Flip-flop (electrical) Patents (Class 365/154)
  • Patent number: 9256266
    Abstract: Integrated circuits with memory elements are provided. Data may be loaded into the memory elements using write driver circuitry. The write driver circuitry may be provided with a fixed positive power supply voltage and an time-varying ground power supply voltage that is less than the positive power supply voltage. The time-varying ground power supply voltage may be generated using programmable power supply circuitry. The programmable power supply circuitry may include a pulse generation circuit and a configurable capacitive circuit. The pulse generation circuit may output a pulse signal to the capacitive circuit. In response to receiving the pulse signal, the capacitive circuit may push the time-varying ground power supply voltage to a negative value. The time-varying ground power supply voltage may be driven below zero volts for at least a portion of a write cycle to help improve write margins and increase memory yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Haiming Yu, Wei Zhang, Hao-Yuan Howard Chou, Ray Ruey-Hsien Hu
  • Patent number: 9251885
    Abstract: Throttling of memory access commands. Accesses to rows of a memory device are monitored for a timeframe. The timeframe is divided into at least two sub-frames. If the number of accesses for any of the rows during a first sub-frame exceeds a first threshold throttling accesses to the accessed row at a first rate. Not throttling accesses to the accessed row if the number of accesses to the accessed row does not exceed the first threshold. The first threshold is associated with risk of data corruption on a row physically adjacent to the accessed row. If a number of accesses for the accessed row during a second sub-frame exceeds a second threshold, throttling accesses to the accessed row at a second rate. Not throttling accesses to the accessed row if the number of accesses to the accessed row does not exceed the second threshold. The second threshold is greater than the first threshold. The second throttling rate is greater than the first throttling rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Zvika Greenfield, Tomer Levy
  • Patent number: 9245615
    Abstract: A boost system for dual-port SRAM includes a comparator and a boost circuit. The comparator is configured to compare a first row address of a first port and a second row address of a second port, and output a first enable signal. The boost circuit is configured to boost a voltage difference between a first voltage source and a second voltage source according to the first enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Ching-Wei Wu, He-Zhou Wan, Ming-En Bu, Xiuli Yang, Cheng Hung Lee, Mu-Jen Huang
  • Patent number: 9245592
    Abstract: Integrated circuits are provided that have volatile memory elements. The memory elements produce output signals. The integrated circuits may be programmable logic device integrated circuits containing programmable core logic including transistors with gates. The core logic is powered using a core logic power supply level defined by a core logic positive power supply voltage and a core logic ground voltage. When loaded with configuration data, the memory elements produce output signals that are applied to the gates of the transistors in the core logic to customize the programmable logic device. The memory elements are powered with a memory element power supply level defined by a memory element positive power supply voltage and a memory element ground power supply voltage. The memory element power supply level is elevated with respect to the core logic power supply level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Lin-Shih Liu, Mark T. Chan, Toan D. Do
  • Patent number: 9245593
    Abstract: In a memory cell including an inverter, a capacitor is provided. When the memory cell is not accessed, data stored in the memory cell is copied to the capacitor and then power supply to the inverter is stopped. When the memory cell needs to be accessed, the data is returned from the capacitor to the inverter. In this manner, power consumption when the memory cell is not accessed is reduced. Furthermore, in a memory device including a plurality of such memory cells, backup of the first memory cell and backup of the second memory cell are performed at different timings. Recovery of the first memory cell and recovery of the second memory cell are also performed at different timings. Consequently, power required for backup or recovery can be distributed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiko Ishizu
  • Patent number: 9245595
    Abstract: A method and a system are provided for performing memory access assist using voltage boost. A memory access request is received at a storage cell array that comprises two or more subarrays, each subarray including at least one row of storage cells. The voltage boost is applied, during the memory access, to a first negative supply voltage of a first storage cell subarray of the two or more storage cell subarrays. The first negative supply voltage of the first storage cell subarray is lower than a second negative supply voltage of a second storage cell subarray of the two or more storage cell subarrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Felix, Stéphane Badel
  • Patent number: 9240233
