Extended Floating Gate Patents (Class 365/185.1)
  • Patent number: 11322206
    Abstract: A storage device and an operating method thereof are provided. The storage device includes a non-volatile memory and a memory controller. The non-volatile memory includes memory blocks each including a word lines. The memory controller determines a word line strength of each of the word lines, adjusts a state count of each of the word lines based on the word line strengths, and adjust a program parameter of each of the word lines to decrease a program time variation between the word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinwoo Hong, Chanha Kim, Kangho Roh, Seungkyung Ro, Yunjung Lee, Heewon Lee
  • Patent number: 11183505
    Abstract: A process for fabricating an integrated circuit includes the fabrication of a first transistor and a floating-gate transistor. The fabrication process for the first transistor and the floating-gate transistor utilizes a common step of forming a dielectric layer. This dielectric layer is configured to form a tunnel-dielectric layer of the floating-gate transistor (which allows transfer of charge via the Fowler-Nordheim effect) and to form a gate-dielectric layer of the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Franck Julien, Abderrezak Marzaki
  • Patent number: 10971210
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell region including a first metal pad, and a peripheral circuit region including a second metal pad and vertically connected to the memory cell region by the first metal pad and the second metal pad. The memory cell region includes a first memory stack comprising first memory cells vertically stacked on each other, and a second memory stack comprising second memory cells vertically stacked on each other. The peripheral circuit region includes a control logic for setting a voltage level of a second voltage applied for a second memory operation to a second memory cell of the second memory cells based on a first voltage applied to a first memory cell of the first memory cells in a first memory operation. Cell characteristics of the first memory cell are determined using the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-chul Park, Youn-yeol Lee, Seul-bee Lee, Kyung-sub Lim
  • Patent number: 10630296
    Abstract: A chip package comprises an interposer; an FPGA IC chip over the interposer, wherein the FPGA IC chip comprises a programmable logic block configured to perform a logic operation on its inputs, wherein the programmable logic block comprises a look-up table configured to be provided with multiple resulting values of the logic operation on multiple combinations of the inputs of the programmable logic block respectively, wherein the programmable logic block is configured to select, in accordance with one of the combinations of its inputs, one from the resulting values into its output, and multiple non-volatile memory cells configured to save the resulting values respectively; multiple first metal bumps between the interposer and the FPGA IC chip; and an underfill between the interposer and the FPGA IC chip, wherein the underfill encloses the first metal bumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: iCometrue Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Yuan Lee, Mou-Shiung Lin
  • Patent number: 10388394
    Abstract: A memory system includes an interface and storage circuitry. The interface is configured to communicate with a plurality of memory cells that store data by setting the memory cells to analog voltages representative of respective storage values. The storage circuitry is configured to read from a group of the memory cells a code word encoded using an Error Correction Code (ECC), by sensing the memory cells using at least first and second read thresholds for producing respective first and second readouts, to calculate, based on at least one of the first and second readouts, (i) a syndrome weight that is indicative of an actual number of errors contained in the code word, and (ii) a mid-zone count of the memory cells for which the first readout differs from the second readout, and, to evaluate a performance measure for the memory cells, based on the calculated syndrome weight and mid-zone count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Yonathan Tate, Tomer Ish-Shalom
  • Patent number: 9553263
    Abstract: A resistive memory element comprises a first electrode, an active material over the first electrode, a buffer material over the active material and comprising longitudinally extending, columnar grains of crystalline material, an ion reservoir material over the buffer material, and a second electrode over the ion reservoir material. A memory cell, a memory device, an electronic system, and a method of forming a resistive memory element are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Petz, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Scott E. Sills, D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 9472293
    Abstract: To read multilevel data from a memory cell having a transistor using silicon and a transistor using an oxide semiconductor, without switching a signal for reading the multilevel data in accordance with the number of the levels of the multilevel data. The potential of the bit line is precharged, the electrical charge of the bit line is discharged via a transistor for writing data, and the potential of the bit line which is changed by the discharging is read as multilevel data. With such a structure, the potential corresponding to data held in a gate of the transistor can be read by only one-time switching of a signal for reading data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Nagatsuka, Hiroki Inoue, Takahiko Ishizu, Takanori Matsuzaki, Yutaka Shionoiri, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 9396796
