Initiating Signal Patents (Class 365/233.14)
  • Patent number: 12237048
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell array having memory cells connected to wordlines and bitlines, and a clock buffer receiving a clock signal for performing a read operation or a write operation on at least one of the memory cells. The clock buffer includes a plurality of serially connected clock repeaters, and the plurality of clock repeaters have at least one pair of clock repeaters having different imbalanced driving capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hijung Kim, Kwangchol Choe, Kwangsook Noh, Jaepil Lee
  • Patent number: 12222835
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein may enable memory maintenance operations to be performed on a memory device in compliance with a time interval having a duration based on a temperature of the memory device. A system may include a memory device and a memory controller communicatively coupled to the memory device. The memory controller may receive a temperature measurement indicative of a present temperature of the memory device and determine a memory management interval based on the temperature measurement. The memory controller may perform a memory management operation based on the memory management interval. Sometimes, the memory controller powers on the memory device to perform the memory management operation on the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo Visconti, John David Porter
  • Patent number: 12217821
    Abstract: A storage device includes a memory device including a plurality of memory dies; and a memory controller for addressing a memory die among the plurality of memory dies by using an address latch enable (ALE) signal and a command latch enable (CLE) signal, which are input during predetermined N cycles, where N is a natural number, and controlling the memory device such that the memory die performs a memory operation. The memory controller may address the memory die by addressing a channel among a plurality of channels respectively connected to a plurality of package groups by using a chip enable (CE) signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Han Ryu, In Bo Shim, Hyeong Rak Kim, Hae Seong Jeong
  • Patent number: 12051466
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory cell including one or more programmable resistors and a control transistor. In one aspect, a programmable resistor includes a gate structure and one or more source/drain structures for forming a transistor. A resistance of the programmable resistor may be set by applying a voltage to the gate structure, while the control transistor is enabled. Data stored by the programmable resistor can be read by sensing current through the programmable resistor, while the control transistor is disabled. In one aspect, the one or more programmable resistors and the control transistor are implemented by same type of components, allowing the memory cell to be formed in a compact manner through a simplified the fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Der Chih, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang, Yun-Sheng Chen, Maybe Chen, Ya-chin King, Wen Zhang Lin, Chrong Jung Lin, Hsin-Yuan Yu
  • Patent number: 12027198
    Abstract: Embodiments include a memory device with an improved circuit to mitigate degradation of memory devices due to aging. Memory device input/output pins include delay elements for adjusting the delay in each memory input/output signal path to synchronize the input/output signal paths with one another. Certain data patterns, including a long series of logic zero values or a long series of logic one values, can cause asymmetric degradation of transistors included in the delay elements. This asymmetric degradation can reduce the operating frequency of the memory device, leading to lower performance. The disclosed embodiments change the polarity of signals passing through the delay elements to mitigate the effects of asymmetric degradation resulting from these data patterns. As a result, the performance of memory devices is improved relative to prior approaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ish Chadha, Virendra Kumar, Vipul Katyal, Abhijith Kashyap
  • Patent number: 11822818
    Abstract: A memory device includes first memory circuits and first memory controller. The first memory controller is configured to receive a first command from a first circuitry. When the first memory controller controls a first circuit in the first memory circuits to operate in an enable mode in response to the first command, the first memory controller is further configured to control remaining circuits in the first memory circuits to operate in a data retention mode in response to the first command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SIGMASTAR TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Shan-Cheng Sun, Hsien-Chu Chung, Yi-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 11575385
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a first input node configured to receive a dock signal; a second input node configured to receive an activation signal or a deactivation signal; a filter circuit responsive to: (a) the activation signal to activate the filter circuit to block the dock signal; or (b) the deactivation signal to deactivate the filter circuit to pass the dock signal; and an output node configured for coupling to a synchronous I/O interface of an integrated circuit to control operation of the synchronous I/O interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: U-BLOX AG
    Inventors: Aneeb Sohail, Hariharasudhan Vigneswaran
  • Patent number: 11468923
