公开(公告)号：US20240069096A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-29

申请号：US18228048

申请日：2023-07-31

Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.

Inventor： Bhupender SINGH ,  Hitesh CHAWLA ,  Tanuj KUMAR ,  Harsh RAWAT ,  Kedar Janardan DHORI ,  Manuj AYODHYAWASI ,  Nitin CHAWLA ,  Promod KUMAR

IPC: G01R31/317 ,  G11C11/418 ,  G11C11/419

CPC classification number: G01R31/31724 ,  G11C11/418 ,  G11C11/419

Abstract: An array of a memory includes sub-arrays with memory cells arranged in a row-column matrix where each row includes a word line and each sub-array column includes a local bit line. A row decoder supports two modes of memory operation: a first mode where only one word line in the memory array is actuated during a read and a second mode where one word line per sub-array are simultaneously actuated during the read. An input/output circuit for each column includes inputs to the local bit lines of the sub-arrays, a column data output coupled to the bit line inputs, and a sub-array data output coupled to each bit line input. BIST testing of the input/output circuit is supported through data at both the column data output and the sub-array data outputs in order to confirm proper memory operation in support of both the first and second modes of operation.

公开(公告)号：US20230009329A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-12

申请号：US17850207

申请日：2022-06-27

Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.

Inventor： Harsh RAWAT ,  Kedar Janardan DHORI ,  Promod KUMAR ,  Nitin CHAWLA ,  Manuj AYODHYAWASI

IPC: G11C11/408 ,  G11C11/4094 ,  G11C11/4074 ,  G11C11/4096

Abstract: A circuit includes a memory array with SRAM cells connected in rows by word lines and in columns by bit lines. A row controller circuit simultaneously actuates, through a word line driver circuit for each row, word lines in parallel for an in-memory compute operation. A column processing circuit processes analog voltages developed on the bit lines in response to the simultaneous actuation to generate a decision output for the in-memory compute operation. A bit line precharge circuit generates a precharge voltage for application to each pair of bit lines. The precharge voltage has a first voltage level (not greater than a positive supply voltage for the SRAM cells) when the memory array is operating in a data read/write mode. The precharge voltage has a second voltage level (greater than the first voltage level) in advance of the simultaneous actuation of the word lines for the in-memory compute operation.

公开(公告)号：US20230008833A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-12

申请号：US17849903

申请日：2022-06-27

Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.

Inventor： Harsh RAWAT ,  Kedar Janardan DHORI ,  Promod KUMAR ,  Nitin CHAWLA ,  Manuj AYODHYAWASI

IPC: G11C11/418

Abstract: SRAM cells are connected in columns by bit lines and connected in rows by first and second word lines coupled to first and second data storage sides of the SRAM cells. First the first word lines are actuated in parallel and then next the second word lines are actuated in parallel in first and second phases, respectively, of an in-memory compute operation. Bit line voltages in the first and second phases are processed to generate an in-memory compute operation decision. A low supply node reference voltage for the SRAM cells is selectively modulated between a ground voltage and a negative voltage. The first data storage side receives the negative voltage and the second data storage side receives the ground voltage during the second phase. Conversely, the second data storage side receives the negative voltage and the first data storage side receives the ground voltage during the first phase.

公开(公告)号：US20250054528A1

公开(公告)日：2025-02-13

申请号：US18929840

申请日：2024-10-29

Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.

Inventor： Praveen Kumar VERMA ,  Promod KUMAR ,  Harsh RAWAT

IPC: G11C8/20 ,  G11C11/418

Abstract: A method of corrupting contents of a memory array includes asserting a signal at a reset node to thereby cause starving of current supply to the memory array, and selecting bit lines and complementary bit lines associated with desired columns of the memory array that contain memory cells to have their contents corrupted. For each desired column, a logic state of its bit line and complementary bit line are forced to a same logic state. Each word line associated with desired rows of the memory array that contains memory cells to have their contents corrupted is simultaneously asserted, and then simultaneously deasserted to thereby place each memory cell to have its contents corrupted into a metastable state during a single clock cycle.

公开(公告)号：US20240112728A1

公开(公告)日：2024-04-04

申请号：US18244782

申请日：2023-09-11

Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.

Inventor： Harsh RAWAT ,  Kedar Janardan DHORI ,  Dipti ARYA ,  Promod KUMAR ,  Nitin CHAWLA ,  Manuj AYODHYAWASI

IPC: G11C11/418 ,  G11C11/412 ,  G11C11/419

CPC classification number: G11C11/418 ,  G11C11/412 ,  G11C11/419 ,  H03M1/12

Abstract: A memory array includes sub-arrays with memory cells arranged in a row-column matrix where each row includes a word line and each sub-array column includes a local bit line. A control circuit supports a first operating mode where only one word line in the memory array is actuated during memory access and a second operating mode where one word line per sub-array is simultaneously actuated during an in-memory computation performed as a function of weight data stored in the memory and applied feature data. Computation circuitry coupling each memory cell to the local bit line for each column of the sub-array logically combines a bit of feature data for the in-memory computation with a bit of weight data to generate a logical output on the local bit line which is charge shared with the global bit line.

