Kenneth So

US Patent:

7218570, May 15, 2007

Filed:

Dec 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/015440

Inventors:

Kenneth K. So - Belmont CA, US
Luca G. Fasoli - San Jose CA, US
Roy E. Scheuerlein - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

SanDisk 3D LLC - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G11C 8/00

US Classification:

36523006, 36518909, 36518901

Abstract:

An apparatus is disclosed comprising a plurality of word lines and word line drivers, a plurality of bit lines and bit line drivers, and a plurality of memory cells coupled between respective word lines and bit lines. The apparatus also comprises circuitry operative to select a writing and/or reading condition to apply to a memory cell based on the memory cell's location with respect to one or both of a word line driver and a bit line driver. The apparatus can also comprise circuitry that is operative to select a number of memory cells to be programmed in parallel based on memory cell location with respect to a word line and/or bit line driver.

US Patent:

7277343, Oct 2, 2007

Filed:

Jan 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/649569

Inventors:

Kenneth So - Belmont CA, US
Ali Al-Shamma - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

SanDisk 3D LLC - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

G11C 7/04

US Classification:

365211, 36518907, 365207

Abstract:

The preferred embodiments described below provide a method and memory device for improving the precision of a temperature-sensor circuit. In one preferred embodiment, first and second temperature-dependent reference voltages are generated and compared, and an operating condition of the memory array is controlled based on the result of the comparison. Instead of using a temperature-dependent reference voltage, a temperature-dependent reference current can be used. Other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

US Patent:

7283414, Oct 16, 2007

Filed:

May 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/441389

Inventors:

Kenneth So - Belmont CA, US
Ali Al-Shamma - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

SanDisk 3D LLC - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

G11C 7/04

US Classification:

365211, 36518907

Abstract:

The preferred embodiments described below provide a method and memory device for improving the precision of a temperature-sensor circuit. In one preferred embodiment, first and second temperature-dependent reference voltages are generated and compared, and an operating condition of the memory array is controlled based on the result of the comparison. Instead of using a temperature-dependent reference voltage, a temperature-dependent reference current can be used. Other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

US Patent:

7286439, Oct 23, 2007

Filed:

Dec 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/026470

Inventors:

Luca G. Fasoli - San Jose CA, US
Kenneth K. So - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

SanDisk 3D LLC - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

G11C 8/00

US Classification:

36523006, 365 63, 36518501

Abstract:

A memory array comprising array lines of first and second types coupled to memory cells includes a first hierarchical decoder circuit for decoding address information and selecting one or more array lines of the first type. The first hierarchical decoder circuit includes at least two hierarchical levels of multi-headed decoder circuits. The first hierarchical decoder circuit may include a first-level decoder circuit for decoding a plurality of address signal inputs and generating a plurality of first-level decoded outputs, a plurality of second-level multi-headed decoder circuits, each respective one coupled to a respective first-level decoded output, each for providing a respective plurality of second-level decoded outputs, and a plurality of third-level multi-headed decoder circuits, each respective one coupled to a respective second-level decoded output, each for providing a respective plurality of third-level decoded outputs coupled to the memory array.

US Patent:

7298665, Nov 20, 2007

Filed:

Dec 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/026493

Inventors:

Kenneth K. So - Belmont CA, US
Luca G. Fasoli - San Jose CA, US
Roy E. Scheuerlein - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

SanDisk 3D LLC - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

G11C 8/00
G11C 7/00

US Classification:

36523006, 365 63, 365201

Abstract:

In an embodiment of the invention an integrated circuit includes a memory array having a first plurality of decoded lines traversing across the memory array and a pair of dual-mode decoders, each decoder coupled to each of the plurality of decoded lines a respective location along said decoded lines, such as at opposite ends thereof. Both decoder circuits receive like address information. Normally both decoder circuits operate in a forward decode mode to decode the address information and drive a selected one of the decoded lines. During a test mode, one decoder is enabled in a reverse decode mode while the other decoder remains in a forward decode mode to verify proper decode operation and integrity of the decoded lines between the decoders.

US Patent:

7554406, Jun 30, 2009

Filed:

Mar 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/695017

Inventors:

Luca G. Fasoli - San Jose CA, US
Ali K. Al-Shamma - Mountain View CA, US
Kenneth K. So - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

SanDisk 3D LLC - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

H03F 3/60

US Classification:

330286

Abstract:

An exemplary amplifier circuit includes a first group of spatially distributed final amplifier stages having a first configuration, and a second group of spatially distributed final amplifier stages having a second configuration different than the first configuration. Both groups share the same control node for their respective final amplifier stages, and both groups share the same amplifier output node. Each group is typically enabled at a time that the other is disabled. In certain embodiments incorporating a memory array, only one critical analog node must be routed throughout the memory array.

US Patent:

7558140, Jul 7, 2009

Filed:

Mar 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/695015

Inventors:

Luca G. Fasoli - San Jose CA, US
Ali K. Al-Shamma - Mountain View CA, US
Kenneth K. So - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

SanDisk 3D LLC - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

G11C 7/02

US Classification:

365207, 365205, 365154

Abstract:

An exemplary amplifier circuit includes a first group of spatially distributed final amplifier stages having a first configuration, and a second group of spatially distributed final amplifier stages having a second configuration different than the first configuration. Both groups share the same control node for their respective final amplifier stages, and both groups share the same amplifier output node. Each group is typically enabled at a time that the other is disabled. In certain embodiments incorporating a memory array, only one critical analog node must be routed throughout the memory array.

US Patent:

7633829, Dec 15, 2009

Filed:

Oct 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/876563

Inventors:

Luca G. Fasoli - San Jose CA, US
Kenneth K. So - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

SanDisk 3D LLC - Milpitas CA

International Classification:

G11C 7/00

US Classification:

36523006, 36523003

Abstract:

A memory array comprising array lines of first and second types coupled to memory cells includes a first hierarchical decoder circuit for decoding address information and selecting one or more array lines of the first type. The first hierarchical decoder circuit includes at least two hierarchical levels of multi-headed decoder circuits. The first hierarchical decoder circuit may include a first-level decoder circuit for decoding a plurality of address signal inputs and generating a plurality of first-level decoded outputs, a plurality of second-level multi-headed decoder circuits, each respective one coupled to a respective first-level decoded output, each for providing a respective plurality of second-level decoded outputs, and a plurality of third-level multi-headed decoder circuits, each respective one coupled to a respective second-level decoded output, each for providing a respective plurality of third-level decoded outputs coupled to the memory array.