US20080151654A1 - Method and apparatus to implement a reset function in a non-volatile static random access memory - Google Patents
Method and apparatus to implement a reset function in a non-volatile static random access memory Download PDFInfo
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- US20080151654A1 US20080151654A1 US11/644,165 US64416506A US2008151654A1 US 20080151654 A1 US20080151654 A1 US 20080151654A1 US 64416506 A US64416506 A US 64416506A US 2008151654 A1 US2008151654 A1 US 2008151654A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C7/00—Arrangements for writing information into, or reading information out from, a digital store
- G11C7/20—Memory cell initialisation circuits, e.g. when powering up or down, memory clear, latent image memory
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C14/00—Digital stores characterised by arrangements of cells having volatile and non-volatile storage properties for back-up when the power is down
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11C—STATIC STORES
- G11C14/00—Digital stores characterised by arrangements of cells having volatile and non-volatile storage properties for back-up when the power is down
- G11C14/0054—Digital stores characterised by arrangements of cells having volatile and non-volatile storage properties for back-up when the power is down in which the volatile element is a SRAM cell
- G11C14/0063—Digital stores characterised by arrangements of cells having volatile and non-volatile storage properties for back-up when the power is down in which the volatile element is a SRAM cell and the nonvolatile element is an EEPROM element, e.g. a floating gate or MNOS transistor
Definitions
- the present invention is generally directed to memory, and more particularly to implementing a reset function in a non-volatile Static Random Access Memory (nvSRAM) cell or array.
- nvSRAM non-volatile Static Random Access Memory
- a typical semiconductor memory device is comprised of a large number of memory elements, known as memory cells, that are each capable of storing a single digital bit.
- the memory cells are arranged into a plurality of separately addressable memory locations, each being capable of storing a predetermined number of digital data bits. All of the memory cells in the device are generally located upon a single semiconductor chip which is contacted and packaged for easy insertion into a computer system.
- a method for resetting a semiconductor memory array having a plurality of semiconductor memory cells has at least a volatile memory cell having a bit line pair with a first bit line and a second bit line.
- the first bit lines of each semiconductor memory in a column of the array are coupled together and the second bit lines are coupled together.
- the first and second bit lines are connected to an array reset circuit for independently grounding and applying voltage to the first and second bit lines.
- a node supplying power to each of the volatile memory cells is grounded by connecting the node to a ground node for each of the cells where the ground node has a means for limiting current flowing through the ground node coupled to the volatile memory cell ground node and a main ground node.
- the means for limiting current is set to a predetermined current limit.
- the first bit line of the bit line pair is grounded independent of the second bit line in each column in the array using an array reset circuit.
- a column of volatile memory cells in the semiconductor memory array is connected to an array reset circuit that is configured to both ground and apply voltage to the first bit line independent of the second bit line.
- a voltage representing a high state is then applied to each of the second bit lines of the bit line pairs in the semiconductor memory array.
- a voltage representing a high state is applied to the word line coupled to the volatile memory cell.
- the supply node from the ground node for each of the volatile memory cells and a voltage representing a high state is applied to the supply node thereby removing the current limit between the node supplying power and the volatile memory cell ground node.
- a semiconductor memory reset for use with a semiconductor memory cell.
- the reset comprises a circuit with a number of transistors for use with a semiconductor memory cell having a volatile cell and a non-volatile cell.
- the non-volatile cell is coupled to the volatile cell to transmit a bit of data there between.
- the volatile cell is configured to receive a bit of data from an exterior source, retain a bit of data and transmit a bit of data to said exterior source.
- the volatile cell loses a retained bit of data when power is removed from said volatile cell.
- the non-volatile cell also comprises a first and second transistor trigate structure having a number of series connected transistors, each trigate strucure coupled to the volatile cell.
- Each trigate has a store transistor, a recall transistor and a memory transistor.
- one transistor trigate is configured as an erase trigate and the other transistor trigate is configured as a store trigate.
- the store transistors are configured for connecting and disconnecting the non-volatile cell from said volatile cell.
- the recall transistors are configured for connecting and disconnecting said non-volatile cell from a power source.
- the memory transistors are configured for storing a bit of data received from the volatile cell and transmitting a bit of data to the volatile memory cell.
- the reset also comprises a current limiting means coupled to a ground node of the memory cell where the current limiting means is configured for limiting the flow of current from the volatile memory cell to the memory ground node.
- the reset also has an array reset circuit coupled to a bit line pair of the volatile memory. The array reset circuit is configured for independently controlling the voltage applied to each bit line in said bit line pair.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an nvSRAM memory cell in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an nvSRAM memory cell of FIG. 1 with an attached controller
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a RECALL function for an nvSRAM cell of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified RECALL function to reset the nvSRAM cell of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an array of memory cells having a number of rows and columns including an array reset circuit coupled to the bit line pairs of memory cells in each column;
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a current limiting circuit coupled between V SS and V SSI for limiting the current in each memory cell of FIG. 1 in the array of FIG. 5 .
- a system and method for resetting the memory locations in a non-volatile SRAM is disclosed.
- the disclosed method uses a single command to write all 0's or all 1's into every memory location.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a typical nvSRAM cell 100 with a single SRAM and a series-connected, non-volatile memory cell, hereinafter referred to as nvSRAM device 100 in accordance with the following invention. While the nvSRAM device 100 is illustrated as having a single nvSRAM memory cell (in this case, the single SRAM and a single non-volatile memory cell), it should be appreciated that an nvSRAM device typically includes a plurality of nvSRAM cells that are integrated with a controller onto a single semiconductor chip to form an array. The array may be of any size, in one embodiment the array size is 4 Mb, which equates to an array of 2048 rows and 2048 columns for a total number of 4,194,304 nvSRAM cells in the array.
- a basic nvSRAM cell 100 is comprised of a static random access memory (SRAM) cell 102 that is capable of communicating a bit of data to and from an exterior environment and a non-volatile (nv) cell 101 for providing backup storage to the SRAM cell in the event power is removed from the nvSRAM cell 100 .
- the SRAM cell 102 is capable, as long as power is being provided, of receiving a bit of data from an exterior environment, retaining the bit of data, and transmitting the bit of data back to the exterior environment. If, however, power is removed from the SRAM cell 102 , the SRAM cell will lose the bit of data.
