Patents by Inventor Chien-Chung Hung

Chien-Chung Hung 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).

  • Patent number: 7359237
    Abstract: A low-power magnetic random access memory (MRAM) with high write selectivity is provided. Write word lines and pillar write word lines covered with a magnetic material are disposed in an zigzag relation, solving the magnetic interference problem generated by cells adjacent to the pillar write word line in the magnetic RAM with the pillar write word line form. According to the disclosed structure, each of the cells has a smaller bit size and a lower write current. This effectively reduces the power consumption of the MRAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Hung, Ming-Jer Kao, Yung-Hsiang Chen, Shu-En Li
  • Publication number: 20070253241
    Abstract: A method for accessing data on a magnetic memory is provided, wherein the data is accessed in a toggle mode. A first current line and a second current line are used for providing operation currents. The data accessing method includes a data changing operation for changing a data stored in a magnetic memory cell. During a first stage, a current in a first direction is supplied to the first current line, and a current in the first direction is simultaneously supplied to the second current line. During a stage before stopping supplying magnetic field, a current in the first direction is supplied to the first current line, and a current in the first direction is simultaneously supplied to the second current line to offset at least a portion of the biased magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yuan-Jen Lee, Chien-Chung Hung
  • Publication number: 20070242501
    Abstract: A magnetic memory cell, used in a magnetic memory device, includes a stacked magnetic pinned layer, serving as a part of the base structure. The stacked magnetic pinned stacked layer has a top pinned layer and a bottom pinned layer, between which there is a sufficient large magnetic coupling force to maintain magnetization of the top pinned layer on a reference direction. A tunnel barrier layer is disposed on the stacked magnetic pinned layer. A magnetic free stacked layer is disposed on the tunnel barrier layer. The magnetic free stacked layer includes a bottom free layer having a bottom magnetization and a top free layer having a top magnetization. When no assisted magnetic field is applied, the bottom magnetization is anti-parallel to the top magnetization and is perpendicular to the reference direction on the top pinned layer. A magnetic bias layer can be also disposed on the top free layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Hung, Yung-Hsiang Chen, Ming-Jer Kao, Yuan-Jen Lee, Yung-Hung Wang
  • Publication number: 20070223270
    Abstract: A low-power magnetic random access memory (MRAM) with high write selectivity is provided. Write word lines and pillar write word lines covered with a magnetic material are disposed in an zigzag relation, solving the magnetic interference problem generated by cells adjacent to the pillar write word line in the magnetic RAM with the pillar write word line form. According to the disclosed structure, each of the cells has a smaller bit size and a lower write current. This effectively reduces the power consumption of the MRAM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Hung, Ming-Jer Kao, Yung-Hsiang Chen, Shu-En Li
  • Publication number: 20070201266
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device includes a memory cell corresponding to one read bit line, one read word line, one write word line, and two or more write bit lines. The memory cell includes a first memory unit and a second memory unit each corresponding to a respective write bit line. Each of the first and second memory units comprises: a free magnetic region having a first easy axis, a pinned magnetic region having a second easy axis, and a tunneling barrier between the free magnetic region and the pinned magnetic region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Hung, Yuan-Jen Lee, Ming-Jer Kao
  • Publication number: 20070200188
    Abstract: A magnetic random access memory having reference magnetic resistance is provided. The memory includes at least one magnetic memory cell having an antiferromagnet layer, a pinned layer formed thereon, a tunnel barrier layer formed thereon, and a free layer formed thereon. The pinned layer and free layer are arranged orthogonally to form a reference magnetic resistance state. Through the provided MRAM structure, the access accuracy is greatly increased and the access speed is accelerated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Hung, Yung-Hsiang Chen, Ming-Jer Kao, Kuo-Lung Chen, Lien-Chang Wang, Yung-Hung Wang
  • Publication number: 20070195593
    Abstract: A structure of magnetic memory cell, suitable for a magnetic memory device with toggle mode access operation is provided, which includes a magnetic pinned stacked layer as a portion of a substrate structure; a tunnel barrier layer disposed on the magnetic pinned stacked layer; a magnetic free stacked layer disposed on the tunnel barrier layer; a magnetic bias stacked layer disposed on the magnetic free stacked layer, wherein the magnetic bias stacked layer applies a compensative magnetic field to the magnetic free stacked layer, so as to move a toggle operation region towards a magnetic zero point. Further, the magnetic field effect of the magnetic bias stacked layer also includes reducing a direct mode region adjacent to the toggle operation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yuan-Jen Lee, Chien-Chung Hung, Ming-Jer Kao
