Micron Technology Incorporated

Other

Sunrise Memory Corporation

Micro Technology, Inc.

Dean D Gans

Robert Nasry Hasbun

Timothy Mowry Hollis

Jeffrey P Wright

John David Porter

Larren Gene Weber

Sharookh Daruwalla

Daniel C Skinner

John R Wilford

Shunichi Saito

Kang-Yong Kim

Simon J Lovett

Bruce W Schober

Moo Sung Chae

Osamu Nagashima

Yoshiro Riho

Timothy B Cowles

Joseph Thomas Pawlowski

Randall J Rooney

Nathaniel J Meier

Randon K Richards

Jiyun Li

Ken W Marr

George B Raad

James S Rehmeyer

Christopher Gordon Wieduwilt

Kevin M Devereaux

Seth A Eichmeyer

Donald M Morgan

Sujeet V Ayyapureddi

Jongtae Kwak

Eric J Stave

Victor Wong

William F Jones

Mark K Hadrick

Aran Ziv

Bruce Schober

Methods, systems, and devices that support variable modulation schemes for memory are described. A device may switch between different modulation schemes for communication based on one or more operating parameters associated with the device or a component of the device. The modulation schemes may involve amplitude modulation in which different levels of a signal represent different data values. For instance, the device may use a first modulation scheme that represents data using two levels and a second modulation scheme that represents data using four levels. In one example, the device may switch from the first modulation scheme to the second modulation scheme when bandwidth demand is high, and the device may switch from the second modulation scheme to the first modulation scheme when power conservation is in demand. The device may also, based on the operating parameter, change the frequency of the signal pulses communicated using the modulation schemes.

Variable modulation scheme for memory device access or operation

Memory devices and methods of operating memory devices in which maintenance operations can be scheduled on an as-needed basis for those memory portions where activity (e.g., operations in excess of a predetermined threshold) warrants a maintenance operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a memory including a memory location, and circuitry configured to determine a count corresponding to a number of operations at the memory location, to schedule a maintenance operation for the memory location in response to the count exceeding a first predetermined threshold, and to decrease the count by an amount corresponding to the first predetermined threshold in response to executing the scheduled maintenance operation. The circuitry may be further configured to disallow, in response to determining that the count has reached a maximum permitted value, further operations at the memory location until after the count has been decreased.

Methods for activity-based memory maintenance operations and memory devices and systems employing the same

Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to memory operation with multiple sets of latencies are disclosed. A memory device or system that includes a memory device may be operable with one or several sets of latencies (e.g., read, write, or write recovery latencies), and the memory device or system may apply a set of latencies depending on which features of the memory device are enabled. For example, control circuitry may be configured to enable one or more features during operations on a memory array, and the control circuitry may apply a set of latency values based on a number or type of features that are enabled. The sets of latency values may depend, for example, on whether various control features (e.g., dynamic voltage frequency scaling) are enabled, and a device may operate within certain frequency ranges irrespective of other characteristics (e.g., mode register values) or latencies applied.

Memory devices with multiple sets of latencies and methods for operating the same

Methods, systems, and devices for a latency indication in a memory system or sub-system are described. An interface controller of a memory system may transmit an indication of a time delay (e.g., a wait signal) to a host in response to receiving an access command from the host. The interface controller may transmit such an indication when a latency associated with performing the access command is likely to be greater than a latency anticipated by the host. The interface controller may determine a time delay based on a status of buffer or a status of memory device, or both. The interface controller may use a pin designated and configured to transmit a command or control information to the host when transmitting a signal including an indication of a time delay. The interface controller may use a quantity, duration, or pattern of pulses to indicate a duration of a time delay.

Time delay indication for host in memory system

Methods, systems, and devices related to a memory system or scheme that includes a first memory device configured for low-energy access operations and a second memory device configured for storing high-density information and operations of the same are described. The memory system may include an array configured for high-density information and may interface with a host via a controller and a cache or another array of a relatively fast memory type. The memory system may support signals communicated according to one or several modulation schemes, including a modulation scheme or schemes that employ two, three, or more voltage levels (e.g., NRZ, PAM4). The memory system may include, e.g., separate channels configured to communicate using different modulation schemes between a host and between memory arrays or memory types within the memory system.

Memory system and operations of the same

Apparatuses and methods for writing and storing parameter codes for operating parameters, and selecting between the parameter codes to set an operating condition for a memory are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first mode register and a second mode register. The first mode register is configured to store first and second parameter codes for a same operating parameter. The second mode register is configured to store a parameter code for a control parameter to select between the first and second parameter codes to set a current operating condition for the operating parameter. An example method includes storing in a first register a first parameter code for an operating parameter used to set a first memory operating condition, and further includes storing in a second register a second parameter code for the operating parameter used to set a second memory operating condition.