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a first circuit portion comprising a plurality of first cells, each first cell comprising a first transistor having a first voltage value at a first node, and a second transistor having a second voltage value at a second node. A second circuit portion comprises a plurality of second cells. The second cells are individually coupled with a corresponding first cell of the plurality of first cells. The second cells are selectively controllable to supply a voltage to one or more of the first cells based on an instruction to supply the voltage. The instruction to supply the voltage is based on a determined mismatch between the first voltage value and the second voltage value being greater than a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Hao Hsu, Chia-En Huang, Hektor Huang, Yi-Ching Chang, Chen-Lin Yang, Jung-Ping Yang, Cheng Hung Lee
  • Patent number: 9236112
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed including an apparatus that includes a controller circuit configured to access a first subarray of a memory and to access a second subarray of the memory subsequent to accessing the first subarray but contemporaneous with precharging a portion of the first subarray by a precharge circuit associated with the first subarray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George B. Raad, Kang-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 9230969
    Abstract: A semiconductor device in which wirings are formed adequately and electrical couplings are made properly in an SRAM memory cell. In the SRAM memory cell of the semiconductor device, a via to be electrically coupled to a third wiring as a word line is directly coupled to a contact plug electrically coupled to the gate wiring part of an access transistor. Also, another via to be electrically coupled to the third wiring as the word line is directly coupled to a contact plug electrically coupled to the gate wiring part of another access transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuo Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 9224455
    Abstract: A circuit for providing additional current in a memory cell without a higher supply voltage is provided. Embodiments include a circuit having a six transistor static random access memory (SRAM) cell including a first inverter and second cross-coupled to a second inverter; a first transistor having a first source coupled to a first bit-line, a first drain coupled to the first inverter, and a first gate coupled to a word-line; a second transistor having a second source coupled to the second inverter, a second drain coupled to a second bit-line, and a second gate coupled to the word-line; and a plurality of bit-line sensing transistors coupled to the first transistor and to the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Seunghwan Seo, Jongsin Yun
  • Patent number: 9224463
    Abstract: A memory device includes at least one memory cell having a first transistor coupled between a first storage node and a first supply voltage; a second transistor coupled between a second storage node and the first supply voltage and a single resistance switching element. Control terminals of the first and second transistors are coupled to the second and first storage nodes respectively. The single resistive switching element is coupled in series with the first transistor and is programmable to have one of first and second resistances. The first storage node is coupled to a first access line via a third transistor connected to said first storage node, and the second storage node is coupled to a second access line via a fourth transistor connected to the second storage node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Montpellier 2
    Inventors: Yoann Guillemenet, Lionel Torres
  • Patent number: 9218857
    Abstract: A method of reading data from an accessed memory cell of an accessed column of an accessed section of a memory array includes, in the accessed section, electrically coupling a first voltage source of at least three voltage sources to a corresponding column internal ground node of the accessed column; and electrically coupling the first voltage source to a corresponding column internal ground node of an un-accessed column. The memory array has at least one segment, the at least one segment has at least one section, and each section has at least one column. Each column has at least three switches and a column internal ground node capable of being electrically coupled to at least three voltage sources through a corresponding one of the at least three switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuoyuan (Peter) Hsu, Yukit Tang, Derek Tao, Young Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 9218511
    Abstract: A ROM circuit includes a first N channel transistor having an output and having device geometry and device characteristics adapted to bias the output at a predetermined level when a P channel circuit is connected to the first N channel transistor; a pass transistor connected between the output and a data bus, the pass transistor connected to a word line, the word line adapted to turn ON the pass transistor when the word line is asserted; and the P channel circuit connected to the data bus and adapted to provide leakage current to charge a gate in the first N channel transistor when pass transistor is turned ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Verisiti, Inc.
