Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to electronic components such as semiconductor wafers and more particularly, to a double-sided three-dimensional (3D) hierarchal architecture scheme for multiple semiconductor wafers using an arrangement of through silicon vias (TSVs) and backside wiring. In an embodiment a first word line architecture may be formed on a front side of an IC chip and connected to a second word line architecture formed on a back side of the IC chip through intra-wafer, TSVs, thereby relocating required wiring to the back side of the IC chip.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods and test structures for an intermediate metal level of an integrated circuit (IC). A method according to the present disclosure can include: fabricating a first plurality of metal levels including an intermediate metal level of an IC structure, the intermediate metal level being one of a plurality of metal levels in the IC structure other than a capping metal level of the IC structure; performing a first functional test on a first circuit positioned within the intermediate metal level; fabricating a second plurality of metal levels after performing the first functional test, the second plurality of metal levels including the capping metal level of the IC structure; and performing a second functional test on a second circuit positioned within the plurality of metal levels, after the fabricating of the capping metal level.

Abstract: A multi-time programmable memory (MTPM) memory cell and method of operating. Each MTPM bit cell including a first FET transistor and a second FET transistor having a first common connection, and said second FET transistor and a third FET transistor having a second common connection, said first and second connected FET transistors programmable to store a first bit value, and said second FET and said third connected FET transistors programmable to store a second bit value, wherein said first FET transistor exhibits a low threshold voltage value (LVT), said second FET transistor exhibits an elevated threshold voltage value HVT and said third FET transistor exhibits a threshold value LVT lower than HVT. The MTPM cell enables two bits of information to be stored as default bit values like an electrical fuse. To store opposite bit values, the LVT transistors are programmed such that their threshold voltage is higher than that of HVT.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods and test structures for an intermediate metal level of an integrated circuit (IC). A method according to the present disclosure can include: fabricating a first plurality of metal levels including an intermediate metal level of an IC structure, the intermediate metal level being one of a plurality of metal levels in the IC structure other than a capping metal level of the IC structure; performing a first functional test on a first circuit positioned within the intermediate metal level; fabricating a second plurality of metal levels after performing the first functional test, the second plurality of metal levels including the capping metal level of the IC structure; and performing a second functional test on a second circuit positioned within the plurality of metal levels, after the fabricating of the capping metal level.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an authenticating service of a chip having an intrinsic identifier (ID). In a typical embodiment, an authenticating device is provided that includes an identification (ID) engine, a self-test engine, and an intrinsic component. The intrinsic component is associated with a chip and includes an intrinsic feature. The self-test engine retrieves the intrinsic feature and communicates it to the identification engine. The identification engine receives the intrinsic feature, generates a first authentication value using the intrinsic feature, and stores the authentication value in memory. The self-test engine generates a second authentication value using an authentication challenge. The identification engine includes a compare circuitry that compares the first authentication value and the second authentication value and generates an authentication output value based on the results of the compare of the two values.

Abstract: A multi-time programmable memory (MTPM) memory cell and method of operating. Each MTPM bit cell including a first FET transistor and a second FET transistor having a first common connection, and said second FET transistor and a third FET transistor having a second common connection, said first and second connected FET transistors programmable to store a first bit value, and said second FET and said third connected FET transistors programmable to store a second bit value, wherein said first FET transistor exhibits a low threshold voltage value (LVT), said second FET transistor exhibits an elevated threshold voltage value HVT and said third FET transistor exhibits a threshold value LVT lower than HVT. The MTPM cell enables two bits of information to be stored as default bit values like an electrical fuse. To store opposite bit values, the LVT transistors are programmed such that their threshold voltage is higher than that of HVT.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an authenticating service of a chip having an intrinsic identifier (ID). In a typical embodiment, an authenticating device is provided that includes an identification (ID) engine, a self-test engine, and an intrinsic component. The intrinsic component is associated with a chip and includes an intrinsic feature. The self-test engine retrieves the intrinsic feature and communicates it to the identification engine. The identification engine receives the intrinsic feature, generates a first authentication value using the intrinsic feature, and stores the authentication value in memory. The self-test engine generates a second authentication value using an authentication challenge. The identification engine includes a compare circuitry that compares the first authentication value and the second authentication value and generates an authentication output value based on the results of the compare of the two values.

