ONE-TIME PROGRAMMABLE MEMORY CIRCUIT, ONE-TIME PROGRAMMABLE MEMORY AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF
20240203515 ยท 2024-06-20
Inventors
Cpc classification
H10B20/20
ELECTRICITY
International classification
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a one-time programmable memory, which includes a one-time programmable (OTP) diode and a control field effect transistor (FET). One end of the OTP diode is electrically connected to a source line. The control FET includes a gate, a first source/drain and a second source/drain, the gate of the control FET is electrically connected to a word line, the first source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to a bit line, and the second source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to another of the OTP diode.
Claims
1. A one-time programmable (OTP) memory, comprising: an OTP diode having one end electrically connected to a source line; and a control field effect transistor (FET) comprising a gate, a first source/drain and a second source/drain, wherein the gate of the control FET is electrically connected to a word line, and the first source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to a bit line, and the second source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode.
2. The one-time programmable memory of claim 1, wherein the control FET is an N-type control FET, and the OTP diode consisting of an NPN transistor, the NPN transistor comprises a first N-type semiconductor, a P-type semiconductor and a second N-type semiconductor, the P-type semiconductor is disposed between the first N-type semiconductor and the second N-type semiconductor, the first N-type semiconductor is electrically connected to the source line, and the second N-type semiconductor is electrically connected to the second source/drain of the control FET.
3. The one-time programmable memory of claim 1, wherein the control FET is an N-type control FET, and the OTP diode consisting of a NIN transistor, the NIN transistor comprises a first N-type semiconductor, an intrinsic (I-type) semiconductor and a second N-type semiconductor, the I-type semiconductor is disposed between the first N-type semiconductor and the second N-type semiconductor, the first N-type semiconductor is electrically connected to the source line, and the second N-type semiconductor is electrically connected to the second source/drain of the control FET.
4. The one-time programmable memory of claim 1, wherein the control FET is a P-type control FET, and the OTP diode consisting of a PNP transistor, the PNP transistor comprises a first P-type semiconductor, an N-type semiconductor and a second P-type semiconductor, the N-type semiconductor is disposed between the first P-type semiconductor and the second P-type semiconductor, the first P-type semiconductor is electrically connected to the source line, and the second P-type semiconductor is electrically connected to the second source/drain of the control FET.
5. The one-time programmable memory of claim 1, wherein the control FET is a P-type control FET, and the OTP diode consisting of a PIP transistor, the PIP transistor comprises a first P-type semiconductor, an intrinsic (I-type) semiconductor and a second P-type semiconductor, the I-type semiconductor is disposed between the first P-type semiconductor and the second P-type semiconductor, the first P-type semiconductor is electrically connected to the source line, and the second P-type semiconductor is electrically connected to the second source/drain of the control FET.
6. The one-time programmable memory of claim 1, wherein the control FET is an N-type control FET, the OTP diode consisting of a gate-floating N-type FET, and two N-type sources/drains of the gate-floating N-type FET are electrically connected to the second source/drain of the control FET and the source line respectively.
7. The one-time programmable memory of claim 1, wherein the control FET is a P-type control FET, the OTP diode consisting of a gate-floating P-type FET, and two P-type sources/drains of the gate-floating P-type FET are electrically connected to the second source/drain of the control FET and the source line respectively.
8. The one-time programmable memory of claim 1, wherein when the control FET is turned on by a control voltage of the word line, a programming voltage of the bit line makes an avalanche breakdown occur in the OTP diode, thereby forming a programmed state of the OTP diode.
9. A one-time programmable memory circuit, comprising: a plurality of memory units arranged in an array, each of the memory units comprising a one-time programmable memory, and the one-time programmable memory comprising: an OTP diode having one end electrically connected to a source line; and a control FET comprising a gate, a first source/drain and a second source/drain, wherein the gate of the control FET is electrically connected to a word line, and the first source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to a bit line, and the second source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode.
10. The one-time programmable memory circuit of claim 9, wherein each of the memory units further comprises another one-time programmable memory, and the another one-time programmable memory comprises: another OTP diode having one end electrically connected to a source line; and another control FET comprising a gate, a first source/drain and a second source/drain, wherein the gate of the another control FET is electrically connected to another word line, the first source/drain of the another control FET is electrically connected to the bit line, and the second source/drain of the another control FET is electrically connected to another end of the another OTP diode.