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes an array of nonvolatile memory cells and a plurality of page buffers configured to receive a plurality of pages of data read from the same page in the array using different read voltage conditions. A control circuit is provided, which is electrically coupled to the plurality of page buffers. The control circuit is configured to perform a test operation by driving the plurality of page buffers with control signals that cause generation within the nonvolatile memory device of a string of XOR data bits, which are derived from a comparison of at least two of the multiple pages of data read from the same page of nonvolatile memory cells using the different read voltage conditions. An input/output device is provided, which is configured to output test data derived from the string of XOR data bits to another device located external to the nonvolatile memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Lee, Hyun Seok Kim, Sung-Hwan Bae, Jong-Nam Baek, Jae Yong Jeong
  • Patent number: 9177673
    Abstract: Layers in a multi-layer memory array are categorized according to likely error rates as predicted from their memory hole diameters. Data to be stored along a word line in a high risk layer is subject to a redundancy operation (e.g. XOR) with data to be stored along a word line in a low risk layer so that the risk of both being bad is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Raghu, Gautam A. Dusija, Chris Avila, Yingda Dong, Man Mui, Xiying Costa, Pao-Ling Koh
  • Patent number: 9166591
    Abstract: A high speed IO buffer is disclosed. The high speed IO buffer includes a first P-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) transistor coupled to an IO voltage source. The high speed IO buffer also includes a first N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistor coupled to a ground source, a second PMOS transistor coupled to the first PMOS transistor and a pad and a second NMOS transistor coupled to the first NMOS transistor and the pad. The first PMOS transistor, the first NMOS transistor, the second PMOS transistor and the second NMOS transistor are arranged in a cascoded arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Foong Tek Chan, Xiabao Wang, Khai Nguyen, Chiakang Sung, Ket Chiew Sia, Boon Jin Ang
  • Patent number: 9099328
    Abstract: A complementary device including a gate electrode, a channel, a source electrode connected to the gate electrode and the channel, and a first drain electrode and a second drain electrode connected to the gate electrode and the channel is provided. The first/second drain electrode is formed so that, in accordance with a voltage applied to the gate electrode, electron spins injected into the source electrode are moved from the source electrode to the first/second drain electrode through the channel while rotating in a first/second direction. Directions of the electron spins that reach the first drain electrode and the second drain electrode are opposite to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hyun Cheol Koo, Hyung-Jun Kim, Joon Yeon Chang, Jun Woo Choi, Suk Hee Han
  • Patent number: 8942053
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first node, a second node, a first current mirror circuit, and a second current mirror circuit. The first current mirror circuit has a reference end and a mirrored end. The reference end of the first current mirror circuit is coupled to the first node, and the mirrored end of the first current mirror circuit is coupled to the second node. The second current mirror circuit has a reference end and a mirrored end. The reference end of the second current mirror circuit is coupled to the second node, and the mirrored end of the second current mirror circuit is coupled to the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Ji Lu, Hung-Jen Liao, Cheng Hung Lee, Derek C. Tao, Annie-Li-Keow Lum, Hong-Chen Cheng
  • Patent number: 8929141
    Abstract: Erasing memory cells in certain 3-D NAND charge-storage memory arrays is achieved by rapidly charging vertical conductors using Gate Induced Drain Leakage (GIDL) current generated in select transistors. When bit line voltage drops below its nominal value, select line voltage is controlled to maintain a constant voltage difference between bit line voltage and select line voltage thus maintaining a gate-drain voltage difference in select transistors that provides sufficient GIDL current for erase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Raghu, Gautam Dusija, Chris Avila, Yingda Dong, Man Mui, Pao-Ling Koh
  • Patent number: 8902640
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a nonvolatile memory cell in which a writing transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor, a reading transistor which includes a semiconductor material different from that of the writing transistor, and a capacitor are included is provided. Data is written to the memory cell by turning on the writing transistor and applying a potential to a node where a source electrode (or a drain electrode) of the writing transistor, one electrode of the capacitor, and a gate electrode of the reading transistor are electrically connected, and then turning off the writing transistor, so that the predetermined amount of charge is held in the node. Further, when a p-channel transistor is used as the reading transistor, a reading potential is a positive potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Inoue, Kiyoshi Kato, Takanori Matsuzaki, Shuhei Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 8891303
