Insulated Gate Devices Patents (Class 365/182)
  • Patent number: 12260922
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a storage element write unit including a storage element configured to be electrically written only once and store two values, a write controller connected to the storage element through a first node signal and configured to perform a write to the storage element based on a write control signal instructing a write to the storage element, and a write state detection circuit configured to detect that the storage element is in a write state based on a measurement signal obtained by measuring the first node signal. In a case where the write controller receives a detection signal indicating that the storage element is in the write state from the write state detection circuit after start of a write to the storage element, the write controller stops write operation after a lapse of a predetermined time from detection of the write state of the storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignees: TOWER PARTNERS SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD., TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshige Hirano, Hiroaki Kuriyama, Masahiko Sakagami, Micha Gutman, Erez Sarig, Yakov Roizin
  • Patent number: 12238919
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a semiconductor structure manufacturing method is provided. The semiconductor structure includes: a wordline; and a first bitline and a second bitline located on two sides of the wordline and a first storage structure and a second storage structure located on the two sides of the wordline, the first bitline and the second bitline being connected to the first storage structure and the second storage structure respectively through a transistor. An extension direction of the first bitline and an extension direction of the wordline are at an acute or obtuse angle. In this way, the first storage structure and the second storage structure are provided on both sides of the wordline, which can increase storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yuhan Zhu, Chuxian Liao, Zhan Ying
  • Patent number: 12237026
    Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method relating to read-only memory can include (i) asserting a column select signal to select a particular column within a column mux read-only memory, (ii) forwarding, in response to asserting the column select signal, a bit value stored at that particular column to a gate of a transistor that connects a first stage local bitline to a second stage local bitline, and (iii) forwarding an inversion of the bit value to the second stage local bitline through the drain of the transistor for local bitline sensing. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Vaibhav Anand Srivastava, Pankaj Kumar
  • Patent number: 12238916
    Abstract: Asymmetric, semiconductor memory cells, arrays, devices and methods are described. Among these, an asymmetric, bi-stable semiconductor memory cell is described that includes: a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell; a first region in electrical contact with the floating body region; a second region in electrical contact with the floating body region and spaced apart from the first region; and a gate positioned between the first and second regions, such that the first region is on a first side of the memory cell relative to the gate and the second region is on a second side of the memory cell relative to the gate; wherein performance characteristics of the first side are different from performance characteristics of the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 12218212
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate stack including a gate insulating layer and a gate electrode on the gate insulating layer. The gate insulating layer includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, and a dielectric constant of the second dielectric layer is greater than a dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer. The semiconductor device also includes a first spacer on a side surface of the gate stack, and a second spacer on the first spacer, wherein the second spacer includes a protruding portion extending from a level lower than a lower surface of the first spacer towards the first dielectric layer, and a dielectric constant of the second spacer is greater than the dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer and less than a dielectric constant of the first spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doosan Back, Dongoh Kim, Gyuhyun Kil, Jung-Hoon Han
  • Patent number: 12212317
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first transistor having first and second current terminals and a first control input, and a second transistor having third and fourth current terminals and a second control input. The third current terminal is connected to the second current terminal at an intermediate node and the fourth current terminal connected to a ground or supply node. In some cases, a third transistor is connected to the intermediate node to bias the intermediate rather than letting the intermediate node float. In other cases, a capacitor is connected to the intermediate node to reduce a negative voltage that might otherwise be present on the intermediate node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Erkan Bilhan, Francisco A. Cano
  • Patent number: 12193204
    Abstract: A memory cell is disclosed. The memory cell includes a first transistor. The first transistor includes a first conduction channel collectively constituted by one or more first nanostructures spaced apart from one another along a vertical direction. The memory cell includes a second transistor electrically coupled to the first transistor in series. The second transistor includes a second conduction channel collectively constituted by one or more second nanostructures spaced apart from one another along the vertical direction. At least one of the one or more first nanostructures is applied with first stress by a first metal structure extending, along the vertical direction, into a first drain/source region of the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Chia-En Huang, Yi-Hsun Chiu, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 12159689
