Patents by Inventor Chang Hua Siau

Chang Hua Siau has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20110080763
    Abstract: Circuitry and methods for restoring data values in non-volatile memory are disclosed. An integrated circuit includes a memory access circuit and a sensing circuit configured to sense a data signal during a read operation to at least one two-terminal non-volatile cross-point memory array. Each memory array includes a plurality of two-terminal memory cells. A plurality of the memory arrays can be fabricated over the substrate and vertically stacked on one another. Further, the integrated circuit can include a margin manager circuit configured to manage a read margin for the two-terminal memory cells substantially during the read operation, thereby providing for contemporaneous read and margin determination operations. Stored data read from the two-terminal memory cells may have a value of the stored data restored (e.g., re-written to the same cell or another cell) if the value is not associated with a read margin (e.g., a hard programmed or hard erased state).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chang Hua Siau, Christophe Chevallier
  • Publication number: 20100290294
    Abstract: A configuration for biasing conductive array lines in a two-terminal cross-point memory array is disclosed. The configuration includes applying a read voltage to a selected X-conductive array line while applying an un-select voltage thru a biasing element to a remaining plurality of un-selected X-conductive array lines. A plurality of Y-conductive array lines are initially biased to some voltage (e.g., 0V) and then allowed to float unbiased after a predetermined amount of time has passed, some event has occurred, or both. As one example the event that triggers the floating of the plurality of Y-conductive array lines can be the read voltage reaching a predetermined magnitude. The array can be formed BEOL and include a plurality of two-terminal memory cells with each memory cell including a memory element and optionally a non-ohmic device (NOD) that are electrically in series with each other and with the two terminals of the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Unity Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 7830701
    Abstract: Circuitry and methods for restoring data values in non-volatile memory are disclosed. An integrated circuit includes a memory access circuit and a sensing circuit configured to sense a data signal during a read operation to at least one two-terminal non-volatile cross-point memory array. Each memory array includes a plurality of two-terminal memory cells. A plurality of the memory arrays can be fabricated over the substrate and vertically stacked on one another. Further, the integrated circuit can include a margin manager circuit configured to manage a read margin for the two-terminal memory cells substantially during the read operation, thereby providing for contemporaneous read and margin determination operations. Stored data read from the two-terminal memory cells may have a value of the stored data restored (e.g., re-written to the same cell or another cell) if the value is not associated with a read margin (e.g., a hard programmed or hard erased state).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventors: Chang Hua Siau, Christophe J. Chevallier
  • Publication number: 20100202188
    Abstract: A low read current architecture for memory. Bit lines of a cross point memory array are allowed to be charged by a selected word line until a minimum voltage differential between a memory state and a reference level is assured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christophe Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Publication number: 20100195409
    Abstract: A margin restore fuse element is described, including a latch configured to store data, a first memory element coupled to the latch and configured to store a first resistive value, a second memory element coupled to the latch and configured to store a second resistive value, a restore circuit coupled to the latch, the first memory element, and the second memory element, the restore circuit being configured to perform a restore data operation to substantially restore the first and second memory elements to the first and second resistive values, respectively. The latch, restore circuit, and other circuitry can be formed FEOL on a substrate (e.g., a semiconductor wafer) as part of a microelectronics fabrication process and the fuse element and memory elements can be formed BEOL over the substrate as part of another microelectronics fabrication process. The fuse and memory elements can be included in a two-terminal non-volatile memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chang Hua Siau
  • Publication number: 20100157647
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate including active circuitry fabricated on the substrate and a cross-point memory array formed above the substrate. The cross-point memory array can include conductive array lines arranged in different directions, and re-writable memory cells. Further, the integrated circuit can also include a memory access circuit configured to perform data operations on the cross-point memory array. The integrated circuit can include a cross-point memory array interface layer positioned between the substrate and the cross-point array and including conductive paths configured to electrically couple portions of the memory access circuit with a subset of the conductive array lines. At least one layer of cross-point memory arrays can be formed over the substrate. The memory cells can be two-terminal memory cells that store data as a plurality of conductivity profiles (e.g., resistive states) that can be non-destructively determined by applying a read voltage across the terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christophe J. Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Publication number: 20100157670
    Abstract: Circuitry for generating voltage levels operative to perform data operations on non-volatile re-writeable memory arrays are disclosed. In some embodiments an integrated circuit includes a substrate and a base layer formed on the substrate to include active devices configured to operate within a first voltage range. Further, the integrated circuit can include a cross-point memory array formed above the base layer and including re-writable two-terminal memory cells that are configured to operate, for example, within a second voltage range that is greater than the first voltage range. Conductive array lines in the cross-point memory array are electrically coupled with the active devices in the base layer. The integrated circuit also can include X-line decoders and Y-line decoders that include devices that operate in the first voltage range. The active devices can include other active circuitry such as sense amps for reading data from the memory cells, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christophe Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 7701791
    Abstract: A low read current architecture for memory. Bit lines of a cross point memory array are allowed to be charged by a selected word line until a minimum voltage differential between a memory state and a reference level is assured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christophe J. Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Publication number: 20100073990
    Abstract: Circuitry and methods for restoring data values in non-volatile memory are disclosed. An integrated circuit includes a memory access circuit and a sensing circuit configured to sense a data signal during a read operation to at least one two-terminal non-volatile cross-point memory array. Each memory array includes a plurality of two-terminal memory cells. A plurality of the memory arrays can be fabricated over the substrate and vertically stacked on one another. Further, the integrated circuit can include a margin manager circuit configured to manage a read margin for the two-terminal memory cells substantially during the read operation, thereby providing for contemporaneous read and margin determination operations. Stored data read from the two-terminal memory cells may have a value of the stored data restored (e.g., re-written to the same cell or another cell) if the value is not associated with a read margin (e.g., a hard programmed or hard erased state).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chang Hua Siau, Christophe Chevallier
