# US 12,183,420 B2 · Memory array with compensated word line access delay

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,183,420 B2
- Document ID: US12183420B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/899,849
- Filed: 2022-08-31
- Published: 2024-02-29
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2022-08-31
- Assignees: Micron Technology, Inc.
- Applicants: Micron Technology, Inc.
- Inventors: Si Hong Kim; John D. Porter
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12183420B2

## CPC

- G11C 7/1039: {using pipelining techniques, i.e. using latches between functional memory parts, e.g. row/column decoders, I/O buffers, sense amplifiers}
- G11C 7/065: {Differential amplifiers of latching type}
- G11C 7/1012: {Data reordering during input/output, e.g. crossbars, layers of multiplexers, shifting or rotating}
- G11C 7/222: {Clock generating, synchronizing or distributing circuits within memory device}
- G11C 8/08: Word line control circuits, e.g. drivers, boosters, pull-up circuits, pull-down circuits, precharging circuits, for word lines
- G11C 11/4091: Sense or sense/refresh amplifiers, or associated sense circuitry, e.g. for coupled bit-line precharging, equalising or isolating
- G11C 7/106: {Data output latches}
- G11C 8/18: Address timing or clocking circuits; Address control signal generation or management, e.g. for row address strobe [RAS] or column address strobe [CAS] signals
- G11C: STATIC STORES (semiconductor memory devices H10B)

## Abstract

Systems and method for sensing an accessed voltage value associated with a memory cell is described. In different embodiments, a memory array may include a different number of sense components. Moreover, each sense component may receive latching signals to latch the accessed voltage value of memory cells of the memory array based on different timings. For example, the memory array may latch digit line voltages of memory cells positioned farther from a respective word line driver at a later time based on a latching signal with a higher delay. Such memory arrays may include circuitry to receive and/or generate the delayed latching signals as well as selection circuitry for latching the digit line voltages based on a selected delayed latching signals.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electronic device comprising a memory device, the memory device comprising:
a controller configured to provide a first selection signal associated with selecting a latching time and provide a second selection signal associated with selecting a delayed latching time;
a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells, wherein the plurality of memory cells are disposed between a plurality of word lines and a plurality of digit lines;
a word line driver coupled to a first memory cell and a second memory cell of the plurality of memory cells via a word line of the plurality of word lines, wherein the word line driver is configured to apply a voltage to the first memory cell and the second memory cell via the word line, wherein the first memory cell is configured to provide a first digit line voltage indicative of a first stored value to a first digit line of the plurality of digit lines based on receiving the applied voltage, and wherein the second memory cell is configured to provide a second digit line voltage indicative of a second stored value to a second digit line of the plurality of digit lines based on receiving the applied voltage;
a first sense component coupled to the first digit line, the first sense component configured to latch the first digit line voltage at the latching time based on receiving the first selection signal; and
a second sense component coupled to the second digit line, the second sense component configured to latch the second digit line voltage at the delayed latching time based on receiving the second selection signal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first sense component comprises:
first latching circuitry configured to latch the first digit line voltage based on the latching time or the delayed latching time; and
first switching circuitry configured to select between the latching time and the delayed latching time based on receiving the first selection signal or the second selection signal.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second sense component comprises:
second latching circuitry configured to latch the second digit line voltage based on the latching time or the delayed latching time; and
second switching circuitry configured to select between the latching time and the delayed latching time based on receiving the first selection signal or the second selection signal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the word line driver is coupled to a third memory cell of the plurality of memory cells via the word line, wherein the word line driver is configured to apply the voltage to the third memory cell via the word line, and wherein the third memory cell is configured to provide a third digit line voltage indicative of a third stored value to a third digit line of the plurality of digit lines based on receiving the applied voltage.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the first sense component is coupled to the third memory cell via the third digit line, and wherein the first sense component is configured to latch the third digit line voltage at the delayed latching time based on receiving the second selection signal.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the second sense component is coupled to the third memory cell via the third digit line, and wherein the second sense component configured to latch the third digit line voltage at the latching time based on receiving the first selection signal.

### Claim 7

A method comprising:
receiving, by a controller of a memory device, an indication to read a stored value of a first memory cell of a plurality of memory cells of a memory array;
providing, by the controller, one or more address signals indicative of a word line and a digit line of the first memory cell to a row decoder and column decoder circuitry of the memory array to access the first memory cell;
determining, by the controller, that the first memory cell is coupled to a first sense component associated with the column decoder circuitry;
selecting, by the controller, a delayed latching signal to latch the stored value of the first memory cell by the first sense component based on a delayed latching time in response to determining that the first memory cell is coupled to the first sense component; and
receiving, by the controller, the stored value on the first memory cell.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, comprising determining, by the controller, that a second memory cell of the plurality of memory cells is positioned at a near distance to a word line driver based on the second memory cell being coupled to a second sense component associated with the column decoder circuitry.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, comprising providing, by the controller, a latching signal to the second sense component to latch a stored value from of the second memory cell based on a latching time based on the second memory cell being at the near distance.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the latching signal and the delayed latching signal comprise an oscillating signal, a high signal, or a low signal.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the delayed latching time is 3-15 nano-seconds after the latching time.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the first sense component is coupled to one or more digit lines of the memory device that are positioned farther than a predetermined distance from a word line driver.

### Claim 13

A memory device, comprising:
a first word line;
a first digit line;
a plurality of memory cells, wherein a first memory cell of the plurality of memory cells is coupled to the first word line and the first digit line;
a first word line driver coupled to the first word line, wherein the first word line driver is configured to apply a voltage to the first memory cell via the first word line, and wherein the first memory cell is configured to provide a first digit line voltage indicative of a first stored value to the first digit line based on receiving the applied voltage; and
a first sense component coupled to the first digit line, the first sense component comprising first latching circuitry configured to latch the first digit line voltage based on a latching time or a delayed latching time based on a first selection signal.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The memory device of claim 13, wherein the latching time and the delayed latching time are based on an impedance of the first word line.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The memory device of claim 13, wherein the first selection signal is indicative of selecting the latching time or the delayed latching time based on a position of the first memory cell on the first word line with respect to the first word line driver.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The memory device of claim 13, wherein the first sense component is configured to receive a latching signal associated with the latching time and receive a delayed latching signal associated with the delayed latching time.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The memory device of claim 16, wherein the first sense component is configured to receive the delayed latching signal between 3 to 5 nano-seconds after receiving the latching signal.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The memory device of claim 16, wherein the latching signal and the delayed latching signal comprise an oscillating signal, a high signal, or a low signal.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The memory device of claim 13, comprising:
a second digit line, wherein a second memory cell of the plurality of memory cells is coupled to the first word line and the second digit line, and wherein the second memory cell is configured to provide a second digit line voltage indicative of a second stored value to the second digit line based on receiving the applied voltage; and
a second sense component coupled to the second digit line, the second sense component comprising second latching circuitry configured to latch the second digit line voltage based on the latching time or the delayed latching time based on a second selection signal.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The memory device of claim 13, comprising:
a second word line, wherein a second memory cell of the plurality of memory cells is coupled to the second word line and the first digit line; and
a second word line driver coupled to the second word line, wherein the second word line driver is configured to apply the voltage to the second memory cell via the second word line, and wherein the second memory cell is configured to provide a second digit line voltage indicative of a stored value to the first digit line based on receiving the applied voltage.