    Abstract: Apparatuses, mufti-memory systems, and methods for controlling data timing in a multi-memory system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a plurality of memory units. In the example apparatus, a memory unit of the plurality of memory units includes a memory configured to provide associated read data to a data pipeline based on row control signals and column control signals. The memory unit further includes local control logic configured to provide the row control signals and the column control signals to the memory, and a configurable delay circuit coupled between the local control logic and the memory, the configured to delay receipt of the column control signals to the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsugio Takahashi, Zer Liang
  • Patent number: 11422712
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a storage device includes a stage on which a semiconductor wafer can be mounted, wherein data is capable of being read from the semiconductor wafer or data is capable of being written to the semiconductor wafer. The storage device further includes a plurality of probe pins for reading or writing data, and a controller connected the probe pins. The semiconductor wafer includes electrodes connectable to the probe pins, a first memory area that can store user data, and a second memory area that can store identification information for identification of the semiconductor wafer and a check code for checking integrity of the identification information. The controller is capable of reading the identification information and the check code from the second memory area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhito Yoshimizu, Takashi Fukushima, Tatsuro Hitomi, Arata Inoue, Masayuki Miura, Shinichi Kanno, Toshio Fujisawa, Keisuke Nakatsuka, Tomoya Sanuki
  • Patent number: 11295793
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for system-level timing budget improvements are described. Each memory die in a memory device may determine an offset between its system clock signal and its data clock signal. The offsets of each memory die in the memory device may be different; e.g., having different magnitudes and/or polarities. A memory die in the memory device may adjust its own data clock signal by a delay that is based on the offsets of two or more memory die in the device. The memory die may adjust its data clock signal by setting a fuse in a delay adjuster on the memory die. Adjusting the data clock signal may match an offset of a first memory die with an offset of a second memory die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kang-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 11164620
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for timing signal calibration for a memory device are described. In some memory devices, operations for accessing memory cells may be performed with timing that is asynchronous with an input signal. To support asynchronous timing, a timing signal generation component of a memory device may include delay components that support generating a timing signal having aspects that are delayed relative to an input signal. Delay components may have characteristics that are sensitive to fabrication or operational variability, such that timing signals may also be affected by such variability. In accordance with examples as disclosed herein, a memory device may include delay components, associated with access operation timing signal generation, that are configured to be selectively enabled or disabled based on a calibration operation of the memory device, which may improve an ability of the memory device to account for various sources of timing signal variability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jaeil Kim
  • Patent number: 10970243
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to embodiments of bus interface systems capable of dealing with the tougher half clock cycle of SREAD commands in the new mobile industry processor interface (MIPI) radio frequency front end (RFFE) version 2.0 standard. With regard to the slave bus controllers of the bus interface systems disclosed herein, the slave bus controller is configured to operate the slave bus driver such that the data bus line is driven towards a minimum voltage level in response to a final clock edge of the clock signal during the bus park subframe. To ensure compliance with the MIPI RFFE version 2.0 standard, the slave bus controller is configured to detect when the data bus line has been driven within a first voltage range after the final clock edge and continue driving the data bus line 16 even after the bus park half clock period is finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: William David Southcombe, Christopher Truong Ngo
  • Patent number: 10657069
    Abstract: A method includes accessing a cache including a first cache block and setting the first cache block to a passive sub-state, where the first cache block in the passive sub-state is configured to be accessed or modified. The method also includes receiving at least one access or modification request of the first cache block and transitioning the first cache block from the passive sub-state to an active sub-state. The method also includes incrementing an ordinal cache activation count at an active cache counter in response to the transitioning, where the active cache counter is configured to track the activation counts such that oldest cache use counts are designated to be overwritten in the cache in an oldest-first fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kishore Sampathkumar, Pradeep Balakrishnan, Shashikiran Venkatesh
  • Patent number: 10461956
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of IP cores, a plurality of storage devices, a configuration information acquiring unit that acquires configuration information for specifying a timing when the IP core accesses the storage device, and an allocation determining unit that determines the storage device allocated to the IP core. The configuration information acquiring unit acquires configuration information regarding a first IP core and configuration information regarding a second IP core. The allocation determining unit determines, based on the configuration information, whether an access timing by the first IP core is the same as an access timing by the second IP core, and when it is determined that the access timings are the same, determines allocation in such a way that the storage device allocated to the first IP core becomes different from the storage device allocated to the second IP core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuji Tsuda, Masaru Hase, Yuki Inoue, Katsushige Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10431281
