Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090323391 | REVERSE SET WITH CURRENT LIMIT FOR NON-VOLATILE STORAGE - A storage system includes a substrate, control circuitry on the substrate, a three dimensional memory array (above the substrate) that includes a plurality of reversible resistance-switching elements, and circuits for limiting the SET current for the reversible resistance-switching elements. The memory cell is SET in a reverse biased fashion. | 12-31-2009 |
20090323392 | SMART DETECTION CIRCUIT FOR WRITING TO NON-VOLATILE STORAGE - A memory system includes a substrate, control circuitry on the substrate, a three dimensional memory array (above the substrate) that includes a plurality of memory cells with reversible resistance-switching elements, and a circuit for detecting the setting and resetting of the reversible resistance-switching elements. | 12-31-2009 |
20090323393 | CAPACITIVE DISCHARGE METHOD FOR WRITING TO NON-VOLATILE MEMORY - A memory system includes a substrate, control circuitry on the substrate, a three dimensional memory array (above the substrate) that includes a plurality of memory cells with reversible resistance-switching elements, and circuits for limiting the SET current for the reversible resistance-switching elements. The circuits for limiting the SET current provide a charge on one or more bit lines that is not sufficient to SET the memory cells, and then discharge the bit lines through the memory cells in order to SET the memory cells. | 12-31-2009 |
20100046267 | MEMORY SYSTEM WITH SECTIONAL DATA LINES - A storage system includes a three-dimensional memory array that has multiple layers of non-volatile storage elements grouped into blocks. The blocks are grouped into bays. The storage system includes array lines of a first type in communication with storage elements, array lines of a second type in communication with storage elements, and sense amplifiers. Each block is geographically associated with two sense amplifiers and all blocks of a particular bay share a group of sense amplifiers associated with the blocks of the particular bay. The system includes multiple sets of local data lines in one or more routing metal layers below the three-dimensional memory array and multiple sets of global data lines in one or more top metal layers above the three-dimensional memory array. Each set of one or more blocks include one set of the local data lines. Each bay includes one set of global data lines that connect to the group of sense amplifiers associated with the blocks of the respective bay. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines of the first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines associated with a respective bay. | 02-25-2010 |
20100085822 | CONTINUOUS PROGRAMMING OF NON-VOLATILE MEMORY - A non-volatile storage system connects a signal driver to a first control line that is connected to a first non-volatile storage element, charges the first control line using the signal driver while the signal driver is connected to the first control line, disconnects the signal driver from the first control line while the first control line remains charged from the signal driver, connects the signal driver to a second control line that is connected to a second non-volatile storage element, charges the second control line using the signal driver while the signal driver is connected to the second control line, and disconnects the signal driver from the second control line. Charging the control lines causes the respective non-volatile storage elements to experience a program operation. The disconnecting of the signal driver from the first control line, the connecting the signal driver to the second control line and the charging of the second control line are performed without waiting for the first non-volatile storage element's program operation to complete. | 04-08-2010 |
20100259962 | Three-Dimensional Array of Re-Programmable Non-Volatile Memory Elements Having Vertical Bit Lines and a Single-Sided Word Line Architecture - A three-dimensional array especially adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. A two-dimensional array of bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected is oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes. A single-sided word line architecture provides a word line exclusively for each row of memory elements instead of sharing one word line between two rows of memory elements thereby avoids linking the memory element across the array across the word lines. While the row of memory elements is also being accessed by a corresponding row of local bit lines, there is no extension of coupling between adjacent rows of local bit lines and therefore leakage currents beyond the word line. | 10-14-2010 |
20100265750 | MEMORY SYSTEM WITH DATA LINE SWITCHING SCHEME - A storage system includes a three-dimensional memory array that has multiple layers of non-volatile storage elements grouped into blocks. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines (e.g. bit lines) of a first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines that are connected to control circuitry. To increase the performance of memory operations, the second selections circuits can change their selections independently of each other. For example, a memory operation is performed concurrently on a first non-volatile storage element of each group of a plurality of groups of non-volatile storage elements. Completion of the memory operation for the first non-volatile storage element of each group is independently detected. A memory operation on a second non-volatile storage element of each group is independently commenced for each group upon independently detecting completion of the memory operation for the first non-volatile storage element of the respective group. | 10-21-2010 |