公开(公告)号：US20240071439A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-29

申请号：US18233522

申请日：2023-08-14

Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.

Inventor： Harsh RAWAT ,  Nitin CHAWLA ,  Promod KUMAR ,  Kedar Janardan DHORI ,  Manuj AYODHYAWASI

IPC: G11C7/10 ,  G11C7/12

CPC classification number: G11C7/109 ,  G11C7/1087 ,  G11C7/1096 ,  G11C7/12

Abstract: The memory array of a circuit includes sub-arrays with memory cells arranged in a row-column matrix where each row includes a word line and each sub-array column includes a local bit line. A control circuit supports two modes of circuit operation: a first mode where only one word line in the memory array is actuated during a memory read and a second mode where one word line per sub-array are simultaneously actuated during the memory read. An input/output circuit for each column includes inputs to the local bit lines of the sub-arrays, a column data output coupled to the bit line inputs, and a sub-array data output coupled to each bit line input. In memory computation operations are performed in the second mode as a function of feature data and weight data stored in the memory.

公开(公告)号：US20230386566A1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-30

申请号：US18137191

申请日：2023-04-20

Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.

Inventor： Kedar Janardan DHORI ,  Harsh RAWAT ,  Promod KUMAR ,  Nitin CHAWLA ,  Manuj AYODHYAWASI

IPC: G11C11/419 ,  G11C11/418 ,  G11C11/412 ,  H03M1/46

CPC classification number: G11C11/419 ,  G11C11/418 ,  G11C11/412 ,  H03M1/46

Abstract: An in-memory computation circuit includes a memory array with SRAM cells connected in rows by word lines and in columns by bit lines. A row controller circuit simultaneously actuates word lines in parallel for an in-memory compute operation. A column processing circuit includes a clamping circuit that clamps a voltage on the bit line to a level exceeding an SRAM cell bit flip voltage during execution of the in-memory compute operation. The column processing circuit may further include a current mirroring circuit that mirrors the read current developed on each bit line in response to the simultaneous actuation to generate a decision output for the in-memory compute operation. The mirrored read current is integrated by an integration capacitor to generate an output voltage that is converted to a digital signal by an analog-to-digital converter circuit.

公开(公告)号：US20230386565A1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-30

申请号：US18136507

申请日：2023-04-19

Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.

Inventor： Kedar Janardan DHORI ,  Harsh RAWAT ,  Promod KUMAR ,  Nitin CHAWLA ,  Manuj AYODHYAWASI

IPC: G11C11/419 ,  G11C11/418 ,  G11C11/412 ,  H03M1/74

CPC classification number: G11C11/419 ,  G11C11/418 ,  G11C11/412 ,  H03M1/742

Abstract: An in-memory computation circuit includes a memory array including sub-arrays of with SRAM cells connected in rows by word lines and in columns by bit lines. A row controller circuit selectively actuates word lines across the sub-arrays for an in-memory compute operation. A computation tile circuit for each sub-array includes a column compute circuit for each bit line. Each column compute circuit includes a switched timing circuit that is actuated in response to weight data on the bit line for a duration of time set by an in-memory compute operation enable signal. A current digital-to-analog converter powered by the switched timing circuit operates to generate a drain current having a magnitude controlled by bits of feature data for the in-memory compute operation. The drain current is integrated to generate an output voltage.

公开(公告)号：US20230050783A1

公开(公告)日：2023-02-16

申请号：US17861384

申请日：2022-07-11

Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.

Inventor： Praveen Kumar VERMA ,  Harsh RAWAT

IPC: G11C11/419 ,  G11C11/418

Abstract: A memory array includes memory cells forming a data word location accessed in response to a word line signal. A data sensing circuit configured to sense data on bit lines associated with the memory cells. The sensed data corresponds to a current data word stored at the data word location. A data latching circuit latches the sensed data for the current data word from the data sensing circuit. A data modification circuit then performs a mathematical modify operation on the current data word to generate a modified data word. The modified data word is then applied by a data writing circuit to the bit lines for writing back to the memory cells of the memory array at the data word location. The operations are advantageously performed within a single clock cycle.

公开(公告)号：US20230018420A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-19

申请号：US17853026

申请日：2022-06-29

Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.

Inventor： Praveen Kumar VERMA ,  Promod KUMAR ,  Harsh RAWAT

IPC: G11C8/20 ,  G11C11/418

Abstract: A method of corrupting contents of a memory array includes asserting a signal at a reset node to thereby cause starving of current supply to the memory array, and selecting bit lines and complementary bit lines associated with desired columns of the memory array that contain memory cells to have their contents corrupted. For each desired column, a logic state of its bit line and complementary bit line are forced to a same logic state. Each word line associated with desired rows of the memory array that contains memory cells to have their contents corrupted is simultaneously asserted, and then simultaneously deasserted to thereby place each memory cell to have its contents corrupted into a metastable state during a single clock cycle.