    Inventor: William Eli Thacker, III
  • Patent number: 9210768
    Abstract: Illumination techniques and related devices are disclosed. In some cases, a lighting device configured as described herein may include a front luminaire configured to emit white light and a back luminaire configured to emit colored light. The lighting device can be operatively coupled with controller circuitry programmed or otherwise configured, for example, with one or more algorithms which control the light output of the front and/or back luminaire so as to provide tunability. In some cases, device output may be controlled so as to: (1) simulate lighting conditions/patterns corresponding to the daytime/nighttime on Earth; (2) support/alter physiological processes; and/or (3) provide a specific ambient lighting for a given space. In some instances, a system of multiple such lighting devices can be provided, and in some cases, communication between constituent lighting devices may be provided. In some instances, the lighting device may be mountable as a sconce or other lighting fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Helmar Adler, Seung Cheol Ryu, Michael Quilici, Peter Wendling
  • Patent number: 9208830
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell, a pair of local bit lines connected to the memory cell, first and second transistors, one end of the current channel of each connected to a power supply and the other end of the current channel of each connected to one of the local bit lines, third and fourth transistors, one end of the current channel of each connected to one of the local bit lines, the other end of the current channel of each connected to one of the global bit lines, fifth and sixth transistors, one end of the current channel of each connected to one of the global bit lines and the other end of the current channel of which connected to the power supply. The device further includes a control unit configured to control the transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yusuke Niki, Keiichi Kushida
  • Patent number: 9208859
    Abstract: A memory circuit configured for reducing dynamic read power is disclosed that includes a first read global bit line connected to a first sense amp and a second read global bit line connected to a second sense amp. The second read global bit line is adjacent to the first read global bit line. The memory circuit further includes a third read global bit line and logic circuitry connected to the first read global bit line, the second read global bit line, and the third read global bit line. The logic circuitry is configured to determine when both the first read global bit line and the second read global bit line are evaluated as in a high state, and in response to the determining, toggle the third read global bit line to the high state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Venkatraghavan Bringivijayaraghavan, Dhani Reddy Sreenivasula Reddy
  • Patent number: 9208853
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory cell circuit for storing data includes a pair of cross-coupled inverters for storing states of the memory cell circuit. Access devices provide access to the pair of cross-coupled inverters. The memory cell circuit also includes a set of electrically inactive p-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) devices that are coupled to the pair of cross-coupled inverters. The set of electrically inactive PMOS devices in combination with a portion (e.g., PMOS devices) of the pair of cross-coupled inverters enables a continuous p-type diffusion layer for the memory cell circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Pramod Kolar, Gunjan H. Pandya, Uddalak Bhattacharya, Zheng Guo
  • Patent number: 9208855
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) is provided. The SRAM includes a data line, a data line bar, and a current path block. The current path block includes at least two transistors configured to provide a current path for the data line in transition from a first logic voltage to a second logic voltage, wherein the current path block is connected to the data line and the data line bar during an entire duration of operation of the SRAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Cheng Hung Lee
  • Patent number: 9196353
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes an SRAM memory cell composed of a drive transistor, a transfer transistor and a load transistor, an I/O circuit that is connected to bit lines connected to the memory cell, and an operating mode control circuit that switches an operating mode of the I/O circuit between a resume standby mode and a normal operation mode, wherein the I/O circuit includes a write driver that writes data to bit lines, a sense amplifier that reads data from the bit lines, a first switch inserted between the bit lines and the write driver, a second switch inserted between the bit lines and the sense amplifier, a precharge circuit that precharges the bit lines, and a control circuit that controls the first and second switches and the precharge circuit according to a signal from the operating mode control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 9195259
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a register configured to store multiple data units, a data input generation circuit configured to combine input data for at least partially overwriting the register with the stored multiple data units to generate combined input data, and a clock-gating circuit configured to provide to the register a logically controlled gated clock signal having selectively enabled transitions. The register is overwritten with the combined input data in response to the selectively enabled transitions in the gated clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Marvell Israel (M.I.S.L) Ltd.
    Inventors: Ofer Matiash, Ruven Torok
  • Patent number: 9196352
    Abstract: A static random access memory unit cell layout structure is disclosed, in which a slot contact is disposed on one active area and another one across from the one. A static random access memory unit cell structure and a method of fabricating the same are also disclosed, in which, a slot contact is disposed on drains of a pull-up transistor and a pull-down transistor, and a metal-zero interconnect is disposed on the slot contact and a gate line of another pull-up transistor. Accordingly, there is not an intersection of vertical and horizontal metal-zero interconnects, and there is no place suffering from twice etching. Leakage junction due to stitch recess can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Hung, Po-Chao Tsao, Shu-Ru Wang, Chia-Wei Huang, Chieh-Te Chen, Feng-Yi Chang, Chih-Sen Huang
  • Patent number: 9183922
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and/or methods relating to an eight transistor (8T) static random access memory (SRAM) cell, according to one or more embodiments. In one embodiment, an SRAM storage cell is disclosed comprising a word line, a write column select line, a cross-coupled data latch, and a first NMOS switch device serially coupled to a second NMOS switch device. In this embodiment, the gate node of the first NMOS switch device is coupled to the word line, a source node of the first NMOS switch device is coupled to the cross-coupled data latch, a gate node of the second NMOS switch device is coupled to the write column select line, and a source node of the second NMOS switch device is coupled to the cross-coupled data latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Yang, Hwong-Kwo Lin, Ju Shen, Yong Li, Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 9177633
    Abstract: SRAM devices are disclosed that utilize write assist circuits to improve the logical transitions of bit lines. In one embodiment, an SRAM device includes a pair of complimentary bit lines traversing a memory cell array for writing data to memory cells. The bit lines have a first end and a second end. A pair of complimentary write drivers is proximate to the first end of the bit lines that writes to the bit lines. A write assist circuit is proximate to the second end of the bit lines that receives a pre-charge signal to assist the write drivers in transitioning the bit lines from a logical zero state to a logical one state. The write assist circuit also receives a boost signal to assist the write drivers in transitioning the bit lines from a logical one state to a logical zero state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Rajiv Kumar Roy, Rasoju Veerabadra Chary, Rahul Sahu
  • Patent number: 9177624
    Abstract: A memory includes a logic controller, a word line driver, a boost circuit, plural capacitor circuits, plural memory cores, plural selectors, and plural output drivers. The logic controller generates a word line enabling signal and a boost enabling signal. The word line driver receives the word line enabling signal. The boost circuit receives the boost enabling signal. The plural capacitor circuits are connected between the boost circuit and the word line driver. Each of the plural memory cores is connected with the word line driver through plural word lines. The plural selectors are connected with the corresponding memory cores. The plural output drivers are connected with the corresponding selectors. The number of the plural memory cores is positively correlated with the number of the plural capacitor circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Faraday Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hao Wu, Song-Wen Yang, Zhao-Yong Zhang, Kun-Ti Lee
  • Patent number: 9178040
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vertical MOSFET selection transistor that is configured to suppress leakage voltage in the memory cell without limiting the size of the memory cell. The memory selection transistor has a semiconductor body with first and second trenches that define a raised semiconductor structure having a source region, a channel region, and a drain region. A gate structure has a first gate electrode in the first trench, which extends vertically along a first side of the raised semiconductor structure, and a second gate electrode in the second trench, which extends vertically along an opposite, second side of the raised semiconductor structure. The first and second gate electrodes collectively control the flow of current between the source and drain region in the raised semiconductor structure. An electrical contact couples the drain region to a data storage element configured to store data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Ting, Chun-Yang Tsai, Kuo-Ching Huang
  • Patent number: 9177637
    Abstract: A dual rail SRAM array includes a plurality of columns of memory cells each coupled between two bit lines. A sense amplifier is coupled between each pair of bit lines. Capacitors are positioned between the sense amplifier outputs and the bit lines, thereby separating the sense amplifier from the bit lines. The memory cells are powered with an array supply voltage. The sense amplifier is powered with a peripheral supply voltage. During a read operation of the memory array, the bit lines are precharged to the array supply voltage. The sense amplifier is precharged to the peripheral supply voltage or to an intermediate voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Anuj Grover, Gangaikondan Subramani Visweswaran
  • Patent number: 9177636
    Abstract: Various embodiments include memory devices and related methods. An embodiment includes circuitry including: a first inverter having a first inverter storage node, the first inverter cross-coupled to a second inverter having a second inverter storage node, wherein each of the first inverter and the second inverter has a reverse bit line controlled feedback transistor coupled between an pull-down transistor and a pull-up transistor, and wherein each pull-down transistor is further coupled to a ground; a first signal line coupled with the reverse bit line controlled feedback transistor of the second inverter; a second signal line coupled with the reverse bit line controlled feedback transistor of the first inverter; a first access transistor coupled with the first inverter storage node, the first signal line, and a third signal line; and a second access transistor coupled with the second inverter storage node, the second signal line, and the third signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Devesh Dwivedi, Chandrabhan Kushwah, Sathisha Nanjundegowda
  • Patent number: 9171590
    Abstract: A sensing margin expanding scheme for a memory and a method therefor is disclosed. A first terminal of a first capacitor is coupled to a bit line. A first terminal of a second capacitor is coupled to a reference voltage. In a first phase, the controller controls a first common switch and a second common switch to store the voltage difference between the bit line and the reference voltage to the first capacitor and the second capacitor. In a second phase, controlling the first common switch and the second common switch to open the first terminal of the first capacitor and the second terminal of the second capacitor and open the second terminal of the first capacitor and the first terminal of the second capacitor, and then coupling the second terminal of the first capacitor and the second terminal of the second capacitor to a common voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Meng-Fan Chang, Jui-Jen Wu, Yen-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 9171610
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) device is provided. A memory cell is supplied with a first driving voltage. A bit line pair is connected to the memory cell. A sense amplifier is connected to the bit line pair. The sense amplifier is supplied with a second driving voltage that is lower than the first driving voltage. A control logic selects a pre-charge voltage from the first and second driving voltages, pre-charges the bit line pair to the pre-charge voltage and adjusts the pre-charged voltage to a target voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jong-Sang Choi
  • Patent number: 9166587
    Abstract: A field programmable gate array (FPGA) includes configuration RAM (CRAM) including at least one non-hardened portion and at least one hardened portion having an SER resilience greater than an SER resilience of the non-hardened portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Luiz C. Alves, William J. Clarke, K. Paul Muller, Robert B. Tremaine
  • Patent number: 9165674
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices are provided. The semiconductor device may include a control signal generator and a fuse array portion. The control signal generator may generate a power control signal, disable the power control signal to a ground voltage signal level during a power-up period, and enable the power control signal to a power supply voltage signal level from a moment that the power-up period terminates until a moment that a mode register set operation terminates. The fuse array portion may execute a boot-up operation while the power control signal is enabled. The fuse array portion may generate fuse data according to an electrical open/short state of a fuse. The fuse may be selected by a level combination of address signals during the boot-up operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Yeon Uk Kim, Jeong Tae Hwang
  • Patent number: 9159402
    Abstract: An SRAM bitcell includes first and second CMOS inverters connected as a latch defining a true node and a complement node. The bitcell further includes true and complement bitline nodes. A first direct connection is provided between the true bitline node and a back gate of at least a p-channel transistor, and perhaps also an n-channel transistor, in the second CMOS inverter. A second direct connection is provided between the complement bitline node and a back gate of at least a p-channel transistor, and perhaps also an n-channel transistor, in the first CMOS inverter. A first pass transistor is coupled between the true bitline node and the true node, and a second pass transistor is coupled between the complement bitline node and the complement node. Direct connections are also provided between a wordline and the back gates of each of the first and second pass transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics International N.V., STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Vivek Asthana, Malathi Kar, Philippe Galy, Jean Jimenez
  • Patent number: 9147448
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement is provided, including a storage circuit and an output circuit. The storage circuit is configured to provide a first output signal and a second output signal. The output circuit is configured to receive the first output signal and the second output signal and configured to provide an output signal having one of a first signal level and a second signal level, and to only switch from the first signal level to the second signal level if the difference between the first output signal and the second output signal exceeds a threshold. The circuit arrangement is configured to hold the first output signal and the second output signal independent of a difference between the first output signal and the second output signal after the switching has been carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Tommaso Bacigalupo, Marcus Nuebling
  • Patent number: 9142559
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a pair of complementary signal lines, a first transistor including a gate, a source, and a drain, one of the source and the drain of the first transistor being coupled to one of the pair of the complementary signal lines, and a second transistor including a gate, a source, and a drain, the gate of the second transistor being coupled to the gate of the first transistor, one of a source and a drain of the second transistor coupled to an other of the source and the drain of the first transistor, and an other of the source and the drain of the second transistor being coupled to the other of the pair of the complementary signal lines. A direction of a gate width of the first transistor is different from a direction of a gate width of the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Seiya Yamano
  • Patent number: 9142273
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including memory cells, word lines connected to the memory cell array to select rows of the memory cell array, first bit lines connected to the memory cell array to select columns of the memory cell array, a replica cell array including replica cells respectively connected to the word lines, and storing information on characteristics of the rows of the memory cell array, and a second bit line connected to the replica cells. An operation is changed for each row of the memory cell array based on the information in the replica cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Atsushi Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 9135971
    Abstract: One or more techniques or systems for boosting a read word line (RWL) or a write word line (WWL) of a two port synchronous random access memory (SRAM) bit cell array are provided herein. In some embodiments, a boosted control block is configured to generate a boosted word line signal configured to operate a RWL, a WWL, or a read write word line (RWWL). In some embodiments, the boosted word line signal includes a first stage and a second stage. For example, the first stage is associated with a first stage voltage level at a positive supply voltage (Vdd) voltage level and the second stage is associated with a second stage voltage level above the Vdd voltage level. In this manner, a read or write operation is boosted for an SRAM bit cell, because the second stage boosts a corresponding transistor in the SRAM bit cell, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Yen-Huei Chen, Chih-Yu Lin, Li-Wen Wang, Hung-Jen Liao, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang
  • Patent number: 9135985
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a memory cell. The embodiments of the present invention provide a SRAM cell and a SRAM cell array comprising such SRAM cell. The SRAM cell according to the embodiments of the present invention includes a pull-up transistor and a pull-down transistor, such that it is unnecessary to pre-charge a pre-read bit line at the time of performing read operation. By adopting the method of the present invention, generation of leakage current can be suppressed and hence power consumption of SRAM chip can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xiao Xiao Li, Chao Meng, Xu Chen Zhang
  • Patent number: 9136279
    Abstract: A display panel includes a plurality of pads configured to provide a driver thereon, a plurality of first contacts respectively connected to the plurality of pads, a plurality of second contacts respectively provided so as to be opposed to the plurality of first contacts, a semiconductor layer configured to form a plurality of polysilicon films that are respectively extended to connect the plurality of first contacts and the plurality of second contacts to each other, and a gate metal layer different from the polysilicon layer. Each of a plurality of transistors is formed at a position where the gate metal layer traverses the polysilicon layer, and a plurality of transistor groups of the plurality of transistors are arranged in a zigzag pattern. Each of the plurality of transistor groups include three adjacent transistors of the plurality of transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: JAPAN DISPLAY INC., PANASONIC LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Syou Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 9123435
    Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor integrated circuit device provided with an SRAM that satisfies the requirements for both the SNM and the write margin with a low supply voltage. The semiconductor integrated circuit device include: multiple static memory cells provided in correspondence with multiple word lines and multiple complimentary bit lines; multiple memory cell power supply lines that each supply an operational voltage to each of the multiple memory cells connected to the multiple complimentary bit lines each; multiple power supply circuits comprised of resistive units that each supply a power supply voltage to the memory cell power supply lines each; and a pre-charge circuit that supplies a pre-charge voltage corresponding to the power supply voltage to the complimentary bit lines, wherein the memory cell power supply lines are made to have coupling capacitances to thereby transmit a write signal on corresponding complimentary bit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriaki Maeda, Yoshihiro Shinozaki, Masanao Yamaoka, Yasuhisa Shimazaki, Masanori Isoda, Koji Nii
  • Patent number: 9124477
    Abstract: A communication device includes a communication interface and a processor. In one example, the processor generates an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol that includes information modulated within sub-carriers and then interleaves the sub-carriers of the OFDM symbol to generate an interleaved OFDM symbol. This interleaving of the sub-carriers operates to write the plurality of sub-carriers to rows of a two dimensional (2D) array and read the plurality of sub-carriers from columns of the 2D array. This interleaving also operates to read a column of the columns using a bit-reversed address of the column when the bit-reversed address is less than a number of the columns and using the address of the column when the bit-reversed address is greater than or equal to the number of the columns. The processor transmits, via the communication interface, the interleaved OFDM symbol to another communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Avraham Kliger, Tak Kwan Lee, Richard Stephen Prodan, Ba-Zhong Shen, Yitshak Ohana
  • Patent number: 9117518
    Abstract: Non-Volatile Register (NVR) and Non-Volatile Shift Register (NVSR) devices are disclosed. The innovative NVR and NVSR devices of the invention can rapidly load the stored non-volatile data in non-volatile memory elements into their correspondent static memory elements for fast and constant referencing in digital circuitry. According to the invention, the loading process from non-volatile memory to static memory is a direct process without going through the conventional procedures of accessing the non-volatile memory, sensing from the non-volatile memory, and loading into the digital registers and shift registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: FLASHSILICON INCORPORATION
    Inventor: Lee Wang
  • Patent number: 9117500
    Abstract: A write assist cell includes a first pull-down circuit configured to transfer data from a first bit line to a second bit line during a write operation. The write assist cell further includes a second pull-down circuit configured to transfer data from a third bit line to a fourth bit line during a read operation, wherein the write operation and the read operation occur simultaneously. A memory device includes a memory array, the memory array comprises a first bit line and a second bit line. The memory device further includes a write assist cell connected to the memory array, wherein the write assist cell is configured to transfer data from the first bit line in a write operation to the second bit line in a read operation, and the write operation and the read operation occur simultaneously. The memory device further includes a multiplexer connected to the write assist cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jui-Jen Wu, Shau-Wei Lu, Robert Lo, Kun-Hsi Li
  • Patent number: 9110804
    Abstract: Described is a chip comprising: a substrate; a logic unit forming an active circuit on the substrate; and a cosmic ray detector embedded in the substrate, the cosmic ray detector to detect a cosmic ray and to generate a signal indicating detection of the cosmic ray, the signal for reducing error in the logic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Eric C. Hannah
  • Patent number: 9111854
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory of an embodiment includes a plurality of memory cells, each of the memory cells including a plurality of transistors including a first to fourth transistors, a first non-volatile element, a second non-volatile element, a first node, and a second node, the first and second transistors being connected in series with the first non-volatile element, the third and fourth transistors being connected in series with the second non-volatile element, the first node being disposed between the first and second transistors, the second node being disposed between the third and fourth transistors, gates of the first and third transistors being connected to one of first wiring lines, a gate of the second transistor being connected to the second node, a gate of the fourth transistor being connected to the first node, the first transistor being connected between one of second wiring lines and the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Keiko Abe, Chika Tanaka, Hiroki Noguchi, Shinobu Fujita
  • Patent number: 9105355
    Abstract: A memory cell array includes a bit line, a complementary bit line, a first operation voltage supply circuit, a second operation voltage supply circuit, a first memory cell and a second memory cell. The first operation voltage supply circuit is electrically coupled to the bit line and the complementary bit line and used for supplying a first operation voltage. The second operation voltage supply circuit is electrically coupled to the bit line and the complementary bit line and used for supplying a second operation voltage. The first memory cell is electrically coupled to the bit line and the complementary bit line and used for receiving the first operation voltage. The second memory cell is electrically coupled to the bit line and the complementary bit line and used for receiving the second operation voltage. The first and second memory cells are located in a same column in the memory cell array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hsin-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 9099199
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a first, second, and third columns of devices. The first column of devices includes a first pull-down transistor, a second pull-down transistor, a first switch, and a second switch. The second column of devices includes a third pull-down transistor, a fourth pull-down transistor, a third switch, and a fourth switch. The third column of devices includes a first pull-up transistor, and a second pull-up transistor. The first pull-up transistor, the first pull-down transistor, and the third pull-down transistor are connected as a first inverter, and the second pull-up transistor, the second pull-down transistor, and the fourth pull-down transistor are connected as a second inverter. The first inverter and the second inverter are cross-coupled. The first switch, the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch are coupled with output terminals of the first and second inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Kuei Lin, Hung-Jen Liao, Jhon Jhy Liaw, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 9099993
    Abstract: CMOS integrated circuits with very low consumption when idle, and notably the SRAM volatile memories, are provided. The inverters of the circuit are made up of an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor. A bias circuit applies a first rear bias voltage NBIAS to the wells of the NMOS transistors and a second rear bias voltage PBIAS to the wells of the PMOS transistors. The bias circuit comprises: a detection array made up of many inverters in parallel, having a common output supplying a logic signal whose value depends on the rear bias voltages applied to the array, a circuit for producing incrementation or decrementation pulses, controlled by the output of the detection array, and an integration circuit linked to the pulse-producing circuit, for producing and varying, progressively by increments in response to these pulses, a bias voltage PBIAS and a bias voltage NBIAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Olivier Thomas, Adam Makosiej, Andrei Vladimirescu
  • Patent number: 9087563
    Abstract: An SRAM includes a first SRAM column having first SRAM cells and a first local evaluation logic coupled to a global bit line and a second SRAM column having second SRAM cells and a second local evaluation logic coupled to the same global bit line. The first SRAM column is selected with a first write line and the second SRAM column is selected with a second write line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter T. Freiburger, Travis R. Hebig
  • Patent number: 9070477
    Abstract: A method can include applying a device power supply voltage to an integrated circuit including a static random access memory (SRAM) with transistors having at least a first threshold voltage (Vt); applying an array power supply voltage to cells of the SRAM that is near or below Vt; and in a write operation, reading data from at least a first group of the cells that is interleaved with a second group of the cells, and applying the read data to the bit lines of the first group of cells, while write data is applied to the bit lines of the second group of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Mie Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Lawrence T. Clark
  • Patent number: 9064550
    Abstract: A memory access operation on a bit cell of a digital memory, e.g., a static random access memory (SRAM), is assisted by reducing the word line control voltage for reading and boosting it for writing, thus improving data integrity. The bit cell has cross coupled inverters for storing and retrieving a logic state via bit line connections through a passing gate transistor controlled by the word line. A level of a word line signal controlling the passing gate transistor is shifted from a first voltage value to a higher second voltage value to begin a memory access cycle. The level of the word line signal is shifted from the second voltage value to a third voltage value less than the second voltage value during the access cycle. The word line signal is maintained at the third voltage value for a time interval during the access cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang, Chiting Cheng, Chien-Kuo Su, Chung-Cheng Chou, Jack Liu