Patents Assigned to Crossbar, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130033923
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes an array of memory units, each having resistive memory cells and a local word line. Each memory cell has a first and a second end, the second ends are coupled to the local word line of the corresponding memory unit. Bit lines are provided, each coupled to the first end of each resistive memory cell. A plurality of select transistors is provided, each associated with one memory unit and having a drain terminal coupled to the local word line of the associated memory unit. First and second global word lines are provided, each coupled to a control terminal of at least one select transistor. First and second source lines are provided, each coupled to a source terminal of at least one select transistor. The memory device is configured to concurrently read out all resistive memory cells in one selected memory unit in a read operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventor: Crossbar, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130027081
    Abstract: Providing for a field programmable gate array (FPGA) utilizing resistive random access memory (RRAM) technology is described herein. By way of example, the FPGA can comprise a switching block interconnect having parallel signal input lines crossed by perpendicular signal output lines. RRAM memory cells can be formed at respective intersections of the signal input lines and signal output lines. The RRAM memory cell can include a voltage divider comprising multiple programmable resistive elements arranged electrically in series across a VCC and VSS of the FPGA. A common node of the voltage divider drives a gate of a pass gate transistor configured to activate or deactivate the intersection. The disclosed RRAM memory can provide high transistor density, high logic utilization, fast programming speed, radiation immunity, fast power up and significant benefits for FPGA technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: CROSSBAR, INC.
    Inventors: Hagop Nazarian, Sang Thanh Nguyen, Tanmay Kumar
  • Publication number: 20130027079
    Abstract: Providing for a field programmable gate array (FPGA) utilizing resistive random access memory (RRAM) technology is described herein. By way of example, the FPGA can comprise a switching block interconnect having parallel signal input lines crossed by perpendicular signal output lines. RRAM memory cells can be formed at respective intersections of the signal input lines and signal output lines. The RRAM memory cell can include a voltage divider comprising multiple programmable resistive elements arranged electrically in series across a VCC and VSS of the FPGA. A common node of the voltage divider drives a gate of a pass gate transistor configured to activate or deactivate the intersection. The disclosed RRAM memory can provide high transistor density, high logic utilization, fast programming speed, radiation immunity, fast power up and significant benefits for FPGA technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: CROSSBAR, INC.
    Inventors: Hagop Nazarian, Sang Thanh Nguyen, Tanmay Kumar
  • Publication number: 20130020548
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile memory device includes providing a substrate having a surface, depositing a dielectric overlying the surface, forming a first wiring structure overlying the dielectric, depositing silicon material overlying the first wiring structure, the silicon layer having a thickness of less than about 100 Angstroms, depositing silicon germanium material at a temperature raging from about 400 to about 490 Degrees Celsius overlying the first wiring structure using the silicon layer as a seed layer, wherein the silicon germanium material is substantially free of voids and has polycrystalline characteristics, depositing resistive switching material (e.g. amorphous silicon material) overlying the silicon germanium material, depositing a conductive material overlying the resistive material, and forming a second wiring structure overlying the conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Harold CLARK, Scott Brad Herner
  • Publication number: 20130003436
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a resistive switching device having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a resistive switching element, wherein the resistive switching element comprises a silicon material disposed in an overlapping region between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the second electrode comprises at least a metal material physically and electrically in contact with the resistive switching material, wherein the resistive switching element is characterized by a resistance depending on an electric field in the resistive switching element, and a non-linear device coupled between the first electrode and the resistive switching element, wherein the non-linear device is configured to conduct electric current when a voltage greater than a first voltage is applied to the second electrode, wherein the resistive switching device is configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventor: Tanmay KUMAR
  • Publication number: 20120327701
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a word line extending along a first direction; a bit line extending along a second direction; a memory unit having a read transistor coupled to the bit line, at least one two-terminal memory cell, and a select transistor, the two-terminal memory cell having a first end coupled to the word line and a second end coupled to a gate of the read transistor. The second end of the two-terminal memory cell is coupled to a common node shared by a drain of the select transistor and the gate of the read transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventor: Hagop Nazarian
