Patents Assigned to Unity Semiconductor Corporation
  • Patent number: 9711212
    Abstract: A system includes a cross-point memory array and a decoder circuit coupled to the cross-point memory array. The decoder circuit includes a predecoder having predecode logic to generate a control signal and a level shifter circuit to generate a voltage signal. The decoder circuit further includes a post-decoder coupled to the predecoder, the post-decoder including a first stage and a second stage coupled to the first stage, the control signal to control the first stage and the second stage to route the voltage signal through the first stage and the second stage to a selected conductive array line of a plurality of conductive array lines coupled to a memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Unity Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 9691480
    Abstract: A memory array includes wordlines, local bitlines, two-terminal memory elements, global bitlines, and local-to-global bitline pass gates and gain stages. The memory elements are formed between the wordlines and local bitlines. Each local bitline is selectively coupled to an associated global bitline, by way of an associated local-to-global bitline pass gate. During a read operation when a memory element of a local bitline is selected to be read, a local-to-global gain stage is configured to amplify a signal on or passing through the local bitline to an amplified signal on or along an associated global bitline. The amplified signal, which in one embodiment is dependent on the resistive state of the selected memory element, is used to rapidly determine the memory state stored by the selected memory element. The global bit line and/or the selected local bit line can be biased to compensate for the Process Voltage Temperature (PVT) variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Unity Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Chang Hua Siau, Bruce Lynn Bateman
  • Patent number: 9691821
    Abstract: An ultra-high-density vertical cross-point array comprises a plurality of horizontal line layers having horizontal lines interleaved with a plurality of vertical lines arranged in rows and columns. The vertical lines are interleaved with the horizontal lines such that a row of vertical lines is positioned between each consecutive pair of horizontal lines in each horizontal line layer. Each vertical line comprises a center conductor surrounded by a single or multi-layered memory film. Accordingly, when interleaved with the horizontal lines, two-terminal memory cells are integrally formed between the center conductor of each vertical line and each crossing horizontal line. By configuring the vertical and horizontal lines so that a row of vertical lines is positioned between each consecutive pair of horizontal lines, a unit memory cell footprint of just 2F2 may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Unity Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Lynn Bateman
  • Patent number: 9570515
    Abstract: A memory cell including conductive oxide electrodes is disclosed. The memory cell includes a memory element operative to store data as a plurality of resistive states. The memory element includes a layer of a conductive metal oxide (CMO) (e.g., a perovskite) in contact with an electrode that may comprise one or more layers of material. At least one of those layers of material can be a conductive oxide (e.g., a perovskite such as LaSrCoO3-LSCoO or LaNiO3-LNO) that is in contact with the CMO. The conductive oxide layer can be selected as a seed layer operative to provide a good lattice match with and/or a lower crystallization temperature for the CMO. The conductive oxide layer may also be in contact with a metal layer (e.g., Pt). The memory cell additionally exhibits non-linear IV characteristics, which can be favorable in certain arrays, such as non-volatile two-terminal cross-point memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christophe J. Chevallier, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Wayne Kinney, Steven Longcor, Darrell Rinerson, John Sanchez, Philip F. S. Swab, Edmond R. Ward
  • Patent number: 9570459
    Abstract: In an example, a device comprises a vertical stack of memory cells. Each memory cell of the vertical stack may include more than one memory element. A first vertical gate line may be coupled to a first one of the memory elements in each memory cell, and a second vertical gate line may be coupled to a second one of the memory elements in each memory cell. The first vertical gate line may be electrically isolated from the second vertical gate line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce Lynn Bateman
  • Patent number: 9536607
    Abstract: Circuitry and methods for restoring data in memory are disclosed. The memory may include at least one layer of a non-volatile two-terminal cross-point array that includes a plurality of two-terminal memory elements that store data as a plurality of conductivity profiles and retain stored data in the absence of power. Over a period of time, logic values indicative of the stored data may drift such that if the logic values are not restored, the stored data may become corrupted. At least a portion of each memory may have data rewritten or restored by circuitry electrically coupled with the memory. Other circuitry may be used to determine a schedule for performing restore operations to the memory and the restore operations may be triggered by an internal or an external signal or event. The circuitry may be positioned in a logic layer and the memory may be fabricated over the logic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christophe Chevallier, Robert Norman
  • Patent number: 9514811
    Abstract: Systems, integrated circuits, and methods to generate access signals to facilitate memory operations in scaled arrays of memory elements, are described. In at least some embodiments, a non-volatile memory device can include a cross-point array having resistive memory elements and an access signal generator. The access signal generator can be configured to access a resistive memory element in the cross-point array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christophe J. Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 9484533