    Abstract: A method of corrupting contents of a memory array includes asserting a signal at a reset node to thereby cause starving of current supply to the memory array, and selecting bit lines and complementary bit lines associated with desired columns of the memory array that contain memory cells to have their contents corrupted. For each desired column, a logic state of its bit line and complementary bit line are forced to a same logic state. Each word line associated with desired rows of the memory array that contains memory cells to have their contents corrupted is simultaneously asserted, and then simultaneously deasserted to thereby place each memory cell to have its contents corrupted into a metastable state during a single clock cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Praveen Kumar Verma, Promod Kumar, Harsh Rawat
  • Patent number: 12086426
    Abstract: A memory system may be connected to a host device. The memory system includes a nonvolatile memory and a controller configured to control the nonvolatile memory to reduce an amount of power consumption of the memory system based on a first instruction received from a host device connected to the memory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Kurita, Shinichi Kanno, Yuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 12080363
    Abstract: An operation method of a multi-bits read only memory includes a step of applying a gate voltage to a conductive gate, a first voltage to a first electrode, and a second voltage to a second electrode. The multi-bits read only memory includes a substrate and a transistor structure with the conductive gate mounted between the first electrode and the second electrode. A multiplicity of M nanowire channels is mounted between the first electrode and the second electrode, and M is a positive integer greater than one. The operation method breaks multiple states of the multi-bits read only memory. The multiple states are programmable and include an ith state, and 1? i? M. The aforementioned states allow storage of multiple bits on the read only memory, instead of just storing a single bit on the read only memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Inventor: Chen-Feng Chang
  • Patent number: 12052855
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a stack including a plurality of layers vertically stacked on a substrate, each of the layers including a bit line extending in a first direction and a semiconductor pattern extending from the bit line in a second direction crossing the first direction, a gate electrode along each of the semiconductor patterns stacked, a vertical insulating layer on the gate electrode, a stopper layer, and a data storing element electrically connected to each of the semiconductor patterns. The data storing element includes a first electrode electrically connected to each of the semiconductor patterns, a second electrode on the first electrode, and a dielectric layer between the first and second electrodes. The stopper layer is between the vertical insulating layer and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui-Jung Kim, Taehyun An, Kiseok Lee, Keunnam Kim, Yoosang Hwang
  • Patent number: 11967368
    Abstract: A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory which comprises a plurality of memory cells capable of storing 4-bit data represented by first to fourth bits by sixteen threshold regions, and a memory controller configured to cause the nonvolatile memory to execute a first program for writing data of the first bit, the second bit, and the fourth bit and then causes the nonvolatile memory to execute a second program for writing data of the third bit. In fifteen boundaries existing between adjacent threshold regions among the first to sixteenth threshold regions, a maximum value of the number of first boundaries used for determining a value of the data of the first bit, the number of second boundaries used for determining a value of the data of the second bit, the number of third boundaries used for determining a value of the data of the third bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tokumasa Hara, Noboru Shibata
  • Patent number: 11961562
    Abstract: A memory device includes an array of memory cells in a plurality of memory strings and arranged in a plurality of rows of memory cells. The memory device also includes a plurality of word lines respectively coupled to the plurality of rows of memory cells, and a peripheral circuit coupled to the plurality of word lines and configured to perform a read operation on a selected row of memory cells of the plurality of rows of memory cells. The selected row of memory cells is coupled to a selected word line, wherein the peripheral circuit is configured to apply a word line voltage on each of the plurality of word lines and determine a highest threshold voltage of the plurality of rows of memory cells based on a change of a word line capacitance loading in response to the word line voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaojiang Guo
  • Patent number: 11915740
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for parallel access in a memory array are described. A set of memory cells of a memory device may be associated with an array of conductive structures, where such structures may be coupled using a set of transistors or other switching components that are activated by a first driver. The set of memory cells may be divided into two or more subsets of memory cells, where each subset may be associated with a respective second driver for driving access currents through memory cells of the subset. Two or more of such second drivers may operate concurrently, which may support distributing current or distributing associated circuit structures across a different footprint of the memory device than other different implementations with a single such second driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Efrem Bolandrina, Andrea Martinelli, Christophe Vincent Antoine Laurent, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 11917832