  • Publication number: 20070187785
    Abstract: A magnetic memory cell and a manufacturing method for the magnetic memory cell are provided. In the magnetic memory cell, a pinned layer of a magnetic bottom electrode can be formed with sizes different from the free layer. The wider magnetic bottom electrode produces a preferable uniform bias field that will create a normal magnetization vector distribution in the end domain of the free layer, and thus achieving a preferred switching property. The above process can also be achieved through self-alignment. In addition, by adjusting the bias field of the bottom electrode, uniform field distribution over entire free layer can be significantly improved, and thus the magnetic memory cell will have a very low writing toggle current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Hung, Jian-Gang Zhu, Ming-Jer Kao
  • Publication number: 20070171703
    Abstract: A current source for magnetic random access memory (MRAM) is provided, including a band-gap reference circuit, a first stage buffer, and a plurality of second stage buffers. The band-gap reference circuit provides an output reference voltage which is locked by the first stage buffer. The plurality of second stage buffers generate a stable voltage in response to the locked voltage, so as to provide a current for the conducting wire after being converted, such that magnetic memory cell changes its memory state in response to the current. The current source may reduce the discharge time under the operation of biphase current, so as to raise the operating speed. Further, the circuit area of the current source for the MRAM is also reduced. The operation of multiple write wires may be provided simultaneously to achieve parallel write.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Rei-Fu Huang, Young-Shying Chen, Chien-Chung Hung, Yuan-Jen Lee, Ming-Jer Kao
  • Publication number: 20070171704
    Abstract: A method for accessing a memory cell of a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device, where the memory cell includes a plurality of memory units, includes writing the memory cell by identifying ones of the memory units having stored therein a datum different from a datum to be written thereto; and simultaneously writing all of the ones of the memory units. An MRAM device includes a plurality of write word lines, a plurality of write bit lines, and a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell includes a plurality of memory units. Each memory unit includes a free magnetic region having one or more easy axes non-perpendicular to the write bit lines and non-perpendicular to the write word lines, a pinned magnetic region, and a tunneling barrier between the free magnetic region and the pinned magnetic region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Hung, Ming-Jer Kao, Yuan-Jen Lee
  • Publication number: 20070030727
    Abstract: A method for writing a memory cell of a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device includes, sequentially, providing a first magnetic field in a first direction, providing a second magnetic field in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, turning off the first magnetic field, providing a third magnetic field in a third direction opposite to the first direction, turning off the second magnetic field, and turning off the third magnetic field. A method for switching magnetic moments in an MRAM memory cell includes providing a magnetic field in a direction forming a blunt angle with a direction of a bias magnetic field. A method for reading an MRAM device includes partially switching magnetic moments in a reference memory cell to generate a reference current; measuring a read current through a memory cell to be read; and comparing the read current with the reference current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Hung, Ming-Jer Kao, Yuan-Jen Lee, Lien-Chang Wang
  • Publication number: 20070030723
    Abstract: A magnetic memory array. A first bit line provides a first writing magnetic field to a magnetic memory cell. A second bit line provides a second writing magnetic field to a reference magnetic memory cell. A word line provides a third writing magnetic field to the magnetic memory cell and a fourth writing magnetic field to the reference magnetic memory cell. The third writing magnetic field exceeds the fourth writing magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Chen, Chien-Chung Hung, Young-Shying Chen, Lien-Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 7166881
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved magnetic memory cell. The magnetic memory cell includes a switching element and two magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices. A conductor connects the first and second MTJ devices in a parallel configuration, and serially connecting the parallel configuration to an electrode of the switching element. The resistance of the first MTJ device is different from the resistance of the second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen Chin Lin, Denny D. Tang, Chien-Chung Hung
  • Publication number: 20060113619