- the nv cell 101 prevents loss of the bit of data by providing the capability to receive the bit of data from the SRAM 102 , retain the bit of data in the absence of power being provided to the SRAM cell 102 , and return the bit of data to the SRAM cell 102 when power is restored. For example, if there is a possibility of power to the SRAM cell 102 being lost, the bit of data can be transferred from the SRAM cell 102 to the nv cell 101 in a store operation. At a later time, the bit of data can be returned from the nv cell 101 to the SRAM cell 102 in a recall operation. The SRAM cell 102 can then transmit the bit of data to the exterior environment, if desired.
- the basic nvSRAM cell 100 is combined with other nvSRAM cells to form a memory array that is integrated onto a single semiconductor chip.
- Typical nvSRAM memory arrays are comprised of 1,048,576 nvSRAM cells.
- the motivation for creating integrated semiconductor chips with ever larger arrays of nvSRAM cells is that the area per cell decreases as more cells are integrated onto a chip. For example, four chips, each with arrays of 262,144 nvSRAM cells (an array of 512 ⁇ 512), occupy a greater surface area than a single chip with an array of 1,048,576 nvSRAM cells (an array of 1024 ⁇ 1024).
- the area occupied by a memory chip is important because many applications for the chip, such as personal computers, are continually attempting to provide more memory in less space.
- the volatile portion 102 is a six transistor Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell.
- SRAM Static Random Access Memory
- the word static indicates that the memory retains its contents as long as power remains applied. Random access means that locations in the memory can be written to or read from in any order, regardless of the memory location that was accessed last.
- SRAM cell 102 typically has three states: standby, writing and reading. In the standby state, the circuit is idle waiting for a read or a write operation to occur. In stand-by mode operation, the word line WL is not asserted and so transistors 165 , 170 disconnect the SRAM cell 102 from the bit lines BT 107 and BC 106 .
- the first cross coupled inverter formed by transistors 145 , 155 and the second cross coupled inverter formed by transistors 150 , 160 continue to reinforce each other and the data remains unchanged.
- the contents of SRAM cell 102 is updated.
- the write cycle begins by applying the value to be written to the bit lines BT 107 and BC 106 . Assume, for example, the dt 175 is at a logic level 1 and dc 180 is at a logic level 0. If a logic 0 is desired to be written, then bit line BT 107 is taken to ground while BC 106 is pre-charged to Vcc. Upon asserting the word line, the high node dt 175 inside the SRAM cell 102 gets discharged through transistor 165 to ground and the cell flips its state, thus writing a logic 0 into the cell.
- Each bit in an SRAM is stored on four transistors that form two cross-coupled inverters.
- the storage cell has two stable states, which are used to denote a 0 and a 1.
- Two additional transistors serve to control access to a storage cell during read and write operations. Accordingly, six transistors store one memory bit.
- each cell Access to each cell is enabled by the word line (WL) 121 that controls the two transistors 165 , 170 .
- Transistors 165 , 170 control whether the cell should be connected to the bit lines BT 107 and BC 106 .
- Transistors 165 , 170 are also used to transfer data for both the read and write operations. Two bit lines BT and BC are not required, however, both the true signal and the complement of that signal provide improved noise margins.
- nvSRAM cell 100 comprises a plurality of n-channel, Field-Effect Transistors (FETs); a plurality of nonvolatile elements, such as nonvolatile transistors or capacitors; and a plurality of p-channel FET load devices. It It should, however, also be appreciated that other types load devices, such as reistors and a combination of different types of transistors may utilized.
- FETs Field-Effect Transistors
- transistor mpdt 145 and mndt 155 form the first inverter and transistors mndt 160 and mpdc 150 form the second inverter.
- the output of the first inverter dt 175 is coupled to the input of the second inverter and the output of the second inverter dc 180 is coupled to the input of the first inverter.
- the configuration of the first and second inverters form the latch in the SRAM cell 102 .
- the first pass transistor mnbt 165 connects the bit line BT 107 to the data true node 175 and the second pass transistor mnbc 170 connects the bit-line complement BC 106 to the data complement node dc 180 .
- the nonvolatile portion 101 includes a first silicon oxide nitride oxide semiconductor (SONOS) FET 110 and a second SONOS FET 125 for respectively storing the state of the SRAM cell 102 .
- the state of SRAM cell 102 is stored in the first and second SONOS FETs 110 , 125 by performing a store operation. For example, if the first SRAM FET 155 is in an OFF state and the second SRAM FET 160 is in an ON state, the store operation would reflect this state of the first and second SRAM FETs 155 , 160 by forcing the threshold voltage for turning ON the first SONOS FET 110 to be less than the threshold voltage for turning ON the second SONOS FET 125 .
- SONOS silicon oxide nitride oxide semiconductor
- This forcing is accomplished by appropriately cycling a V SE signal applied to the gates of SONOS FETs 110 , 125 .
- the SONOS FETs 110 , 125 can be replaced with other types of nonvolatile storage elements, such as silicon nitride oxide semiconductor (SONOS) transistors or, with some circuit modifications, floating gate transistors, ferroelectric transistors, and capacitors to name a few.
- SONOS silicon nitride oxide semiconductor
- the nonvolatile portion 101 further includes a first store FET 115 and a second store FET 130 that operate as switches during store and recall operations to appropriately configure the nonvolatile portion 101 for the transfer of a bit of data between the volatile portion 102 and the nonvolatile portion 101 . More specifically, the first and second store FETs 115 , 130 function to connect the nonvolatile portion 101 to the volatile portion 102 during store and recall operations and to otherwise disconnect the nonvolatile portion 101 from the volatile portion 102 . The state of the first and second store FETs 115 , 130 is controlled by a V STR signal that is applied to the gates of the FETs.
- the first and second store FETs 115 , 130 are turned OFF to disconnect the nonvolatile portion 101 from the volatile portion 102 . Conversely, if the V STR signal is HIGH, the first and second store FETs 115 , 130 are turned ON to connect the nonvolatile portion 101 to the volatile portion 102 .
- a LOW signal is approximately 0V and a HIGH signal is approximately 1.8V.