    Abstract: A memory device, transistor, and methods of making the same, the memory device including a memory device including: a ferroelectric (FE) structure including: a dielectric layer, an FE layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and an interface metal layer disposed on the FE layer, in which the interface metal layer comprises W, Mo, Ru, TaN, or a combination thereof to induce the FE layer to have an orthorhombic phase; and a top electrode layer disposed on the interface metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Han-Jong Chia, Mauricio Manfrini
  • Patent number: 11901347
    Abstract: Embodiments may relate to a microelectronic package. The microelectronic package may include a memory die with: a first memory cell at a first layer of the memory die; a second memory cell at a second layer of the memory die; and a via in the memory die that communicatively couples an active die with a package substrate of the microelectronic package. Other embodiments may be described or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wilfred Gomes, Mauro J. Kobrinsky, Doug B. Ingerly, Tahir Ghani
  • Patent number: 11887675
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided that include a memory device having a memory array including a plurality of access lines and data lines. The memory device further includes a circuit coupled to the plurality of access lines and configured to provide consecutive pulses to a selected one of the plurality of access lines. Each pulse of the consecutive pulses includes a first voltage and a second voltage. The first voltage is greater in magnitude than the second voltage, and the first voltage is applied for a shorter duration than the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 11848269
    Abstract: A system and method for creating layout for standard cells are described. In various implementations, a floating metal net in the metal zero layer of a standard cell is selected for conversion to a power rail. The metal zero layer is a lowest metal layer above the gate region of a transistor. A semiconductor process (or process) forms a power rail in a metal zero track reserved for power rails. The process forms another power rail in a metal zero track reserved for floating metal nets, and electrically shorts the two power rails using a local interconnect layer between the two power rails. The charging and discharging times of a source region physically connected to the two power rails decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Partha Pratim Ghosh, Pratap Kumar Das, Prasanth M
  • Patent number: 11797067
    Abstract: A system comprises an integrated circuit die substrate; volatile memory electrically coupled to the integrated circuit die substrate; a first integrated circuit die element electrically coupled to the integrated circuit die substrate, the first integrated circuit die element comprising a first field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the first integrated circuit die element disposed adjacent to the volatile memory; a battery charger operable to receive power from a main power supply, the main power supply having an on state and an off state, wherein the main power supply is supplying power in the on state and not supplying power in the off state; and a battery module disposed on a top portion of the first integrated circuit die element, the battery module operable to receive power from the battery charger, and the battery module operable to supply power to the volatile memory at least when the main power supply is in the off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Arbor Company, LLLP
    Inventors: Darrel James Guzy, Wei-Ti Liu
  • Patent number: 11791340
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for an improved body tie construction are described. The improved body tie construction is configured to have a lower resistance body tie exists when the transistor is “off” (Vg approximately 0 volts). When the transistor is “on” (Vg>Vt), the resistance to the body tie is much higher, reducing the loss of performance associated with presence of body tie. Space efficient Body tie constructions adapted for cascode configurations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventor: Simon Edward Willard
  • Patent number: 11762440
    Abstract: A system comprises an integrated circuit die substrate; volatile memory electrically coupled to the integrated circuit die substrate; a first integrated circuit die element electrically coupled to the integrated circuit die substrate, the first integrated circuit die element comprising a first field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the first integrated circuit die element disposed adjacent to the volatile memory; a battery charger operable to receive power from a main power supply, the main power supply having an on state and an off state, wherein the main power supply is supplying power in the on state and not supplying power in the off state; and a battery module disposed on a top portion of the first integrated circuit die element, the battery module operable to receive power from the battery charger, and the battery module operable to supply power to the volatile memory at least when the main power supply is in the off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Arbor Company, LLLP
    Inventors: Darrel James Guzy, Wei-Ti Liu
  • Patent number: 11735637
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate including a trench. The semiconductor device further includes a gate electrode disposed in the trench, and a gate insulating film disposed between the substrate and the gate electrode. The gate electrode includes a gate conductor and a metal element, and an effective work function of the gate electrode is less than an effective work function of the gate conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eunae Cho, Dongjin Lee, Ji Eun Lee, Kyoung-Ho Jung, Dong Su Ko, Yongsu Kim, Jiho Yoo, Sung Heo, Hyun Park, Satoru Yamada, Moonyoung Jeong, Sungjin Kim, Gyeongsu Park, Han Jin Lim