11. An operation method of a one-time programmable memory, the one-time programmable memory comprising an OTP diode and a control FET connected in series, and the operation method comprising steps of: when programming the one-time programmable memory, applying a control voltage to a word line, applying a programming voltage to a bit line, and applying a zero voltage to a source line, wherein one end of the OTP diode is electrically connected to the source line, a gate of the control FET is electrically connected to the word line, a first source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to the bit line, a second source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode.
12. The operation method of claim 11, wherein the control voltage turns on the control FET, the programming voltage makes an avalanche breakdown occur in the OTP diode, thereby forming a programmed state of the OTP diode.
13. The operation method of claim 11, further comprising: when reading the one-time programmable memory, applying a working voltage to the word line, applying the zero voltage to the source line, and applying a read voltage to the bit line.
14. The operation method of claim 11, wherein the control FET is an N-type control FET or a P-type control FET.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiment, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
[0037] Referring to
[0038] The subject disclosure provides the memories 100, 200, 300 and 400 in accordance with the subject technology. Various aspects of the present technology are described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It can be evident, however, that the present technology can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing these aspects. The word exemplary is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
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[0040] Moreover, it should be noted that in the embodiments and the scope of the present disclosure, the description related to electrical connection can generally refer to one component being indirectly electrically coupled to another component through intervening components, or a component is directly electrically connected to another component, there are no intervening components present.
[0041] In
[0042] Alternatively, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the OTP diode 110 consists of an NPN transistor, the NPN transistor includes a first N-type semiconductor 111, a semiconductor 113 (e.g., an intrinsic (I-type) semiconductor) and a second N-type semiconductor 112. The semiconductor 113 (e.g., the I-type semiconductor) is disposed between the first N-type semiconductor 111 and the second N-type semiconductor 112, the first N-type semiconductor 111 is electrically connected to the source line SL, and the second N-type semiconductor 112 is electrically connected to the second source/drain 122 of the control FET 120.
[0043]
[0044] In
[0045] Alternatively, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the OTP diode 210 consists of an PNP transistor, the PNP transistor includes a first P-type semiconductor 211, a semiconductor 213 (e.g., an intrinsic (I-type) semiconductor) and a second P-type semiconductor 212. The semiconductor 213 (e.g., the I-type semiconductor) is disposed between the first P-type semiconductor 211 and the second P-type semiconductor 212, the first P-type semiconductor P11 is electrically connected to the source line SL, and the second P-type semiconductor 212 is electrically connected to the second source/drain 222 of the control FET 220.
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[0047] In
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[0049] In
[0050] Regarding the operation methods of the one-time programmable memories 100, 200, 300 and 400, refer to
[0051] In the initial stage 501, the one-time programmable memory 300 is not selected, and the zero voltage is applied to word line WL, the bit line BL and the source line SL. At this time, the conduction band E.sub.C, the Fermi level E.sub.F and the valence band Ev are all stable, and the control FET 320 is kept in the cut-off state, thereby effectively preventing the leakage current.
[0052] In the programming stage 302, when the one-time programmable memory 100 is programed, a control voltage (e.g., about 0.9-1.1 V) is applied to the word line WL, a programming voltage (e.g., about 3 V) is applied to the bit line BL, and a zero voltage is applied to the source line SL. The control voltage turns on the control FET 320. When the control FET 320 is turned on by the control voltage of the word line WL, the programming voltage of the bit line BL makes an avalanche breakdown occur in the OTP diode 310, thereby forming a programmed state of the OTP diode 310.
[0053] Specifically, when a large drain-to-source voltage is across the OTP diode 310 (i.e., NPN diode), the energy-band near the drain is pulled down, and the channel-drain PN junction is reversed such that its depletion-region expands to channel, and therefore built-in electric field hugely increases. In a strong built-in electric field, transporting electrons are accelerated, and kinetic energy increases. These high-energy electrons hence hit junction lattice to knock out inner-shield electrons from atoms at lattice-sites. As a result, electron-hole pairs (EHPs) are generated, in which each EHP includes a pair of an electron e and a hole h.sup.+. Electrons e of the EHPs receive energy transferred from accelerated electrons, which triggers chain effect such that avalanche breakdown happens. Channel-drain junction will be destructed by an avalanche process, and the OTP diode 310 cannot rectify current, resulting in an effective open circuit. Finally, the programmed state of the OTP diode 310 is formed.
