IP Library Granted Patent US 7,644,240
Granted Patent B2
US 7,644,240 · App. 11/489,778 · Granted Jan 5, 2010

Memory device controller

Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,644,240
App. No.
11/489,778
Granted
Jan 5, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A controller for a memory device and methods are provided. The controller has an updateable register bank adapted to send a first signal to an analog/memory core of the memory device for controlling operation of the analog/memory core. The analog/memory core has an array of flash memory cells and supporting analog access circuitry. A bus controller is coupled to the register bank. The bus controller is adapted to receive a second signal from the register bank and to send a third signal to the register bank for updating the register bank. A select register is coupled to the register bank. A processor is coupled to the bus controller and the select register.

Claims (104)

1. A method of operating a memory device controller, the method comprising:

decrementing a number at a bus controller of the memory device controller;

determining whether the decremented number is at a predetermined value;

going to a next address of an algorithm of the memory device controller when the decremented number is not at the predetermined value;

jumping over one or more addresses to a predetermined address of the algorithm when the decremented number is at the predetermined value and carrying out an instruction specified at the predetermined address; and

sending the decremented number to a register bank of the memory device controller;

wherein an initial count of the number is selected from the group consisting of a number of voltage pulses to be applied to one or more memory cells of the memory device and a number of operating cycles to be executed by the memory device controller.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving the number at the bus controller from the register bank before decrementing the number.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, before decrementing the number:

receiving the number at the bus controller from a processor of the memory device controller; and

sending the number to a register bank.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising checking the decremented number at an expression checker of the memory device to determine whether the decremented number is at the predetermined value.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a control signal at the bus controller from a processor of the memory device controller that causes the bus controller to decrement the number.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending a control signal from the register bank to an analog/memory core of the memory device before sending the decremented number to the register bank.

7. A method of operating a memory device controller, the method comprising:

receiving a number at a bus controller of the memory device controller from a register bank of the memory device controller;

decrementing the number at the bus controller;

checking the decremented number at an expression checker of the memory device controller to determine whether the decremented number is at a predetermined value;

going to a next address of an algorithm of the memory device controller when the decremented number is not at the predetermined value;

jumping over one or more addresses to a predetermined address of the algorithm when the decremented number is at the predetermined value and carrying out an instruction specified at the predetermined address; and

sending the decremented number to the register bank of the memory device controller;

wherein an initial count of the number is selected from the group consisting of a number of voltage pulses to be applied to one or more memory cells of the memory device and a number of operating cycles to be executed by the memory device controller.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising receiving a control signal at the bus controller from a processor of the memory device controller that causes the bus controller to decrement the number.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising sending a control signal from the register bank to an analog/memory core of the memory device before sending the decremented number to the register bank.

10. A method of operating a memory device controller, the method comprising:

receiving a number at a bus controller of the memory device controller from a processor of the memory device controller;

sending the number to a register bank of the memory device controller from the bus controller;

receiving the number from the register bank at the bus controller;

decrementing the number from the register bank at the bus controller;

checking the decremented number at an expression checker of the memory device controller to determine whether the decremented number is at a predetermined value;

going to a next address of an algorithm of the memory device controller when the decremented number is not at the predetermined value;

jumping over one or more addresses to a predetermined address of the algorithm when the decremented number is at the predetermined value and carrying out an instruction specified at the predetermined address; and

sending the decremented number to the register bank of the memory device controller;

wherein an initial count of the number is selected from the group consisting of a number of voltage pulses to be applied to one or more memory cells of the memory device and a number of operating cycles to be executed by the memory device controller.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising receiving a control signal at the bus controller from a processor of the memory device controller that causes the bus controller to decrement the number.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising sending a control signal from the register bank to an analog/memory core of the memory device before sending the decremented number to the register bank.

13. A method of operating a memory device controller, the method comprising:

receiving a number at a bus controller of the memory device controller from a register bank of the memory device controller;

receiving a first control signal at the bus controller from a processor of the memory device controller;

decrementing the number at the bus controller in response to receiving the first control signal;

checking the decremented number at an expression checker of the memory device controller to determine whether the decremented number is at a predetermined value;

going to a next address of an algorithm of the memory device controller when the decremented number is not at the predetermined value;

jumping over one or more addresses to a predetermined address of the algorithm when the decremented number is at the predetermined value and carrying out an instruction specified at the predetermined address;

sending a second control signal from the register bank to an analog/memory core of the memory device; and

after sending the second control signal to the analog/memory core sending the decremented number to the register bank of the memory device controller;

wherein an initial count of the number is a number of voltage pulses to be applied to one or more memory cells of the memory device; and

wherein the second control signal causes one or more voltage circuits of the analog/memory core to send the number of voltage pulses to the one or more memory cells of the memory device.