  • Patent number: 11728222
    Abstract: A fin including a bottom portion, a first sacrificial layer disposed over the bottom portion, a first semiconductor layer disposed over the first sacrificial layer, a second sacrificial layer disposed over the first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer disposed over the second sacrificial layer, is formed. The second semiconductor layer protrudes from a first insulating layer. A dummy gate is formed over the second semiconductor layer. A sidewall spacer layer is formed on side faces of the dummy gate. A first dielectric layer is formed over the dummy gate and the sidewall spacer layer. The dummy gate is removed, thereby forming a gate space. The first insulating layer is etched in the gate space, thereby exposing the first semiconductor layer and the first and second sacrificial layers. The first and second sacrificial layers are removed. A gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Mark Van Dal, Gerben Doornbos
  • Patent number: 11678477
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods in which a pair of spaced-apart adjacent features is formed over a substrate. The features have silicon dioxide surfaces. Silicon nitride is deposited between the features. A first region of the silicon nitride is protected with a mask while a second region is not. The second region is removed to form an opening between the features. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions that contain a pair of spaced-apart adjacent features. The features are lines extending along a first direction and are spaced from one another by a trench. Alternating plugs and intervening materials are within the trench, with the plugs and intervening materials alternating along the first direction. The intervening materials consist of silicon nitride, and the plugs have lateral peripheries that directly contact silicon dioxide of the features, and that directly contact silicon nitride of the intervening regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Kiehlbauch
  • Patent number: 11626864
    Abstract: A level shifter circuit to convert a first signal having an input voltage range V1 to a level shifted output having an output voltage range V2 includes an NMOS depletion mode transistor having a drain terminal connected to an output range upper-level supply node, a source connected to an intermediate node and a gate connected to an output node, a PMOS enhancement mode transistor having a drain terminal connected to the output node, a source connected to the intermediate node and a gate connected to an input node, and an NMOS enhancement mode transistor having a drain terminal connected to the output node, a source connected to an output range lower-level supply node and a gate connected to the input node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chung-Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 11609249
    Abstract: A voltage state detector includes an input terminal, a voltage drop circuit, a pull-down circuit, a load circuit, a transistor, a pull-up circuit, a first output terminal, and a second output terminal. The voltage drop circuit is coupled to the input terminal. The pull-down circuit is coupled to the voltage drop circuit and a first reference terminal. The load circuit is coupled to a second reference terminal. The transistor has a first terminal coupled to the load circuit, a second terminal coupled to the first reference terminal, and a control terminal coupled to the voltage drop circuit. The pull-up circuit is coupled to the second reference terminal and the voltage drop circuit. The first output terminal is coupled to the first terminal of the transistor for outputting a first state determination signal. The second output terminal is coupled to the voltage drop circuit for outputting a second state determination signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: RichWave Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Tien-Yun Peng, Hsien-Huang Tsai, Chih-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11610103
    Abstract: A one time programmable non-volatile memory cell includes a storage element. The storage element includes a glass substrate, a buffer layer, a polysilicon layer and a metal layer. The buffer layer is disposed on the glass substrate. The polysilicon layer is disposed on the buffer layer. A P-type doped region and an N-type doped region are formed in the polysilicon layer. The metal layer is contacted with the N-type doped region and the P-type doped region. The metal layer, the N-type doped region and the P-type doped region are collaboratively formed as a diode. When a program action is performed, the first diode is reverse-biased, and the diode is switched from a first storage state to a second storage state. When a read action is performed, the diode is reverse-biased and the diode generates a read current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: EMEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Wein-Town Sun, Woan-Yun Hsiao
  • Patent number: 11587929
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a stack including a plurality of layers vertically stacked on a substrate, each of the layers including a bit line extending in a first direction and a semiconductor pattern extending from the bit line in a second direction crossing the first direction, a gate electrode along each of the semiconductor patterns stacked, a vertical insulating layer on the gate electrode, a stopper layer, and a data storing element electrically connected to each of the semiconductor patterns. The data storing element includes a first electrode electrically connected to each of the semiconductor patterns, a second electrode on the first electrode, and a dielectric layer between the first and second electrodes. The stopper layer is between the vertical insulating layer and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui-Jung Kim, Taehyun An, Kiseok Lee, Keunnam Kim, Yoosang Hwang
  • Patent number: 11532669