- the nonvolatile portion 101 further includes a first recall FET 105 and a second recall FET 120 that also function as switches to place the nonvolatile portion 101 in the appropriate configuration for transferring a bit of data between the volatile portion 102 and the nonvolatile portion 101 during store and recall operations. More specifically, the first and second recall FETs 105 , 120 function to connect the nonvolatile portion 101 to V CCT during a recall operation and to disconnect the nonvolatile portion 101 from the V CCT during a store operation and otherwise. The first and second recall transistors 105 , 120 are turned OFF during a store operation. The state of the first and second recall FETs 105 , 120 is controlled by a V RCL signal that is applied to the gates of the FETs.
- the control signals on the V RCL , V SE , V STR and word lines WL are provided by a device control unit (illustrated in FIG. 2 ).
- a controller 199 is included in the nvSRAM device 100 for (1) providing signals to SRAM cell 102 to transfer a bit of data between the SRAM cell 102 and the exterior environment; (2) providing signals to the SRAM cell 102 and the non-volatile portion 101 to copy a bit of data from the SRAM cell 102 into the non-volatile portion 101 , i.e., cause a store operation to be performed; and (3) providing signals to the SRAM cell 102 and the non-volatile portion 101 to copy a bit of data from the non-volatile portion 101 to the SRAM cell 102 , i.e., cause a recall operation to be performed.
- the controller 199 performs the noted operations based upon signals received from a device, typically a microprocessor or a state machine, that is located exterior to the nvSRAM device 100 . For example, if a microprocessor required the bit of data stored in the SRAM 102 , it would issue a command to the controller 199 . In response, the controller 199 would provide the signals to the SRAM cell 102 to cause the bit of data in the SRAM cell 102 to be transferred to the exterior environment.
- the microprocessor can also request a store or recall operation with respect to one or the other of the non-volatile memory cells in the non-volatile portion 101 .
- the controller also performs certain operations without direction from a microprocessor.
- the controller 199 is capable of independently sensing when power is initially being applied to the device 100 and, in response, causing a recall operation (power-up recall operation) to be performed with respect to one of the non-volatile memory cells in the non-volatile portion 101 .
- the controller 199 is capable of sensing when power is being removed from the device 100 and, in response, causing a store operation (power-down store operation) to be performed with respect to one of the non-volatile memory cells in the non-volatile portion 101 .
- the non-volatile memory cell in the non-volatile portion 101 to which the bit of data in the SRAM cell 102 is transferred in the case of a power-down and the non-volatile memory cell in the non-volatile portion 101 from which a bit of data is recalled in the event of a power-up is established in the nvSRAM 100 during manufacture.
- the nvSRAM 100 is designed to allow the user to configure stores or recalls on the non-volatile memory cells. This configurability can be achieved via a command that is issued to the nvSRAM 100 or any of the other ways known in the art.
- nonvolatile configurations are possible to achieve the functions of the nonvolatile portion 101 of the cell 100 and the invention is in no way limited to the particular configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- the particular configuration utilized in any application will depend upon both technological and performance criteria.
- node V STR is held low which disconnects the nonvolatile section 101 of the nvSRAM cell from the volatile section 102 .
- the volatile section 102 of memory cell 100 is accessed in the following manner.
- the word line, WL 121 is raised to approximately 1.8V to turn on the pass transistor gates 165 , 170 and the data is read or written differentially through the bit lines, BT 107 and BC 106 .
- the transfer of data from the volatile section 102 to the non-volatile section 101 i.e. a STORE operation, takes place in two steps, during which the word line, WL 121 , is OFF or at 0V (i.e., ground).
- nonvolatile control lines V STR 108 and V RCL 109 remain low or OFF, which is typically 0V.
- non-volatile transistor gate of SONOS transistors 110 , 125 is pumped down to a negative supervoltage through node V SE 111 sufficient to positively charge the nitride dielectric through direct tunneling across the ultrathin tunnel oxide.
- the negative supervoltage is approximately equal to ⁇ 10V.
- Node V SE 111 is held at the negative supervoltage long enough to convert all the threshold voltages, V T , of all the nitride transistors in the array to equal depletion values.
- the erase portion of the STORE cycle is completed by discharging V SE back to ground.
- the V STR signal that gates the first and second store transistors is turned ON by raising VSTR to 1.8V.
- a programming pulse and programming voltage of approximately 10V is applied on VSE, which gates the first and second SONOS transistors.
- the store transistor with its gate and source voltage both at 1.8V is cutoff, while the store transistor with its gate voltage 1.8V and its source voltage at 0V is ON and puts the 0V on the source node of the SONOS transistor on the dc side of the SRAM cell.
- This SONOS transistor gets programmed as electrons tunnel into the nitride and get stored, thus raising the threshold voltage of the SONOS transistor on the dc side of the SRAM cell.
- the SONOS transistor on the dt side of the SRAM cell stays erased as its source and drain node couple up with the VSE voltage.
- a depletion transistor and an enhancement mode transistor are formed on both sides of the trigate.
- the RECALL cycle begins by clearing the existing SRAM data, first by discharging the bit lines, BT 107 and BC 106 , clamping V CCI to V SSI and then by turning on the word line, WL 121 . With word line 121 ON and the bit lines BT 107 and BC 106 at ground, the data nodes dt 175 and dc 180 are discharged to ground. The word line 121 is then returned to ground. Both nodes V STR and V RCL are turned on, providing a charging path to the internal nodes of the volatile section 102 through the nonvolatile section 101 to the power supply.
- V SE With nonvolatile gate, V SE , held at ground and assuming the last STORE operation left SONOS transistor 110 erased and SONOS transistor 125 programmed, and assuming that the erase threshold is ⁇ 1V and the program threshold is +1V, the SONOS transistor 110 will conduct current while the SONOS transistor 125 will not because its gate voltage is below its VT. Node dt 175 charges up high, while node dc 180 remains low, thereby reestablishing the data corresponding to the last STORE cycle as explained above.
