Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120063195 | Reconfigurable Multi-level Sensing Scheme for Semiconductor Memories - A method for sensing at least one parameter indicative of a logical state of a multi-level memory cell includes the steps of: measuring the parameter of the multi-level memory cell; comparing the measured parameter of the multi-level memory cell with a prescribed reference signal, the reference signal having a value which varies as a function of time; and storing a time value corresponding to a point in time at which the reference signal is substantially equal to the measured parameter of the multi-level memory cell, the stored time value being indicative of a sensed logical state of the multi-level memory cell. | 03-15-2012 |
20130033915 | CONTENT ADDRESSABLE MEMORIES WITH WIRELINE COMPENSATION - What is disclosed is a novel memory array and process for creating a memory array to reduce wireline variability. The method includes accessing a routing design of a memory array with a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell in the array includes one or more access devices, and a group of wires electrically connected between one or more of the memory cells and peripheral circuitry (PC). The group of the group of wires is divided into at least one subgroup (N). Next, a capacitance (C | 02-07-2013 |
20130223121 | SENSE SCHEME FOR PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL CONTENT ADDRESSABLE MEMORY - A sensing circuit and method for sensing match lines in content addressable memory. The sensing circuit includes an inverter electrically coupled in a feedback loop to a match line. The inverter includes an inverting threshold of the match line. The match line is charged to substantially a first voltage threshold during a pre-charge phase. An evaluation phase occurs when the match line voltage drops from substantially the first voltage threshold to substantially the second voltage threshold. | 08-29-2013 |
20130223125 | DECODING SCHEME FOR BIPOLAR-BASED DIODE THREE-DIMENSIONAL MEMORY REQUIRING BIPOLAR PROGRAMMING - A system and method for operating a bipolar memory cell array including a bidirectional access diode. The system includes a column voltage. The column voltage switch includes column voltages and an output electrically coupled to the bidirectional access diode. The column voltages include at least one write-one column voltage and at least one write-zero column voltage. The system also includes a row voltage switch. The row voltage switch includes row voltages and an output electrically coupled to the bidirectional access diode. The row voltages include at least one write-one row voltage and at least one write-zero row voltage. The system further includes a column decoder and a row decoder electrically coupled to a select line of the column voltage switch and row voltage switch, respectively. The system includes a write driver electrically coupled to the select lines of the row and column switches. | 08-29-2013 |
20130313501 | DRIFT-INSENSITIVE OR INVARIANT MATERIAL FOR PHASE CHANGE MEMORY - A method of storing a bit at a memory device is disclosed. A memory cell the memory device is formed of a germanium-deficient chalcogenide glass configured to alternate between an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase upon application of a selected voltage, wherein a drift coefficient of the germanium-deficient chalcogenide glass is less than a drift coefficient of an undoped chalcogenide glass. A voltage is applied to the formed memory cell to select one of the amorphous phase and the crystalline phase to store the bit. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314983 | DRIFT-INSENSITIVE OR INVARIANT MATERIAL FOR PHASE CHANGE MEMORY - A method of storing a bit at a memory device is disclosed. A memory cell the memory device is formed of a germanium-deficient chalcogenide glass configured to alternate between an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase upon application of a selected voltage, wherein a drift coefficient of the germanium-deficient chalcogenide glass is less than a drift coefficient of an undoped chalcogenide glass. A voltage is applied to the formed memory cell to select one of the amorphous phase and the crystalline phase to store the bit. | 11-28-2013 |
20140022850 | DECODING SCHEME FOR BIPOLAR-BASED DIODE THREE-DIMENSIONAL MEMORY REQUIRING UNIPOLAR PROGRAMMING - A system and method for operating a unipolar memory cell array including a bidirectional access diode. The system includes a column voltage switch electrically coupled to a plurality of column voltages. The column voltage switch includes an output electrically coupled to the bidirectional access diode. The plurality of column voltages includes at least one select column voltage and one deselect column voltage. The system includes a row voltage switch electrically coupled to a plurality of row voltages. The row voltage switch includes an output electrically coupled to the bidirectional access diode. The plurality of row voltages includes at least one select row voltage and one deselect row voltage. The system includes a column and row decoder electrically coupled to a select line of the column and row voltage switches, respectively. | 01-23-2014 |
20140022851 | DECODING SCHEME FOR BIPOLAR-BASED DIODE THREE-DIMENSIONAL MEMORY REQUIRING UNIPOLAR PROGRAMMING - A system and method for operating a unipolar memory cell array including a bidirectional access diode. An example embodiment is a method including determining if the operating state of the unipolar memory cell is in a select state or a deselect state and the programming state is a read state or a write state. The method switches a column voltage switch based on the operating state and the programming state of the unipolar memory cell. The method further switches a row voltage switch based on the operating state and the programming state of the unipolar memory cell. | 01-23-2014 |