  • Publication number: 20120320660
    Abstract: A method for programming a two terminal resistive memory device, the method includes applying a bias voltage to a first electrode of a resistive memory cell of the device; measuring a current flowing through the cell; and stopping the applying of the bias voltage if the measured current is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventors: Hagop NAZARIAN, Sung Hyun Jo
  • Publication number: 20120309188
    Abstract: A method for forming an interconnect structure for a memory device. The method includes providing a partially fabricated device. The partially fabricated device includes a switching element overlying a first wiring structure. A thickness of dielectric material is deposited overlying the first wiring structure. The method deposits an adhesion material overlying the thickness of the dielectric material. A via opening is formed in a portion of the thickness of the dielectric material to expose a surface region of the switching element while the adhesion material is maintained overlying the dielectric material. A second wiring material is deposited overlying the thickness of the dielectric material and to fill at least part of the via opening and forming a thickness of second wiring material overlying the adhesion material. The adhesion material maintains the second wiring material to be adhered to the surface region of the thickness of the dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Brad HERNER
  • Publication number: 20120305874
    Abstract: A steering device. The steering device includes an n-type impurity region comprising a zinc oxide material and a p-type impurity region comprising a silicon germanium material. A pn junction region formed from the zinc oxide material and the silicon germanium material. The steering device is a serially coupled to a resistive switching device to provide rectification for the resistive switching device to form a non-volatile memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Brad HERNER
  • Publication number: 20120305879
    Abstract: A switching device includes a substrate; a first electrode formed over the substrate; a second electrode formed over the first electrode; a switching medium disposed between the first and second electrode; and a nonlinear element disposed between the first and second electrodes and electrically coupled in series to the first electrode and the switching medium. The nonlinear element is configured to change from a first resistance state to a second resistance state on application of a voltage greater than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Lu, Sung Hyun Jo
  • Publication number: 20120298947
    Abstract: A method for forming a non-volatile memory device includes forming a dielectric material overlying a semiconductor substrate, forming a first wiring structure overlying the first dielectric material, depositing an undoped amorphous silicon layer, depositing an aluminum layer over the amorphous silicon layer at a temperature of about 450 Degrees Celsius or lower, annealing the amorphous silicon and aluminum at a temperature of about 450 Degrees Celsius or lower to form a p+ polycrystalline layer, depositing a resistive switching material comprising an amorphous silicon material overlying the polycrystalline silicon material, forming a second wiring structure comprising a metal material overlying the resistive switching material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Harold CLARK
  • Patent number: 8320160
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a first select transistor, a second select transistor, and a first string of first memory cells provided between the first and second select transistors. Each first memory cell has a first resistive memory cell and a first transistor. The first resistive memory cell is in series with a gate of the first transistor. The non-volatile memory device further includes a first bit line coupled to a drain of the first select transistor and a plurality of word lines. Each word line is coupled to one of the first memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventor: Hagop Nazarian
  • Patent number: 8315079
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes an array of memory units, each having resistive memory cells and a local word line. Each memory cell has a first and a second end, the second ends are coupled to the local word line of the corresponding memory unit. Bit lines are provided, each coupled to the first end of each resistive memory cell. A plurality of select transistors is provided, each associated with one memory unit and having a drain terminal coupled to the local word line of the associated memory unit. First and second global word lines are provided, each coupled to a control terminal of at least one select transistor. First and second source lines are provided, each coupled to a source terminal of at least one select transistor. The memory device is configured to concurrently read out all resistive memory cells in one selected memory unit in a read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Kuo, Hagop Nazarian
  • Publication number: 20120273748
