公开(公告)号：US11257555B2

公开(公告)日：2022-02-22

申请号：US17006550

申请日：2020-08-28

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Guangming Lin ,  Xiaozhou Qian ,  Xiao Yan Pi ,  Vipin Tiwari ,  Zhenlin Ding

IPC: G11C16/04 ,  G11C16/34 ,  G11C16/26 ,  G11C16/14 ,  G11C16/10 ,  G06F12/02 ,  G06F12/08

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for implementing wear leveling in a flash memory device that emulates an EEPROM. The embodiments utilize an index array, which stores an index word for each logical address in the emulated EEPROM. Each bit in each index word is associated with a physical address for a physical word in the emulated EEPROM, and the index word keeps track of which physical word is the current word for a particular logical address. The use of the index word enables a wear leveling algorithm that allows for a programming command to a logical address to result in: (i) skipping the programming operation if the data stored in the current word does not contain a “1” that corresponds to a “0” in the data to be stored, (ii) reprogramming one or more bits of the current word in certain situations, or (iii) shifting to and programming the next physical word in certain situations.

公开(公告)号：US11188237B2

公开(公告)日：2021-11-30

申请号：US16228313

申请日：2018-12-20

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Hieu Van Tran ,  Vipin Tiwari ,  Nhan Do

IPC: G06F3/06 ,  G11C16/28 ,  G11C7/06 ,  G11C29/48 ,  G11C29/02 ,  G11C29/18 ,  G06F11/07 ,  G11C16/04 ,  G11C16/08 ,  G11C16/10 ,  G11C16/26 ,  G11C16/34 ,  H01L21/78 ,  H01L27/11521 ,  H01L29/423 ,  G11C29/04 ,  G11C29/12 ,  G11C29/44 ,  H01L23/00

Abstract: Multiple embodiments are disclosed for enhancing security and preventing hacking of a flash memory device. The embodiments prevent malicious actors from hacking a flash memory chip to obtain data that is stored within the chip. The embodiments include the use of fault detection circuits, address scrambling, dummy arrays, password protection, improved manufacturing techniques, and other mechanisms.

公开(公告)号：US20210264983A1

公开(公告)日：2021-08-26

申请号：US16985147

申请日：2020-08-04

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Steven Lemke ,  Hieu Van Tran ,  Yuri Tkachev ,  Louisa Schneider ,  Henry A. Om'Mani ,  Thuan Vu ,  Nhan Do ,  Vipin Tiwari

IPC: G11C16/10 ,  G11C16/14 ,  G11C16/26 ,  G06N3/063

Abstract: Embodiments for ultra-precise tuning of a selected memory cell are disclosed. The selected memory cell optionally is first programmed using coarse programming and fine programming methods. The selected memory cell then undergoes ultra-precise programming through the programming of an adjacent memory cell. As the adjacent memory cell is programmed, capacitive coupling between the floating gate of the adjacent memory cell and the floating gate of the selected memory cell will cause the voltage of the floating gate of the selected memory cell to increase, but in smaller increments than could be achieved by programming the selected memory cell directly. In this manner, the selected memory cell can be programmed with ultra-precise gradations.

公开(公告)号：US20210142156A1

公开(公告)日：2021-05-13

申请号：US16751202

申请日：2020-01-23

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Hieu Van Tran ,  Steven Lemke ,  Vipin Tiwari ,  Nhan Do ,  Mark Reiten

IPC: G06N3/063 ,  G06N3/04 ,  G06F17/16 ,  G11C16/04 ,  G11C16/10 ,  G11C16/14 ,  G11C16/34 ,  G11C16/26 ,  G11C11/56

Abstract: Numerous embodiments of a precision programming algorithm and apparatus are disclosed for precisely and quickly depositing the correct amount of charge on the floating gate of a non-volatile memory cell within a vector-by-matrix multiplication (VMM) array in an artificial neural network. Selected cells thereby can be programmed with extreme precision to hold one of N different values.