20140026008 | WRITING SCHEME FOR PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL-CONTENT ADDRESSABLE MEMORY - A system for programming a phase change material-content addressable memory (PCM-CAM). The system includes a receiving unit for receiving a word to be written in the PCM-CAM. The word includes low bits represented by a low resistance state in the PCM-CAM and high bits represented by a high resistance state in the PCM-CAM. The system includes a writing unit configured to repeatedly write the low bits in memory cells of the PCM-CAM until the resistance of the memory cells are below a threshold value, and to write high bits in memory cells of the PCM-CAM only once. | 01-23-2014 |
20140052894 | MEMORY CONTROLLER FOR MEMORY WITH MIXED CELL ARRAY AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE MEMORY - A memory controller, system including the memory controller and method of controlling the memory. The memory controller receives requests for memory and content sensitively allocates memory space in a mixed cell memory. The memory controller allocates sufficient space including performance memory storing a single bit per cell and dense memory storing more than one bit per cell. Some or all of the memory may be selectable by the memory controller as either Single Level per Cell (SLC) or Multiple Level per Cell (MLC). | 02-20-2014 |
20140052895 | MEMORY WITH MIXED CELL ARRAY AND SYSTEM INCLUDING THE MEMORY - A memory system, system including the memory system and method of reducing memory system power consumption. The memory system includes multiple memory units allocable to one of a number of processor units, e.g., processors or processor cores. A memory controller receives requests for memory from the processor units and allocates sufficient space from the memory to each requesting processor unit. Allocated memory can include some Single Level per Cell (SLC) memory units storing a single bit per cell and other memory units storing more than one bit per cell. Thus, two processor units may be assigned identical memory space, while half, or fewer, than the number of cells of one are assigned to the other. | 02-20-2014 |
20140052900 | MEMORY CONTROLLER FOR MEMORY WITH MIXED CELL ARRAY AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE MEMORY - A memory controller, system including the memory controller and method of controlling the memory. The memory controller receives requests for memory and content sensitively allocates memory space in a mixed cell memory. The memory controller allocates sufficient space including performance memory storing a single bit per cell and dense memory storing more than one bit per cell. Some or all of the memory may be selectable by the memory controller as either Single Level per Cell (SLC) or Multiple Level per Cell (MLC). | 02-20-2014 |
20140052901 | MEMORY WITH MIXED CELL ARRAY AND SYSTEM INCLUDING THE MEMORY - A memory system, system including the memory system and method of reducing memory system power consumption. The memory system includes multiple memory units allocable to one of a number of processor units, e.g., processors or processor cores. A memory controller receives requests for memory from the processor units and allocates sufficient space from the memory to each requesting processor unit. Allocated memory can include some Single Level per Cell (SLC) memory units storing a single bit per cell and other memory units storing more than one bit per cell. Thus, two processor units may be assigned identical memory space, while half, or fewer, than the number of cells of one are assigned to the other. | 02-20-2014 |
20140092694 | MULTI-BIT RESISTANCE MEASUREMENT - An example embodiment is a circuit for determining a binary value of a memory cell. The circuit includes shunt capacitors having different capacitances to selectively couple with the memory cell, and a controller configured to iteratively charge the shunt capacitors to a first voltage until a selected shunt capacitor causes the first voltage to decay through the memory cell to a first reference voltage within a predetermined time range, determine a binary value of the most significant bits of the memory cell based on the selected shunt capacitor, charge the selected shunt capacitor to a second voltage after determining the binary value of the most significant bits of the memory cell, and determine a binary value of the least significant bits of the memory cell based on a decay of the second voltage at the selected shunt capacitor through the memory cell. | 04-03-2014 |
20140166962 | PHASE CHANGE MEMORY CELL WITH LARGE ELECTRODE CONTACT AREA - A phase change memory cell and a method for fabricating the phase change memory cell. The phase change memory cell includes a bottom electrode and a first non-conductive layer. The first non-conductive layer defines a first well, a first electrically conductive liner lines the first well, and the first well is filled with a phase change material in the phase change memory cell. | 06-19-2014 |
20140170831 | PHASE CHANGE MEMORY CELL WITH LARGE ELECTRODE CONTACT AREA - A phase change memory cell and a method for fabricating the phase change memory cell. The phase change memory cell includes a bottom electrode and a first non-conductive layer. The first non-conductive layer defines a first well, a first electrically conductive liner lines the first well, and the first well is filled with a phase change material in the phase change memory cell. | 06-19-2014 |
20140252418 | ELECTRICAL COUPLING OF MEMORY CELL ACCESS DEVICES TO A WORD LINE - A memory array and a method for electrically coupling memory cell access devices to a word line. The memory array includes a source line electrically coupled to each source terminal of the memory cell access devices. The memory array also includes a first set of at least two vertical pillars positioned above and electrically coupled to the source line. A second set of vertical pillars electrically isolated from the source line and positioned such that the source line does not extend below the second set of vertical pillars is also included. Furthermore, gate terminals of the memory cell access devices laterally surround the first set of vertical pillars and the second set of vertical pillars. Finally, a first word line contact is positioned between two of the second set of vertical pillars. The first word line contact is electrically coupled to the gate terminals. | 09-11-2014 |