  • Patent number: 7505347
    Abstract: A two-terminal memory array includes a plurality of first and second conductive traces. An address unit operatively applies a select voltage across a selected pair of the first and second conductive traces and applies a non-select voltage potential to unselected traces. A total current flowing in the selected first conductive trace and a leakage current flowing through unselected second conductive traces are sensed by a sense unit in a one cycle or a two cycle pre-read operation. The total and leakage currents can be combined with a reference signal to derive a data signal indicative of one of a plurality of conductivity profiles that represent stored data. The conductivity profiles can be stored in a resistive state memory element that is electrically in series with the selected first and second conductive traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Unity Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christophe J. Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Publication number: 20090027977
    Abstract: A low read current architecture for memory. Bit lines of a cross point memory array are allowed to be charged by a selected word line until a minimum voltage differential between a memory state and a reference level is assured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christophe Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 7436723
    Abstract: A two-terminal memory array includes a plurality of first and second conductive traces. An address unit operatively applies a select voltage across a selected pair of the first and second conductive traces and applies a non-select voltage potential to unselected traces. A total current flowing in the selected first conductive trace and a leakage current flowing through unselected second conductive traces are sensed by a sense unit in a one cycle or a two cycle pre-read operation. The total and leakage currents can be combined with a reference signal to derive a data signal indicative of one of a plurality of conductivity profiles that represent stored data. The conductivity profiles can be stored in a resistive state memory element that is electrically in series with the selected first and second conductive traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christophe J. Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Publication number: 20080159046
    Abstract: A two-terminal memory array includes a plurality of first and second conductive traces. An address unit operatively applies a select voltage across a selected pair of the first and second conductive traces and applies a non-select voltage potential to unselected traces. A total current flowing in the selected first conductive trace and a leakage current flowing through unselected second conductive traces are sensed by a sense unit in a one cycle or a two cycle pre-read operation. The total and leakage currents can be combined with a reference signal to derive a data signal indicative of one of a plurality of conductivity profiles that represent stored data. The conductivity profiles can be stored in a resistive state memory element that is electrically in series with the selected first and second conductive traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christrophe J. Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Publication number: 20080144357
    Abstract: A two-terminal memory array includes a plurality of first and second conductive traces. An address unit operatively applies a select voltage across a selected pair of the first and second conductive traces and applies a non-select voltage potential to unselected traces. A total current flowing in the selected first conductive trace and a leakage current flowing through unselected second conductive traces are sensed by a sense unit in a one cycle or a two cycle pre-read operation. The total and leakage currents can be combined with a reference signal to derive a data signal indicative of one of a plurality of conductivity profiles that represent stored data. The conductivity profiles can be stored in a resistive state memory element that is electrically in series with the selected first and second conductive traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chang Hua Siau, Christophe Chevallier, Darrell Rinerson
  • Patent number: 7379364
    Abstract: A two-terminal memory array includes a plurality of first and second conductive traces. An address unit operatively applies a select voltage across a selected pair of the first and second conductive traces and applies a non-select voltage potential to unselected traces. A total current flowing in the selected first conductive trace and a leakage current flowing through unselected second conductive traces are sensed by a sense unit in a one cycle or a two cycle pre-read operation. The total and leakage currents can be combined with a reference signal to derive a data signal indicative of one of a plurality of conductivity profiles that represent stored data. The conductivity profiles can be stored in a resistive state memory element that is electrically in series with the selected first and second conductive traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventors: Chang Hua Siau, Christophe Chevallier, Darrell Rinerson
  • Patent number: 7372753
    Abstract: A two-terminal memory array includes a plurality of first and second conductive traces. An address unit operatively applies a select voltage across a selected pair of the first and second conductive traces and applies a non-select voltage potential to unselected traces. A total current flowing in the selected first conductive trace and a leakage current flowing through unselected second conductive traces are sensed by a sense unit in a one cycle or a two cycle pre-read operation. The total and leakage currents can be combined with a reference signal to derive a data signal indicative of one of a plurality of conductivity profiles that represent stored data. The conductivity profiles can be stored in a resistive state memory element that is electrically in series with the selected first and second conductive traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christophe Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau
  • Publication number: 20080094876
    Abstract: A two-terminal memory array includes a plurality of first and second conductive traces. An address unit operatively applies a select voltage across a selected pair of the first and second conductive traces and applies a non-select voltage potential to unselected traces. A total current flowing in the selected first conductive trace and a leakage current flowing through unselected second conductive traces are sensed by a sense unit in a one cycle or a two cycle pre-read operation. The total and leakage currents can be combined with a reference signal to derive a data signal indicative of one of a plurality of conductivity profiles that represent stored data. The conductivity profiles can be stored in a resistive state memory element that is electrically in series with the selected first and second conductive traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Chang Hua Siau, Christophe Chevallier, Darrell Rinerson
  • Publication number: 20080094929
    Abstract: A two-terminal memory array includes a plurality of first and second conductive traces. An address unit operatively applies a select voltage across a selected pair of the first and second conductive traces and applies a non-select voltage potential to unselected traces. A total current flowing in the selected first conductive trace and a leakage current flowing through unselected second conductive traces are sensed by a sense unit in a one cycle or a two cycle pre-read operation. The total and leakage currents can be combined with a reference signal to derive a data signal indicative of one of a plurality of conductivity profiles that represent stored data. The conductivity profiles can be stored in a resistive state memory element that is electrically in series with the selected first and second conductive traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christophe Chevallier, Chang Hua Siau