    Abstract: A memory device includes a transistor and a memory cell. The memory cell includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode, and a dielectric structure. The top electrode is electrically connected to the transistor. The dielectric structure includes a thin portion and a thick portion. The thin portion is sandwiched between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The thick portion is thicker than the thin portion and between the bottom electrode and the top electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jenn-Gwo Hwu, Tzu-Hao Chiang
  • Patent number: 11527540
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first transistor including forming a first gate stack, epitaxially growing a first source/drain region on a side of the first gate stack, and performing a first implantation to implant the first source/drain region. The method further includes forming a second transistor including forming a second gate stack, forming a second gate spacer on a sidewall of the second gate stack, epitaxially growing a second source/drain region on a side of the second gate stack, and performing a second implantation to implant the second source/drain region. An inter-layer dielectric is formed to cover the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region. The first implantation is performed before the inter-layer dielectric is formed, and the second implantation is performed after the inter-layer dielectric is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dian-Sheg Yu, Jhon Jhy Liaw, Ren-Fen Tsui
  • Patent number: 11508756
    Abstract: A memory cell arrangement is provided that may include: a plurality of electrode layers, wherein each of the plurality of electrode layers comprises a plurality of through holes, each of the plurality of through holes extending from a first surface to a second surface of a respective electrode layer; a plurality of electrode pillars, wherein each of the plurality of electrode pillars comprises a plurality of electrode portions, wherein each of the plurality of electrode portions is disposed within a corresponding one of the plurality of through holes; wherein the respective electrode layer and a respective electrode portion of the plurality of electrode portions form a first electrode and a second electrode of a capacitor and wherein at least one memory material portion is disposed in each of the plurality of through holes in a gap between the respective electrode layer and the respective electrode portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ferroelectric Memory GmbH
    Inventors: Menno Mennenga, Johannes Ocker
  • Patent number: 11482267
    Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate including first and second regions, the first region having first wordlines and first bitlines, and the second region having second wordlines and second bitlines, a first memory cell array including first memory cells in the first region, the first memory cell array having volatility, and each of the first memory cells including a cell switch having a first channel region adjacent to a corresponding first wordline of the first wordlines, and a capacitor connected to the cell switch, and a second memory cell array including second memory cells in the second region, the second memory cell array having non-volatility, and each of the second memory cells including a second channel region adjacent to a corresponding second wordline of the second wordlines, and a ferroelectric layer between the corresponding second wordline of the second wordlines and the second channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minhee Cho, Woobin Song, Hyunmog Park, Sangkil Lee
  • Patent number: 11309015
    Abstract: Memory devices, controllers and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device is disclosed. The memory device includes storage cells that are each formed with a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor having a floating body. Data is stored as charge in the floating body. A transfer interface receives a read command to access data stored in a first group of the storage cells. Sensing circuitry detects the data stored in the first group of storage cells. The transfer interface selectively performs a writeback operation of the sensed data associated with the read command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt, Zhichao Lu, Kenneth Lee Wright
  • Patent number: 11309008
    Abstract: An FD-SOI GC-edRAM gain cell includes: a write bit line terminal connected to a WBL; a read bit line terminal connected to a RBL; a write trigger terminal connected to a WWL, for inputting a write trigger signal; a read trigger terminal put connected to a RWL, for inputting a read trigger signal; at least one body voltage terminal connected to a respective body voltage; and multiple FD-SOI transistors. The FD-SOI transistors are interconnected to form a storage node for retaining a data signal. The bodies of at least two of the transistors are coupled in a single well to a body voltage terminal. The write trigger signal triggers writing an input data signal from the write bit line terminal to the storage node and the read trigger signal triggers outputting the retained data signal from the storage node to the read bit line terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Bar-Ilan University
    Inventors: Robert Giterman, Adam Teman
  • Patent number: 11239344
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method including: forming, in a first region of a substrate, an active fin and a sacrificial gate structure intersecting the active fin; forming a first spacer and a second spacer on the substrate to cover the sacrificial gate structure; forming a mask in a second region of the substrate to expose the first region of the substrate; removing the second spacer from the first spacer in the first region of the substrate by using the mask; forming recesses at opposite sides of the sacrificial gate structure by removing portions of the active fin; forming a source and a drain in the recesses; and forming an etch-stop layer to cover both sidewalls of the sacrificial gate structure and a top surfaces of the source and drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Kwan Yu, Seung Hun Lee, Yang Xu
