Abstract:
Systems, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for recovering from dynamic random access memory (DRAM) defects. One method comprises determining that an uncorrected bit error has occurred for a physical codeword address associated with a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device coupled to a system on chip (SoC). A kernel page associated with a DRAM page comprising the physical codeword address is identified as a bad page. Recovery from the uncorrected bit error is provided by rebooting a system comprising the SoC and the DRAM device. In response to the rebooting, the identified kernel page is excluded from being allocated for DRAM operation.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for an in-system repair process that repairs or attempts to repair random bit failures in a memory device are provided. In some examples, an in-system repair process may select alternative steps depending on whether the failure is correctable or uncorrectable. In these examples, the process uses communications between a system on chip and the memory to fix the failures during normal operation.
Abstract:
Aspects of the disclosure involve memory data scrubber circuits configured to perform memory data scrubbing operations in a processor-based memory to provide data error correction in response to periodic memory controller wake-up periods. Memory data scrubbing is performed to correct errors in data words stored in memory. Memory data scrubbing is initiated in the memory to conserve power in response to periodic memory controller wake-up periods during processor idle periods. Further, in certain aspects disclosed herein, the memory data scrubber circuit is provided as a separate system outside of the memory controller in the memory system. In this manner, power consumption can be further reduced, because the memory data scrubber circuit can continue with memory data scrubbing operations in the memory independent of the memory controller operation, and after the memory controller access commands issued during the wake-up period are completed and the memory controller is powered-down.
Abstract:
An offset cancelling sense amplifier according to some examples of the disclosure may use a double sensing margin structure and positive feedback to achieve better performance characteristics and read stability without a multistage operation. For example, a sense amplifier may include a second pair of sensing switches cross coupled in parallel with a first pair of sensing switches and a pair of degeneration transistors coupled in line before a pair of load transistors.
Abstract:
A method includes, at a resistive memory device, determining an average effective reference resistance level based on a first effective reference resistance and a second effective reference resistance. The first effective reference resistance is based on a first set of reference cells of the resistive memory device and the second effective reference resistance is based on a second set of reference cells of the resistive memory device. The method includes trimming a reference resistance at least partially based on the average effective reference resistance level. Trimming the reference resistance includes, in response to determining that the first effective reference resistance is not substantially equal to the average effective reference resistance level, modifying one or more states of one or more magnetic tunnel junction devices associated with the first effective reference resistance.
Abstract:
A memory refresh control technique allows flexible internal refresh rates based on an external 1× refresh rate and allows skipping a refresh cycle for strong memory rows based on the external 1× refresh rate. A memory controller performs a memory refresh by reading a refresh address from a refresh address counter, reading a weak address from a weak address table and generating a next weak address value based at least in part on a next bit sequence combined with the weak address. The memory controller compares the refresh address to the weak address and to the next weak address value. Based on the comparison, the memory controller selects between skipping a refresh cycle, refreshing the refresh address, refreshing the weak address, and refreshing both the refresh address and the weak address.
Abstract:
A method includes thinning a back-side of a substrate to expose a portion of a first via that is formed in the substrate. The method also includes forming a first diode at the back-side of the substrate. The first diode is coupled to the first via.
Abstract:
A resistive memory sensing method includes sensing outputs of an offset-cancelling dual stage sensing circuit (OCDS-SC) by an NMOS offset-cancelling current latched sense amplifier circuit (NOC-CLSA). The NOC-CLSA is configured with a reduced input capacitance and a reduced offset voltage. Input transistors of the NOC-CLSA are coupled between latch circuitry and ground. A first phase output of the OCDS-SC is stored by the NOC-CLSA during a pre-charge step of the NOC-CLSA operation. A second phase output of the OCDS-SC is stored by the NOC-CLSA during an offset-cancelling step of the NOC-CLSA operation. By pipelining the OCDS-SC and NOC-CLSA, a sensing delay penalty of the OCDS-SC is overcome.
Abstract:
A circuit includes a plurality of transistors responsive to a plurality of latches that store a test code. The circuit further includes a first bit line coupled to a data cell and coupled to a sense amplifier. The circuit also includes a second bit line coupled to a reference cell and coupled to the sense amplifier. A current from a set of the plurality of transistors is applied to the data cell via the first bit line. The set of the plurality of transistors is determined based on the test code. The circuit also includes a test mode reference circuit coupled to the first bit line and to the second bit line.
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.