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory device includes providing a substrate having a surface region, defining a cell region and first and second peripheral regions, sequentially forming a first dielectric material, a first wiring structure for a first array of devices, and a second dielectric material over the surface region, forming an opening region in the first peripheral region, the opening region extending in a portion of at least the first and second dielectric materials to expose portions of the first wiring structure and the substrate, forming a second wiring material that is overlying the second dielectric material and fills the opening region to form a vertical interconnect structure in the first peripheral region, and forming a second wiring structure from the second wiring material for a second array of devices, the first and second wiring structures being separated from each other and electrically connected by the vertical interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Crossbar Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Brad HERNER
  • Publication number: 20120252183
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device including a resistive memory cell includes providing a substrate having an upper surface. A first conductive layer is formed over the upper surface of the substrate. An amorphous silicon layer is formed over the first conductive layer. A surface of the amorphous silicon layer is cleaned to remove native oxide formed on the surface of the amorphous silicon layer. A silver layer is deposited over the amorphous silicon layer after removing the native oxide by performing the cleaning step. The resistive memory cell includes the first conductive layer, the amorphous silicon layer, and the second conductive layer. The surface of the amorphous silicon layer is cleaned to prevent silver agglomeration on the native oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Brad Herner
  • Patent number: 8274812
    Abstract: A method for programming a two terminal resistive memory device, the method includes applying a bias voltage to a first electrode of a resistive memory cell of the device; measuring a current flowing through the cell; and stopping the applying of the bias voltage if the measured current is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventors: Hagop Nazarian, Sung Hyun Jo
  • Publication number: 20120236650
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a first select transistor, a second select transistor, and a first string of first memory cells provided between the first and second select transistors. Each first memory cell has a first resistive memory cell and a first transistor. The first resistive memory cell is in series with a gate of the first transistor. The non-volatile memory device further includes a first bit line coupled to a drain of the first select transistor and a plurality of word lines. Each word line is coupled to one of the first memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventor: Hagop Nazarian
  • Patent number: 8258020
    Abstract: A method of forming a vertical interconnect for a memory device. The method includes providing a substrate having a surface region and defining a cell region, a first peripheral region, and a second peripheral region. A first thickness of dielectric material is formed overlying the surface region. A first bottom wiring structure spatially configured to extend in a first direction is formed overlying the first dielectric material for a first array of devices. A second thickness of a dielectric material is formed overlying the first wiring structure. The method includes forming an opening region in the first peripheral region. The opening region is configured to extend in a portion of at least the first thickness of dielectric material and the second thickness of dielectric material to expose a portion of the first wiring structure and to expose a portion of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Crossbar Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Brad Herner
  • Publication number: 20120220100
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory device. The method provides a semiconductor substrate having a surface region. A first dielectric layer is formed overlying the surface region of the semiconductor substrate. A bottom wiring structure is formed overlying the first dielectric layer and a second dielectric material is formed overlying the top wiring structure. A bottom metal barrier material is formed to provide a metal-to-metal contact with the bottom wiring structure. The method forms a pillar structure by patterning and etching a material stack including the bottom metal barrier material, a contact material, a switching material, a conductive material, and a top barrier material. The pillar structure maintains a metal-to-metal contact with the bottom wiring structure regardless of the alignment of the pillar structure with the bottom wiring structure during etching. A top wiring structure is formed overlying the pillar structure at an angle to the bottom wiring structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Crossbar Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Brad HERNER
  • Publication number: 20120187364
    Abstract: A switching device includes a first dielectric material formed overlying a substrate. A bottom wiring material and a switching material are sequentially formed overlying the first dielectric material. The bottom wiring material and the switching material are patterned and etched to form a first structure having a top surface region and a side region. The first structure includes a bottom wiring structure and a switching element having the top surface region including an exposed region. A second dielectric material is formed overlying the first structure. A first opening region is formed in a portion of the second dielectric layer to expose a portion of the top surface region. A dielectric side wall structure is formed overlying a side region of the first opening region. A top wiring material including a conductive material is formed overlying the top surface region to be directly contact with the switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Brad HERNER