    Abstract: A memory cell including a two-terminal re-writeable non-volatile memory element having at least two layers of conductive metal oxide (CMO), which, in turn, can include a first layer of CMO including mobile oxygen ions, and a second layer of CMO formed in contact with the first layer of CMO to cooperate with the first layer of CMO to form an ion obstruction barrier. The ion obstruction barrier is configured to inhibit transport or diffusion of a subset of mobile ion to enhance, among other things, memory effects and cycling endurance of memory cells. At least one layer of an insulating metal oxide that is an electrolyte to the mobile oxygen ions and configured as a tunnel barrier is formed in contact with the second layer of CMO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jian Wu, Rene Meyer
  • Patent number: 9419217
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a memory structure includes forming a plurality of vertically-stacked horizontal line layers, interleaving a plurality of electrically conductive vertical lines with the electrically conductive horizontal lines, and forming a memory film at and between intersections of the electrically conductive vertical lines and the horizontal lines. In one embodiment of the invention, the electrically conductive vertical lines are interleaved with the horizontal lines such that a row of vertical lines is positioned between each horizontally-adjacent pair of horizontal lines in each horizontal line layer. By configuring the electrically conductive vertical lines and electrically conductive horizontal lines so that a row of vertical lines is positioned between each horizontally-adjacent pair of horizontal lines, a unit memory cell footprint of just 2F2 may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lidia Vereen, Bruce Bateman, David Eggleston, Louis Parrillo
  • Patent number: 9401202
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to semiconductors and memory technology, and more particularly, to systems, integrated circuits, and methods to preserve states of memory elements in association with data operations using variable access signal magnitudes for other memory elements, such as implemented in third dimensional memory technology. In some embodiments, a memory device can include a cross-point array with resistive memory elements. An access signal generator can modify a magnitude of a signal to generate a modified magnitude for the signal to access a resistive memory element associated with a word line and a subset of bit lines. A tracking signal generator is configured to track the modified magnitude of the signal and to apply a tracking signal to other resistive memory elements associated with other subsets of bit lines, the tracking signal having a magnitude at a differential amount from the modified magnitude of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 9390796
    Abstract: A memory array includes wordlines, local bitlines, two-terminal memory elements, global bitlines, and local-to-global bitline pass gates and gain stages. The memory elements are formed between the wordlines and local bitlines. Each local bitline is selectively coupled to an associated global bitline, by way of an associated local-to-global bitline pass gate. During a read operation when a memory element of a local bitline is selected to be read, a local-to-global gain stage is configured to amplify a signal on or passing through the local bitline to an amplified signal on or along an associated global bitline. The amplified signal, which in one embodiment is dependent on the resistive state of the selected memory element, is used to rapidly determine the memory state stored by the selected memory element. The global bit line and/or the selected local bit line can be biased to compensate for the Process Voltage Temperature (PVT) variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Unity Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Chang Hua Siau, Bruce Lynn Bateman
  • Patent number: 9384806
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory layers and a selecting circuit configured to select a delta value corresponding to a parameter of at least one of the plurality of memory layers having fabricated thereon at least one memory cell accessed during an operation. The memory device further includes an adjusting circuit configured to adjust an access signal based at least in part on the delta value, the access signal being configured to access the at least one memory cell during the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Unity Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe Chevallier, Seow Fong Lim, Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 9368200
    Abstract: A low read current architecture for memory. Bit lines of a cross point memory array are allowed to be charged by a selected word line until a minimum voltage differential between a memory state and a reference level is assured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Unity Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Lynn Bateman, Christophe Chevallier, Darrell Rinerson, Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 9312307
    Abstract: An ultra-high-density vertical cross-point array comprises a plurality of horizontal line layers having horizontal lines interleaved with a plurality of vertical lines arranged in rows and columns. The vertical lines are interleaved with the horizontal lines such that a row of vertical lines is positioned between each consecutive pair of horizontal lines in each horizontal line layer. Each vertical line comprises a center conductor surrounded by a single or multi-layered memory film. Accordingly, when interleaved with the horizontal lines, two-terminal memory cells are integrally formed between the center conductor of each vertical line and each crossing horizontal line. By configuring the vertical and horizontal lines so that a row of vertical lines is positioned between each consecutive pair of horizontal lines, a unit memory cell footprint of just 2F2 may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Unity Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Lynn Bateman
