Abstract:
A non-volatile latch circuit includes a pair of cross-coupled inverters, a pair of resistance-based memory elements, and write circuitry configured to write data to the pair of resistance-based memory elements. The pair of resistance-based memory elements is isolated from the pair of cross-coupled inverters during a latching operation. A sensing circuit includes a first current path that includes a resistance-based memory element and an output of the sensing circuit. The sensing circuit includes a second current path to reduce current flow through the resistance-based memory element at a first operating point of the sensing circuit.
Abstract:
An electronic device manufacturing process includes depositing a bottom electrode layer. Then an electronic device is fabricated on the bottom electrode layer. Patterning of the bottom electrode layer is performed after fabricating the electronic device and in a separate process from patterning a top electrode. A first dielectric layer is then deposited on the electronic device and the bottom electrode layer followed by a top electrode layer. The top electrode is then patterned in a separate process from the bottom electrode. Separately patterning the top and bottom electrodes improves yields by reducing voids in the dielectric material between electronic devices. One electronic device the manufacturing process is well-suited for is magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs).
Abstract:
A magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) device and fabrication method is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes an MTJ device. The MTJ device includes a free layer and a spin torque enhancing layer. The spin torque enhancing layer includes a nano-oxide layer.
Abstract:
A one time programming (OTP) apparatus unit cell includes magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with reversed connections for placing the MTJ in an anti-parallel resistance state during programming. Increased MTJ resistance in its anti-parallel resistance state causes a higher programming voltage which reduces programming time and programming current.
Abstract:
Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) type magnetic random access memory cells are constructed with a composite PMA layer to provide a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) with an acceptable thermal barrier. A PMA coupling layer is deposited between a first PMA layer and a second PMA layer to form the composite PMA layer. The composite PMA layer may be incorporated in PMA type MRAM cells or in-plane type MRAM cells.
Abstract:
A method includes sensing a state of a data cell to generate a data voltage. The state of the data cell corresponds to a state of a programmable resistance based memory element of the data cell. The method further includes sensing a state of a reference cell to generate a reference voltage. The state of the data cell and the state of the reference cell are sensed via a common sensing path. The method further includes determining a logic value of the data cell based on the data voltage and the reference voltage.
Abstract:
One feature pertains to a method of implementing a physically unclonable function (PUF). The method includes exposing an array of magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) cells to an orthogonal external magnetic field. The MRAM cells are each configured to represent one of a first logical state and a second logical state, and the orthogonal external magnetic field is oriented in an orthogonal direction to an easy axis of a free layer of the MRAM cells to place the MRAM cells in a neutral logical state that is not the first logical state or the second logical state. The method further includes removing the orthogonal external magnetic field to place each of the MRAM cells of the array randomly in either the first logical state or the second logical state.
Abstract:
A memory cell comprises a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure that includes a free layer coupled to a bit line and a pinned layer. A magnetic moment of the free layer is substantially parallel to a magnetic moment of the pinned layer in a first state and substantially antiparallel to the magnetic moment of the pinned layer in a second state. The pinned layer has a physical dimension to produce an offset magnetic field corresponding to a first switching current of the MTJ structure to enable switching between the first state and the second state when a first voltage is applied from the bit line to a source line coupled to an access transistor and a second switching current to enable switching between the second state and the first state when the first voltage is applied from the source line to the bit line.
Abstract:
Memory self-repair circuitry includes a memory cell array on a chip, and built-in self test (BIST) circuitry on the chip coupled to the memory cell array. The BIST circuitry is configured to perform a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) write operation to write addresses of failed memory cells in the memory cell array to a failed address sector also in the memory cell array. The memory self-repair circuitry also includes first select circuitry coupled between the BIST circuitry and the memory cell array. The first select circuitry is configured to selectively couple an output of the BIST circuitry and an input to the memory cell array.
Abstract:
A method includes creating a breakdown condition at a semiconductor transistor structure that includes an overlap region and a channel region. The breakdown condition is created by causing a first voltage difference between a gate of the semiconductor transistor structure and the overlap region to exceed a breakdown voltage of the semiconductor transistor structure while maintaining a second voltage difference between the gate and the channel region at less than the breakdown voltage.