  • Patent number: 10978160
    Abstract: Example techniques that mitigate against memory hole shorts during an erase operation for memory cells in a string include an example method in which, during an erase operation, erase pulses are applied to the word lines of the memory string and terminated at different times based. In some instances, the erase pulses applied to the word lines of the memory string are terminated based on the temperature of the memory cells of the memory string. In further implementations, the erase pulses applied to the word lines of the memory string are boosted for different times depending on the location of the word line along the memory string during the erase operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jianzhi Wu, Xiang Yang, Jun Wan
  • Patent number: 10964707
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate with a buffer region between first and second regions, the first region being a SRAM cell region, and the second region being a peripheral circuit region, first gate structures in a first direction on the first region and being spaced apart from each other in a second direction, second gate structures in the first direction on the second region and being spaced apart from each other in the second direction, the first and second gate structures being aligned with each other, a first insulating structure in the second direction on the buffer region between the first and the second regions along an entire length of each of the first and second regions in the second direction, and a second insulating structure on the first region and in contact with a part of the plurality of first gate structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seol Un Yang, Lak Gyo Jeong, Hee Bum Hong
  • Patent number: 10958273
    Abstract: A circuit device (10) includes a circuit construction unit (20) having logic circuit deployment areas (21) and (22) in which a logic circuit can be deployed, and a circuit controller (30) configured to deploy a designated logic circuit in a logic circuit deployment area, in which, if a logic circuit that is deployed in one of the logic circuit deployment areas is instructed to be rewritten to a new logic circuit, the circuit controller (30) deploys the new logic circuit in the other logic circuit deployment area, and, after deployment of the new logic circuit has ended, stops operation of the logic circuit that was initially deployed in the one of the logic circuit deployment areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: NEC Solution Innovators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Ikeura, Yasuhito Motoi
  • Patent number: 10797055
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory cells, array and methods of operating are disclosed. In one instance, a memory cell includes a bi-stable floating body transistor and an access device; wherein the bi-stable floating body transistor and the access device are electrically connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuniarto Widjaja, Jin-Woo Han, Benjamin S. Louie
  • Patent number: 10762948
    Abstract: Memory devices, controllers and associated methods are provided. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided. The memory device includes storage cells that are each formed with a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor having a floating body. Data is stored as charge in the floating body. A transfer interface receives a read command to access data stored in a first group of the storage cells. Sensing circuitry detects the data stored in the first group of storage cells. The transfer interface selectively performs a writeback operation of the sensed data associated with the read command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt, Zhichao Lu, Kenneth Lee Wright
  • Patent number: 10714167
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an apparatus having first and second comparative bitlines extending horizontally and coupled with a sense amplifier. First memory cell structures are coupled with the first comparative bitline. Each of the first memory cell structures has a first transistor associated with a first capacitor. Second memory cell structures are coupled with the second comparative bitline. Each of the second memory cell structures has a second transistor associated with a second capacitor. Each of the first capacitors has a container-shaped first node and is vertically offset from an associated first sister capacitor which is a mirror image of its associated first capacitor along a horizontal plane. Each of the second capacitors has a container-shaped first node and is vertically offset from an associated second sister capacitor which is a mirror image of its associated second capacitor along the horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae H. Kim, Sangmin Hwang, Si-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 10685957
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active fin on a substrate, a gate structure on the active fin, a gate spacer structure on a sidewall of the gate structure, and a source/drain layer on at least a portion of the active fin adjacent the gate spacer structure. The gate spacer structure includes a wet etch stop pattern, an oxygen-containing silicon pattern, and an outgas sing prevention pattern sequentially stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Hyun Choi, Yong-Suk Tak, Gi-Gwan Park, Bon-Young Koo, Ki-Yeon Park, Won-Oh Seo
  • Patent number: 10586792
    Abstract: A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes a transistor device in a semiconductor die including a semiconductor body. The transistor device includes transistor cells connected in parallel and covering at least 80% of an overall active area at a first surface of the semiconductor body. The semiconductor device further includes a control terminal contact area at the first surface electrically connected to a control electrode of each of the transistor cells. A first load terminal contact area at the first surface electrically connected to a first load terminal region of each of the transistor cells. The semiconductor device further includes a resistor in the semiconductor die and electrically coupled between the control terminal contact area and the first load terminal contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk Ahlers, Markus Zundel, Peter Brandl, Kurt Matoy, Thomas Ostermann