    Abstract: A memory controller configures a plurality of word lines associated with a respective block of a 3D memory device in a first configuration, where the first configuration includes a set of configuration parameters for each word line of the plurality of word lines determined at least in part on the vertical positions of each word line relative to a substrate of the 3D memory device and, while the plurality of word lines are configured in the first configuration, writes data to and reads data from the respective block. For the respective block, the memory controller: adjusts a first parameter in the respective set of configuration parameters corresponding to a respective word line of the plurality of word lines in response to detecting a first trigger condition as to the respective word line and, after adjusting the first parameter, writes data to and reads data from the respective word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Higgins, Robert W. Ellis, Neil R. Darragh, Aaron K. Olbrich, Navneeth Kankani, Steven Sprouse
  • Patent number: 8885409
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes an array of nonvolatile memory cells and a plurality of page buffers configured to receive a plurality of pages of data read from the same page in the array using different read voltage conditions. A control circuit is provided, which is electrically coupled to the plurality of page buffers. The control circuit is configured to perform a test operation by driving the plurality of page buffers with control signals that cause generation within the nonvolatile memory device of a string of XOR data bits, which are derived from a comparison of at least two of the multiple pages of data read from the same page of nonvolatile memory cells using the different read voltage conditions. An input/output device is provided, which is configured to output test data derived from the string of XOR data bits to another device located external to the nonvolatile memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Lee, Hyun Seok Kim, Sung-Hwan Bae, Jong-Nam Baek, Jae Yong Jeong
  • Patent number: 8879321
    Abstract: Provided is a vertical non-volatile memory device having a metal source line. The vertical non-volatile memory device includes cell string units that are formed on first portions of a semiconductor substrate and are vertically arranged with respect to a surface of the semiconductor substrate, impurity regions formed on second portions of the semiconductor substrate between the cell string units, conductive lines formed on the impurity regions, and spacers that are formed on the sidewalls of the cell string units and insulate the conductive lines from the cells string units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-min Hwang, Han-soo Kim, Won-seok Cho, Jae-hoon Jang
  • Patent number: 8878279
    Abstract: A memory device or electronic system may include a memory cell body extending from a substrate, a self-aligned floating gate separated from the memory cell body by a tunneling dielectric film, and a control gate separated from the self-aligned floating gate by a blocking dielectric film. The floating gate is flanked by the memory cell body and the control gate to form a memory cell, and the self-aligned floating gate is at least as thick as the control gate. Methods for building such a memory device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Randy J. Koval
  • Patent number: 8837216
    Abstract: A non-volatile storage system is disclosed that includes pairs of NAND strings (or other groupings of memory cells) in the same block being connected to and sharing a common bit line. To operate the system, two selection lines are used so that the NAND strings (or other groupings of memory cells) sharing a bit line can be selected at the block level. Both selection lines are connected to a selection gate for each of the NAND strings (or other groupings of memory cells) sharing the bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Nima Mokhlesi, Mohan V. Dunga, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 8817534
    Abstract: Techniques for providing a semiconductor memory device are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus including a first region and a second region. The apparatus may also include a body region disposed between the first region and the second region and capacitively coupled to a plurality of word lines, wherein each of the plurality of word lines is capacitively coupled to different portions of the body region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Serguei Okhonin, Viktor I Koldiaev, Mikhail Nagoga, Yogesh Luthra
  • Patent number: 8780624
    Abstract: A memory array used in the field of semiconductor technology includes a plurality of memory cells, bit lines, word lines perpendicular to the bit lines, and first/second control lines. The memory array uses split-gate memory cells, wherein two memory bit cells of a memory cell share one word line, thereby the read, program and erase of the memory cell can be realized by applying different voltages to the word line, two control gates and source/drain regions; the word line sharing structure enables a split-gate flash memory to effectively reduce the chip area and avoid over-erase problems while maintaining electrical isolation performance of the chip unchanged and not increasing the complexity of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Shanghai Huahong Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Jing Gu, Bo Zhang, Weiran Kong, Jian Hu