- the RECALL operation is completed by powering up the SRAM and returning all control lines to their default states.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a prior art recall control circuit 202 for driving the bit lines BT 107 and BC 106 simultaneously to either the ON or OFF states, i.e. HIGH or LOW respectively. More particularly, recall control circuit 202 regulates the voltage on the bit lines, and therefore within the volatile portion 102 for, among other things, properly discharging the interior nodes dt 175 and dc 180 of memory cell 100 .
- Recall control circuit 202 is comprised of a first circuit portion 203 and a second circuit portion 204 .
- First circuit portion 203 has a first plurality of series connected p-channel transistors 200 , 210 , 220 and a second plurality of series connected p-channel transistors 205 , 215 , 225 that act as a load for the bit lines BT 107 and BC 106 respectively.
- the sources of transistor 200 and transistor 205 are connected to a power source V PWR 201 .
- the drains of transistors 220 and transistor 225 are connected to the BT 107 and BC 106 respectively.
- the gates of transistors 200 , 210 , 220 are connected together and coupled to node V read — b .
- Second circuit portion 204 has a first n-channel transistor 240 and a second n-channel transistor 245 that couple the bit lines BT 107 and BC 106 to ground node V SSI .
- the gate of transistor 240 is coupled to V clr , the source is connected to ground node V SSI and the drain is coupled to BT 107 .
- the gate of transistor 245 is coupled to V clr , the source is connected to ground node V SSI and the drain is coupled to BC 106 .
- signals V read — b and V clr are both at a HIGH state, which for the 0.13 ⁇ technology, is at a voltage of 1.8V.
- Setting V read — b and V clr to a HIGH state turns the p-channel transistors 200 , 205 , 210 , 215 , 220 , 225 off and turns n-channel transistors 240 , 245 on.
- bit lines BC 106 and BT 107 are grounded to V SSI . It should be appreciated that V read — b and V clr are maintained at a LOW state, or 0.0V, for a READ operation as described above.
- V read — b and V clr to a LOW state turns the p-channel transistors 200 , 205 , 210 , 215 , 220 , 225 on, and turns n-channel transistors 240 , 245 off.
- the p-channel transistors act as a weak pull-up load for bit lines BC 106 and BT 107 are coupled to V PWR 201 .
- FIG. 4 illustrates an array reset circuit 252 in accordance with the present invention.
- Array reset circuit 252 is capable of independently operating bit lines BT 107 and BC 106 .
- array reset circuit 252 may independently drive the state of bit line BT 107 either HIGH or LOW—which in the present invention is 1.8V or 0.0V respectively—independent of the state of bit line BC 106 .
- bit line BC 106 may be driven HIGH or LOW, independent of the state of the bit line BT 107 .
- Array reset circuit 252 is comprised of a first circuit portion 253 and a second circuit portion 254 .
- First circuit portion 253 has a first plurality of series connected p-channel transistors 250 , 260 , 270 and a second plurality of series connected p-channel transistors 255 , 265 , 275 that act as a load for the bit lines BT 107 and BC 106 respectively.
- the sources of transistor 250 and transistor 255 are connected to a power source V PWR 251 .
- the drains of transistors 270 and transistor 275 are connected to the BT 107 and BC 106 respectively.
- the gates of transistors 250 , 260 , 270 are connected together and coupled to node V read — b — bt .
- Second circuit portion 254 has a first n-channel transistor 290 and a second n-channel transistor 295 that couple the bit lines BT 107 and BC 106 to ground node V SSI .
- the gate of transistor 290 is coupled to V clr — bt , the source is connected to ground node V SSI and the drain is coupled to BT 107 .
- the gate of transistor 295 is coupled to V clr — bc , the source is connected to ground node V SSI and the drain is coupled to BC 106 .
- V CCI and V SSI in memory cell 100 are clamped close to chip ground V SS (not shown).
- a single bit line, for purposes of illustration bit line BC 106 is driven LOW or to chip ground. Accordingly, V read — b — bc and V clr — bc are maintained HIGH and V read — b — bt and V clr — bt are maintained LOW.
- Driving V read — b — bc and V clr — bc HIGH turns OFF the series connected p-channel transistors 250 , 255 , 260 , 265 , 270 , 275 and turns the n-channel transistor 240 to an ON state.
- bit line BC 106 is connected to ground node V SSI and thus driven LOW to chip ground.
- Driving V read — b — bt and V clr — bt LOW turns ON the series connected p-channel transistors 250 , 255 , 260 , 265 , 270 , 275 and turns the n-channel transistor 240 OFF.
- the series connected p-channel transistors become a load for bit Line BT 107 and thus energize BT 107 to a HIGH state.
- the word line WL is then asserted while V STR , V SE and V RCL supplying the transistors 105 , 110 , 115 , 120 , 135 , 130 in the non-volatile section 101 are maintained LOW.
- the node DT 175 is driven to a value of 1.8V ⁇ V t , where V t is the threshold voltage of the pass transistor mnbt 175 gated by the word line WL and the node DC 180 is pulled to ground.
- V CCI is unclamped from V SSI and forced to 1.8V.
- the volatile portion 102 of the memory cell 100 latches to reinforce the reset state.
- the current limit set up by current limit means 300 shown in FIG. 6 that is effectively in place between V CCI and V SSI is removed.
- the above referenced array reset circuit may be used to perform a voltage stress test for determining the weak transistors in a transistor array.
- the reset operation is performed and then the bias across the transistors is maintained for a longer period of time. There is no need to cycle through the addresses and apply the bias sequentially.
- Three of the six transistors in the volatile portion 102 will be biased when one bit line is HIGH and one bit line is LOW, so a two cycle operation will effectively test all transistors in an array.
- the reset procedure is also useful for a wafer level burn-in for applying the voltage stress at both an elevated temperature and voltage to locate the weak transistors.
- FIG. 5 illustrates an array of semiconductor memory cells where each column is coupled to an array reset circuit.
- a typical array of memory cells would have 1024 columns and 1024 rows making up a total of 1,048,576 total memory cells—i.e., a 1 megabit array.
- the array may be of any size having a number of rows and columns corresponding to the desired size.
- each column has an array reset circuit 252 A- 252 N associated therewith.
- the BT and BC output from the array reset circuit is coupled to each of the bit lines BT and BC in the column.
- bit lines of array reset circuit 252 A are connected to the bit lines of each of the memory cells 100 A 1 - 100 AN represented as bit lines BT 1 and BC 1 .