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for section-based data protection in a memory device are described. In one example, a memory device may include a set memory sections each having memory cells configured to be selectively coupled with access lines of the respective memory section. A method of operating the memory device may include selecting at least one of the sections for a voltage adjustment operation based on a determined value of a timer, and performing the voltage adjustment operation on the selected section by activating each of a plurality of word lines of the selected section. The voltage adjustment operation may include applying an equal voltage to opposite terminals of the memory cells, which may allow built-up charge, such as leakage charge accumulating from access operations of the selected memory section, to dissipate from the memory cells of the selected section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Fackenthal, Daniele Vimercati, Jahanshir Javanifard
  • Patent number: 9953686
    Abstract: A memory system of a high-speed operation can be realized by reducing an influence of reflection signals etc. caused by branching and impedance mismatching in various wirings between a memory controller and a memory module, and an influence due to transmission delays of data, command/address, and clocks in the memory module. To this end, a memory system comprises a memory controller and a memory module mounted with DRAMs. A buffer is mounted on the memory module. The buffer and the memory controller are connected to each other via data wiring, command/address wiring, and clock wiring. The DRAMs and the buffer on the memory module are connected to each other via internal data wiring, internal command/address wiring, and internal cock wiring. The data wiring, the command/address wiring, and the clock wiring may be connected to buffers of other memory modules in cascade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Matsui
  • Patent number: 9728251
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for sensing a resistance variable memory cell include circuitry to apply a programming signal to a memory cell in the array, the programming signal associated with programming resistance variable memory cells to a particular data state, and detect a change in resistance of the memory cell to determine if a data state of the memory cell changes from an initial data state to a different data state during application of the programming signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 9575543
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor includes multiple cores each to independently execute instructions and a power control unit (PCU) coupled to the cores to control power consumption of the processor. In turn, the PCU includes a control logic to cause the processor to re-enter a first package low power state responsive to expiration of an inter-arrival timer, where this expiration indicates that a time duration subsequent to a transaction received in the processor has occurred. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Neena Conrad, Shaun M. Conrad, Stephen H. Gunther
  • Patent number: 9473140
    Abstract: Several circuits and methods that may be implemented to enable specification support of a plurality of interface components in an IC are disclosed. In an embodiment, a circuit includes a plurality of multiplexer circuits and a control circuit. The plurality of multiplexer circuits are configured to provide a plurality of data paths and a plurality of outputs according to a set of selection signals. The plurality of data paths is configurable for at least a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation based on the set of selection signals. The first mode of operation and the second mode of operation are associated with complimentary specifications. The control circuit is coupled with the plurality of multiplexer circuits in order to control the set of selection signals of the plurality of multiplexer circuits to thereby select one of the first mode and the second mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajiv Girdhar, Anubhav Shukla, Aishwarya Dubey
  • Patent number: 9196349
    Abstract: A device includes an output circuit, a DLL (Delay Locked Loop) circuit including a first delay line receiving a first clock signal and outputting, in response to receiving the clock signal, a second clock signal supplied to the output circuit, and an ODT (On Die Termination) circuit receiving an ODT activation signal and outputting, in response to receiving the ODT activation signal, an ODT output signal supplied to the output circuit to set the output circuit in a resistance termination state, and the ODT circuit including a second delay line configured to be set by the DLL circuit in an equivalent delay amount that is equivalent to a delay amount of the first delay line, the ODT output signal being, in a first time-period during which the ODT activation signal is in an active state, generated by being conveyed via the second delay line in which the equivalent delay amount has been set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Miyano, Hiroki Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 9070433