  • Patent number: 8780629
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a non-volatile memory cell including a write transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor and has small leakage current in an off state between a source and a drain, a read transistor including a semiconductor material different from that of the write transistor, and a capacitor. Data is written or rewritten to the memory cell by turning on the write transistor and applying a potential to a node where one of a source electrode and drain electrode of the write transistor, one electrode of the capacitor, and a gate electrode of the read transistor are electrically connected to one another, and then turning off the write transistor so that the predetermined amount of charge is held in the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Furutani, Yoshinori Ieda, Yuto Yakubo, Kiyoshi Kato, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8780625
    Abstract: A memory array used in the field of semiconductor technology includes a plurality of memory cells, bit lines, word lines perpendicular to the bit lines, and first/second control lines. The memory array uses split-gate memory cells, wherein two memory bit cells of a memory cell share one word line, thereby the read, program and erase of the memory cell can be realized by applying different voltages to the word line, two control gates and source/drain regions; the word line sharing structure enables a split-gate flash memory to effectively reduce the chip area and avoid over-erase problems while maintaining electrical isolation performance of the chip unchanged and not increasing the complexity of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Shanghai Huahong Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Jing Gu, Bo Zhang, Weiran Kong, Jian Hu
  • Patent number: 8743615
    Abstract: Read compensation for partially programmed blocks of non-volatile storage is provided. In partially programmed blocks, the threshold voltage distributions may be shifted down relative to their final positions. Upon receiving a request to read a page that is stored in a block, a determination may be made whether the block is partially programmed. If so, then a suitable compensation may be made when reading the requested page. This compensation may compensate for the non-volatile storage elements (or pages) in the block that have not yet been programmed. The amount of compensation may be based on the amount of interference that would be caused to the requested page by later programming of the other pages. The compensation may compensate for shifts in threshold voltage distributions of the requested page that would occur from later programming of other pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Dana Lee, Ken Oowada
  • Patent number: 8705271
    Abstract: The performance of a semiconductor device including a nonvolatile memory is enhanced. Each of nonvolatile memory cells arranged over a silicon substrate includes: a first n-well; a second n-well formed in a place different from the place thereof; a selection transistor formed in the first n-well; and an electric charge storage portion having a floating gate electrode and a storage portion p-well. The floating gate electrode is so placed that it overlaps with part of the first n-well and the second n-well. The storage portion p-well is placed in the first n-well so that it partly overlaps with the floating gate electrode. In this nonvolatile memory cell, memory information is erased by applying positive voltage to the second n-well to discharge electrons in the floating gate electrode to the second n-well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 8693243
    Abstract: A memory array used in the field of semiconductor technology includes a plurality of memory cells, bit lines, word lines perpendicular to the bit lines, and first/second control lines. The memory array uses split-gate memory cells, wherein two memory bit cells of a memory cell share one word line, thereby the read, program and erase of the memory cell can be realized by applying different voltages to the word line, two control gates and source/drain regions; the word line sharing structure enables a split-gate flash memory to effectively reduce the chip area and avoid over-erase problems while maintaining electrical isolation performance of the chip unchanged and not increasing the complexity of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Jing Gu, Bo Zhang, Weiran Kong, Jian Hu
  • Patent number: 8654581
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an integrated circuit electrically powered by a supply voltage and comprising a memory electrically erasable and/or programmable by means of a second voltage greater than the supply voltage. The integrated circuit comprises means for receiving the second voltage by the intermediary of a reception terminal of the supply voltage or by the intermediary of a reception or emission terminal of a data or clock signal. Applicable in particular to electronic tags comprising a reduced number of interconnection terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Tailliet
  • Patent number: 8634228