  • Patent number: 9306549
    Abstract: Circuitry for generating voltage levels operative to perform data operations on non-volatile re-writeable memory arrays are disclosed. In some embodiments an integrated circuit includes a substrate and a base layer formed on the substrate to include active devices configured to operate within a first voltage range. Further, the integrated circuit can include a cross-point memory array formed above the base layer and including re-writable two-terminal memory cells that are configured to operate, for example, within a second voltage range that is greater than the first voltage range. Conductive array lines in the cross-point memory array are electrically coupled with the active devices in the base layer. The integrated circuit also can include X-line decoders and Y-line decoders that include devices that operate in the first voltage range. The active devices can include other active circuitry such as sense amps for reading data from the memory cells, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christophe Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 9299427
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to semiconductors and memory technology, and more particularly, to systems, integrated circuits, and methods to generate access signals to facilitate memory operations in scaled arrays of memory elements, such as memory implemented in third dimensional memory technology formed BEOL directly on top of a FEOL substrate that includes data access circuitry. In at least some embodiments, a non-volatile memory device can include a cross-point array having resistive memory elements disposed among word lines and subsets of bit lines, and an access signal generator. The access signal generator can be configured to modify a magnitude of a signal to generate a modified magnitude for the signal to access a resistive memory element associated with a word line and a subset of bit lines. The modified magnitude can be a function of the position of the resistive memory element in the cross-point array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Unity Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe J. Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 9293702
    Abstract: A memory cell including a memory element comprising an electrolytic insulator in contact with a conductive metal oxide (CMO) is disclosed. The CMO includes a crystalline structure and can comprise a pyrochlore oxide, a conductive binary oxide, a multiple B-site perovskite, and a Ruddlesden-Popper structure. The CMO includes mobile ions that can be transported to/from the electrolytic insulator in response to an electric field of appropriate magnitude and direction generated by a write voltage applied across the electrolytic insulator and CMO. The memory cell can include a non-ohmic device (NOD) that is electrically in series with the memory element. The memory cell can be positioned between a cross-point of conductive array lines in a two-terminal cross-point memory array in a single layer of memory or multiple vertically stacked layers of memory that are fabricated over a substrate that includes active circuitry for data operations on the array layer(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence Schloss, Julie Casperson Brewer, Wayne Kinney, Rene Meyer
  • Publication number: 20150364169
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to semiconductors and memory technology, and more particularly, to systems, integrated circuits, and methods to implement circuits configured to compensate for parameter variations in layers of memory by adjusting access signals during memory operations. In some embodiments, memory cells are based on third dimensional memory technology. In at least some embodiments, an integrated circuit includes multiple layers of memory, a layer including sub-layers of semiconductor material. The integrated circuit also includes an access signal generator configured to generate an access signal to facilitate an access operation, and a characteristic adjuster configured to adjust the access signal for each layer in the multiple layers of memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christophe Chevallier, Seow Fong Lim, Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 9159408
    Abstract: A memory cell including conductive oxide electrodes is disclosed. The memory cell includes a memory element operative to store data as a plurality of resistive states. The memory element includes a layer of a conductive metal oxide (CMO) (e.g., a perovskite) in contact with an electrode that may comprise one or more layers of material. At least one of those layers of material can be a conductive oxide (e.g., a perovskite such as LaSrCoO3-LSCoO or LaNiO3-LNO) that is in contact with the CMO. The conductive oxide layer can be selected as a seed layer operative to provide a good lattice match with and/or a lower crystallization temperature for the CMO. The conductive oxide layer may also be in contact with a metal layer (e.g., Pt). The memory cell additionally exhibits non-linear IV characteristics, which can be favorable in certain arrays, such as non-volatile two-terminal cross-point memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christophe J. Chevallier, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Wayne Kinney, Steven Longcor, Darrell Rinerson, John Sanchez, Philip F. S. Swab, Edmond R. Ward
  • Patent number: 9159913
    Abstract: A memory using mixed valence conductive oxides is disclosed. The memory includes a mixed valence conductive oxide that is less conductive in its oxygen deficient state and a mixed electronic ionic conductor that is an electrolyte to oxygen and promotes an electric field effective to cause oxygen ionic motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Unity Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christophe J. Chevallier, Wayne Kinney, Roy Lambertson, John E. Sanchez, Jr., Lawrence Schloss, Philip Swab, Edmond Ward