Driver circuit for phase-change memory cells and method of driving phase-change memory cells

    公开(公告)号:US12148470B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-11-19

    申请号:US17814442

    申请日:2022-07-22

    Abstract: In an embodiment a circuit includes a plurality of memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a phase-change memory storage element coupled in series with a respective current-modulating transistor between a supply voltage node and a reference voltage node, the current-modulating transistors being configured to receive a drive signal at a control terminal and to inject respective programming currents into the respective phase-change memory storage element as a function of the drive signal, a driver circuit configured to produce the drive signal at a common control node, wherein the common control node is coupled to the control terminals of the current-modulating transistors, the drive signal modulating the programming currents to produce SET programming current pulses and RESET programming current pulses and at least one current generator circuit configured to inject a compensation current for the programming currents into the common control node.

    RING OSCILLATOR CIRCUIT
    32.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20220399880A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-12-15

    申请号:US17830864

    申请日:2022-06-02

    Abstract: In an embodiment a ring oscillator circuit includes a chain of cascade-coupled inverter stages coupled between an oscillator supply voltage node and a reference voltage node, the oscillator supply voltage node configured to provide an oscillator supply voltage, a current generator circuit coupled between the oscillator supply voltage node and a system supply voltage node configured to provide a system supply voltage, the current generator circuit being configured to inject a current into the oscillator supply voltage node and a biasing circuit including a first bias control transistor and a second bias control transistor coupled in series between the reference voltage node and the oscillator supply voltage node, wherein the first bias control transistor is configured to selectively couple the reference voltage node and the oscillator supply voltage node in response to the oscillator control signal being indicative that the ring oscillator circuit is in an inactive operation state.

    Floating boosted pre-charge scheme for sense amplifiers

    公开(公告)号:US10658048B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-05-19

    申请号:US16104001

    申请日:2018-08-16

    Abstract: A sense structure includes: a sense amplifier core configured to compare a measurement current with a reference current; a cascode transistor coupled to the sense amplifier core and configured to be coupled to a load; a switch coupled between a bias voltage node and a control terminal of the cascode transistor; a local capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the control terminal of the cascode transistor; a first transistor coupled between a second terminal of the local capacitor and a reference terminal; and a control circuit coupled to a control terminal of the first transistor, the control circuit configured to disconnect the local capacitor from the reference terminal to produce a voltage overshoot in the control terminal of the cascode transistor, and after disconnecting the local capacitor from the reference terminal, limit or reduce the voltage overshoot by adjusting a voltage of the control terminal of the first transistor.

    PHASE-CHANGE MEMORY WITH SELECTORS IN BJT TECHNOLOGY AND DIFFERENTIAL-READING METHOD THEREOF

    公开(公告)号:US20200126616A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-04-23

    申请号:US16717652

    申请日:2019-12-17

    Inventor: Antonino Conte

    Abstract: A phase-change memory device includes a memory array including a first memory cell and a second memory cell, each comprising a phase-change element and a selector, connected respectively to a first local bitline and a second local bitline, which are in turn connected, respectively, to a first main bitline and a second main bitline. The parasitic capacitance of the main bitlines is precharged at a supply voltage. When the local bitlines are selected to access a respective logic datum stored in the phase-change element, the parasitic capacitance of the local bitlines is first charged using the charge previously stored in the parasitic capacitance of the main bitlines and then discharged through the respective phase-change elements. Reading of the logic datum is made by comparing the discharge times.

    Row decoding architecture for a phase-change non-volatile memory device and corresponding row decoding method

    公开(公告)号:US10593400B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-03-17

    申请号:US16222484

    申请日:2018-12-17

    Inventor: Antonino Conte

    Abstract: In an embodiment, a non-volatile memory device includes a memory array divided into a plurality of tiles, and a row decoder that includes main row decoding units associated to a respective group of tiles. The row decoded further includes local row decoding units, each associated to a respective tile for carrying out selection and biasing of corresponding word lines based on decoded address signals and biasing signals. Each local row decoding unit has logic-combination modules coupled to a set of word lines and include, for each word line, a pull-down stage for selecting a word line, and a pull-up stage. The pull-up stage is dynamically biased, alternatively, in a strong-biasing condition towards a tile-supply voltage when the word line is not selected, or in a weak-biasing condition when the word line is selected.

    Sense structure based on multiple sense amplifiers with local regulation of a biasing voltage

    公开(公告)号:US10297292B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-05-21

    申请号:US15620325

    申请日:2017-06-12

    Abstract: A sense structure may include sense amplifiers each having measuring and reference terminals for receiving a measuring and a reference current, respectively, output circuitry for providing an output voltage based upon the measuring and reference currents, and voltage regulating circuitry in cascade configuration for regulating a voltage at the measuring and reference terminals. The regulating circuitry may include measuring and regulating transistors and a reference regulating transistor having a first conduction terminal coupled with the measuring terminal and with the reference terminal, respectively, a second conduction terminal coupled with the output circuitry and a control terminal coupled with a biasing terminal. Biasing circuitry is for providing a biasing voltage to the biasing terminal, and common regulating circuitry is for regulating the biasing voltage. Each sense amplifier may also include local regulating circuitry for regulating the biasing voltage applied to the biasing terminal.

    PHASE-CHANGE MEMORY WITH SELECTORS IN BJT TECHNOLOGY AND DIFFERENTIAL-READING METHOD THEREOF

    公开(公告)号:US20190096480A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-03-28

    申请号:US16133097

    申请日:2018-09-17

    Inventor: Antonino Conte

    Abstract: A phase-change memory device includes a memory array including a first memory cell and a second memory cell, each comprising a phase-change element and a selector, connected respectively to a first local bitline and a second local bitline, which are in turn connected, respectively, to a first main bitline and a second main bitline. The parasitic capacitance of the main bitlines is precharged at a supply voltage. When the local bitlines are selected to access a respective logic datum stored in the phase-change element, the parasitic capacitance of the local bitlines is first charged using the charge previously stored in the parasitic capacitance of the main bitlines and then discharged through the respective phase-change elements. Reading of the logic datum is made by comparing the discharge times.

    Voltage regulator with improved electrical properties and corresponding control method

    公开(公告)号:US09964976B2

    公开(公告)日:2018-05-08

    申请号:US15596895

    申请日:2017-05-16

    CPC classification number: G05F1/575 G05F1/56 H02M3/07 H03F1/34 H03F1/42 H03F3/45

    Abstract: A voltage-regulator device includes an error-amplifier stage configured to receive a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage, an output amplifier stage coupled to the error-amplifier stage and configured to generate an output voltage related to the first reference voltage by an amplification factor, and a feedback stage configured to generate the feedback voltage. A compensation stage is configured to implement a second feedback loop, and cause, in response to a variation of the output voltage, a corresponding variation of a first biasing voltage for the output amplifier stage. The compensation stage includes a coupling-capacitor element coupled between the output amplifier stage and a first internal node, and a driving module coupled between the first internal node, and the output amplifier stage and configured to generate a compensation voltage for driving the output amplifier stage.

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