupled to an electrostatic discharging bus, and the pad is coupled to the electrostatic discharging bus through a diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Hsin-Cheng Hsu, Jui-Ming Chen, Federico Agustin Altolaguirre
  • Patent number: 11715542
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor die having a peripheral region surrounding, a defect detection circuit in the peripheral region, the defect detection circuit arranged in an open conduction loop, the defect detection circuit comprising a plurality of latch circuits and a plurality of defect detection conduction paths, each defect detection conduction path of the plurality of defect detection conduction paths connecting two adjacent latch circuits of the plurality of latch circuits, and a test control circuitry configured to perform (a) a test write operation by transferring bits of an input data pattern in a forward direction of the open conduction loop to cause the plurality of latch circuits to store the bits of the input data pattern in the plurality of latch circuits, and (b) a test read operation by transferring bits stored in the plurality of latch circuits in a backward direction of the open conduction loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jongpil Son
  • Patent number: 11710534
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein are directed to testing and/or debugging a memory device of a memory module (e.g., a dual in-line memory module (DIMM)) without having to remove the DIMM from a corresponding computing device and without having to interrupt operation of the computing device. A particular memory device (e.g., DRAM) may be identified for testing and/or debugging based on a failure message. However, the failure message may not identify a specific location or hardware of the module that caused the failure. Embodiments presented herein provide techniques to obtain data for analysis to determine and/or deliver a cause of the failure while reducing or eliminating downtime of the computing device. Test modes to do so may include a synchronous test mode, an asynchronous test mode, and an analog compare mode. A test mode may be selected based on the failure or a signal/function of the DRAM to be tested or debugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Scott E. Smith, Manoj Vijay
  • Patent number: 11704047
    Abstract: A system includes a memory array, a thermometer, and control logic, operatively coupled with the memory array and the thermometer, to perform operations including causing the thermometer to obtain a first temperature result, monitoring a time since obtaining the first temperature result, determining whether the time satisfies a threshold time condition, in response to determining that the time satisfies the threshold time condition, causing the thermometer to obtain a second temperature result from an automatic temperature reading, determining a difference between the second temperature result and a previously stored temperature result, and filtering the second temperature result based on the difference to obtain a new stored temperature result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Agostino Macerola, Michele Piccardi, Umberto Siciliani, Tommaso Vali, Enrico Favaro
  • Patent number: 11699480
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device may include a core circuit including a plurality of memory cell arrays electrically connected between a plurality of row lines and a plurality of column lines, and a column path control circuit configured to generate a preliminary column pulse from a command signal irrelevant to a column address signal, to generate a main column pulse in response to an enable time point of the column address signal and an enable time point of the preliminary column pulse, and to enable an access target column line among the plurality of column lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Ji Eun Kim
  • Patent number: 11694729
    Abstract: A pipe latch circuit includes a data latch circuit configured to latch an input data based on an input control signal and output the latched input data as a latch data based on an output control signal, a sense amplification circuit configured to sense and amplify the latch data based on a sum output control signal, and a data driving circuit configured to drive an output data from the latch data based on the sum output control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Kwang Soon Kim
  • Patent number: 11693582
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a plurality of memory cells; a plurality of sense circuits, a sense circuit comprising a sense node selectively coupled to a bitline coupled to a first cell of the plurality of memory cells; and a controller to transpose a value indicative of a voltage of the first cell to the sense node; isolate the sense node from the bitline; and calibrate a parameter for the sense circuit based on outputs of the sense circuit for each of a plurality of different applied values of the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Aliasgar S. Madraswala, Ali Khakifirooz, Camila Jaramillo, John Egler, Netra Mahuli, Renjie Chen, Yogesh Wakchaure
  • Patent number: 11688475
    Abstract: Data from a first memory cell of a plurality of memory cells is read, and it is determined whether the data stored at the first memory cell comprises an error. Upon determining that the data stored at the first memory cell comprises the error, it is determined whether an error correction operation on the data stored at the first memory cell is successful. Responsive to determining that the error correction operation on the data stored at the first memory cell is unsuccessful, a second memory cell of the plurality of memory cells is identified and a two-pass programming operation is performed on the second memory cell instead of the first memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11688482
