Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080239833 | Readout of multi-level storage cells - A multi-level sensing scheme compares the state of a multi-level storage cell with monotonously changing reference states, which are associated to different information values. That particular information value is identified to be the information stored in the multi-level storage cell, which has associated that reference state which, in a changing direction, firstly exceeds the state. | 10-02-2008 |
20080298121 | METHOD OF OPERATING PHASE-CHANGE MEMORY - A method of operating a phase-change memory array. The method may comprise causing a first current to flow through a phase-change memory element in a first direction and causing a second current to flow through the memory element in a second direction. | 12-04-2008 |
20090034343 | DATA RETENTION MONITOR - A data retention monitor for a memory cell including a voltage source and a voltage comparator. The voltage source is adapted to provide a selectable voltage to the memory cell. The selectable voltage includes a read voltage and a test voltage, with the test voltage being greater than the read voltage. The voltage comparator is adapted to compare a voltage of the memory cell with a reference voltage after the provision of the selectable voltage to the memory cell. The memory cell retains data when the memory cell voltage generated at least in part by the test voltage is substantially equal to the reference voltage. | 02-05-2009 |
20100065891 | Compact Memory Arrays - Embodiments of the invention describe compact memory arrays. In one embodiment, the memory cell array includes first, second, and third gate lines disposed over a substrate, the second gate lines are disposed between the first and the third gate lines. The first, the second, and the third gate lines form adjacent gate lines of the memory cell array. The memory cell array further includes first metal lines disposed over the first gate lines, the first metal lines coupled to the first gate lines; second metal lines disposed over the second gate lines, the second metal lines coupled to the second gate lines; and third metal lines disposed over the third gate lines, the third metal lines coupled to the third gate lines. The first metal lines, the second metal lines and the third metal lines are disposed in different metallization levels. | 03-18-2010 |
20100103722 | METHOD OF PROGRAMMING RESISTIVITY CHANGING MEMORY - A method of operating an integrated circuit includes determining a resistance value of at least one resistivity-changing memory cell when the memory cell is in a low-resistance state, the at least one resistivity-changing memory cell configured to be programmable to at least the low-resistance state and a high-resistance state, comparing the resistance value to a threshold value, selecting, based on the comparison, a cell reset process to be employed for programming the at least one resistivity-changing memory cell to the high-resistance state. The selecting includes selecting a predetermined reset process as the cell reset process when the resistance value is less than the threshold value, and adjusting the predetermined process and selecting the adjusted predetermined reset process as the cell reset process when the resistance value is at least equal to the threshold value. | 04-29-2010 |
20100146189 | Programming Non Volatile Memories - Non volatile memories and methods of programming thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method of programming a memory array includes receiving a series of data blocks, each data block having a number of bits that are to be programmed, determining the number of bits that are to be programmed in a first data block, determining the number of bits that are to be programmed in a second data block, and writing the first and the second data blocks into a memory array in parallel if the sum of the number of bits that are to be programmed in the first data block and the second data block is not greater than a maximum value. | 06-10-2010 |
20100199148 | System and Method for Constructing Multi-Write Error Correcting Code - An embodiment of the invention relates to a memory device and a related method. In an embodiment, a check matrix for an error-correcting code is formed so that sets of input data bits can be written, wherein each set of input data bits generates one set of error-correcting code bits that can be written independently of each other and in an arbitrary order. An error-correcting code is thereby produced without the need to erase or copy any existing, originally written bit upon presentation of new input data. | 08-05-2010 |
20100202218 | System and Method for Level Shifter - In one embodiment, a bit-line interface is disclosed. The bit-line interface has a multiplexer having a plurality of bit-line outputs, and a write path coupled to a multiplexer signal input. The bit-line interface also has a read path coupled to the multiplexer signal input, wherein the read path and the write path share at least one component. | 08-12-2010 |
20100226178 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CORRECTING OVER-ERASED FLASH MEMORY CELLS - A method and flash memory device that correct over-erased memory cells are described. The device includes flash memory cells, erase circuitry, measuring circuitry, and a pulse generator. The method includes performing an erase operation on a first plurality of memory cells, measuring at least one memory cell of a second plurality of memory cells, and if an over-erased memory cell is detected in measuring the second plurality of cells, applying one or more programming pulses to the one or more over-erased cells, the one or more programming pulses cumulatively sufficient to correct a cell in a maximum over-erased state. Also described is a method that registers over-erased cells for programming and applies one or more programming pulses to the registered over-erased cells, the one or more programming pulses cumulatively sufficient to correct a cell in a maximum over-erased state. | 09-09-2010 |