[0054] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the programming voltage is approximately less than 4V, and the programming voltage is approximately greater than or equal to 2V. Therefore, the 1T1D architecture of the present disclosure (e.g., one-time programmable memories 100, 200, 300 and 400) requires a low programming voltage. Therefore, the one-time programmable memory of the present disclosure has a high stability, and the area of its peripheral circuit is relatively small.
[0055] As used herein, around, about or approximately shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term around, about or approximately can be inferred if not expressly stated.
[0056] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the one-time programmable memory 300 is read, a working voltage is applied to word line WL, the zero voltage is applied to the source line SL, a read voltage is applied to the bit line BL and the read current is sensed through bit line BL. In practice, for example, the working voltage is the power voltage of the drain of the control FET 320, and the above control voltage is about 1-1.2 times the working voltage.
[0057] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the polarity of the read voltage is opposite to the polarity of the programming voltage, thereby stably operating the one-time programming/reading of the one-time programmable memory 300.
[0058] For a more complete understanding of an array composed of the one-time programmable memories 200, refer to
[0059] Taking the corner memory unit 610 as an example, it may include one-time programmable memory 200. The one-time programmable memory 200 includes an OTP diode 210 and a control FET 220. One end of the OTP diode 210 is electrically connected to a source line SL.sub.n. The gate of the control FET 220 is electrically connected to a word line WL.sub.n, the first source/drain of the control FET 220 is electrically connected to a bit line BL.sub.1, and the second source/drain of the control FET 220 is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode 210.
[0060] In
[0061] For a more complete understanding of an array composed of the one-time programmable memories 100, refer to
[0062] Taking the corner memory unit 710 as an example, it may include a one-time programmable memory 700. The one-time programmable memory 100 includes an OTP diode 110 and a control FET 120. One end of the OTP diode 110 is electrically connected to a source line SL.sub.n. The gate of the control FET 120 is electrically connected to a word line WL.sub.n, the first source/drain of the control FET 120 is electrically connected to a bit line BL.sub.1, and the second source/drain of the control FET 120 is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode 110.
[0063] In
[0064] For a more complete understanding of another array composed of the one-time programmable memories 200, refer to
[0065] Taking the corner memory unit 810 as an example, it may include a one-time programmable memory 200 and a one-time programmable memory 200. In practice, for example, the internal structure of the one-time programmable memory 200 is substantially the same as the internal structure of the one-time programmable memory 200, and the one-time programmable memory 200 and the one-time programmable memory 200 are symmetrical to each other along the source line SL.sub.n.
[0066] The one-time programmable memory 200 includes an OTP diode 210 and a control FET 220. One end of the OTP diode 210 is electrically connected to a source line SL.sub.n. The gate of the control FET 220 is electrically connected to a word line WL.sub.2n, the first source/drain of the control FET 220 is electrically connected to a bit line BL.sub.1, and the second source/drain of the control FET 220 is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode 210.
[0067] The one-time programmable memory 200 includes an OTP diode 210 and a control FET 220. One end of the OTP diode 210 is electrically connected to a source line SL.sub.n. The gate of the control FET 220 is electrically connected to a word line WL.sub.2n-1, the first source/drain of the control FET 220 is electrically connected to a bit line BL.sub.1, and the second source/drain of the control FET 220 is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode 210.
[0068] In
[0069] For a more complete understanding of another array composed of the one-time programmable memories 100, refer to
[0070] Taking the corner memory unit 910 as an example, it may include a one-time programmable memory 100 and a one-time programmable memory 100. In practice, for example, the internal structure of the one-time programmable memory 100 is substantially the same as the internal structure of the one-time programmable memory 100, and the one-time programmable memory 100 and the one-time programmable memory 100 are symmetrical to each other along the source line SL.sub.n.
[0071] The one-time programmable memory 100 includes an OTP diode 110 and a control FET 120. One end of the OTP diode 110 is electrically connected to a source line SL.sub.n. The gate of the control FET 120 is electrically connected to a word line WL.sub.2n, the first source/drain of the control FET 120 is electrically connected to a bit line BL.sub.1, and the second source/drain of the control FET 120 is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode 110.