20110075468 | REVERSE SET WITH CURRENT LIMIT FOR NON-VOLATILE STORAGE - A storage system includes a substrate, control circuitry on the substrate, a three dimensional memory array (above the substrate) that includes a plurality of reversible resistance-switching elements, and circuits for limiting the SET current for the reversible resistance-switching elements. The memory cell is SET in a reverse biased fashion. | 03-31-2011 |
20110182105 | MEMORY SYSTEM WITH SECTIONAL DATA LINES - A storage system includes a three-dimensional memory array that has multiple layers of non-volatile storage elements grouped into blocks. The blocks are grouped into bays. The storage system includes array lines of a first type in communication with storage elements, array lines of a second type in communication with storage elements, and sense amplifiers. Each block is geographically associated with two sense amplifiers and all blocks of a particular bay share a group of sense amplifiers associated with the blocks of the particular bay. The system includes multiple sets of local data lines in one or more routing metal layers below the three-dimensional memory array and multiple sets of global data lines in one or more top metal layers above the three-dimensional memory array. Each set of one or more blocks include one set of the local data lines. Each bay includes one set of global data lines that connect to the group of sense amplifiers associated with the blocks of the respective bay. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines of the first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines associated with a respective bay. | 07-28-2011 |
20110299340 | Non-Volatile Memory Having 3d Array of Read/Write Elements and Read/Write Circuits and Method Thereof - A three-dimensional array is especially adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. A two-dimensional array of bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected is oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes. During sensing, to compensate for word line resistance, a sense amplifier references a stored reference value during sensing of a memory element at a given location of the word line. A layout with a row of sense amplifiers between two memory arrays is provided to facilitate the referencing. A selected memory element is reset without resetting neighboring ones when it is subject to a bias voltage under predetermined conditions. | 12-08-2011 |
20110305071 | CONTINUOUS PROGRAMMING OF NON-VOLATILE MEMORY - A non-volatile storage system connects a signal driver to a first control line that is connected to a first non-volatile storage element, charges the first control line using the signal driver while the signal driver is connected to the first control line, disconnects the signal driver from the first control line while the first control line remains charged from the signal driver, connects the signal driver to a second control line that is connected to a second non-volatile storage element, charges the second control line using the signal driver while the signal driver is connected to the second control line, and disconnects the signal driver from the second control line. Charging the control lines causes the respective non-volatile storage elements to experience a program operation. The disconnecting of the signal driver from the first control line, the connecting the signal driver to the second control line and the charging of the second control line are performed without waiting for the first non-volatile storage element's program operation to complete. | 12-15-2011 |
20120008373 | CAPACITIVE DISCHARGE METHOD FOR WRITING TO NON-VOLATILE MEMORY - A memory system includes a substrate, control circuitry on the substrate, a three dimensional memory array (above the substrate) that includes a plurality of memory cells with reversible resistance-switching elements, and circuits for limiting the SET current for the reversible resistance-switching elements. The circuits for limiting the SET current provide a charge on one or more bit lines that is not sufficient to SET the memory cells, and then discharge the bit lines through the memory cells in order to SET the memory cells. | 01-12-2012 |
20120147689 | THREE DIMENSIONAL NON-VOLATILE STORAGE WITH MULTI BLOCK ROW SELECTION - A three-dimensional array adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. Bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected are oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes. | 06-14-2012 |
20120170346 | MEMORY SYSTEM WITH SECTIONAL DATA LINES - The system includes multiple sets of local data lines in one or more routing metal layers below the three-dimensional memory array and multiple sets of global data lines in one or more top metal layers above the three-dimensional memory array. Each set of one or more blocks include one set of the local data lines. Each bay includes one set of global data lines that connect to the group of sense amplifiers associated with the blocks of the respective bay. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines of the first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines associated with a respective bay. | 07-05-2012 |