- the array reset circuit for a particular row may independently ground and apply voltage to each of the bit lines in a particular column in an array in the same operation as described above for a single memory cell.
- FIG. 6 shows a current limiting means 300 , which in the illustrated embodiment is a current mirror, having a current limiting transistor 310 for limiting the current between the memory cell ground V SSI 320 and the main chip ground V SS 315 .
- Current limiting transistor 310 is connected to V SSI for each memory cell 100 in a memory cell array. In operation, the current limiting transistor 310 functions to limit the flow of current into the memory cell ground V SSI 320 .
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention is generally directed to memory, and more particularly to implementing a reset function in a non-volatile Static Random Access Memory (nvSRAM) cell or array.
- 2. The Relevant Technology
- Semiconductor memory devices are widely used in the computer and electronics industries as a means for retaining digital information. A typical semiconductor memory device is comprised of a large number of memory elements, known as memory cells, that are each capable of storing a single digital bit. The memory cells are arranged into a plurality of separately addressable memory locations, each being capable of storing a predetermined number of digital data bits. All of the memory cells in the device are generally located upon a single semiconductor chip which is contacted and packaged for easy insertion into a computer system.
- The issue of producing a resettable semiconductor memory, which involves using a single command to write all “0”s or all “1”s into every memory location, has been frequently discussed. The most straightforward design approach to achieve this in an SRAM is to bring all word lines high, which consequently requires a significant amount of design and silicon overhead to control the very high current surges associated with moving large values of capacitance. Other methods have been employed using flags to output a high or low state when a given section of memory is addressed. In such devices, the individual memory cells are not immediately altered. Particular methods of resetting semiconductor memory are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,663 to Leong, et al. and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,176 to Shyn et al.
- It would therefore be advantageous to provide a method and apparatus for producing a resettable semiconductor memory without utilizing additional silicon overhead and without providing additional circuitry to control the maximum chip current.
- The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.
- In one embodiment, a method for resetting a semiconductor memory array having a plurality of semiconductor memory cells is provided. Each semiconductor memory cell has at least a volatile memory cell having a bit line pair with a first bit line and a second bit line. The first bit lines of each semiconductor memory in a column of the array are coupled together and the second bit lines are coupled together. The first and second bit lines are connected to an array reset circuit for independently grounding and applying voltage to the first and second bit lines. A node supplying power to each of the volatile memory cells is grounded by connecting the node to a ground node for each of the cells where the ground node has a means for limiting current flowing through the ground node coupled to the volatile memory cell ground node and a main ground node. The means for limiting current is set to a predetermined current limit.
- The first bit line of the bit line pair is grounded independent of the second bit line in each column in the array using an array reset circuit. A column of volatile memory cells in the semiconductor memory array is connected to an array reset circuit that is configured to both ground and apply voltage to the first bit line independent of the second bit line. A voltage representing a high state is then applied to each of the second bit lines of the bit line pairs in the semiconductor memory array. A voltage representing a high state is applied to the word line coupled to the volatile memory cell. The supply node from the ground node for each of the volatile memory cells and a voltage representing a high state is applied to the supply node thereby removing the current limit between the node supplying power and the volatile memory cell ground node.
- In another embodiment, a semiconductor memory reset for use with a semiconductor memory cell is provided. The reset comprises a circuit with a number of transistors for use with a semiconductor memory cell having a volatile cell and a non-volatile cell. The non-volatile cell is coupled to the volatile cell to transmit a bit of data there between. The volatile cell is configured to receive a bit of data from an exterior source, retain a bit of data and transmit a bit of data to said exterior source. The volatile cell loses a retained bit of data when power is removed from said volatile cell. The non-volatile cell also comprises a first and second transistor trigate structure having a number of series connected transistors, each trigate strucure coupled to the volatile cell. Each trigate has a store transistor, a recall transistor and a memory transistor. When storing data, one transistor trigate is configured as an erase trigate and the other transistor trigate is configured as a store trigate. The store transistors are configured for connecting and disconnecting the non-volatile cell from said volatile cell. The recall transistors are configured for connecting and disconnecting said non-volatile cell from a power source. The memory transistors are configured for storing a bit of data received from the volatile cell and transmitting a bit of data to the volatile memory cell. The reset also comprises a current limiting means coupled to a ground node of the memory cell where the current limiting means is configured for limiting the flow of current from the volatile memory cell to the memory ground node. The reset also has an array reset circuit coupled to a bit line pair of the volatile memory. The array reset circuit is configured for independently controlling the voltage applied to each bit line in said bit line pair.
- In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following descriptions.
- Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an nvSRAM memory cell in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an nvSRAM memory cell ofFIG. 1 with an attached controller; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a RECALL function for an nvSRAM cell ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified RECALL function to reset the nvSRAM cell ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an array of memory cells having a number of rows and columns including an array reset circuit coupled to the bit line pairs of memory cells in each column; and -
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a current limiting circuit coupled between VSS and VSSI for limiting the current in each memory cell ofFIG. 1 in the array ofFIG. 5 . - A system and method for resetting the memory locations in a non-volatile SRAM is disclosed. The disclosed method uses a single command to write all 0's or all 1's into every memory location.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates atypical nvSRAM cell 100 with a single SRAM and a series-connected, non-volatile memory cell, hereinafter referred to asnvSRAM device 100 in accordance with the following invention. While thenvSRAM device 100 is illustrated as having a single nvSRAM memory cell (in this case, the single SRAM and a single non-volatile memory cell), it should be appreciated that an nvSRAM device typically includes a plurality of nvSRAM cells that are integrated with a controller onto a single semiconductor chip to form an array. The array may be of any size, in one embodiment the array size is 4 Mb, which equates to an array of 2048 rows and 2048 columns for a total number of 4,194,304 nvSRAM cells in the array. - A
basic nvSRAM cell 100 is comprised of a static random access memory (SRAM) cell 102 that is capable of communicating a bit of data to and from an exterior environment and a non-volatile (nv)cell 101 for providing backup storage to the SRAM cell in the event power is removed from thenvSRAM cell 100. More particularly, the SRAM cell 102 is capable, as long as power is being provided, of receiving a bit of data from an exterior environment, retaining the bit of data, and transmitting the bit of data back to the exterior environment. If, however, power is removed from the SRAM cell 102, the SRAM cell will lose the bit of data. Thenv cell 101 prevents loss of the bit of data by providing the capability to receive the bit of data from the SRAM 102, retain the bit of data in the absence of power being provided to the SRAM cell 102, and return the bit of data to the SRAM cell 102 when power is restored. For example, if there is a possibility of power to the SRAM cell 102 being lost, the bit of data can be transferred from the SRAM cell 102 to thenv cell 101 in a store operation. At a later time, the bit of data can be returned from thenv cell 101 to the SRAM cell 102 in a recall operation. The SRAM cell 102 can then transmit the bit of data to the exterior environment, if desired. - Typically, the
basic nvSRAM cell 100 is combined with other nvSRAM cells to form a memory array that is integrated onto a single semiconductor chip. Typical nvSRAM memory arrays are comprised of 1,048,576 nvSRAM cells. The motivation for creating integrated semiconductor chips with ever larger arrays of nvSRAM cells is that the area per cell decreases as more cells are integrated onto a chip. For example, four chips, each with arrays of 262,144 nvSRAM cells (an array of 512×512), occupy a greater surface area than a single chip with an array of 1,048,576 nvSRAM cells (an array of 1024×1024). The area occupied by a memory chip is important because many applications for the chip, such as personal computers, are continually attempting to provide more memory in less space. - In the illustrated example, the volatile portion 102 is a six transistor Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell. The word static indicates that the memory retains its contents as long as power remains applied. Random access means that locations in the memory can be written to or read from in any order, regardless of the memory location that was accessed last.
- SRAM cell 102 typically has three states: standby, writing and reading. In the standby state, the circuit is idle waiting for a read or a write operation to occur. In stand-by mode operation, the word line WL is not asserted and so
transistors bit lines BT 107 andBC 106. The first cross coupled inverter formed bytransistors transistors - In the read state, data within SRAM cell 102 is requested. Assume for purposes of explanation that the contents of the memory of SRAM cell 102 is a 1 stored at
dt 175 and a 0 stored atdc 180. The read cycles starts by pre-charging both the bit lines to a logical 1, then asserting the word line WL, thereby enabling bothtransistors dt 175 anddc 180 are transferred to thebit lines BT 107 and BC 106 by leaving BT at its pre-charged value and discharging BC throughtransistor 170 andtransistor 160. On the BT side,transistor 165 is cutoff because the VGS on this transistor equals 0V, and thus BT remains pre-charged atlogic 1. If, however, the contents of the memory of SRAM cell 102 was a logic 0, the opposite would happen and BC would be pulled towards alogic 1 and BT would discharge throughtransistor 165 andtransistor 155. - In the write state, the contents of SRAM cell 102 is updated. The write cycle begins by applying the value to be written to the
bit lines BT 107 andBC 106. Assume, for example, thedt 175 is at alogic level 1 anddc 180 is at a logic level 0. If a logic 0 is desired to be written, then bitline BT 107 is taken to ground whileBC 106 is pre-charged to Vcc. Upon asserting the word line, thehigh node dt 175 inside the SRAM cell 102 gets discharged throughtransistor 165 to ground and the cell flips its state, thus writing a logic 0 into the cell. - Each bit in an SRAM is stored on four transistors that form two cross-coupled inverters. The storage cell has two stable states, which are used to denote a 0 and a 1. Two additional transistors serve to control access to a storage cell during read and write operations. Accordingly, six transistors store one memory bit.
- Access to each cell is enabled by the word line (WL) 121 that controls the two
transistors Transistors bit lines BT 107 andBC 106.Transistors - Generally, as illustrated in
FIG. 1 ,nvSRAM cell 100 comprises a plurality of n-channel, Field-Effect Transistors (FETs); a plurality of nonvolatile elements, such as nonvolatile transistors or capacitors; and a plurality of p-channel FET load devices. It It should, however, also be appreciated that other types load devices, such as reistors and a combination of different types of transistors may utilized. - As shown in
FIG. 1 ,transistor mpdt 145 andmndt 155 form the first inverter and transistors mndt 160 andmpdc 150 form the second inverter. The output of thefirst inverter dt 175 is coupled to the input of the second inverter and the output of thesecond inverter dc 180 is coupled to the input of the first inverter. The configuration of the first and second inverters form the latch in the SRAM cell 102. There are twopass transistors pass transistor mnbt 165 connects thebit line BT 107 to the datatrue node 175 and the secondpass transistor mnbc 170 connects the bit-line complement BC 106 to the data complementnode dc 180. - The
nonvolatile portion 101 includes a first silicon oxide nitride oxide semiconductor (SONOS)FET 110 and asecond SONOS FET 125 for respectively storing the state of the SRAM cell 102. The state of SRAM cell 102 is stored in the first andsecond SONOS FETs first SRAM FET 155 is in an OFF state and thesecond SRAM FET 160 is in an ON state, the store operation would reflect this state of the first andsecond SRAM FETs first SONOS FET 110 to be less than the threshold voltage for turning ON thesecond SONOS FET 125. This forcing is accomplished by appropriately cycling a VSE signal applied to the gates ofSONOS FETs SONOS FETs - The