    Abstract: A technique to generate timing control for an SRAM circuit operating with dual power supplies is provided. A voltage signal is generated by a programmable local clock buffer that receives power from a first voltage level. The voltage signal is shifted higher by a level shifter that receives power from both the first voltage level and a second voltage level. The voltage signal is delayed by a delay clock chopper circuit that receives power from the second voltage level. The delay clock chopper circuit includes a programmable pulse width variation (PWVAR) circuit that varies the pulse width of the voltage signal. The PWVAR circuit receives power from the second voltage level. The voltage signal drives a global bitline of the SRAM. The voltage signal has timing sensitive to both the first and second voltage levels. The voltage signal has its pulse width sensitive to the second voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bunce, Yuen H. Chan, John D. Davis, Diana M. Henderson
  • Patent number: 9032108
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory block including memory cells coupled to bit lines, read/write circuits each including cache latch suitable for temporarily storing data to be stored in the memory cells, wherein the read/write circuits are divided into a plurality of groups and perform a program operation to store the data in the memory cells coupled to the bit lines, and an initialization control unit suitable for initializing the cache latches of the read/write circuits of a group corresponding to the address before the data is input to the cache latches, when a program command and an address are input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Oh Lim
  • Patent number: 9013950
    Abstract: A column select signal generation circuit includes: a first current controller configured to control the level of a pre-column select signal in response to a bank active signal, a driver configured to generate an amplified column select signal in response to the pre-column select signal, and a second current controller configured to generate an output signal of the driver as a column select signal in response to the bank active signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Youp Cha, Jae Il Kim
  • Publication number: 20150078060
    Abstract: A low-pin-count non-volatile (NVM) memory to be provided in an integrated circuit. The low-pin-count non-volatile (NVM) memory can use only one external control signal and one internal clock signal to generate start, stop, device ID, read/program/erase pattern, starting address, and actual read/program/erase cycles. When programming or erasing begins, toggling of the control signal increments/decrements a program or erase address and a pulse width of the control signal determines the actual program or erase time. A data out of the low-pin-count non-volatile (NVM) memory can be multiplexed with the control signal. In some applications where only the integrated circuit can read the data, a second control signal internal to the integrated circuit generates start, stop, device ID, read pattern, starting address, and actual read cycles, while the first control signal external to the integrated circuit can do the same for the program or erase path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Shine C. Chung
  • Patent number: 8953409
    Abstract: A device includes a control circuit that triggers a first operation every time a specific signal is supplied thereto, and that triggers a second operation in place of the first operation in response to the first specific signal supplied after the number of the first operation performed has reached a predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Toru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8953392
    Abstract: A latency control device and a semiconductor device including the same are disclosed. The latency control device includes: a code setting unit configured to output a plurality of coding signals by setting a code value having a specific delay amount in response to a code signal; a latch unit configured to latch a command signal for a predetermined time; a period control unit configured to control a delay amount of a period signal in response to an output signal of the latch unit; a selection unit configured to output an oscillation signal synchronized with the clock signal in response to the selection signal, or synchronize the oscillation signal with an output signal of the period control unit; a register unit configured to output a plurality of period signals by dividing the oscillation signal; and a comparator configured to compare the plurality of coding signals with the plurality of period signals so as to output the self-latency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Kyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8953397
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device and a method of operating the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a ROM for storing a program algorithm, an erase algorithm, a reading algorithm, and a reset algorithm and outputting ROM data corresponding to a selected algorithm, a program counter for outputting a ROM address to the ROM so as to sequentially operate the selected algorithm, an internal circuit for performing an operation corresponding to the selected algorithm in response to a plurality of internal circuit control signals in response to the ROM data, and a reset circuit for stopping progress of a running algorithm by initializing the program counter in response to a reset command input from an outside, and performing the reset algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Tai Kyu Kang, Sang Hyun Song
  • Patent number: 8923090
    Abstract: A decoder circuit to decode an address for accessing a memory cell in a memory array includes address latch circuitry, inverter circuitry, and first address pre-decode circuitry. The address latch circuitry receives an address signal and generates address holding signals during a setup period. The address latch circuitry latches the address holding signals during an address hold period following the setup period. The inverter circuitry receives the address signal and generates a complementary address signal. The first address pre-decode circuitry decodes the address signal and the address holding signals during the setup period to generate a first pre-decode address signal at an output of the first address pre-decode circuitry. In addition, the first address pre-decode circuitry decodes the address holding signals during the address hold period to maintain the first pre-decode address signal at the output of the first address pre-decode circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Evans, Rasoju V. Chary, Jeffrey C. Herbert, Rahul Sahu, Rajiv K. Roy