20120170347 | MEMORY SYSTEM WITH SECTIONAL DATA LINES - The system includes multiple sets of local data lines in one or more routing metal layers below the three-dimensional memory array and multiple sets of global data lines in one or more top metal layers above the three-dimensional memory array. Each set of one or more blocks include one set of the local data lines. Each bay includes one set of global data lines that connect to the group of sense amplifiers associated with the blocks of the respective bay. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines of the first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines associated with a respective bay. | 07-05-2012 |
20120224408 | THREE DIMENSIONAL MEMORY SYSTEM WITH COLUMN PIPELINE - A monolithic three dimensional array of non-volatile storage elements is arranged in blocks. The non-volatile storage elements are connected to bit lines and word lines. The bit lines for each block are grouped into columns of bit lines. The columns of bit lines include top columns of bit lines that are connected to selection circuits on a top side of a respective block and bottom columns of bit lines that are connected to selection circuits on a bottom side of the respective block. Programming of data is pipelined between two or more columns of bit lines in order to increase programming speed. One embodiment of the programming process includes selectively connecting two columns of bit lines to a set of one or more selection circuits, using the one or more selection circuits to selectively connect one of the two columns of bit lines to one or more signal sources, programming non-volatile storage elements for the column of bit lines that is currently connected to the one or more signal sources, and changing one of the columns of bit lines connected to the set of one or more selection circuits while another column of bit lines is being programmed. | 09-06-2012 |
20120224409 | THREE DIMENSIONAL MEMORY SYSTEM WITH PAGE OF DATA ACROSS WORD LINES - A three dimensional monolithic memory array of non-volatile storage elements includes a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines. The plurality of bit lines are grouped into columns. One page of data is stored across multiple word lines by programming non-volatile storage elements connected to one column of bit lines and multiple word lines while maintaining the selection of the one column of bit lines. In one embodiment, programming non-volatile storage elements includes selectively connecting bit lines to sense amplifiers using selection circuits that include a storage device, a select circuit connected to the storage device and one or more level shifters providing two or more interfaces to the respective selection circuit. | 09-06-2012 |
20120224410 | THREE DIMENSIONAL MEMORY SYSTEM WITH INTELLIGENT SELECT CIRCUIT - A three dimensional monolithic memory array of non-volatile storage elements includes a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines. The plurality of bit lines are grouped into columns. Performing memory operation on the non-volatile storage elements includes selectively connecting bit lines to sense amplifiers using selection circuits that include a storage device, a select circuit connected to the storage device and one or more level shifters providing two or more interfaces to the respective selection circuit. | 09-06-2012 |
20120257433 | MEMORY SYSTEM WITH DATA LINE SWITCHING SCHEME - A storage system includes a three-dimensional memory array that has multiple layers of non-volatile storage elements grouped into blocks. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines (e.g. bit lines) of a first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines that are connected to control circuitry. To increase the performance of memory operations, the second selection circuits can change their selections independently of each other. | 10-11-2012 |
20120275210 | NON-VOLATILE STORAGE SYSTEM WITH DUAL BLOCK PROGRAMMING - A non-volatile storage system is disclosed that includes a plurality of blocks of non-volatile storage elements, a plurality of word lines connected to the blocks of non-volatile storage elements such that each word line is connected to adjacent blocks of non-volatile storage elements, a plurality of bit lines connected to the blocks of non-volatile storage elements, multiple sets of word lines drivers such that each set of word line drivers is positioned between two adjacent blocks for driving word lines connected to the two adjacent blocks, global data lines, local data lines in selective communication with the bit lines, one or more selection circuits that selectively connect the global data lines to selected local data lines and connect unselected local data lines to one or more unselected bit line signals and control circuitry in communication with the one or more selection circuits and the global data lines. The control circuitry concurrently programs non-volatile storage elements of two adjacent blocks by applying programming signals on word lines connected to the two adjacent blocks and applying programming signals on appropriate bit lines via the global data lines and the one or more selection circuits. | 11-01-2012 |
20120287734 | CONTINUOUS PROGRAMMING OF NON-VOLATILE MEMORY - A system connects a signal driver to a first control line that is connected to a first non-volatile storage element, charges the first control line while the signal driver is connected to the first control line, disconnects the signal driver from the first control line while the first control line remains charged from the signal driver, connects the signal driver to a second control line that is connected to a second non-volatile storage element, charges the second control line using the signal driver while the signal driver is connected to the second control line, and disconnects the signal driver from the second control line. The disconnecting of the signal driver from the first control line, the connecting the signal driver to the second control line and the charging of the second control line are performed without waiting for the first non-volatile storage element's program operation to complete. | 11-15-2012 |