Abstract: A multi-time programmable memory (MTPM) memory cell and method of operating. Each MTPM bit cell including a first FET transistor and a second FET transistor having a first common connection, and said second FET transistor and a third FET transistor having a second common connection, said first and second connected FET transistors programmable to store a first bit value, and said second FET and said third connected FET transistors programmable to store a second bit value, wherein said first FET transistor exhibits a low threshold voltage value (LVT), said second FET transistor exhibits an elevated threshold voltage value HVT and said third FET transistor exhibits a threshold value LVT lower than HVT. The MTPM cell enables two bits of information to be stored as default bit values like an electrical fuse. To store opposite bit values, the LVT transistors are programmed such that their threshold voltage is higher than that of HVT.

Abstract: A multi-time programmable memory (MTPM) memory cell and method of operating. Each MTPM bit cell including a first FET transistor and a second FET transistor having a first common connection, and said second FET transistor and a third FET transistor having a second common connection, said first and second connected FET transistors programmable to store a first bit value, and said second FET and said third connected FET transistors programmable to store a second bit value, wherein said first FET transistor exhibits a low threshold voltage value (LVT), said second FET transistor exhibits an elevated threshold voltage value HVT and said third FET transistor exhibits a threshold value LVT lower than HVT. The MTPM cell enables two bits of information to be stored as default bit values like an electrical fuse. To store opposite bit values, the LVT transistors are programmed such that their threshold voltage is higher than that of HVT.

Abstract: Approaches for a memory including a cell array are provided. The memory includes a first device of the cell array which is connected to a bitline and a node and controlled by a word line, and a second device of the cell array which comprises a third device which is connected to a source line and the node and controlled by the word line and a fourth device which is connected between the word line and the node. In the memory, in response to another word line in the cell array being activated and the word line not being activated to keep the first device in an unprogrammed state, the third device isolates and floats the node such that a voltage level of a gate to source of the first device is clamped down by the fourth device to a voltage level around zero volts.

Abstract: Approaches for a memory including a cell array are provided. The memory includes a first device of the cell array which is connected to a bitline and a node and controlled by a word line, and a second device of the cell array which comprises a third device which is connected to a source line and the node and controlled by the word line and a fourth device which is connected between the word line and the node. In the memory, in response to another word line in the cell array being activated and the word line not being activated to keep the first device in an unprogrammed state, the third device isolates and floats the node such that a voltage level of a gate to source of the first device is clamped down by the fourth device to a voltage level around zero volts.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to electronic components such as semiconductor wafers and more particularly, to a double-sided three-dimensional (3D) hierarchal architecture scheme for multiple semiconductor wafers using an arrangement of through silicon vias (TSVs) and backside wiring. In an embodiment a first word line architecture may be formed on a front side of an IC chip and connected to a second word line architecture formed on a back side of the IC chip through intra-wafer, TSVs, thereby relocating required wiring to the back side of the IC chip.

Abstract: Wordline decoder circuits for an embedded Multi-Time-Read-Only-Memory that includes a plurality of NMOS memory cells coupled to a plurality of wordlines in each row. The wordline decoder circuits control the charge trap behavior of the target NMOS memory array by the mode-dependent wordline high voltage (VWLH) and wordline low voltage (VWLL) trapping the charge in a programming mode by applying an elevated wordline voltage (EWLH) to one of the plurality of WLs, while de-trapping the charge in a reset mode by applying a negative wordline voltage (NWLL) to the entire array. The mode dependent voltage control is realized by switching to couple EWLH to VWLH in a programming mode, otherwise VDD to VWLH, while coupling NWLL to VWLL in a reset mode, otherwise, GND to VWLL. The switch includes plural gated diodes from VWLH with the wordline high protection voltage of VWLH_PR generated by lowering VWLH determined by gated diodes times threshold voltage.

