Patent classifications
G11C11/412
SELECTIVE BIT LINE CLAMPING CONTROL FOR AN IN-MEMORY COMPUTE OPERATION WHERE SIMULTANEOUS ACCESS IS MADE TO PLURAL ROWS OF A STATIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (SRAM)
A circuit includes a memory array with SRAM cells connected in rows by word lines and in columns by bit lines. A row controller circuit simultaneously actuates, through a word line driver circuit for each row, word lines in parallel for an in-memory compute operation. A column processing circuit processes analog voltages developed on the bit lines in response to the simultaneous actuation to generate a decision output for the in-memory compute operation. A bit line clamping circuit includes a sensing circuit that compares the analog voltages on a given pair of bit lines to a threshold voltage. A voltage clamp circuit is actuated in response to the comparison to preclude the analog voltages on the given pair of bit lines from decreasing below a clamping voltage level.
SELECTIVE BIT LINE CLAMPING CONTROL FOR AN IN-MEMORY COMPUTE OPERATION WHERE SIMULTANEOUS ACCESS IS MADE TO PLURAL ROWS OF A STATIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (SRAM)
A circuit includes a memory array with SRAM cells connected in rows by word lines and in columns by bit lines. A row controller circuit simultaneously actuates, through a word line driver circuit for each row, word lines in parallel for an in-memory compute operation. A column processing circuit processes analog voltages developed on the bit lines in response to the simultaneous actuation to generate a decision output for the in-memory compute operation. A bit line clamping circuit includes a sensing circuit that compares the analog voltages on a given pair of bit lines to a threshold voltage. A voltage clamp circuit is actuated in response to the comparison to preclude the analog voltages on the given pair of bit lines from decreasing below a clamping voltage level.
MEMORY ARRAY
The present disclosure provides a memory array. The memory array includes a first memory cell, a first word line, a second word line, a first bit line, a first complementary bit line, a second bit line, a second complementary bit line, a first sense amplifier, a second sense amplifier and a first logic circuit. When the memory array operates in a binary content-addressable memory (BCAM) mode, during a search operation, a first logic output indicates whether a logic level of the first word line matches a first logic value at a first terminal of a first data storage of the first memory cell, and whether a logic level of the second word line matches a first complementary logic value at a second terminal of the first data storage of the first memory cell.
STATIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY WITH WRITE ASSIST ADJUSTMENT
The present disclosure describes embodiments of a write assist circuit. The write assist circuit can include a boost circuit configured to output a first negative voltage at a first output terminal, and an adjustment circuit configured to couple the first negative voltage to a second negative voltage higher than the first negative voltage. The adjustment circuit can include a transistor, and a second output terminal electrically connected to the first output terminal. The transistor can include a first source/drain terminal, a second source/drain terminal, and a gate terminal. The first source/drain terminal can be electrically coupled to the second output terminal. The second source/drain terminal can be electrically connected to a voltage source. The gate terminal can be electrically connected to a ground voltage supply.
STATIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY WITH WRITE ASSIST ADJUSTMENT
The present disclosure describes embodiments of a write assist circuit. The write assist circuit can include a boost circuit configured to output a first negative voltage at a first output terminal, and an adjustment circuit configured to couple the first negative voltage to a second negative voltage higher than the first negative voltage. The adjustment circuit can include a transistor, and a second output terminal electrically connected to the first output terminal. The transistor can include a first source/drain terminal, a second source/drain terminal, and a gate terminal. The first source/drain terminal can be electrically coupled to the second output terminal. The second source/drain terminal can be electrically connected to a voltage source. The gate terminal can be electrically connected to a ground voltage supply.
Computation in-memory architecture for analog-to-digital conversion
A device includes a comparator to provide an indication of a difference between Vp on a first terminal coupled to a top plate of each of a first group of differential capacitors, and Vn on a second terminal coupled to a top plate of each of a second group of differential capacitors. The device includes a control circuit coupled to the comparator. The control circuit is to receive a first indication of a difference between Vp and Vn; responsive to the first indication, cause a first driver to provide a reference voltage to bottom plates of one of the first and second groups, and cause a second driver to provide a ground voltage to bottom plates of the other of the first and second groups; receive a second indication of a difference between Vp and Vn; and provide a digital value responsive to the first indication and the second indication.
SRAM with small-footprint low bit-error-rate readout
Conventional SRAM sense-amplifiers are replaced by small-footprint keeper circuits that enable single-ended SRAM readout without bitline precharge, simplifying and relaxing the timing of SRAM cell access and bitline sampling operations and thus enabling potentially faster readout operation and/or lower bit error rate.
SRAM with small-footprint low bit-error-rate readout
Conventional SRAM sense-amplifiers are replaced by small-footprint keeper circuits that enable single-ended SRAM readout without bitline precharge, simplifying and relaxing the timing of SRAM cell access and bitline sampling operations and thus enabling potentially faster readout operation and/or lower bit error rate.
MEMORY SYSTEMS INCLUDING MEMORY ARRAYS EMPLOYING COLUMN READ CIRCUITS TO CONTROL FLOATING OF COLUMN READ BIT LINES, AND RELATED METHODS
A memory system includes a column circuit to generate a logic state of data stored in one of the memory bit cell circuits in a column in a read operation. The column circuit includes a read control circuit to cause a float control circuit to couple a read bit line to a charged evaluation output line in a read operation and cause the float control circuit to decouple the read bit line from the evaluation output line in an idle stage. Decoupling the read bit line from the charged evaluation output line reduces power lost between read operations by current leaking through read port circuits in the memory bit cell circuits to which the read bit line is coupled. The memory system may include at least one read bit line, each coupled to a respective float control circuit and a respective plurality of memory bit cell circuits in a column.
MEMORY SYSTEMS INCLUDING MEMORY ARRAYS EMPLOYING COLUMN READ CIRCUITS TO CONTROL FLOATING OF COLUMN READ BIT LINES, AND RELATED METHODS
A memory system includes a column circuit to generate a logic state of data stored in one of the memory bit cell circuits in a column in a read operation. The column circuit includes a read control circuit to cause a float control circuit to couple a read bit line to a charged evaluation output line in a read operation and cause the float control circuit to decouple the read bit line from the evaluation output line in an idle stage. Decoupling the read bit line from the charged evaluation output line reduces power lost between read operations by current leaking through read port circuits in the memory bit cell circuits to which the read bit line is coupled. The memory system may include at least one read bit line, each coupled to a respective float control circuit and a respective plurality of memory bit cell circuits in a column.