20130010523 | MEMORY SYSTEM WITH DATA LINE SWITCHING SCHEME - A storage system includes a three-dimensional memory array that has multiple layers of non-volatile storage elements grouped into blocks. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines (e.g. bit lines) of a first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines that are connected to control circuitry. To increase the performance of memory operations, the second selection circuits can change their selections independently of each other. | 01-10-2013 |
20130121078 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL ARRAY OF RE-PROGRAMMABLE NON-VOLATILE MEMORY ELEMENTS HAVING VERTICAL BIT LINES AND A SINGLE-SIDED WORD LINE ARCHITECTURE - A three-dimensional array especially adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. A two-dimensional array of bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected is oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes. A single-sided word line architecture provides a word line exclusively for each row of memory elements instead of sharing one word line between two rows of memory elements thereby avoids linking the memory element across the array across the word lines. While the row of memory elements is also being accessed by a corresponding row of local bit lines, there is no extension of coupling between adjacent rows of local bit lines and therefore leakage currents beyond the word line. | 05-16-2013 |
20140022848 | NON-VOLATILE MEMORY HAVING 3D ARRAY OF READ/WRITE ELEMENTS AND READ/WRITE CIRCUITS AND METHOD THEREOF - A three-dimensional array is especially adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. A two-dimensional array of bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected is oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes. During sensing, to compensate for word line resistance, a sense amplifier references a stored reference value during sensing of a memory element at a given location of the word line. A layout with a row of sense amplifiers between two memory arrays is provided to facilitate the referencing. A selected memory element is reset without resetting neighboring ones when it is subject to a bias voltage under predetermined conditions. | 01-23-2014 |
20140185351 | NON-VOLATILE STORAGE SYSTEM WITH DUAL BLOCK PROGRAMMING - A non-volatile storage system is disclosed that includes a plurality of blocks of non-volatile storage elements, a plurality of word lines connected to the blocks of non-volatile storage elements such that each word line is connected to adjacent blocks of non-volatile storage elements, a plurality of bit lines connected to the blocks of non-volatile storage elements, multiple sets of word lines drivers such that each set of word line drivers is positioned between two adjacent blocks for driving word lines connected to the two adjacent blocks, global data lines, local data lines in selective communication with the bit lines, one or more selection circuits that selectively connect the global data lines to selected local data lines and connect unselected local data lines to one or more unselected bit line signals and control circuitry in communication with the one or more selection circuits and the global data lines. The control circuitry concurrently programs non-volatile storage elements of two adjacent blocks by applying programming signals on word lines connected to the two adjacent blocks and applying programming signals on appropriate bit lines via the global data lines and the one or more selection circuits. | 07-03-2014 |
20140301130 | VERTICAL CROSS POINT RERAM FORMING METHOD - Methods for forming non-volatile storage elements in a non-volatile storage system are described. In some embodiments, a plurality of forming operations may be performed in which non-volatile storage elements located near the far end of a plurality of word line fingers associated with a word line comb are formed prior to forming other non-volatile storage elements. In one example, non-volatile storage elements may be formed in each of the plurality of word line fingers in parallel and in an order that forms non-volatile storage elements in each of the plurality of word line fingers that are located near the far ends of the plurality of word line fingers before forming other non-volatile storage elements. Each non-volatile storage element that is formed during a forming operation may be current limited while a forming voltage is applied across the non-volatile storage element. | 10-09-2014 |
20140301131 | MULTIPLE LAYER FORMING SCHEME FOR VERTICAL CROSS POINT RERAM - Methods for forming non-volatile storage elements in a non-volatile storage system are described. In some embodiments, during a forming operation, a cross-point memory array may be biased such that waste currents are minimized or eliminated. In one example, the memory array may be biased such that a first word line comb is set to a first voltage, a second word line comb interdigitated with the first word line comb is set to the first voltage, and selected vertical bit lines are set to a second voltage such that a forming voltage is applied across non-volatile storage elements to be formed. In some embodiments, a memory array may include a plurality of word line comb layers and a forming operation may be concurrently performed on non-volatile storage elements on all of the plurality of word line comb layers or a subset of the plurality of word line comb layers. | 10-09-2014 |