    Abstract: A driving method of a semiconductor device is provided. In a semiconductor device including a bit line, a selection line, a selection transistor, m (m is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) writing word lines, m reading word lines, a source line, and first to m-th memory cells, each memory cell includes a first transistor and a second transistor that holds charge accumulated in a capacitor. The second transistor includes a channel formed in an oxide semiconductor layer. In a driving method of a semiconductor device having the above structure, when writing to a memory cell is performed, the first transistor is turned on so that a first source terminal or a first drain terminal is set to a fixed potential; thus, a potential is stably written to the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Matsuzaki, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 8634242
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a multi-level flash memory and a process flow to form same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Grossi, Giulio Albini, Anna Maria Conti
  • Patent number: 8624314
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises an active area extending in a first direction, a contact plug located on a first portion of the active area, and a transistor located on a second portion adjacent to the first portion of the active area in the first direction. A width of a top surface area of the first portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than that of a top surface area of the second portion in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Aya Minemura, Kenji Sawamura, Mitsuhiro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8619469
    Abstract: An embodiment of a non-volatile memory device integrated in a chip of semiconductor material is proposed. The memory device includes a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell includes a first well and a second well of first type of conductivity that are formed in an insulating region of a second type of conductivity. The memory cell further includes a first, a second, a third and a fourth region of the second type of conductivity that are formed in the first well; these regions define a sequence of a first selection transistor of MOS type, a storage transistor of floating gate MOS type, and a second selection transistor of MOS type that are coupled in series. The first region is short-circuited to the first well. Moreover, the memory device includes a first gate of the first selection transistor, a second gate of the second selection transistor, and a floating gate of the storage transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco Pasotti, Marcella Carissimi, Davide Lena
  • Patent number: 8614916
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a memory cell formed using a wide bandgap semiconductor, for example, an oxide semiconductor is provided. The semiconductor device includes a potential change circuit having a function of outputting a potential lower than a reference potential for reading data from the memory cell. With the use of the wide bandgap semiconductor, an off-state current of a transistor included in the memory cell can be sufficiently reduced, and the semiconductor device which can hold data for a long period can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Nagatsuka, Takanori Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 8588000
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a reduced area and capable of higher integration and larger storage capacity is provided. A multi-valued memory cell including a reading transistor which includes a back gate electrode and a writing transistor is used. Data is written by turning on the writing transistor so that a potential according to the data is supplied to a node where one of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the writing transistor and a gate electrode of the reading transistor are electrically connected to each other, and then turning off the writing transistor and holding a predetermined potential in the node. Data is read by supplying a reading control potential to a control signal line connected to one of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the reading transistor, and then detecting potential change of a reading signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichiro Kamata
  • Patent number: 8582359
    Abstract: Multi-port semiconductor memory cells including a common floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a memory state of the memory cell. The multi-port semiconductor memory cells include a plurality of gates and conductive regions interfacing with said floating body region. Arrays of memory cells and method of operating said memory arrays are disclosed for making a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 8565017
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for supplying to at least one integrated circuit a high voltage for erasing and/or programming of a memory. The device includes at least one contact terminal linked to at least one contact terminal of the integrated circuit, a monitor for monitoring a data signal received by the integrated circuit and detecting in the data signal a write command of the memory, and a voltage supplier for applying the high voltage to a terminal of the integrated circuit when a write command of the memory has been detected by the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Tailliet
  • Patent number: 8537610
    Abstract: Techniques for providing a semiconductor memory device are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus including a first region and a second region. The apparatus may also include a body region disposed between the first region and the second region and capacitively coupled to a plurality of word lines, wherein each of the plurality of word lines is capacitively coupled to different portions of the body region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Serguei Okhonin, Viktor I Koldiaev, Mikhail Nagoga, Yogesh Luthra
  • Patent number: 8472251
    Abstract: A single polycrystalline silicon floating gate nonvolatile memory cell has a MOS capacitor and a storage MOS transistor fabricated with dimensions that allow fabrication using current low voltage logic integrated circuit process. The MOS capacitor has a first plate connected to a gate of the storage MOS transistor to form a floating gate node. The physical size of the MOS capacitor is relatively large (approximately 10 time greater) when compared to a physical size of the storage MOS transistor to establish a large coupling ratio (greater than 80%) between the second plate of the MOS capacitor and the floating gate node. When a voltage is applied to the second plate of the MOS capacitor and a voltage applied to the source region or drain region of the MOS transistor establishes a voltage field within the gate oxide of the MOS transistor such that Fowler-Nordheim edge tunnel is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Wung Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu
  • Patent number: 8456910
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a memory device. The memory device includes a capacitor having a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate, wherein the first and second capacitor plates are separated by an insulating layer and are formed over a first portion of a semiconductor substrate. The memory device also includes a transistor having a source region, a drain region, and a gate region, where the gate region is coupled to the second capacitor plate. The transistor is formed over a second portion of the semiconductor substrate. A well region is disposed in the first and second portions of the semiconductor substrate and has a doping-type that is opposite a doping-type of the semiconductor substrate. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dzianis Lukashevich
  • Patent number: 8450783
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a source line, a bit line, a signal line, a word line, memory cells connected in parallel between the source line and the bit line, a first driver circuit electrically connected to the source line and the bit line through switching elements, a second driver circuit electrically connected to the source line through a switching element, a third driver circuit electrically connected to the signal line, and a fourth driver circuit electrically connected to the word line. The memory cell includes a first transistor including a first gate electrode, a first source electrode, and a first drain electrode, a second transistor including a second gate electrode, a second source electrode, and a second drain electrode, and a capacitor. The second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Kiyoshi Kato, Shuhei Nagatsuka, Takanori Matsuzaki, Hiroki Inoue
  • Patent number: 8422272
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a nonvolatile memory cell in which a writing transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor, a reading transistor which includes a semiconductor material different from that of the writing transistor, and a capacitor are included is provided. Data is written to the memory cell by turning on the writing transistor and applying a potential to a node where a source electrode (or a drain electrode) of the writing transistor, one electrode of the capacitor, and a gate electrode of the reading transistor are electrically connected, and then turning off the writing transistor, so that the predetermined amount of charge is held in the node. Further, when a p-channel transistor is used as the reading transistor, a reading potential is a positive potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Inoue, Kiyoshi Kato, Takanori Matsuzaki, Shuhei Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 8422294
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a differential memory cell. The memory cell includes a first transistor having a source, a drain, a gate, and a body. A first capacitor has a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate is coupled to the gate of the first transistor and extends over the body region. The memory cell also includes a second transistor having a source, a drain, a gate, and a body, wherein the source and body of the second transistor is coupled to the second plate of the first capacitor. A second capacitor has a third plate and a fourth plate, wherein the third plate is coupled to the gate of the second transistor and the fourth plate is coupled to the source and the body of the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dzianis Lukashevich
  • Patent number: 8384147
    Abstract: Systems of electrically programmable and erasable memory cell are disclosed. In one exemplary implementation, a cell may have two storage transistors in a substrate of semiconductor material of a first cooductivity type The first storage transistor is of the type having a first region and a second region each of a second conductivity type in the substrate The second storage transistor is of the type having a third region and a fourth region each of a second conductivity type in the substrate. Arrays formed of such memory cells and non-volatile memory cells are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nhan Do, Amitay Levi