Abstract: A processor-memory system, a stacked-wafer processor-memory system, and a method of fabricating a processor-memory system are disclosed. In an embodiment, the invention provides a processor-memory system comprising a memory area, a multitude of specialized processors, and a management processor. The specialized processors are embedded in the memory area, and each of the specialized processors is configured for performing a specified set of operations using an associated memory domain in the memory area. The management processor is provided to control operations of an associated set of the specialized processors. In one embodiment, each of the specialized processors controls a respective one associated memory domain in the memory area. In an embodiment, the processor-memory system further comprises a specialized processor wafer. The specialized processor wafer includes the memory area, and the multitude of specialized processors are embedded in the specialized processor wafer.

Abstract: Described are a hardware encryption engine, and secret key registration and authentication system recoverable binary bit using knowing an initial secret key stored in the master system. The secret key is overwritten in each authentication, updating it to the master and encryption engine independently. The secret key over write command can be preferably given to the chip as a CHG, and the non recoverable binary bit from the sense amplifier is used for response.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a twin-transistor single bit multi-time programmable memory cell to provide a high gain, sensing scheme for small signals. The memory cell includes a pair of a first transistor and a second transistor providing a differential signal output. The first transistor of the memory cell couples a first circuit leg having a first current source load transistor and the second transistor couples a second circuit leg having a second current source load transistor. A programmed value is represented by a voltage threshold shift in one of the first or second transistors. A feedback circuit receives one of: a first signal or a second signal of the differential signals, and generates, in response, a feedback signal which is simultaneously applied to bias each current source load transistor in each the first and second circuit legs to amplify a voltage differential between the differential signal outputs.

Abstract: A method for identifying an unclonable chip uses hardware intrinsic keys and authentication responses employing intrinsic parameters of memory cells invariant and unique to the unclonable chip, wherein intrinsic parameters that characterize the chip can extend over its lifetime. The memory cells having a charge-trap behavior are arranged in an NOR type memory array, allowing to create a physically unclonable fuse (PUF) generation using non-programmed memory cells, while stringing non-volatile bits in programmed memory cells. The non-volatile memory cell bits are used for error-correction-code (ECC) for the generated PUF. The invention can further include a public identification using non-volatile bits, allowing hand shaking authentication using computer with dynamic challenge.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a wiring structure for a fuse component and corresponding methods of fabrication. A wiring structure for a fuse component according to the present disclosure can include: a first electrical terminal embedded within a doped conductive layer, the doped conductive layer being positioned between two insulator layers of an integrated circuit (IC) structure; a dielectric liner positioned between the first electrical terminal and the doped conductive layer; a second electrical terminal embedded within the doped conductive layer; wherein each of the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal are further embedded in one of the two insulator layers, and the dielectric liner is configured to degrade upon becoming electrically charged.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a wiring structure for a fuse component and corresponding methods of fabrication. A wiring structure for a fuse component according to the present disclosure can include: a first electrical terminal embedded within a doped conductive layer, the doped conductive layer being positioned between two insulator layers of an integrated circuit (IC) structure; a dielectric liner positioned between the first electrical terminal and the doped conductive layer; a second electrical terminal embedded within the doped conductive layer; wherein each of the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal are further embedded in one of the two insulator layers, and the dielectric liner is configured to degrade upon becoming electrically charged.

Abstract: A local sorting module includes a set of storage elements storing binary vectors configured in a one-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) array structure and separated by respective comparators configured to conditionally compare and sort the binary vectors. The comparators may perform a sort using a compare-and-flip or a compare-and-swap operation. Local sorting modules may be coupled with a global sorting module for enabling a tournament sort algorithm to output values stored in storage elements one at a time until all data is outputted in a predetermined sorting order.