20140252556 | SINGLE-MASK SPACER TECHNIQUE FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE FEATURES - A method for fabricating semiconductor features. The method includes forming a first layer over a substrate. Forming a plurality of first holes in the first layer. The first layer includes sidewalls separating at least a portion of each first hole. The first holes include overlapping holes that are not separated by the sidewalls. Forming a plurality of spacers on the substrate and first layer. The spacers include spacer sidewalls separating adjacent overlapping holes. Etching exposed portions of the substrate to form a plurality of second holes. | 09-11-2014 |
20140256100 | ELECTRICAL COUPLING OF MEMORY CELL ACCESS DEVICES TO A WORD LINE - A memory array and a method for electrically coupling memory cell access devices to a word line. The memory array includes a source line electrically coupled to each source terminal of the memory cell access devices. The memory array also includes a first set of at least two vertical pillars positioned above and electrically coupled to the source line. A second set of vertical pillars electrically isolated from the source line and positioned such that the source line does not extend below the second set of vertical pillars is also included. Furthermore, gate terminals of the memory cell access devices laterally surround the first set of vertical pillars and the second set of vertical pillars. Finally, a first word line contact is positioned between two of the second set of vertical pillars. The first word line contact is electrically coupled to the gate terminals. | 09-11-2014 |
20140264497 | SELF-ALIGNED APPROACH FOR DRAIN DIFFUSION IN FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS - A method for doping terminals of a field-effect transistor (FET), the FET including a drain region, a source region, and a surround gate surrounding a channel region, the method including depositing a dopant-containing layer, such that the surround gate prevents the dopant-containing layer from contacting the channel region of the FET, the dopant-containing layer including a dopant. The dopant then diffuses the dopant from the dopant-containing layer into at least one of the drain region and source region of the FET. | 09-18-2014 |
20140264557 | SELF-ALIGNED APPROACH FOR DRAIN DIFFUSION IN FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS - A method for doping terminals of a field-effect transistor (FET), the FET including a drain region, a source region, and a surround gate surrounding a channel region, the method including depositing a dopant-containing layer, such that the surround gate prevents the dopant-containing layer from contacting the channel region of the FET, the dopant-containing layer including a dopant. The dopant then diffuses the dopant from the dopant-containing layer into at least one of the drain region and source region of the FET. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281162 | ADAPTIVE REFERENCE TUNING FOR ENDURANCE ENHANCEMENT OF NON-VOLATILE MEMORIES - A wear leveling technique is employed in a memory device so that the cycling history of a memory block is represented by the cycling history of a representative memory cell or a small number of representative memory cells. A control logic block tracks the cycling history of the one or more representative memory cells. A table tabulating the predicted shift in an optimal value for a reference variable for a sensing circuit as a function of cycling history is provided within the memory device. Prior to sensing a memory cell, the control logic block checks the total number of cycling in the one or more representative memory cells and adjusts the value for the reference variable in the sensing circuit, thereby providing an optimal value for the reference variable in the sensing circuit for each sensing cycle of the memory device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281294 | ADAPTIVE REFERENCE TUNING FOR ENDURANCE ENHANCEMENT OF NON-VOLATILE MEMORIES - A wear leveling technique is employed in a memory device so that the cycling history of a memory block is represented by the cycling history of a representative memory cell or a small number of representative memory cells. A control logic block tracks the cycling history of the one or more representative memory cells. A table tabulating the predicted shift in an optimal value for a reference variable for a sensing circuit as a function of cycling history is provided within the memory device. Prior to sensing a memory cell, the control logic block checks the total number of cycling in the one or more representative memory cells and adjusts the value for the reference variable in the sensing circuit, thereby providing an optimal value for the reference variable in the sensing circuit for each sensing cycle of the memory device. | 09-18-2014 |
20150032979 | SELF-ADJUSTING PHASE CHANGE MEMORY STORAGE MODULE - A dynamic self-adjusting memory storage device and method of operating. The device includes a plurality of adjustable-size phase change memory (PCM) storage sub-modules connected to and communicating over a bus with a control device. One of the plurality of adjustable-size memory storage sub-modules is in a stand-by mode of operation. The control device implements steps to: determine, based on a switching criteria, when the memory storage device needs to be switched to a different operation mode; select one or more adjustable-sized memory storage sub-modules for switching to said different operation mode; copy stored data from a selected actively operating adjustable-size memory storage sub-module to said adjustable-size memory storage sub-module in said stand-by mode; and change the capacity of the selected actively operating adjustable-size memory storage sub-module after the copying. The dynamic self-adjusting memory capacity method is performed without powering down the memory storage device or paying any timing penalty. | 01-29-2015 |