  • Patent number: 8357966
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises an active area extending in a first direction, a contact plug located on a first portion of the active area, and a transistor located on a second portion adjacent to the first portion of the active area in the first direction. A width of a top surface area of the first portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than that of a top surface area of the second portion in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Aya Minemura, Kenji Sawamura, Mitsuhiro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8355281
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a multi-level flash memory and a process flow to form same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Grossi, Giulio Albini, Anna Maria Conti
  • Patent number: 8351260
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an integrated circuit electrically powered by a supply voltage and comprising a memory electrically erasable and/or programmable by means of a second voltage greater than the supply voltage. The integrated circuit comprises means for receiving the second voltage by the intermediary of a reception terminal of the supply voltage or by the intermediary of a reception or emission terminal of a data or clock signal. Applicable in particular to electronic tags comprising a reduced number of interconnection terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Tailliet
  • Patent number: 8351261
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for supplying to at least one integrated circuit a high voltage for erasing and/or programming of a memory. The device includes at least one contact terminal linked to at least one contact terminal of the integrated circuit, a monitor for monitoring a data signal received by the integrated circuit and detecting in the data signal a write command of the memory, and a voltage supplier for applying the high voltage to a terminal of the integrated circuit when a write command of the memory has been detected by the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Tailliet
  • Patent number: 8351254
    Abstract: The performance of a semiconductor device including a nonvolatile memory is enhanced. Each of nonvolatile memory cells arranged over a silicon substrate includes: a first n-well; a second n-well formed in a place different from the place thereof; a selection transistor formed in the first n-well; and an electric charge storage portion having a floating gate electrode and a storage portion p-well. The floating gate electrode is so placed that it overlaps with part of the first n-well and the second n-well. The storage portion p-well is placed in the first n-well so that it partly overlaps with the floating gate electrode. In this nonvolatile memory cell, memory information is erased by applying positive voltage to the second n-well to discharge electrons in the floating gate electrode to the second n-well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 8345488
    Abstract: A flash memory array comprises a plurality of memory cells organized in a matrix of rows and columns. Each of the memory cells includes a floating gate memory transistor having a source region and a drain region, and a coupling capacitor electrically connected to the memory transistor. A plurality of word lines are each electrically connected to the capacitor in each of the memory cells in a respective row. A first set of bit lines are each electrically connected to the drain region of the memory transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective column. A plurality of high voltage access transistors are each electrically connected to a bit line in the first set of bit lines. A second set of bit lines are each electrically connected to the source region of the memory transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Hosam Haggag, Alexander Kalnitsky, Edgardo Laber, Prabhjot Singh, Michael D. Church
  • Patent number: 8325518
    Abstract: A multi-level cell NOR flash memory device includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of source regions, a plurality of drain regions, a plurality of source lines, a plurality of bitlines, and a plurality of power lines. The bitlines each have a specific sheet resistance. A specific number of the bitlines are disposed between two adjacent ones of the power lines. Accordingly, the multi-level cell NOR flash memory device is of a high transconductance and uniformity and thereby features an enhanced conforming rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Eon Silicon Solution Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Da Liu, Yider Wu
  • Patent number: 8320176
    Abstract: An electronic charge retention circuit for time measurement, implanted in an array of EEPROM memory cells, each including a selection transistor in series with a floating-gate transistor, the circuit including, on any one row of memory cells: a first subassembly of at least a first cell, the thickness of the dielectric of the tunnel window of the floating-gate transistor of which is less than that of the other cells; a second subassembly of at least a second cell, the drain and source of the floating-gate transistor of which are interconnected; a third subassembly of at least a third cell; and a fourth subassembly of at least a fourth cell, the tunnel window of which is omitted, the respective floating gates of the transistors of the cells of the four subassemblies being interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventor: Francesco La Rosa