nonvolatile portion 101 further includes afirst store FET 115 and asecond store FET 130 that operate as switches during store and recall operations to appropriately configure thenonvolatile portion 101 for the transfer of a bit of data between the volatile portion 102 and thenonvolatile portion 101. More specifically, the first andsecond store FETs nonvolatile portion 101 to the volatile portion 102 during store and recall operations and to otherwise disconnect thenonvolatile portion 101 from the volatile portion 102. The state of the first andsecond store FETs second store FETs nonvolatile portion 101 from the volatile portion 102. Conversely, if the VSTR signal is HIGH, the first andsecond store FETs nonvolatile portion 101 to the volatile portion 102. Typically, a LOW signal is approximately 0V and a HIGH signal is approximately 1.8V. - The
nonvolatile portion 101 further includes afirst recall FET 105 and asecond recall FET 120 that also function as switches to place thenonvolatile portion 101 in the appropriate configuration for transferring a bit of data between the volatile portion 102 and thenonvolatile portion 101 during store and recall operations. More specifically, the first andsecond recall FETs nonvolatile portion 101 to VCCT during a recall operation and to disconnect thenonvolatile portion 101 from the VCCT during a store operation and otherwise. The first andsecond recall transistors second recall FETs second recall FETs nonvolatile portion 101 from VCCT. Conversely, if the VRCL signal is HIGH, the first andsecond recall FETs nonvolatile portion 101 to VCCT. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control signals on the VRCL, VSE, VSTR and word lines WL are provided by a device control unit (illustrated inFIG. 2 ). - As illustrated in
FIG. 2 , acontroller 199 is included in thenvSRAM device 100 for (1) providing signals to SRAM cell 102 to transfer a bit of data between the SRAM cell 102 and the exterior environment; (2) providing signals to the SRAM cell 102 and thenon-volatile portion 101 to copy a bit of data from the SRAM cell 102 into thenon-volatile portion 101, i.e., cause a store operation to be performed; and (3) providing signals to the SRAM cell 102 and thenon-volatile portion 101 to copy a bit of data from thenon-volatile portion 101 to the SRAM cell 102, i.e., cause a recall operation to be performed. Thecontroller 199 performs the noted operations based upon signals received from a device, typically a microprocessor or a state machine, that is located exterior to thenvSRAM device 100. For example, if a microprocessor required the bit of data stored in the SRAM 102, it would issue a command to thecontroller 199. In response, thecontroller 199 would provide the signals to the SRAM cell 102 to cause the bit of data in the SRAM cell 102 to be transferred to the exterior environment. The microprocessor can also request a store or recall operation with respect to one or the other of the non-volatile memory cells in thenon-volatile portion 101. - The controller also performs certain operations without direction from a microprocessor. For instance, the
controller 199 is capable of independently sensing when power is initially being applied to thedevice 100 and, in response, causing a recall operation (power-up recall operation) to be performed with respect to one of the non-volatile memory cells in thenon-volatile portion 101. Conversely, thecontroller 199 is capable of sensing when power is being removed from thedevice 100 and, in response, causing a store operation (power-down store operation) to be performed with respect to one of the non-volatile memory cells in thenon-volatile portion 101. The non-volatile memory cell in thenon-volatile portion 101 to which the bit of data in the SRAM cell 102 is transferred in the case of a power-down and the non-volatile memory cell in thenon-volatile portion 101 from which a bit of data is recalled in the event of a power-up is established in thenvSRAM 100 during manufacture. Alternatively, thenvSRAM 100 is designed to allow the user to configure stores or recalls on the non-volatile memory cells. This configurability can be achieved via a command that is issued to thenvSRAM 100 or any of the other ways known in the art. - It should be appreciated that other nonvolatile configurations are possible to achieve the functions of the
nonvolatile portion 101 of thecell 100 and the invention is in no way limited to the particular configuration illustrated inFIG. 1 . The particular configuration utilized in any application will depend upon both technological and performance criteria. - During normal SRAM cell operation, node VSTR is held low which disconnects the
nonvolatile section 101 of the nvSRAM cell from the volatile section 102. In other words, there is typically no communication between volatile section 102 andnonvolatile section 101 of thememory cell 100. The volatile section 102 ofmemory cell 100 is accessed in the following manner. The word line, WL 121, is raised to approximately 1.8V to turn on thepass transistor gates BT 107 andBC 106. The transfer of data from the volatile section 102 to thenon-volatile section 101, i.e. a STORE operation, takes place in two steps, during which the word line, WL 121, is OFF or at 0V (i.e., ground). - During the first step, the erase portion of the STORE cycle, nonvolatile control lines VSTR 108 and VRCL 109 remain low or OFF, which is typically 0V. Then, non-volatile transistor gate of
SONOS transistors - To program the non-volatile SRAM from the data in the volatile SRAM, assuming that the last SRAM write has left a logic “1,” which leaves the data true node of the SRAM cell at 1.8V and the data complement node at a logic level 0. With the word line 121 to the SRAM cell 102 at ground, and the bit line pairs
BT 107 and BC 106 maintaied at 1.8V, the VSTR signal that gates the first and second store transistors is turned ON by raising VSTR to 1.8V. Next, a programming pulse and programming voltage of approximately 10V is applied on VSE, which gates the first and second SONOS transistors. The store transistor with its gate and source voltage both at 1.8V is cutoff, while the store transistor with its gate voltage 1.8V and its source voltage at 0V is ON and puts the 0V on the source node of the SONOS transistor on the dc side of the SRAM cell. This SONOS transistor gets programmed as electrons tunnel into the nitride and get stored, thus raising the threshold voltage of the SONOS transistor on the dc side of the SRAM cell. The SONOS transistor on the dt side of the SRAM cell stays erased as its source and drain node couple up with the VSE voltage. Thus, a depletion transistor and an enhancement mode transistor are formed on both sides of the trigate. - The RECALL cycle begins by clearing the existing SRAM data, first by discharging the bit lines,
