Patent classifications
G11C11/4045
THREE-DIMENSIONAL DYNAMIC RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY ARRAY
Disclosed are monolithically integrated three-dimensional (3D) DRAM array structures that include one-transistor, one-capacitor (1T1C) cells embedded at multiple device tiers of a layered substrate assembly. In some embodiments, vertical electrically conductive data-line and ground pillars extending through the substrate assembly provide the transistor source and ground voltages, and horizontal electrically conductive access lines at multiple device levels provide the transistor gate voltages. Process flows for fabricating the 3D DRAM arrays are also described.
MEMORY DEVICE HAVING VARIABLE IMPEDANCE MEMORY CELLS AND TIME-TO-TRANSITION SENSING OF DATA STORED THEREIN
The present disclosure relates to circuits, systems, and methods of operation for a memory device. In an example, a memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell having a variable impedance that varies in accordance with a respective data value stored therein; and a read circuit configured to read the data value stored within a selected memory cell based upon a variable time delay determination of a signal node voltage change corresponding to the variable impedance of the selected memory cell.
MEMORY CIRCUIT INCLUDING TRACKING CIRCUIT
A memory circuit includes: memory cells each including a storage transistor having a first configuration; and a tracking circuit including: a tracking bit line having first and second intermediary nodes; a tracking word line; a first finger circuit (coupled between the first intermediary node and a reference voltage node) including: a first set of first tracking cells, each including a first shadow transistor having the first configuration; and a second finger circuit (coupled between the second intermediary node and the reference voltage node) including: a second set of second tracking cells, each including a second shadow transistor having the first configuration; gate terminals of the first and second shadow transistors being coupled with the tracking word line; and a switch configured to selectively couple the first intermediary node with the second intermediary node and thereby selectively couple the first and second finger circuits in parallel.
EVENT COUNTERS FOR MEMORY OPERATIONS
A counter can have a number of sensing components. Each respective sensing component can be configured to sense a respective event and can include a respective first capacitor configured to be selectively coupled to a second capacitor in response to the respective sensing component sensing the respective event. The second capacitor can be configured to be charged to a voltage by each respective first capacitor that is selectively coupled to the second capacitor. The counter can have a comparator with a first input coupled to the second capacitor and a second input coupled to a reference voltage corresponding to a threshold quantity of events. The comparator can be configured to output a signal indicative of the threshold quantity of events being sensed in response to the voltage of the second capacitor being greater than or equal to the reference voltage.
Memory device having variable impedance memory cells and time-to-transition sensing of data stored therein
The present disclosure relates to circuits, systems, and methods of operation for a memory device. In an example, a memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell having a variable impedance that varies in accordance with a respective data value stored therein; and a read circuit configured to read the data value stored within a selected memory cell based upon a variable time delay determination of a signal node voltage change corresponding to the variable impedance of the selected memory cell.
Memory circuit having tracking circuit including series-connected transistors
A memory circuit including: memory cells, each including a storage cell transistor; a first tracking bit line; and a tracking circuit, electrically coupled between a first tracking word line and a reference voltage node, including a first set of first tracking cells, each first tracking cell including a first cell transistor having a same transistor configuration as each storage cell transistor; and wherein: a driving capacity of the storage cell transistors of the memory cells has a storage cell statistical distribution that exhibits a weak bit current value; a driving capacity of the first cell transistors of the first set of tracking cells has a first tracking cell statistical distribution that exhibits a first strong bit current value; and a first quantity of the first tracking cells is sufficient to cause the first strong bit current value to be equal to or less than the weak bit current value.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEMORY WITH ONE ACCESS TRANSISTOR FOR MULTIPLE CAPACITORS
Various arrangements for IC devices implementing memory with one access transistor for multiple capacitors are disclosed. An example IC device includes a memory array of M memory units, where each memory unit includes an access transistor and N capacitors coupled to the access transistor. A portion of the capacitors are formed in one or more layers above the access transistor, and a portion of the capacitors are formed in one or more layers below the access transistor. The capacitors in a particular memory unit may be coupled to a single via or to individual vias. In some embodiments, some of the vias are backside vias.
Heterogeneous memory system
An example apparatus having a heterogenous memory system includes a first sensor layer, of a plurality of stacked sensor layers, including an array of pixels; and one or more semiconductor layers of the plurality of stacked sensor layers located beneath the first sensor layer, the one or more semiconductor layers configured to process pixel data output by the array of pixels, the one or more semiconductor layers including a first memory to store most significant bits (MSBs) of data involved in the processing of the pixel data; a second memory to store least significant bits (LSBs) of the data; and wherein the first memory has a lower bit error rate (BER) than the second memory.
MEMORY ARRAY CIRCUIT
A memory array circuit includes a semiconductor substrate, a bit line, a complementary bit line, and a bit line sense amplifier circuit. The semiconductor substrate has an original surface. The bit line sense amplifier circuit is connected to the bit line and the complementary bit line, and the bit line sense amplifier circuit includes a first plurality of transistors and a first set of connection lines. Each transistor includes a gate node, a first conductive node, and a second conductive node. The first set of connection lines connects the first plurality of transistors to the bit line and the complementary bit line; wherein the first set of connection lines is above the original surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the bit line and the complementary bit line are under the original surface of the semiconductor substrate.
MEMORY DEVICE HAVING VARIABLE IMPEDANCE MEMORY CELLS AND TIME-TO-TRANSITION SENSING OF DATA STORED THEREIN
The present disclosure relates to circuits, systems, and methods of operation for a memory device. In an example, a memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell having a variable impedance that varies in accordance with a respective data value stored therein; and a read circuit configured to read the data value stored within a selected memory cell based upon a variable time delay determination of a signal node voltage change corresponding to the variable impedance of the selected memory cell.