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a digital circuit testing and analysis module system comprising a memory (22). The memory (22) is addressed by numerical values defined by a group of digital signals. A respective memory location associated with a specific numerical value indicates a status of the group of digital signals. The status can for example reflect the validity of the signals in the group of signals when testing a circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: NUMASCALE AS
    Inventors: Thibaut Palfer-Sollier, Einar Rustad, Steffen Persvold
  • Patent number: 11681642
    Abstract: A device comprising: a control bus; a plurality of requesting circuits each accessible on the control bus, wherein each of the plurality of requesting circuits is operable to dispatch read or write requests to the control bus for delivery to at least one of a plurality of receiving circuits, and the plurality of receiving circuits each accessible on the control bus, and each of which is operable to receive requests from the at least one control bus and service the requests by providing at least one of read or write access to storage associated with the respective receiving circuit, wherein the control bus provides a ring path configured to support, the requests in circulation in the ring path, wherein the control bus is configured to propagate each of at least some of the requests at least until those requests have been serviced by at least one of the receiving circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: GRAPHCORE LIMITED
    Inventors: Graham Bernard Cunningham, Daniel John Pelham Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 11676678
    Abstract: A defect detecting method for a Word Line (WL) driving circuit includes: m WLs correspondingly connected to m different WL driving circuits are selected from a memory cell array and corresponding WL driving circuit arrays to serve as m WLs to be tested, one of which is set as a first WL and the remaining m-1 ones are set as second WLs; first potential is written into memory cells correspondingly connected to the m WLs to be tested; second potential is written into memory cells correspondingly connected to the first WL; real-time potentials of the memory cells connected to respective second WLs are sequentially read, and when difference value between the real-time potential of one target memory cell and the first potential is greater than first pre-set value, it is determined that the WL driving circuit connected to the second WL corresponding to the target memory cell has a defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Wugang Chen, Lung Yang
  • Patent number: 11670393
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a flag generation circuit configured to receive region fuse data and used fuse data which are generated from a fuse set selected based on a fuse set selection signal among from fuse sets and generate a bank resource flag to control a repair operation for a bank on which a repair operation has not been performed, based on the region fuse data and the used fuse data. The semiconductor device also includes a repair control circuit configured to control the repair operation for banks sharing the fuse sets based on the bank resource flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Beom Lee, Eun Je Kim, Hyeong Soo Jeong
  • Patent number: 11669124
    Abstract: A memory controller having a data receiver to sample data at a sample timing using a strobe signal, wherein the data and the strobe signal are sent by a memory device in connection with a read operation initiated by the memory controller, and a strobe receiver to receive the strobe signal, wherein a phase of the strobe signal has a drift relative to a reference by an amount. The memory controller further having a monitoring circuit to monitor the strobe signal and determine the amount of the drift, and an adjustment circuit to update the sample timing of the data receiver based on the amount of drift determined by the monitoring signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Best, Abhijit M. Abhyankar, Kun-Yung Chang, Frank Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 11664066
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a connector into which a first-type semiconductor storage device operating with n types of power supply voltages or a second-type semiconductor storage device operating with m types of power supply voltages less than the n types of power supply voltages is capable of being placed. The apparatus checks whether or not a notch is formed at a predetermined position of a semiconductor storage device placed into the connector, and supplies the m types of power supply voltages to the semiconductor storage device when the notch is formed at the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Akihisa Fujimoto, Atsushi Kondo
  • Patent number: 11650877
    Abstract: A method for detecting an address error when reading a bitstream from a memory is proposed, wherein a check is carried out as to whether the bitstream in conjunction with the present read address is a code word of an error code and wherein, should the bitstream in conjunction with the present read address not be a code word of the error code, an address error is subsequently detected provided the error code does not correct an error correctable thereby. Accordingly, an apparatus, a system and a computer program product are specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kern, Klaus Oberlaender, Christian Badack, Michael Goessel