IP Library Granted Patent US 12,651,639
Granted Patent B2
US 12,651,639 · App. 18/667,099 · Granted Jun 9, 2026

Semiconductor device with selective command delay and associated methods and systems

Inventors: Boon Hor Lam (Boise, ID); Shawn M. Hilde (Meridian, ID); Karl L. Major (Boise, ID); Garrett Harwell (Meridian, ID)
G11C29/12015G11C7/1048G11C11/40615G11C29/14G11C29/44
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,651,639
App. No.
18/667,099
Granted
Jun 9, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which memory device are configured to add variable delays to a command. The variable delays may be provided by a host device (e.g., a test equipment) using a test mode of the memory devices. Alternatively, the variable delays may be stored in nonvolatile memory (NVM) components of the memory devices. Further, mode registers of the memory devices may be set to indicate that the command is associated with the variable delays stored in the NVM components. Further, the memory devices may include delay components configured to add the variable delays to the command. Such variable delays facilitate staggered execution of the command across multiple memory devices so as to avoid (or mitigate) issues related to an instantaneous, large amount of current drawn from a power supply connected to the memory devices.

Claims (41)

1 . A method, comprising:

obtaining a duration for a delay during an initialization of a memory device;

setting a mode register of the memory device to indicate a mode in which one or more commands are associated with the delay;

receiving a command at the memory device while operating the memory device in the mode; and

executing the command at the memory device after the delay in accordance with the mode in which the one or more commands are associated with the delay, wherein executing the command after the delay is based at least in part on obtaining the duration for the delay.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

outputting an indication that the command is associated with the delay.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the duration for the delay comprises a quantity of clock cycles.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more commands comprise write commands, and wherein executing the command comprises executing a write operation.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

holding the command from execution until the delay expires.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the duration of the delay is based at least in part on a configuration of a power supply coupled with the memory device.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

determining the delay based at least in part on a delivery capability associated with the power supply, wherein executing the command after the delay is based at least in part on determining the delay.

8 . A memory system, comprising:

one or more memories storing instructions; and

one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the instructions to cause the memory system to:

obtain a duration for a delay during an initialization of a memory device of the memory system;

obtain, via a mode register of the memory device of the memory system, an indication of a mode in which one or more commands are associated with the delay;

receive a command at the memory device while the memory device is operated in the mode; and

execute the command at the memory device after the delay in accordance with the mode in which the one or more commands are associated with the delay, wherein executing the command after the delay is based at least in part on obtaining the duration for the delay.

9 . The memory system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the instructions to cause the memory system to:

output an indication that the command is associated with the delay.

10 . The memory system of claim 8 , wherein the duration for the delay comprises a quantity of clock cycles.

11 . The memory system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more commands comprise write commands, and wherein executing the command comprises executing a write operation.

12 . The memory system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the instructions to cause the memory system to:

hold the command from execution until the delay expires.

13 . The memory system of claim 8 , wherein the duration of the delay is based at least in part on a configuration of a power supply coupled with the memory device.

14 . The memory system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the instructions to cause the memory system to:

determine the delay based at least in part on a delivery capability associated with the power supply, wherein executing the command after the delay is based at least in part on determining the delay.

15 . A memory system, comprising:

processing circuitry associated with one or more memory devices and configured to cause the memory system to:

obtain a duration for a delay during an initialization of a memory device of the one or more memory devices;

obtain, via a mode register of the memory device, an indication of a mode in which one or more commands are associated with the delay;

receive a command while the memory device is operated in the mode; and

execute the command at the memory device after the delay in accordance with the mode in which the one or more commands are associated with the delay, wherein executing the command after the delay is based at least in part on obtaining the duration for the delay.

16 . The memory system of claim 15 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to cause the memory system to:

output an indication that the command is associated with the delay.

17 . The memory system of claim 15 , wherein the duration of the delay is based at least in part on a configuration of a power supply coupled with the memory device.

18 . The memory system of claim 17 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to cause the memory system to:

determine the delay based at least in part on a delivery capability associated with the power supply, wherein executing the command after the delay is based at least in part on determining the delay.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2025
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: LODESTAR LICENSING GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 070958/0703 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17935057 · Sep 23, 2022
Division 16839371 · Apr 3, 2020
Provisional Application 62955701 · Dec 31, 2019
Related Publication 20240304269A1 · Sep 12, 2024
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