  • Publication number: 20140376326
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a clock pulse generating circuit suitable for outputting a command enable clock pulse when a predetermined command is input during a predetermined command-masking period, a command interface circuit suitable for outputting an internal command signal based on the command enable clock pulse and the command, and a target operating circuit suitable for performing an operation corresponding to the command based on the internal command signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Kyu LEE, Wan Ik CHO
  • Patent number: 8909889
    Abstract: A disk drive including a disk configured to spin at a target spin speed, a servo core configured to access the disk, a first non-volatile memory configured to store a first initialization firmware, a second non-volatile memory configured to store a second initialization firmware, a first volatile memory, a second volatile memory, a non-volatile memory core configured to access the first non-volatile memory, and a main core. The main core is configured to load the second initialization firmware from the second non-volatile memory to the second volatile memory concurrently with the loading of the first initialization firmware from the first non-volatile memory to the first volatile memory by the non-volatile memory core, control the servo core to initiate spinning of the disk, and communicate with the non-volatile memory core to service host commands from the first non-volatile memory when the disk is not spinning at the target spin speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Choo-Bhin Ong, Chandra M. Guda
  • Patent number: 8879342
    Abstract: During a command/address calibration mode, a memory controller may transmit multiple cycles of test patterns as signals to a memory device. Each cycle of test pattern signals may be transmitted at an adjusted relative phase with respect to a clock also transmitted to the memory device. The memory device may input the test pattern signals at a timing determined by the clock, such as rising and/or falling edges of the clock. The test pattern as input by the memory device may be sent to the memory controller to determine if the test pattern was successfully transmitted to the memory device during the cycle. Multiple cycles of test pattern transmissions are evaluated to determine a relative phase of command/address signals with respect to the clock for transmission during operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Jin Jeon
  • Patent number: 8873326
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory blocks configured to be refreshed in response to respective refresh signals; a command decoder configured to decode an external input command to generate an internal refresh command; a refresh control unit configured to activate a first number of refresh signals corresponding to the first number of memory blocks when the internal refresh command is activated and a first mode is set, and to activate a second number of refresh signals corresponding to the second number of memory blocks when the internal refresh command is activated and a second mode is set, the second number being smaller than the first number; and an address counter configured to change the row address transferred to the memory blocks when a predetermined one of the refresh signals is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Yo-Sep Lee
  • Patent number: 8817573
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and method for operating the same includes a controller configured to generate a data buffer control signal in a mode register set (MRS) mode, a data buffer configured to buffer and output a plurality of MRS codes inputted through a data pad in response to the data buffer control signal, and a plurality of MRS command generators configured to receive the MRS codes outputted from the data buffer through a data line and generate a plurality of MRS commands based on the received MRS codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Kie-Bong Ku
  • Patent number: 8780662
    Abstract: An initialization signal generation circuit includes: an initialization signal output unit configured to generate an initialization signal which is enabled during at least a portion of an auto refresh operation period of the initialization mode, in response to a flag signal; a refresh signal generation unit configured to generate a preliminary refresh signal and a refresh counting signal having the same period as the auto refresh signal in response to the flag signal and an auto refresh signal; and a counter unit configured to count a counting signal in response to the refresh counting signal and generate a counting initialization signal, which is delayed by at least a pulse width of the refresh counting signal, after a time point where a combination of the counting signal becomes a preset combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Eun Ryeong Lee
  • Patent number: 8767504
    Abstract: An activate signal generating circuit, to which a first and a second activate signals which are pulse signals are applied, and which generates an internal activate signal, has a first delay element. The internal activate signal is activated based on timings of front (active transient) edges of the first and second activate signals. When a timing of a rear (inactive transient) edge of the first activate signal is earlier than a timing of a rear edge of the second activate signal, the internal activate signal goes inactivate based on the timing of the rear edge of the first activate signal, and when the timing of the rear edge of the first activate signal is later than the timing of the rear edge of the second activate signal, the internal activate signal goes inactivate after a predetermined delay time based on a delay time of the first delay element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Shoichiro Kawashima