公开(公告)号：US20210089875A1

公开(公告)日：2021-03-25

申请号：US16576533

申请日：2019-09-19

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Hieu Van Tran ,  Steven Lemke ,  Vipin Tiwari ,  Nhan Do ,  Mark Reiten

IPC: G06N3/063 ,  G11C11/56 ,  G06F17/16 ,  G11C11/54

Abstract: Numerous embodiments of a precision tuning algorithm and apparatus are disclosed for precisely and quickly depositing the correct amount of charge on the floating gate of a non-volatile memory cell within a vector-by-matrix multiplication (VMM) array in an artificial neural network. Selected cells thereby can be programmed with extreme precision to hold one of N different values.

公开(公告)号：US10956814B2

公开(公告)日：2021-03-23

申请号：US16182237

申请日：2018-11-06

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Hieu Van Tran ,  Vipin Tiwari ,  Mark Reiten ,  Nhan Do

IPC: G06N3/063 ,  G06N3/08 ,  G06F3/06 ,  G06F17/16

Abstract: Numerous embodiments are disclosed for a configurable hardware system for use in an analog neural memory system for a deep learning neural network. The components within the configurable hardware system that are configurable can include vector-by-matrix multiplication arrays, summer circuits, activation circuits, inputs, reference devices, neurons, and testing circuits. These devices can be configured to provide various layers or vector-by-matrix multiplication arrays of various sizes, such that the same hardware can be used in analog neural memory systems with different requirements.

公开(公告)号：US10748630B2

公开(公告)日：2020-08-18

申请号：US15826345

申请日：2017-11-29

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Hieu Van Tran ,  Vipin Tiwari ,  Nhan Do ,  Steven Lemke ,  Santosh Hariharan ,  Stanley Hong

IPC: G11C16/10 ,  G11C16/34

Abstract: An artificial neural network device that utilizes analog neuromorphic memory that comprises one or more non-volatile memory arrays. The embodiments comprise improved mechanisms and algorithms for tuning the non-volatile memory arrays such that the floating gates of the memory cells can be quickly and accurately injected with the desired amount of charge to signify an analog value utilized as a weight by the artificial neural network.

公开(公告)号：US20200243139A1

公开(公告)日：2020-07-30

申请号：US16382060

申请日：2019-04-11

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Hieu Van Tran ,  Steven Lemke ,  Vipin Tiwari ,  Nhan Do ,  Mark Reiten

IPC: G11C16/10 ,  G11C16/04 ,  G11C16/26 ,  G11C14/00 ,  G11C11/54 ,  G06N3/04

Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells and a controller. The controller is configured to program each of the memory cells to one of a plurality of program states, and to read the memory cells using a read operation of applied voltages to the memory cells. During the read operation, separations between adjacent ones of the program states vary based on frequencies of use of the program states in the plurality of memory cells.

公开(公告)号：US10720217B1

公开(公告)日：2020-07-21

申请号：US16382060

申请日：2019-04-11

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Hieu Van Tran ,  Steven Lemke ,  Vipin Tiwari ,  Nhan Do ,  Mark Reiten

IPC: G11C16/04 ,  G11C16/26 ,  G11C16/10 ,  G11C11/54 ,  G06N3/04 ,  G11C14/00 ,  H01L27/11521

Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells and a controller. The controller is configured to program each of the memory cells to one of a plurality of program states, and to read the memory cells using a read operation of applied voltages to the memory cells. During the read operation, separations between adjacent ones of the program states vary based on frequencies of use of the program states in the plurality of memory cells.

公开(公告)号：US10699787B2

公开(公告)日：2020-06-30

申请号：US16783286

申请日：2020-02-06

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Vipin Tiwari ,  Nhan Do ,  Hieu Van Tran

IPC: G11C16/10 ,  G11C11/56 ,  G11C16/04 ,  H01L29/788 ,  H01L29/423

Abstract: An improved programming technique for non-volatile memory cell arrays, in which memory cells to be programmed with higher programming values are programmed first, and memory cells to be programmed with lower programming values are programmed second. The technique reduces or eliminates the number of previously programmed cells from being adversely incrementally programmed by an adjacent cell being programmed to higher program levels, and reduces the magnitude of adverse incremental programming for most of the memory cells, which is caused by floating gate to floating gate coupling. The memory device includes an array of non-volatile memory cells and a controller configured to identify programming values associated with incoming data, and perform a programming operation in which the incoming data is programmed into at least some of the non-volatile memory cells in a timing order of descending value of the programming values.