[0072] The one-time programmable memory 100 includes an OTP diode 110 and a control FET 120. One end of the OTP diode 110 is electrically connected to a source line SL.sub.n. The gate of the control FET 120 is electrically connected to a word line WL.sub.2n-1, the first source/drain of the control FET 120 is electrically connected to a bit line BL.sub.1, and the second source/drain of the control FET 120 is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode 110.
[0073] In
[0074] For a more complete understanding of an array composed of the one-time programmable memories 400, refer to
[0075] Taking the corner memory unit 1010 as an example, it may include a one-time programmable memory 400. The one-time programmable memory 400 includes an OTP diode 410 and a control FET 420. One end of the OTP diode 410 is electrically connected to a source line SL.sub.n. The gate of the control FET 420 is electrically connected to a word line WL.sub.n, the first source/drain of the control FET 420 is electrically connected to a bit line BL.sub.1, and the second source/drain of the control FET 420 is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode 410.
[0076] In
[0077] For a more complete understanding of an array composed of the one-time programmable memories 300, refer to
[0078] Taking the corner memory unit 1110 as an example, it may include a one-time programmable memory 300. The one-time programmable memory 300 includes an OTP diode 310 and a control FET 320. One end of the OTP diode 310 is electrically connected to a source line SL.sub.n. The gate of the control FET 320 is electrically connected to a word line WL.sub.n, the first source/drain of the control FET 320 is electrically connected to a bit line BL.sub.1, and the second source/drain of the control FET 320 is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode 310.
[0079] In
[0080] For a more complete understanding of another array composed of the one-time programmable memories 400, refer to
[0081] Taking the corner memory unit 1210 as an example, it may include a one-time programmable memory 400 and a one-time programmable memory 400. In practice, for example, the internal structure of the one-time programmable memory 400 is substantially the same as the internal structure of the one-time programmable memory 400, and the one-time programmable memory 400 and the one-time programmable memory 400 are symmetrical to each other along the source line SL.sub.n.
[0082] The one-time programmable memory 400 includes an OTP diode 410 and a control FET 420. One end of the OTP diode 410 is electrically connected to a source line SL.sub.n. The gate of the control FET 420 is electrically connected to a word line WL.sub.2n-1, the first source/drain of the control FET 420 is electrically connected to a bit line BL.sub.1, and the second source/drain of the control FET 420 is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode 410.
[0083] The one-time programmable memory 400 includes an OTP diode 410 and a control FET 420. One end of the OTP diode 410 is electrically connected to a source line SL.sub.n. The gate of the control FET 420 is electrically connected to a word line WL.sub.2n, the first source/drain of the control FET 420 is electrically connected to a bit line BL.sub.1, and the second source/drain of the control FET 420 is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode 410.
[0084] In
[0085] For a more complete understanding of another array composed of the one-time programmable memories 300, refer to
[0086] Taking the corner memory unit 1310 as an example, it may include a one-time programmable memory 300 and a one-time programmable memory 300. In practice, for example, the internal structure of the one-time programmable memory 300 is substantially the same as the internal structure of the one-time programmable memory 300, and the one-time programmable memory 300 and the one-time programmable memory 300 are symmetrical to each other along the source line SL.sub.n.
[0087] The one-time programmable memory 300 includes an OTP diode 310 and a control FET 320. One end of the OTP diode 310 is electrically connected to a source line SL.sub.n. The gate of the control FET 320 is electrically connected to a word line WL.sub.2n-1, the first source/drain of the control FET 320 is electrically connected to a bit line BL.sub.1, and the second source/drain of the control FET 320 is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode 310.
[0088] The one-time programmable memory 300 includes an OTP diode 310 and a control FET 320. One end of the OTP diode 310 is electrically connected to a source line SL.sub.n. The gate of the control FET 320 is electrically connected to a word line WL.sub.2n, the first source/drain of the control FET 320 is electrically connected to a bit line BL.sub.1, and the second source/drain of the control FET 320 is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode 310.
[0089] In
[0090] In view of the above, technical advantages are generally achieved, by embodiments of the present disclosure. The one-time programmable memory of the present disclosure is a 1-transistor-1-diode (1T1D) one-time programmable memory, which requires a low programming voltage. Therefore, the one-time programmable memory of the present disclosure has a high stability, and the area of its peripheral circuit is relatively small.
[0091] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims.