Extended Floating Gate Patents (Class 365/185.1)
  • Patent number: 8284600
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory (NVM) cell comprises an NMOS control transistor having commonly-connected source, drain and bulk region electrodes and a gate electrode connected to a storage node; a PMOS erase transistor having commonly-connected source, drain and bulk region electrodes and a gate electrode connected to the storage node; an NMOS data transistor having source, drain and bulk region electrodes and a gate electrode connected to the storage node, the bulk region electrode being connected to a common bulk node; the first NMOS pass gate transistor having a source electrode connected to the drain electrode of the NMOS data transistor, a drain electrode, a bulk region electrode connected to the common bulk node, and a gate electrode; and a second NMOS pass gate transistor having a drain electrode connected to the source electrode of the NMOS data transistor, a source electrode, a bulk region electrode connected to the common bulk node, and a gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Pavel Poplevine, Ernes Ho, Umer Khan, Hengyang James Lin
  • Publication number: 20120236635
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory system includes one or more non-volatile memory cells. Each non-volatile memory cell comprises a floating gate, a coupling device, a first floating gate transistor, and a second floating gate transistor. The coupling device is located in a first conductivity region. The first floating gate transistor is located in a second conductivity region, and supplies read current sensed during a read operation. The second floating gate transistor is located in a third conductivity region. Such non-volatile memory cell further comprises two transistors for injecting negative charge into the floating gate during a programming operation, and removing negative charge from the second floating gate transistor during an erase operation. The floating gate is shared by the first floating gate transistor, the coupling device, and the second floating gate transistor, and extends over active regions of the first floating gate transistor, the coupling device and the second floating gate transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Wen-Hao Ching, Shih-Chen Wang, Ching-Sung Yang
  • Patent number: 8225123
    Abstract: A method and system for power supply management in an integrated chip selectively manages the power supplied to the various circuits within the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a combinational logic block, a memory block, a power supply block, and a control block. The power supply block includes multiple power regulators for generating power supply potentials of various magnitudes. The control block receives a power down signal, a clock disable signal, and a temperature threshold signal, and generates control signals for controlling the magnitude of the potential of the power supplied to the combinational logic block and the memory block by the power supply block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sunny Gupta, Kumar Abhishek
  • Patent number: 8223571
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first left transistor having a first left drain, a first left gate, and a first left source; a second left transistor having a second left drain, a second left gate, and a second left source; a third left transistor having a third left drain, a third left gate, and a third left source; a first right transistor having a first right drain, a first right gate, and a first right source; a second right transistor having a second right drain, a second right gate, and a second right source; a third right transistor having a third right drain, a third right gate, and a third right source; a left node electrically coupling the first left drain, the second left drain, the second left gate, the third right gate, and the third left drain; and a right node electrically coupling the first right drain, the second right drain, the second right gate, the third left gate, and the third right drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Ji Lu, Hung-Jen Liao, Cheng Hung Lee, Derek C. Tao, Annie-Li-Keow Lum, Hong-Chen Cheng
  • Patent number: 8218370
    Abstract: A memory array comprises a plurality of memory cells organized in a matrix of rows and columns. Each of the memory cells includes a high voltage access transistor, a floating gate memory transistor electrically connected to the access transistor, and a coupling capacitor electrically connected to the memory transistor. A first set of word lines are each electrically connected to the capacitor in each of the memory cells in a respective row. A second set of word lines are each electrically connected to the access transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective row. A first set of bit lines are each electrically connected to the access transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective column. A second set of bit lines are each electrically connected to the memory transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Hosam Haggag, Alexander Kalnitsky, Edgardo Laber, Michael D. Church, Yun Yue
  • Patent number: 8208299
    Abstract: A multi-programmable non-volatile device is operated with a floating gate that functions as a FET gate that overlaps a portion of a source/drain region and allows for variable coupling through geometry and/or biasing conditions. This allows a programming voltage for the device to be imparted to the floating gate through variable capacitive coupling, thus changing the state of the device. Different source/drain regions can be used for program and read operations. The invention can be used in environments such as data encryption, reference trimming, manufacturing ID, security ID, and many other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Invensas Corporation
    Inventors: David Liu, John Nicholas Gross
  • Patent number: 8199578
    Abstract: A single-polysilicon layer non-volatile memory having a floating gate transistor, a program gate and a control gate is provided. The floating gate transistor has a floating gate and a tunneling dielectric layer. The floating gate is disposed on a substrate. The tunneling dielectric layer is disposed between the floating gate and the substrate. The program gate, the control gate and the erase gate are respectively disposed in the substrate under the floating gate separated by the tunneling dielectric layer. Therefore, during a program operation and an erase operation, charges are injected in and expelled out through different regions of the tunneling dielectric layer, so as to increase reliability of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: eMemory Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin-Ming Chen, Shih-Chen Wang, Wen-Hao Ching, Yen-Hsin Lai, Ching-Sung Yang
  • Patent number: 8194468
    Abstract: A Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) cell and programming method in which the cell can denote at least two logic levels (e.g., 0 and 1) and includes a read-transistor with a floating gate and a Band-To-Band-Tunneling device (BTBT device) sharing the floating gate with the read transistor. The BTBT device is configured as an injection device for injecting a first charge onto the floating gate when the BTBT device is biased so that it is in accumulation, to set at least one of the logic levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew E. Horch
  • Patent number: 8168469
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device using a resistance material and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The nonvolatile memory device includes a switching element, and a data storage part electrically connected to the switching element. In the data storage part, a lower electrode is connected to the switching element, and an insulating layer is formed on the lower electrode to a predetermined thickness. The insulating layer has a contact hole exposing the lower electrode. A data storage layer is filled in the contact hole and the data storage layer is formed of transition metal oxide. An upper electrode is formed on the insulating layer and the data storage layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-hyun Lee, Sung-kyu Choi, Kyu-sik Kim
  • Patent number: 8159877
    Abstract: An NVM cell design enables direct reading of cell output voltage to determine data stored in the cell, while providing low current consumption and a simple program sequence that utilizes reverse Fowler-Nordheim tunneling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Pavel Poplevine, Ernes Ho, Umer Khan, Andrew J. Franklin
  • Patent number: 8149619
    Abstract: A memory array is provided that includes a transistor having two active gates sharing a source, a drain, and a channel of the transistor. One of the active gates may be coupled to a volatile memory portion of a memory cell, such as a DRAM cell, and the other active gate may be coupled to a non-volatile memory portion, for example, a charge storage node such as a SONOS cell. Methods of operating the memory array are provided that include transferring data from the volatile memory portions to the non-volatile memory portions, transferring data from the non-volatile memory portions to the volatile memory portions, and erasing the non-volatile memory portions of a row of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard C. Kirsch, Charles Ingalls, Werner Juengling
  • Patent number: 8111572
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to data storage and computer memory, and more particularly, to systems, integrated circuits and methods for controlling memory disturbs to and among multiple layers of memory that include, for example, third dimensional memory technology. Each layer of memory can include a plurality of non-volatile memory cells that store data as a plurality of conductivity profiles that can be non-destructively read by applying a read voltage across a selected non-volatile memory cell. Data can be written to a selected non-volatile memory cell by applying a write voltage having a predetermined magnitude and polarity across the selected non-volatile memory cell. Stored data is retained in the plurality of non-volatile memory cells in the absence of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Norman
  • Patent number: 8107290
    Abstract: A memory cell structure for a memory device includes a read transistor having a floating gate node, a tunnelling capacitor, and a coupling capacitor stack. The tunnelling capacitor is connected to the floating gate node and has a first programming terminal, and the coupling capacitor stack is connected to the floating gate node and has a second programming terminal. The coupling capacitor stack includes at least two coupling capacitors arranged in series between the floating gate node and the second programming terminal, with the coupling capacitor stack having a larger capacitance than the tunnelling capacitor. Such a memory cell structure is efficient in terms of area, and can be manufactured using standard CMOS logic manufacturing processes, thereby avoiding some of the complexities involved in the production of conventional EEPROM and Flash memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Yoonmyung Lee, Michael John Wieckowski, David Theodore Blaauw, Dennis Michael Chen Sylvester
  • Patent number: 8094498
    Abstract: In a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device storing data by accumulating charges in a floating gate, memory units, each of which includes a first MOS transistor as a read device, a bit cell composed of a first capacitor as a capacitance coupling device and a second capacitor as an erase device, and a decode device including a second MOS transistor and a third MOS transistor, are arranged in array. This attains nonvolatile memory capable of bit by bit selective erase arranged in array to thus reduce the core area remarkably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasue Yamamoto, Masanori Shirahama, Yasuhiro Agata, Toshiaki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8065478
    Abstract: Performing data operations using non-volatile third dimension memory is described, including a storage system having a non-volatile third dimension memory array configured to store data, the data including an address indicating a file location on a disk drive, and a controller configured to process an access request associated with the disk drive, the access request being routed to the non-volatile third dimension memory array to perform a data operation, wherein data from the data operation is used to create a map of the disk drive. In some examples, an address in the non-volatile third dimension memory array provides an alias for another address in a disk drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Norman
  • Patent number: 7983081
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of an electrically programmable and erasable non-volatile memory cell with a deep N-well to isolate the memory cell from the substrate is disclosed. In one embodiment, a non-volatile memory apparatus includes at least one non-volatile memory cell fabricated on a P substrate, with a deep N-well located in the P substrate, while a P-well and an N-well are located in the deep N-well. The memory cell further includes a PMOS transistor located in the N-well, in which the PMOS transistor includes a PMOS gate-oxide, and an NMOS capacitor located in the P-well. The NMOS capacitor includes an N+ coupling region located in the P-well, and an NMOS gate-oxide. The memory cell further includes a floating gate comprised of a poly-silicon gate overlying the PMOS transistor and the NMOS capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Chip.Memory Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gang-Feng Fang, Wingyu Leung
  • Patent number: 7983093
    Abstract: A Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) cell and programming method in which the cell can denote at least two logic levels (e.g., 0 and 1) and includes a read-transistor with a floating gate and a Band-To-Band-Tunneling device (BTBT device) sharing the floating gate with the read-transistor. The BTBT device is configured as an injection device for injecting a first charge onto the floating gate when the BTBT device is biased so that it is in accumulation, to set at least one of the logic levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew E. Horch
  • Publication number: 20110157972
    Abstract: An embodiment of non-volatile memory device integrated in a chip of semiconductor material is proposed. The memory includes at least one sector of a plurality of memory cells; each sector includes a storage region of a first type of conductivity and a further storage region of a second type of conductivity. Each memory cell includes a first region and a second region of the second type of conductivity, which are formed in the storage region for defining a storage transistor of floating gate MOS type of the first type of conductivity; the memory cell likewise includes a further first region and a further second region of the first type of conductivity, which are formed in the further storage region for defining a further storage transistor of floating gate MOS type of the second type of conductivity. The memory cell also includes a common floating gate of the storage transistor and the further storage transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco PASOTTI, Davide LENA, Giancarlo PISONI, Fabrizio TORRICELLI, Zsolt M. KOVACS-VAJNA
  • Patent number: 7944745
    Abstract: A flash memory array comprises a plurality of memory cells organized in a matrix of rows and columns. Each of the memory cells includes a floating gate memory transistor having a source region and a drain region, and a coupling capacitor electrically connected to the memory transistor. A plurality of word lines are each electrically connected to the capacitor in each of the memory cells in a respective row. A first set of bit lines are each electrically connected to the drain region of the memory transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective column. A plurality of high voltage access transistors are each electrically connected to a bit line in the first set of bit lines. A second set of bit lines are each electrically connected to the source region of the memory transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Hosam Haggag, Alexander Kalnitsky, Edgardo Laber, Prabhjot Singh, Michael D. Church
  • Patent number: 7923766
    Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device including a capacitorless RAM. The semiconductor device includes a field effect transistor (FET) having a floating body structure. FET includes a channel body region arranged in a first region comprising a first semiconductor (e.g., p-SiGe) having a given band gap and a second region comprising a second semiconductor (e.g., n-Si) having a larger band gap than the first semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc
    Inventor: Masayoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 7898856
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, arrays, devices, modules, and systems for memory cell heights. One array of memory cells includes a number of semiconductor pillars having a number of charge storage nodes, each of the charge storage nodes being associated with a respective number of pillars and separated from the respective pillars by a dielectric. The array also includes a number of conductively coupled gates, each of the number of gates being associated with a respective one of the number of storage nodes. At least two pillars in the array have different heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Seiichi Aritome
  • Patent number: 7889553
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes: a substrate including diffusion regions for a read-out transistor; a capacitor formed in a poly-silicon layer adjacent the substrate, the capacitor including a floating gate for the read-out transistor and a control gate, the floating gate and the control gate each having finger extensions, the finger extensions from the floating gate interdigitating with the finger extensions from the control gate; and a programming line coupled to the control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Novelics, LLC.
    Inventors: Esin Terzioglu, Gil I. Winograd, Morteza Cyrus Afghahi
  • Patent number: 7872914
    Abstract: A monitor structure for monitoring a change of a memory content in a memory field of a non-volatile memory comprising a reference transistor in the memory field and a monitor transistor. The monitor transistor and the reference transistor comprise a common floating gate. Moreover, the memory field is arranged in a first well, and the monitor transistor in a second well. The first well and the second well are of different doping types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Michael Sommer
  • Patent number: 7872913
    Abstract: A nonvolatile analog memory has a floating gate point. The nonvolatile analog memory includes a capacitor, a first current source, a second current source and a current adjuster. The first current source controlled by a voltage value at the floating gate point and generates a first current. The second current source controlled by the voltage value at the floating gate point and generates a second current. The current adjuster receives the output voltage and a reference voltage and adjusts the first current and the second current based on the output voltage and the reference voltage. The current adjuster charges or discharges the capacitor to equalize the output voltage to the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Cheng-Da Huang, Chih-Cheng Lu, Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 7870333
    Abstract: Performing data operations using non-volatile third dimension memory is described, including a storage system having a non-volatile third dimension memory array configured to store data, the data including an address indicating a file location on a disk drive, and a controller configured to process an access request associated with the disk drive, the access request being routed to the non-volatile third dimension memory array to perform a data operation, wherein data from the data operation is used to create a map of the disk drive. In some examples, an address in the non-volatile third dimension memory array provides an alias for another address in a disk drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Norman
  • Patent number: 7852672
    Abstract: A programmable non-volatile device uses a floating gate that functions as a FET gate that overlaps a variable portion of a source/drain region. This allows a programming voltage for the device to be imparted to the floating gate through variable capacitive coupling, thus changing the state of the device. Multi-state embodiments are also possible. The invention can be used in environments such as data encryption, reference trimming, manufacturing ID, security ID, and many other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Jonker LLC
    Inventors: David Liu, John Nicholas Gross
  • Patent number: 7835184
    Abstract: A memory device including a plurality of memory cells, each with a control gate NMOS transistor sharing a floating gate with a program/erase PMOS transistor which is, in turn, connected in series with an access PMOS transistor. The memory cells are formed in a common N-Well formed in a P-substrate, the NMOS transistor being formed in a p-doped pocket or base. The program/erase PMOS includes a gate, and first and second P+ doped regions formed in the N-Well, wherein the first P+ region is electrically connected to a corresponding bit line. The access PMOS includes a gate, and first and second P+ regions formed within the N-Well, wherein the first P+ region is electrically connected to the second P+ region of the program/erase PMOS, and the gate is electrically connected to a corresponding word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Nirmal Ratnakumar, Venkatraman Prabhakar, David Kuan-Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 7829404
    Abstract: A memory device, and method of making and operating the same, including a substrate of semiconductor material of a first conductivity type, first and second spaced apart regions in the substrate of a second conductivity type with a channel region therebetween, an electrically conductive floating gate having a first portion disposed over and insulated from the channel region and a second portion disposed over and insulated from the first region and including a sharpened edge, an electrically conductive P/E gate having a first portion disposed over and insulated from the first region and a second portion extending up and over the floating gate second portion and insulated therefrom by a first layer of insulation material, and an electrically conductive select gate having a first portion disposed laterally adjacent to the floating gate and disposed over and insulated from the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Klinger, Amitay Levi
  • Patent number: 7820996
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device using a resistance material and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The nonvolatile memory device includes a switching element, and a data storage part electrically connected to the switching element. In the data storage part, a lower electrode is connected to the switching element, and an insulating layer is formed on the lower electrode to a predetermined thickness. The insulating layer has a contact hole exposing the lower electrode. A data storage layer is filled in the contact hole and the data storage layer is formed of transition metal oxide. An upper electrode is formed on the insulating layer and the data storage layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-hyun Lee, Sung-kyu Choi, Kyu-sik Kim
  • Patent number: 7813177
    Abstract: A single-poly EEPROM memory device comprises a control gate isolated within a well of a first conductivity type in a semiconductor body of a second conductivity type, first and second tunneling regions isolated from one another within respective wells of the first conductivity type in the semiconductor body, a read transistor isolated within a well of the first conductivity type, and a floating gate overlying a portion of the control gate, the read transistor, and the first and second tunneling regions. The memory device is configured to be electrically programmed by changing a charge on the floating gate that changes the device threshold voltage. In one embodiment, the memory device is configured to be electrically programmed by applying a first potential between the first and second tunneling regions, and a second potential to the control gate, the second potential having a value less than the first potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jozef Czeslaw Mitros, David Alan Heisley
  • Patent number: 7807518
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor memory device having a capacitor electrode of a MOS capacitor formed in polygon and slanting faces enlarged toward an insulating film are provided therearound. A floating gate electrode is provided which extends from over a channel region of a MOSEFT to over corners of ends on the MOSFET side, of the capacitor electrode and which is opposite to the channel region and the capacitor electrode with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiko Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 7796442
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having a source, a drain, and a channel region between the source and the drain. The channel region has a first end portion near the drain, a second end portion near the source, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions. The first and second end portions having approximately same width. The memory device is electrically erased by using a hot carrier generated in the first end portion due to avalanche breakdown. The channel region includes a first channel extending from the drain and a second channel adjacent to the first channel. An impurity concentration of the second channel is higher than that of the first channel. An interface between the first and second channels is located in the middle portion between the first and second end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsutaka Katada, Yukiaki Yogo, Akira Tai, Yukihiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7755941
    Abstract: In a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device storing data by accumulating charges in a floating gate, memory units, each of which includes a first MOS transistor as a read device, a bit cell composed of a first capacitor as a capacitance coupling device and a second capacitor as an erase device, and a decode device including a second MOS transistor and a third MOS transistor, are arranged in array. This attains nonvolatile memory capable of bit by bit selective erase arranged in array to thus reduce the core area remarkably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasue Yamamoto, Masanori Shirahama, Yasuhiro Agata, Toshiaki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7747817
    Abstract: Performing data operations using non-volatile third dimension memory is described, including a storage system having a non-volatile third dimension memory array configured to store data, the data including an address indicating a file location on a disk drive, and a controller configured to process an access request associated with the disk drive, the access request being routed to the non-volatile third dimension memory array to perform a data operation, wherein data from the data operation is used to create a map of the disk drive. In some examples, an address in the non-volatile third dimension memory array provides an alias for another address in a disk drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Norman
  • Publication number: 20100157669
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory (NVM) cell and array includes a control capacitor, tunneling capacitor, CMOS inverter and output circuit. The CMOS inverter includes PMOS and NMOS inverter transistors. The control capacitor, tunneling capacitor and PMOS and NMOS inverter transistors share a common floating gate, which is programmed/erased by Fowler-Nordheim tunneling. The output circuit includes PMOS and NMOS select transistors. The PMOS inverter and select transistors share a common source/drain region. Similarly, the NMOS inverter and select transistors share a common source/drain region. This configuration minimizes the required layout area of the non-volatile memory cell and allows design of arrays with smaller footprints. Alternately, the tunneling capacitor may be excluded, further reducing the required layout area of the NVM cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikalai Audzeyeu, Yuriy Makarevich, Siarhei Shvedau, Anatoly Belous, Evgeny Pikhay, Vladislav Dayan, Yakov Roizin
  • Patent number: 7719061
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a cell region and a peripheral region. A cell array is defined within the cell region, the cell array having first, second, third, and fourth sides. A first decoder is defined within the peripheral region and provided adjacent to the first side of the cell array. A first isolation structure is formed at a first boundary region provided between the first side of the cell array and the peripheral region. A first dummy active region is formed at a second boundary region that is provided between the second side of the cell array and the peripheral region. The first isolation structure has a first portion that has a first depth and a second portion that has a second depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Kee Park
  • Patent number: 7715242
    Abstract: An erasing method of a non-volatile memory is provided. The non-volatile memory includes a control gate disposed in a substrate, a floating gate, a gate oxide layer disposed between the floating gate and the substrate, a source region disposed in the substrate, a drain region disposed in the substrate, a first dielectric layer disposed on the floating gate, a second dielectric layer disposed on sidewalls of the floating gate, and an erase gate. The erasing method includes applying a first voltage on the control gate, applying a second voltage on the drain, applying a third voltage on the source, applying a fourth voltage on the erase gate, and applying a fifth voltage on the substrate, such that electrons are drawn from the floating gate to the erase gate to be erased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Episil Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Lung Hung
  • Patent number: 7710787
    Abstract: A method for erasing an EEPROM cell which reduces the need for monitoring algorithms. The potential at the erase gate is initially raised and the potential at the control gate is lowered to cause FN tunneling through the erase gate. A subsequent soft programming step is employed to raise the potential at the control gate to a value sufficient to cause FN tunneling to start though the oxide of the transistor. A new memory device structure suitable for practicing this method employs a transistor having a floating gate, where a data value is stored as charged on the floating gate; a control gate; a control gate capacitor coupling the control gate to the floating gate; an erase gate; an erase gate capacitor coupling the erase gate to the floating gate; and an erase control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Seamus Paul Whiston, Denis J. Doyle, Mike O'Shea, Thomas J. Lawlor
  • Patent number: 7688627
    Abstract: A flash memory array comprises a plurality of memory cells organized in a matrix of rows and columns. Each of the memory cells includes a floating gate memory transistor having a source region and a drain region, and a coupling capacitor electrically connected to the memory transistor. A plurality of word lines are each electrically connected to the capacitor in each of the memory cells in a respective row. A first set of bit lines are each electrically connected to the drain region of the memory transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective column. A plurality of high voltage access transistors are each electrically connected to a bit line in the first set of bit lines. A second set of bit lines are each electrically connected to the source region of the memory transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Hosam Haggag, Alexander Kalnitsky, Edgardo Laber, Prabhjot Singh, Michael D. Church
  • Publication number: 20100074018
    Abstract: Shifts in the apparent charge stored on a floating gate (or other charge storing element) of a non-volatile memory cell can occur because of the coupling of an electric field based on the charge stored in adjacent floating gates (or other adjacent charge storing elements). The problem occurs most pronouncedly between sets of adjacent memory cells that have been programmed at different times. To account for this coupling, the read process for a particular memory cell will provide compensation to an adjacent memory cell in order to reduce the coupling effect that the adjacent memory cell has on the particular memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Nima Mokhlesi
  • Patent number: 7663927
    Abstract: A reference voltage generator for a matrix of non-volatile memory cells of the EEPROM type, comprises at least one array enabled by an access transistor. The array comprises at least one reference cell associated with a relative select transistor, the transistors and the cell being realized on a semiconductor substrate and having active regions delimited by suitable field oxide regions and covered by a tunnel oxide layer and comprising at least one floating gate realized by a first polysilicon layer and covered by a dielectric layer and by a second polysilicon layer. Advantageously, the floating gate of the reference cells is contacted by a first contact terminal connected to a discharge transistor for the periodical discharge of possibly present charges. A process manufactures such a voltage generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Elisabetta Palumbo, Paola Zuliani, Roberto Annunziata, Daniele Zompi
  • Patent number: 7652921
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) cell and programming method thereof. The cell can denote at least two logic levels. The cell has a read-transistor with a floating gate, and Band-To-Band-Tunneling device (BTBT device) sharing the floating gate with the read-transistor. The BTBT device is configured as an injection device for injecting a first charge onto the floating gate when the BTBT device is biased with a first gate bias voltage such that the BTBT device is in accumulation, to set at least one of the logic levels. A first electrode is coupled to bias the BTBT device with a first bias voltage that is higher than the first threshold voltage. The first bias voltage is controlled such that the BTBT device is in accumulation during a write operation. The injected amount of charge on the floating gate is determined by the first bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Virage Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew E. Horch, Bin Wang
  • Patent number: 7639536
    Abstract: A storage unit of a single-conductor non-volatile memory cell is described, which includes an isolation layer in a substrate, a storage transistor and an erasing transistor. The storage transistor includes a first well of a first conductivity type in the substrate beside the isolation layer, a floating gate crossing over the isolation layer and including a first segment over the first well, and two source/drain regions of a second conductivity type in the first well beside the first segment of the floating gate. The erasing transistor includes a second well of the first conductivity type located in the substrate and separated from the first well by the isolation layer, a second segment of the floating gate over the second well, and a well pickup region of the first conductivity type in the second well beside the second segment of the floating gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hung-Lin Shih, Wen-Ching Tsai, Yu-Hua Huang
  • Patent number: 7623380
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device for storing data by accumulating charge in a floating gate includes a plurality of MOS transistors sharing the floating gate. In the device, a PMOS is used for coupling during writing and an n-type depletion MOS (DMOS) is used for coupling during erasure. Coupling of channel inversion capacitance by the PMOS is used for writing and coupling of depletion capacitance by the n-type DMOS is used for erasure, thereby increasing the erase speed without increase of area, as compared to a conventional three-transistor nonvolatile memory element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasue Yamamoto, Yasuhiro Agata, Masanori Shirahama, Toshiaki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7580279
    Abstract: An anti-reflective coating (ARC) is formed over the various layers involved in a cell fabrication process. The ARC is selectively etched such that the edges of the etched areas of the ARC slope downward at an angle determined by the thickness of the ARC. The etching process could include CF4 chemistry. The inner edges of the sloped ARC areas reduce the original photo-defined space since the underlying layers are now defined by the sloped edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Lindsay, Frances May, Robert Veltrop
  • Publication number: 20090207655
    Abstract: A multiple time programmable (MTP) memory cell, in accordance with an embodiment, includes a floating gate PMOS transistor, a high voltage NMOS transistor, and an n-well capacitor. The floating gate PMOS transistor includes a source that forms a first terminal of the memory cell, a drain and a gate. The high voltage NMOS transistor includes a source connected to ground, an extended drain connected to the drain of the PMOS transistor, and a gate forming a second terminal of the memory cell. The n-well capacitor includes a first terminal connected to the gate of the PMOS transistor, and a second terminal forming a third terminal of the memory cell. The floating gate PMOS transistor can store a logic state. Combinations of voltages can be applied to the first, second and third terminals of the memory cell to program, inhibit program, read and erase the logic state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Kalnitsky, Michael Church
  • Patent number: 7573746
    Abstract: A method for storing data on nodes in memory cells of a non-volatile memory cell array including steps of setting non-volatile devices of the non-volatile memory cell array to a desired state, biasing pull-up devices and non-volatile devices in a first set of rows of the non-volatile memory cell array to an off state, loading data onto column lines of the non-volatile memory cell array and biasing non-volatile devices in a second set of rows in the memory cells of the non-volatile memory cell array to store data from the column lines on the nodes in the memory cells of the non-volatile memory cell array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Greene, Robert M. Salter, III
  • Patent number: 7554833
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory including a silicon substrate having first and second diffusion layers at its surface and a control gate located above a channel region defined by the first and the second diffusion layers and formed on the silicon substrate. The memory further includes first, second and third capacitors are formed on the channel region, respectively under the control gate, on one side of the control gate and the first capacitor and at the opposite side of the control gate and first capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7542342
    Abstract: A multiple time programmable (MTP) memory cell, in accordance with an embodiment, includes a floating gate PMOS transistor, a high voltage NMOS transistor, and an n-well capacitor. The floating gate PMOS transistor includes a source that forms a first terminal of the memory cell, a drain and a gate. The high voltage NMOS transistor includes a source connected to ground, an extended drain connected to the drain of the PMOS transistor, and a gate forming a second terminal of the memory cell. The n-well capacitor includes a first terminal connected to the gate of the PMOS transistor, and a second terminal forming a third terminal of the memory cell. The floating gate PMOS transistor can store a logic state. Combinations of voltages can be applied to the first, second and third terminals of the memory cell to program, inhibit program, read and erase the logic state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Kalnitsky, Michael Church
  • Patent number: 7512012
    Abstract: The memory cell includes a first unit, a semiconductor layer, a second unit, and a doped region. The first unit includes a first gate, a first charge trapping layer, and a second charge trapping layer. The first and the second charge trapping layer are respectively disposed on both sides of the first gate. The semiconductor layer is disposed on the first unit. The second unit is disposed on the semiconductor layer and is in mirror symmetry to the first unit. The second unit includes a second gate and a third and a fourth charge trapping layer respectively disposed on both sides of the second gate. The doped region is disposed at both sides of the semiconductor layer and serves as a common source/drain region of both the first and the second unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chang Kuo