  • Patent number: 8760945
    Abstract: During a command/address calibration mode, a memory controller may transmit multiple cycles of test patterns as signals to a memory device. Each cycle of test pattern signals may be transmitted at an adjusted relative phase with respect to a clock also transmitted to the memory device. The memory device may input the test pattern signals at a timing determined by the clock, such as rising and/or falling edges of the clock. The test pattern as input by the memory device may be sent to the memory controller to determine if the test pattern was successfully transmitted to the memory device during the cycle. Multiple cycles of test pattern transmissions are evaluated to determine a relative phase of command/address signals with respect to the clock for transmission during operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Jin Jeon
  • Patent number: 8755247
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide memory devices. In one embodiment, a memory device includes bank control logic configured to generate a modified bank address signal and an active driver configured to provide a bank activate signal, receive an activate command signal, execute an activate command of the activate command signal at each one of a group of clock cycles, in which each one of the group of clock cycles is greater than one clock cycle, and receive the modified bank address signal, in which the modified bank address signal is high for at least a portion of each one of the group of clock cycles and the at least a portion of each one of the group of clock cycles is greater than one clock cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Ba, Victor Wong
  • Patent number: 8743643
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory device includes a plurality of memory subblocks. Each subblock has a plurality of wordlines whereto a plurality of data store cells are connected. Partial array self-refresh (PASR) configuration settings are independently made. In accordance with the PASR settings, the memory subblocks are addressed for refreshing. The PASR settings are made by a memory controller. Any kind of combinations of subblock addresses may be selected. Thus, the memory subblocks are fully independently refreshed. User selectable memory arrays for data retention provide effective memory control programming especially for low power mobile application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Ki Kim, HakJune Oh
  • Patent number: 8743649
    Abstract: A memory has memory cells in a matrix; a first selection unit selecting any of first signal lines in the memory cells, in response to an access request; a second selection unit selecting any of second signal lines in the memory cells, after the first selection unit starts operating; a first voltage generation unit generating a first power supply voltage supplied to the first selection unit; a second voltage generation unit generating a second power supply voltage supplied to the second selection unit, when a start-up signal is active; a switch short-circuiting first and second power supply lines, when a short-circuit signal is active; and a power supply voltage control unit which activates the start-up signal in response to the access request, activates the short-circuit signal after a predetermined time elapses since activation of the start-up signal, deactivates the short-circuit signal and the start-up signal after completion of access operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Takahiko Sato
  • Patent number: 8730757
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a first semiconductor memory and a controller. The first semiconductor memory receives a first clock, and outputs, in accordance with the first clock, a second clock and a data signal in synchronization with the second clock. The controller includes a detection circuit which detects a shift of a duty ratio of the second clock which is output from the first semiconductor memory. The controller also includes an adjustment circuit which adjusts a duty ratio of the first clock based on the shift detected by the detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yuui Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8730748
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a plurality of memory banks, wherein each memory bank includes a bank control unit configured to reduce a voltage level of a first node to a ground voltage level when the memory bank is selected to perform a predetermined operation; an error control unit configured to supply an external voltage to the first node when the memory bank is not selected to perform the predetermined operation; and a signal generation unit configured to generate a bank operation signal in response to the voltage level of the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Young Han Jeong
  • Patent number: 8635418
    Abstract: A memory system is provided. In the system, there are first and second sets of dynamic random access memories (DRAMs) and a system register. Each DRAM has at least a first and a second addressable mode register, where the binary address of the second mode register is the inverted binary address of the first mode register. The system register has an input configured to be coupled to a controller, an output coupled to the first set of DRAMs via first address lines and an inverted output coupled to the second set of DRAMs via second address lines. The system register is configured to receive mode register set commands including address bits and configuration bits at the input and to output the mode register set commands non-inverted via the output to the first set of DRAMs and in inverted form via the inverted output to the second set of DRAMs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Ingolf E. Frank