Apparatuses and methods for storing and writing multiple parameter codes for memory operating parameters

Methods, systems, and devices for communicating data with stacked memory dies are described. A first semiconductor die may communicate with an external computing device using a binary-symbol signal including two signal levels representing one bit of data. Semiconductor dies may be stacked on one another and include internal interconnects (e.g., through-silicon vias) to relay an internal signal generated based on the binary-symbol signal. The internal signal may be a multi-symbol signal modulated using a modulation scheme that includes three or more levels to represent more than one bit of data. The multi-level symbol signal may simplify the internal interconnects. A second semiconductor die may be configured to receive and re-transmit the multi-level symbol signal to semiconductor dies positioned above the second semiconductor die.

Communicating data with stacked memory dies

Apparatuses and methods for calibrating adjustable impedances of a semiconductor device are disclosed in the present application. An example apparatus includes a register configured to store impedance calibration information and further includes programmable termination resistances having a programmable impedance. The example apparatus further includes an impedance calibration circuit configured to perform a calibration operation to determine calibration parameters for setting the programmable impedance of the programmable termination resistances. The impedance calibration circuit is further configured to program the impedance calibration information in the register related to the calibration operation.

Apparatuses and methods for calibrating adjustable impedances of a semiconductor device

Apparatuses and methods for input receiver circuits and receiver masks for electronic memory are disclosed. Embodiments of the disclosure include memory receiver masks having shapes other than rectangular shapes. For example, a receiver mask according to some embodiments of the disclosure may have a hexagonal shape. Other shapes of receiver masks may also be included in other embodiments of the disclosure. Circuits, timing, and operating parameters for achieving non-rectangular and various shapes of receiver mask are described.

Apparatuses and methods for input receiver circuits and receiver masks for same

Apparatuses and methods including memory commands for semiconductor memories are described. A controller provides a memory system with memory commands to access memory. The commands are decoded to provide internal signals and commands for performing operations, such as operations to access the memory array. The memory commands provided for accessing memory may include timing command and access commands. Examples of access commands include a read command and a write command. Timing commands may be used to control the timing of various operations, for example, for a corresponding access command. The timing commands may include opcodes that set various modes of operation during an associated access operation for an access command.

Apparatuses and methods including memory commands for semiconductor memories

Apparatuses and methods for configurable memory array bank architectures are described. An example apparatus includes a mode register configured to store information related to bank architecture and a memory array including a plurality of memory banks. The plurality of memory banks are configured to be arranged in a bank architecture based at least in part on the information related to bank architecture stored in the mode register.

Apparatuses and methods for configurable memory array bank architectures

Apparatuses and methods for identifying memory devices of a semiconductor device sharing an external resistance are disclosed. A memory device of a semiconductor device may be set in an identification mode and provide an identification request to other memory devices that are coupled to a common communication channel. The memory devices that are coupled to the common communication channel may share an external resistance, for example, for calibration of respective programmable termination components of the memory devices. The memory devices that receive the identification request set a respective identification flag which can be read to determine which memory devices share an external resistance with the memory device having the set identification mode.

Apparatuses and methods for identifying memory devices of a semiconductor device sharing an external resistance

Memory devices and methods of operating memory devices in which refresh management operations can be scheduled on an as-needed basis for those memory portions where activity (e.g., activations in excess of a predetermined threshold) warrants a refresh management operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a memory including a memory location, and circuitry configured to determine a count corresponding to a number of activations at the memory location, to schedule a refresh management operation for the memory location in response to the count exceeding a first predetermined threshold, and to decrease the count by an amount corresponding to the first predetermined threshold in response to executing the scheduled refresh management operation. The circuitry may be further configured to disallow, in response to determining that the count has reached a maximum permitted value, further activations at the memory location until after the count has been decreased.

Methods for row hammer mitigation and memory devices and systems employing the same

A method of operating a memory device is provided, comprising determining a number of operations corresponding to a memory location during a first timing period; and scheduling an extra refresh operation for the memory location after the first timing period when the determined number of operations exceeds a predetermined threshold. A memory device is provided, comprising a memory including a memory location; and circuitry configured to: determine a number of operations corresponding to the memory location during a first timing period; and schedule an extra refresh operation for the memory location after the first timing period when the determined number of operations exceeds a predetermined threshold.

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Nampa, ID, United States of America

Dean D Gans