    Abstract: A magnetic random access memory having reference magnetic resistance is provided. The memory includes at least one magnetic memory cell having an antiferromagnet layer, a pinned layer formed thereon, a tunnel barrier layer formed thereon, and a free layer formed thereon. The pinned layer and free layer are arranged orthogonally to form a reference magnetic resistance state. Through the provided MRAM structure, the access accuracy is greatly increased and the access speed is accelerated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Hung, Yung-Hsiang Chen, Ming-Jer Kao, Kuo-Lung Chen, Lien-Chang Wang, Yung-Hung Wang
  • Publication number: 20060039183
    Abstract: A memory cell including a switching element having a source and a drain, a first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device, and a second MTJ device. The first MTJ device has a first tunneling junction resistance and is coupled to a first one of the switching element source and drain. The second MTJ device has a second tunneling junction resistance and is coupled to a second one of the switching element source and drain. The second resistance is substantially less than the first resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen Lin, Denny Tang, Chien-Chung Hung, Wen-Chin Lee
  • Publication number: 20060038210
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved magnetic memory cell. The magnetic memory cell includes a switching element and two magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices. A conductor connects the first and second MTJ devices in a parallel configuration, and serially connecting the parallel configuration to an electrode of the switching element. The resistance of the first MTJ device is different from the resistance of the second.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen Chin Lin, Denny Tang, Chien-Chung Hung
  • Publication number: 20060039189
    Abstract: A magnetic random access memory with tape read line, fabricating method and circuit thereof is provided. The memory is composed of a top write line, a bottom write line which is vertical to the top write line, a MTJ formed on the bottom write line, a spacer formed around the MTJ, and a tape read line formed on the MTJ. The fabricating steps involves forming a bottom write line, forming a MTJ on the bottom write, and forming a tape read line on the MTJ sequentially. In the circuit, the tape read line is either parallel to or vertical to the top write line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Young-Shying Chen, Ming-Jer Kao, Lien-Chang Wang, Chien-Chung Hung, Chi-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20050135149
    Abstract: A low-power magnetic random access memory (MRAM) with high write selectivity is provided. Write word lines and pillar write word lines covered with a magnetic material are disposed in an zigzag relation, solving the magnetic interference problem generated by cells adjacent to the pillar write word line in the magnetic RAM with the pillar write word line form. According to the disclosed structure, each of the cells has a smaller bit size and a lower write current. This effectively reduces the power consumption of the MRAM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Hung, Ming-Jer Kao, Yung-Hsiang Chen, Shu-En Li
  • Patent number: 6862228
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a simplified reference current generator for a magnetic random access memory. The reference current generator is positioned in the vicinity of the memory cells of the magnetic random access memory, and applies reference elements which are the same as the magnetic tunnel junctions of the memory cell and bear the same cross voltages. The plurality of reference elements are used for forming the reference current generator by one or several bit lines, and the voltage which is the same as the voltage of the memory cell is crossly connected to the reference elements so as to generate a plurality of current signals; and a peripheral IC circuit is used for generating the plurality of midpoint reference current signals and judging the data states. Thanks to the midpoint current reference signals, the multiple-states memory cell, including the 2-states memory cell, can read data more accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Hung, Ming-Jer Kao, Tsung-Ming Pan, Yung-Hsiang Chen
  • Publication number: 20040252557
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a simplified reference current generator for a magnetic random access memory. The reference current generator is positioned in the vicinity of the memory cells of the magnetic random access memory, and applies reference elements which are the same as the magnetic tunnel junctions of the memory cell and bear the same cross voltages. The plurality reference elements are used for forming the reference current generator by applying one or several bit lines, and the voltage which is the same as the voltage of the memory cell is crossly connected to the reference elements so as to generate a plurality of current signals; and a peripheral IC circuit is used for generating the plurality of midpoint reference current signals and judging the data states. By means of the midpoint current reference signals, the multiple-states memory cell, including the 2-states memory cell, can read data more accurately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Hung, Ming-Jer Kao, Tsung-Ming Pan, Yung-Hsiang Chen