  • Patent number: 8531910
    Abstract: An input buffer circuit includes a logic unit, a clock enable buffer, and a clock buffer. The logic unit is configured to receive a clock signal and a clock enable signal, and to output a decision signal indicative of whether the clock signal is normally input, where the decision signal is activated when the clock signal is normally input. The clock enable buffer is configured to buffer the clock enable signal and to activate an internal clock enable signal, in response to an activation of the decision signal. The clock buffer is configured to buffer the clock signal and to output an internal clock signal, in response to an activation of the internal clock enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyoung-Seok Kim, Kwan-Yong Jin
  • Patent number: 8477545
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a plurality of stacked chips. At least two of the chips are configured to receive a column command and generate a column control signal based on the column command. Generation timing of the column control signal generated based on a column command in one of the at least two chips substantially coincide with the generation timing in the other of the at least two of the plurality of chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sin Hyun Jin, Jong Chern Lee
  • Patent number: 8441886
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a memory device, including providing a timing signal comprising a plurality of clock cycles, providing an activate signal, and providing a bank address signal. An activate command executes on every first duration of clock cycles, and the bank address signal is high for at least a portion of the first duration of clock cycles. In one embodiment, the first duration of the activate signal is at least four clock cycles, and the bank address signal is at least one clock cycle. A memory device having a row decoder and an active driver is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Ba, Victor Wong
  • Patent number: 8295122
    Abstract: An input buffer circuit includes a logic unit, a clock enable buffer, and a clock buffer. The logic unit is configured to receive a clock signal and a clock enable signal, and to output a decision signal indicative of whether the clock signal is normally input, where the decision signal is activated when the clock signal is normally input. The clock enable buffer is configured to buffer the clock enable signal and to activate an internal clock enable signal, in response to an activation of the decision signal. The clock buffer is configured to buffer the clock signal and to output an internal clock signal, in response to an activation of the internal clock enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyoung-Seok Kim, Kwan-Yong Jin
  • Patent number: 8295115
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory device includes a plurality of memory subblocks. Each subblock has a plurality of wordlines whereto a plurality of data store cells are connected. Partial array self-refresh (PASR) configuration settings are independently made. In accordance with the PASR settings, the memory subblocks are addressed for refreshing. The PASR settings are made by a memory controller. Any kind of combinations of subblock addresses may be selected. Thus, the memory subblocks are fully independently refreshed. User selectable memory arrays for data retention provide effective memory control programming especially for low power mobile application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Mosaid Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Jin-Ki Kim, HakJune Oh
  • Patent number: 8284614
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a refresh counter for counting a refresh signal and outputting a refresh address in response to an active mode signal enabled in an active mode, an external address input buffer for buffering an external address to output an internal address in response to a mode selection signal enabled in an external address refresh mode, an address selector for outputting the refresh address from the refresh counter as a selection row address in a normal refresh mode and outputting the internal address from the external address input buffer as the selection row address in the external address refresh mode in response to the refresh signal and the mode selection signal, and a row address decoder for generating a row address selection signal for sequentially accessing word lines by decoding the selection row address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Bo Shim
  • Patent number: 8284615
    Abstract: A refresh control circuit for a semiconductor memory device includes a refresh controller configured to control the number of times a refresh signal is enabled during one refresh period in response to a refresh mode entering signal which indicates the start of a refresh mode, and a mode determination signal having refresh mode information, a refresh counter configured to output a row address for a refresh operation by counting the refresh signal in response to an active signal enabled in an active mode, and a row address decoder configured to decode the row address to generate a row address selection signal for sequentially accessing word lines within a cell array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Bo Shim
  • Patent number: 8264886
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive an external read command at a control circuit coupled to a memory array. Individual wordline activation may be delayed according to a delay period determined by a read level voltage magnitude associated with a plurality of memory cells included in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojun Yu, Jin-man Han