20110103150 | NON-VOLATILE MEMORY WITH PREDICTIVE PROGRAMMING - A method of operating an integrated circuit includes applying at least one first programming pulse to a plurality of non-volatile memory cells to adjust a level of a storage parameter of each of the non-volatile memory cells, the at least one first programming pulse defined by a plurality of pulse parameters each having a fixed valued, and determining a fail count by measuring the number of non-volatile memory cells of the plurality of non-volatile memory cells having a storage parameter level exceeding a verify level. The method further includes determining a change in an programming behavior of the plurality of non-volatile memory cells based on the fail count, adjusting a value of at least one pulse parameter of at least one second programming pulse defined by the plurality of pulse parameters to a desired value based on the change in programming behavior, and applying the at least one second programming pulse to the plurality non-volatile memory cells. | 05-05-2011 |
20110194364 | NVM OVERLAPPING WRITE METHOD - The disclosed invention provides a structure and method for increasing the operating speed and reduce the overall programming time of a memory array. In one embodiment, the method and structure provided herein reduce the maximum write current consumption, for writing a plurality of data bits to a NVM array, by writing the data bits sharing an activated word line at different times (e.g., activating bit lines associated with an activated word line at different times). Specifically, the write operation of respective data bits, which individually utilize only a fraction of the overall write window of the bits, are interleaved so that the maximum write current of respective bits are offset in time from the maximum write current of another bit. This interleaving of data bit write windows allows a larger number of data bits to be written without exceeding system specifications (e.g., maximum current) reducing overall memory write time. | 08-11-2011 |
20120155189 | System and Method for Level Shifter - In one embodiment, a bit-line interface is disclosed. The bit-line interface has a multiplexer having a plurality of bit-line outputs, and a write path coupled to a multiplexer signal input. The bit-line interface also has a read path coupled to the multiplexer signal input, wherein the read path and the write path share at least one component. | 06-21-2012 |
20120170386 | Hybrid Read Scheme for Multi-Level Data - Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a read circuit that uses a hybrid read scheme as set forth herein. In this hybrid read scheme, a state machine, at a first time in the read operation, sets a reference signal S | 07-05-2012 |
20130028026 | Memory and Method for Programming Memory Cells - A memory includes a memory cell including a first terminal, a second terminal and a channel extending between the first terminal and the second terminal. The memory further includes an energy storage element configured to support a programming of the memory cell, the energy storage element being coupled to the first terminal, an energy supply coupled to the energy storage element, and a controller. The controller is configured to activate the energy supply and to bring the channel of the memory cell into a non-conductive state for energizing the energy storage element, and to subsequently bring the channel of the memory cell into a conductive state for programming the memory cell based on the energy stored in the energy storage element. | 01-31-2013 |
20130058159 | METHOD OF OPERATING PHASE-CHANGE MEMORY - One or more embodiments may be related to a method of operating a phase-change memory element, comprising: providing the phase-change memory element, the phase-change memory element having a first terminal and a second terminal; causing a first current through the memory element from the first terminal to the second terminal; and causing a second current through the memory element from the second terminal to the first terminal, wherein the causing the first current programs the memory element from a first resistance state to a second resistance state and the causing the second current programs the memory element from the first resistance state to the second resistance state. | 03-07-2013 |
20130094648 | Apparatus and Method for Producing a Bit Sequence - A method for reconstructing a physically unclonable function (PUF) A for use in an electronic appliance is provided. The method includes producing a checksum C, producing a defective PUF B and reconstructing the PUF A from the defective PUF B using an error correction algorithm. The algorithm produces a plurality of ambiguous results (A | 04-18-2013 |
20130099289 | Compact Memory Arrays - Embodiments of the invention describe compact memory arrays. In one embodiment, the memory cell array includes first, second, and third gate lines disposed over a substrate, the second gate lines are disposed between the first and the third gate lines. The first, the second, and the third gate lines form adjacent gate lines of the memory cell array. The memory cell array further includes first metal lines disposed over the first gate lines, the first metal lines coupled to the first gate lines; second metal lines disposed over the second gate lines, the second metal lines coupled to the second gate lines; and third metal lines disposed over the third gate lines, the third metal lines coupled to the third gate lines. The first metal lines, the second metal lines and the third metal lines are disposed in different metallization levels. | 04-25-2013 |