14. A method of operating a memory device controller, the method comprising:

receiving a number at a bus controller of the memory device controller from a processor of the memory device controller;

sending the number to a register bank of the memory device controller from the bus controller;

receiving the number from the register bank at the bus controller;

receiving a first control signal at the bus controller from the processor of the memory device controller;

decrementing the number from the register bank at the bus controller in response to receiving the first control signal;

checking the decremented number at an expression checker of the memory device controller to determine whether the decremented number is at a predetermined value;

going to a next address of an algorithm of the memory device controller when the decremented number is not at the predetermined value;

jumping over one or more addresses to a predetermined address of the algorithm when the decremented number is at the predetermined value and carrying out an instruction specified at the predetermined address;

sending a second control signal from the register bank to an analog/memory core of the memory device; and

after sending the second control signal to the analog/memory core sending the decremented number to the register bank of the memory device controller;

wherein an initial count of the number is a number of voltage pulses to be applied to one or more memory cells of the memory device; and

wherein the second control signal causes one or more voltage circuits of the analog/memory core to send the number of voltage pulses to the one or more memory cells of the memory device.

15. A method of operating a memory device controller, the method comprising:

receiving a number at a bus controller of the memory device controller from a first register of a register bank of the memory device controller;

decrementing the number at the bus controller;

checking the decremented number at an expression checker of the memory device controller to determine whether the decremented number is at a predetermined value;

going to a next address of an algorithm of the memory device controller when the decremented number is not at the predetermined value;

jumping over one or more addresses to a predetermined address of the algorithm when the decremented number is at the predetermined value and carrying out an instruction specified at the predetermined address; and

sending the decremented number to the first register or a second register of the register bank of the memory device controller;

wherein an initial count of the number is selected from the group consisting of a number of voltage pulses to be applied to one or more memory cells of the memory device and a number of operating cycles to be executed by the memory device controller.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising sending a control signal from a third register of the register bank to an analog/memory core of the memory device before sending the decremented number to the first register or the second register of the register bank.

17. A method of operating a memory device controller, the method comprising:

receiving a number at a bus controller of the memory device controller from a processor of the memory device controller;

sending the number to a first register of a register bank of the memory device controller from the bus controller;

receiving the number from the first register of the register bank at the bus controller;

decrementing the number from the first register at the bus controller;

checking the decremented number at an expression checker of the memory device controller to determine whether the decremented number is at a predetermined value;

going to a next address of an algorithm of the memory device controller when the decremented number is not at the predetermined value;

jumping over one or more addresses to a predetermined address of the algorithm when the decremented number is at the predetermined value and carrying out an instruction specified at the predetermined address; and

sending the decremented number to the first register or a second register of the register bank of the memory device controller;

wherein an initial count of the number is selected from the group consisting of a number of voltage pulses to be applied to one or more memory cells of the memory device and a number of operating cycles to be executed by the memory device controller.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising sending a control signal from a third register of the register bank to an analog/memory core of the memory device before sending the decremented number to the first register or the second register of the register bank.

19. A method of operating a memory device controller, the method comprising:

receiving a number at a bus controller of the memory device controller from a first register of a register bank of the memory device controller;

receiving a first control signal at the bus controller from a processor of the memory device controller;

decrementing the number at the bus controller in response to receiving the first control signal;

checking the decremented number at an expression checker of the memory device controller to determine whether the decremented number is at a predetermined value;

going to a next address of an algorithm of the memory device controller when the decremented number is not at the predetermined value;

jumping over one or more addresses to a predetermined address of the algorithm when the decremented number is at the predetermined value and carrying out an instruction specified at the predetermined address;

sending a second control signal from a second register of the register bank to an analog/memory core of the memory device; and

sending the decremented number to the first register or a third register of the register bank of the memory device controller;

wherein an initial count of the number is a number of voltage pulses to be applied to one or more memory cells of the memory device; and

wherein the second control signal causes one or more voltage circuits of the analog/memory core to send the number of voltage pulses to the one or more memory cells of the memory device.

20. A method of operating a memory device controller, the method comprising:

receiving a number at a bus controller of the memory device controller from a processor of the memory device controller;

sending the number to a first register of a register bank of the memory device controller from the bus controller;

receiving the number from the first register of the register bank at the bus controller;

receiving a first control signal at the bus controller from the processor of the memory device controller;

decrementing the number from the first register at the bus controller in response to receiving the first control signal;

checking the decremented number at an expression checker of the memory device controller to determine whether the decremented number is at a predetermined value;

going to a next address of an algorithm of the memory device controller when the decremented number is not at the predetermined value;

jumping over one or more addresses to a predetermined address of the algorithm when the decremented number is at the predetermined value and carrying out an instruction specified at the predetermined address;

sending a second control signal from a second register of the register bank to an analog/memory core of the memory device; and

after sending the second control signal to the analog/memory core sending the decremented number to the first register or a third register of the register bank of the memory device controller;

wherein an initial count of the number is a number of voltage pulses to be applied to one or more memory cells of the memory device; and

wherein the second control signal causes one or more voltage circuits of the analog/memory core to send the number of voltage pulses to the one or more memory cells of the memory device.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.; MICRON SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051028/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 9, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 050937/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2018
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 047243/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2018
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.; MICRON SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047540/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REPLACE ERRONEOUSLY FILED PATENT #7358718 WITH THE CORRECT PATENT #7358178 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038669 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jun 8, 2017
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 043079/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 2, 2016
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038954/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2016
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038669/0001 →
Priority Claims (1)
IT RM2003A0354 · Jul 17, 2003 · national
Continuity (2)
Division 1072211000 · Nov 25, 2003
Related Publication 20060259713A1 · Nov 16, 2006