  • Patent number: 10566059
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide both “string-sharing” drain select gate electrodes and “string-selective” drain select gate electrodes in vertical NAND strings. Various embodiments may provide two or more vertical NAND strings sharing a common drain select gate electrode while also having separate additional drain select gate electrodes not electrically connected across the two or more vertical NAND strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Vinh Diep, Ching Huang Lu, Henry Chin, Changyuan Chen
  • Patent number: 10438666
    Abstract: A method of erasing a memory device, the method of erasing the memory device including: performing, in a first erase period, a first erase operation on memory cells respectively connected to a plurality of word lines, wherein at least one of the memory cells, which is included in a memory block, is not erase-passed; determining, after the first erase period, an erase operation speed by applying a verify voltage to at least one of the plurality of word lines, and determining an effective erasing time for each word line based on the determined erase operation speed; and performing, in a second erase period, a second erase operation on the memory cells respectively connected to the plurality of word lines based on the determined effective erasing times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-yoon Park, Wan-dong Kim, Seung-bum Kim, Deok-woo Lee, You-se Kim, Se-hwan Park, Jin-woo Park
  • Patent number: 10373685
    Abstract: A content addressable memory cell includes a first floating body transistor and a second floating body transistor. The first floating body transistor and the second floating body transistor are electrically connected in series through a common node. The first floating body transistor and the second floating body transistor store complementary data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Louie, Jin-Woo Han, Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 10298407
    Abstract: A data generation apparatus according to an embodiment comprises a memory space including a plurality of memory cells, each including a resistance change element, a first circuit configured to supply the memory cells included in a first space that represents part of the memory space with a current or a voltage that causes a dielectric breakdown to occur in the resistance change element, a second circuit configured to output a value read from the memory cells included in the first space, and an ID generation circuit configured to generate an ID using the value output from the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tetsufumi Tanamoto, Shinobu Fujita
  • Patent number: RE48085
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconductor integrated circuit, wherein a desired circuit is formed by combining and laying out a plurality of standard cells and connecting the cells together, of which the cell length, i.e., the gap between a pair of opposed sides, is standardized, the plurality of standard cells forming the desired circuit include complementary in-phase driven standard cells, each of which includes a plurality of complementary transistor pairs that are complementary in conductivity type to each other and have their gate electrodes connected together, and N (?2) pairs of all the complementary transistor pairs are driven in phase, and the size of the standardized cell length of the complementary in-phase driven standard cell is defined as an M-fold cell length which is M (N?M?2) times the basic cell length which is appropriate to the single complementary transistor pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tanaka
  • Patent number: RE48831
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconductor integrated circuit, wherein a desired circuit is formed by combining and laying out a plurality of standard cells and connecting the cells together, of which the cell length, i.e., the gap between a pair of opposed sides, is standardized, the plurality of standard cells forming the desired circuit include complementary in-phase driven standard cells, each of which includes a plurality of complementary transistor pairs that are complementary in conductivity type to each other and have their gate electrodes connected together, and N (?2) pairs of all the complementary transistor pairs are driven in phase, and the size of the standardized cell length of the complementary in-phase driven standard cell is defined as an M-fold cell length which is M (N?M?2) times the basic cell length which is appropriate to the single complementary transistor pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tanaka
  • Patent number: RE49821
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconductor integrated circuit, wherein a desired circuit is formed by combining and laying out a plurality of standard cells and connecting the cells together, of which the cell length, i.e., the gap between a pair of opposed sides, is standardized, the plurality of standard cells forming the desired circuit include complementary in-phase driven standard cells, each of which includes a plurality of complementary transistor pairs that are complementary in conductivity type to each other and have their gate electrodes connected together, and N (?2) pairs of all the complementary transistor pairs are driven in phase, and the size of the standardized cell length of the complementary in-phase driven standard cell is defined as an M-fold cell length which is M (N?M?2) times the basic cell length which is appropriate to the single complementary transistor pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tanaka