20130208527 | MEMORY CELL, A METHOD FOR FORMING A MEMORY CELL, AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING A MEMORY CELL - A memory cell is provided, the memory cell including a first two-terminal memory element; a second two-terminal memory element; a controller circuit configured to program the first two-terminal memory element to one or more states and the second two-terminal memory element to one or more states, wherein a state of the first two-terminal memory element and a state of the second two-terminal memory element are interdependent; and a measuring circuit configured to measure a difference signal between a first two-terminal memory element signal associated with the state of the first two-terminal memory element and a second two-terminal memory element signal associated with the state of the second two-terminal memory element. | 08-15-2013 |
20140056058 | Differential Sensing Method and System for STT MRAM - The invention relates to methods and systems for reading a memory cell and in particular, an STT MRAM. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system for reading a memory cell includes a read path and a precharge path. The reference current is provided through the read path and is sampled via a sampling element in the read path. Subsequently, a current from the memory cell is provided through the same sampling element and read path. The output level is then determined by the cell current working against the sampled reference current. | 02-27-2014 |
20140056079 | Method and System for Switchable Erase or Write Operations in Nonvolatile Memory - Embodiments relate to systems and methods including a step of switching between two or more erase operations and/or two or more write operations for erasing of and/or writing to least one memory cell of a nonvolatile memory enabling to select a most suitable erase and/or write operation for a particular erase and/or write operation within the memory. | 02-27-2014 |
20140063923 | Mismatch Error Reduction Method and System for STT MRAM - The invention relates to methods and systems for reading a memory cell and in particular, an STT MRAM. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method for reading a memory cell includes combining a cell current from a memory cell with a reference current from a reference source to create an average current, enabling the average current to flow through a first mirror transistor in a sense path and a second mirror transistor in a reference path, storing the current mismatch on a capacitor coupled to the gates of the first mirror transistor and the second mirror transistor, disconnecting the memory cell from the reference path and disconnecting the reference source from the sense path, enabling the cell current only to flow through the sense path, and determining the output level of the memory cell. | 03-06-2014 |
20140064011 | System and Method for Providing Voltage Supply Protection in a Memory Device - The invention relates to an electronic memory system, and more specifically, to a system for providing voltage supply protection in a memory device, and a method for providing voltage supply protection in a memory device. According to an embodiment, a system for providing voltage supply protection in a memory device is provided, the system including a memory array including a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of groups of memory cells, and a plurality of current limiting elements, wherein each group of memory cells is associated with at least one current limiting element. | 03-06-2014 |
20140126306 | Electronic Device with a Plurality of Memory Cells and with Physically Unclonable Function - An electronic device includes a non-volatile memory having a plurality of memory cells, a memory controller, and an evaluator. The memory controller is configured to provide control signals to the non-volatile memory causing the non-volatile memory, or a selected memory section of the non-volatile memory, to be in one of a read state and a weak erase state, wherein the weak erase state causes the plurality of memory cells to maintain different states depending on different physical properties of the plurality of memory cells. The evaluator is configured to read out the plurality of memory cells and to provide a readout pattern during the read state, wherein the readout pattern that is provided after a preceding weak erase state corresponds to a physically unclonable function (PUF) response of the electronic device uniquely identifying the electronic device. | 05-08-2014 |
20140153348 | Operation Scheme for Non-Volatile Memory - A method of operating an integrated circuit includes determining at least one characteristic of at least one memory cell and conducting an operation for the at least one memory cell, wherein based on the at least one characteristic determined a disturbance for at least one additional memory cell is adjusted. | 06-05-2014 |
20140215174 | Accessing Memory with Security Functionality - A memory device includes a first memory portion and a second memory portion. The second memory portion includes a security functionality. The size of the first memory portion and the size of the second memory portion are adjustable. | 07-31-2014 |
20150067447 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND DEVICE FOR DATA PROCESSING - An embodiment relates to a method for data processing that includes reading data, the data comprising overhead information and payload information, and determining a state of each portion of the data, wherein the state is one of a first binary state, a second binary state, and an undefined state. The method also includes decoding at least one portion of data that has an undefined state based on its location and based on the overhead information. | 03-05-2015 |