BT 107 andBC 106, clamping VCCI to VSSI and then by turning on the word line, WL 121. With word line 121 ON and thebit lines BT 107 and BC 106 at ground, thedata nodes dt 175 anddc 180 are discharged to ground. The word line 121 is then returned to ground. Both nodes VSTR and VRCL are turned on, providing a charging path to the internal nodes of the volatile section 102 through thenonvolatile section 101 to the power supply. With nonvolatile gate, VSE, held at ground and assuming the last STORE operation leftSONOS transistor 110 erased andSONOS transistor 125 programmed, and assuming that the erase threshold is −1V and the program threshold is +1V, theSONOS transistor 110 will conduct current while theSONOS transistor 125 will not because its gate voltage is below its VT.Node dt 175 charges up high, whilenode dc 180 remains low, thereby reestablishing the data corresponding to the last STORE cycle as explained above. The RECALL operation is completed by powering up the SRAM and returning all control lines to their default states. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a prior artrecall control circuit 202 for driving thebit lines BT 107 and BC 106 simultaneously to either the ON or OFF states, i.e. HIGH or LOW respectively. More particularly,recall control circuit 202 regulates the voltage on the bit lines, and therefore within the volatile portion 102 for, among other things, properly discharging theinterior nodes dt 175 anddc 180 ofmemory cell 100. -
Recall control circuit 202 is comprised of afirst circuit portion 203 and asecond circuit portion 204.First circuit portion 203 has a first plurality of series connected p-channel transistors channel transistors bit lines BT 107 and BC 106 respectively. The sources oftransistor 200 andtransistor 205 are connected to apower source V PWR 201. The drains oftransistors 220 andtransistor 225 are connected to theBT 107 and BC 106 respectively. The gates oftransistors — b. The gates oftransistors — b.Second circuit portion 204 has a first n-channel transistor 240 and a second n-channel transistor 245 that couple thebit lines BT 107 and BC 106 to ground node VSSI. The gate oftransistor 240 is coupled to Vclr, the source is connected to ground node VSSI and the drain is coupled toBT 107. The gate oftransistor 245 is coupled to Vclr, the source is connected to ground node VSSI and the drain is coupled toBC 106. - In operation, signals Vread
— b and Vclr, for a RECALL operation, are both at a HIGH state, which for the 0.13μ technology, is at a voltage of 1.8V. Setting Vread— b and Vclr to a HIGH state turns the p-channel transistors channel transistors BT 107 are grounded to VSSI. It should be appreciated that Vread— b and Vclr are maintained at a LOW state, or 0.0V, for a READ operation as described above. Setting Vread— b and Vclr to a LOW state turns the p-channel transistors channel transistors BT 107 are coupled toV PWR 201. -
FIG. 4 illustrates anarray reset circuit 252 in accordance with the present invention.Array reset circuit 252 is capable of independently operatingbit lines BT 107 andBC 106. In other words, array resetcircuit 252 may independently drive the state ofbit line BT 107 either HIGH or LOW—which in the present invention is 1.8V or 0.0V respectively—independent of the state ofbit line BC 106. At the same time, bit line BC 106 may be driven HIGH or LOW, independent of the state of thebit line BT 107. -
Array reset circuit 252 is comprised of afirst circuit portion 253 and asecond circuit portion 254.First circuit portion 253 has a first plurality of series connected p-channel transistors channel transistors bit lines BT 107 and BC 106 respectively. The sources oftransistor 250 andtransistor 255 are connected to apower source V PWR 251. The drains oftransistors 270 andtransistor 275 are connected to theBT 107 and BC 106 respectively. The gates oftransistors — b— bt. The gates oftransistors — b— bc.Second circuit portion 254 has a first n-channel transistor 290 and a second n-channel transistor 295 that couple thebit lines BT 107 and BC 106 to ground node VSSI. The gate oftransistor 290 is coupled to Vclr— bt, the source is connected to ground node VSSI and the drain is coupled toBT 107. The gate oftransistor 295 is coupled to Vclr— bc, the source is connected to ground node VSSI and the drain is coupled toBC 106. - In operation, for an array reset operation, VCCI and VSSI in
memory cell 100 are clamped close to chip ground VSS (not shown). A single bit line, for purposes of illustration bit line BC 106 is driven LOW or to chip ground. Accordingly, Vread— b— bc and Vclr— bc are maintained HIGH and Vread— b— bt and Vclr— bt are maintained LOW. Driving Vread— b— bc and Vclr— bc HIGH turns OFF the series connected p-channel transistors channel transistor 240 to an ON state. Accordingly, bit line BC 106 is connected to ground node VSSI and thus driven LOW to chip ground. Driving Vread— b— bt and Vclr— bt LOW turns ON the series connected p-channel transistors channel transistor 240 OFF. The series connected p-channel transistors become a load forbit Line BT 107 and thus energizeBT 107 to a HIGH state. - The word line WL is then asserted while VSTR, VSE and VRCL supplying the
transistors non-volatile section 101 are maintained LOW. Thenode DT 175 is driven to a value of 1.8V−Vt, where Vt is the threshold voltage of thepass transistor mnbt 175 gated by the word line WL and thenode DC 180 is pulled to ground. Then, for purposes of cell regeneration, VCCI is unclamped from VSSI and forced to 1.8V. The volatile portion 102 of thememory cell 100 latches to reinforce the reset state. The current limit set up by current limit means 300 shown inFIG. 6 , that is effectively in place between VCCI and VSSI is removed. - The above referenced array reset circuit may be used to perform a voltage stress test for determining the weak transistors in a transistor array. In operation, the reset operation is performed and then the bias across the transistors is maintained for a longer period of time. There is no need to cycle through the addresses and apply the bias sequentially. Three of the six transistors in the volatile portion 102 will be biased when one bit line is HIGH and one bit line is LOW, so a two cycle operation will effectively test all transistors in an array. The reset procedure is also useful for a wafer level burn-in for applying the voltage stress at both an elevated temperature and voltage to locate the weak transistors.
-
FIG. 5 illustrates an array of semiconductor memory cells where each column is coupled to an array reset circuit. A typical array of memory cells would have 1024 columns and 1024 rows making up a total of 1,048,576 total memory cells—i.e., a 1 megabit array. However, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, the array may be of any size having a number of rows and columns corresponding to the desired size. As shown, each column has anarray reset circuit 252A-252N associated therewith. For each column, the BT and BC output from the array reset circuit is coupled to each of the bit lines BT and BC in the column. For example, the bit lines of array resetcircuit 252A are connected to the bit lines of each of the memory cells 100A1-100AN represented as bit lines BT1 and BC1. In this manner, the array reset circuit for a particular row may independently ground and apply voltage to each of the bit lines in a particular column in an array in the same operation as described above for a single memory cell. -
FIG. 6 shows a current limiting means 300, which in the illustrated embodiment is a current mirror, having a current limitingtransistor 310 for limiting the current between the memorycell ground V SSI 320 and the mainchip ground V SS 315. Current limitingtransistor 310 is connected to VSSI for eachmemory cell 100 in a memory cell array. In operation, the current limitingtransistor 310 functions to limit the flow of current into the memorycell ground V SSI 320. - While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.
Claims (16)
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US13/216,546 US8315096B2 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2011-08-24 | Method and apparatus to implement a reset function in a non-volatile static random access memory |
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