公开(公告)号：US11315635B2

公开(公告)日：2022-04-26

申请号：US17152696

申请日：2021-01-19

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Chunming Wang ,  Xian Liu ,  Guo Xiang Song ,  Leo Xing ,  Nhan Do

IPC: G11C16/04 ,  G11C16/16 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L27/11521 ,  H01L29/423

Abstract: A memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, first and second regions in the substrate having a conductivity type different than that of the substrate, with a channel region in the substrate extending between the first and second regions. The channel region is continuous between the first and second regions. A first floating gate is disposed over and insulated from a first portion of the channel region. A second floating gate is disposed over and insulated from a second portion of the channel region. A first coupling gate is disposed over and insulated from the first floating gate. A second coupling gate is disposed over and insulated from the second floating gate. A word line gate is disposed over and insulated from a third portion of the channel region between the first and second channel region portions. An erase gate is disposed over and insulated from the word line gate.

公开(公告)号：US11308383B2

公开(公告)日：2022-04-19

申请号：US15594439

申请日：2017-05-12

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc. ,  The Regents of the University of California

Inventor： Farnood Merrikh Bayat ,  Xinjie Guo ,  Dmitri Strukov ,  Nhan Do ,  Hieu Van Tran ,  Vipin Tiwari ,  Mark Reiten

IPC: G06N3/04 ,  G06N3/063 ,  G06F3/06

Abstract: An artificial neural network device that utilizes one or more non-volatile memory arrays as the synapses. The synapses are configured to receive inputs and to generate therefrom outputs. Neurons are configured to receive the outputs. The synapses include a plurality of memory cells, wherein each of the memory cells includes spaced apart source and drain regions formed in a semiconductor substrate with a channel region extending there between, a floating gate disposed over and insulated from a first portion of the channel region and a non-floating gate disposed over and insulated from a second portion of the channel region. Each of the plurality of memory cells is configured to store a weight value corresponding to a number of electrons on the floating gate. The plurality of memory cells are configured to multiply the inputs by the stored weight values to generate the outputs.

公开(公告)号：US11270771B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-08

申请号：US16382051

申请日：2019-04-11

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

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

IPC: G11C11/54 ,  G11C16/10 ,  G11C16/04 ,  G11C16/26 ,  G06N3/04 ,  G11C14/00 ,  G06N3/063 ,  H01L27/115 ,  H01L27/11521

Abstract: A neural network device with synapses having memory cells each having source and drain regions in a semiconductor substrate with a channel region extending there between, a floating gate over an entirety of the channel region, and a first gate over the floating gate. First lines each electrically connect together the first gates in one of the memory cell rows, second lines each electrically connect together the source regions in one of the memory cell rows, and third lines each electrically connect together the drain regions in one of the memory cell columns. The synapses are configured to receive a first plurality of inputs as electrical voltages on the first lines or on the second lines, and to provide a first plurality of outputs as electrical currents on the third lines.

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：US10833179B2

公开(公告)日：2020-11-10

申请号：US16576389

申请日：2019-09-19

Applicant: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Chunming Wang ,  Leo Xing ,  Andy Liu ,  Melvin Diao ,  Xian Liu ,  Nhan Do

IPC: H01L27/11521 ,  H01L27/11531 ,  H01L29/66 ,  H01L21/3213 ,  H01L27/11536 ,  H01L29/423 ,  H01L49/02

Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile memory cell on a substrate having memory cell and logic circuit regions by forming a pair of conductive floating gates in the memory cell region, forming a first source region in the substrate between the pair of floating gates, forming a polysilicon layer in both regions, forming an oxide layer over the polysilicon layer in the logic circuit region, performing a chemical-mechanical polish of the polysilicon layer in the memory cell area leaving a first block of the polysilicon layer between the floating gates that is separated from remaining portions of the polysilicon layer, and selectively etching portions of the polysilicon layer to result in: second and third blocks of the polysilicon layer disposed in outer regions of the memory cell area, and a fourth block of the polysilicon layer in the logic circuit region.

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.