U.S. patent application number 11/873719 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for electronic circuit with embedded memory.
Invention is credited to Sang-Yun Lee.
Application Number | 20080048327 11/873719 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46304229 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080048327 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Sang-Yun |
February 28, 2008 |
ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT WITH EMBEDDED MEMORY
Abstract
Circuitry includes first and second circuits spaced apart by an
interconnect region. The interconnect region includes a first
interconnect and the second circuit includes a stack of
semiconductor layers. The first interconnect extends between the
first and second circuits to provide communication therebetween.
The second circuit operates as a memory circuit.
Inventors: |
Lee; Sang-Yun; (Beaverton,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHMEISER OLSEN & WATTS
18 E UNIVERSITY DRIVE
SUITE # 101
MESA
AZ
85201
US
|
Family ID: |
46304229 |
Appl. No.: |
11/873719 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11092521 |
Mar 29, 2005 |
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11873719 |
Oct 17, 2007 |
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10873969 |
Jun 21, 2004 |
7052941 |
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11873719 |
Oct 17, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
257/758 ;
257/E21.646; 257/E21.661; 257/E21.679; 257/E23.141;
257/E27.081 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 27/1116 20130101;
H01L 27/115 20130101; G11C 5/02 20130101; H01L 27/12 20130101; H01L
2924/00 20130101; H01L 2924/0002 20130101; H01L 29/78642 20130101;
H01L 27/10844 20130101; G11C 5/04 20130101; H01L 27/11 20130101;
H01L 27/105 20130101; H01L 27/11568 20130101; H01L 27/0688
20130101; H01L 2924/0002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
257/758 ;
257/E23.141 |
International
Class: |
H01L 23/52 20060101
H01L023/52; G06F 12/14 20060101 G06F012/14 |
Claims
1. Circuitry comprising: a first circuit; an interconnect region; a
first interconnect included in the interconnect region; and a
second circuit spaced apart from the first circuit by the
interconnect region, the second circuit including a stack of
semiconductor layers; and wherein the first interconnect extends
between the first and second circuits to provide communication
therebetween.
2. The circuitry of claim 1, wherein the stack of semiconductor
layers operates as a vertically oriented memory device.
3. The circuitry of claim 1, further including a third circuit
positioned near the first circuit so that the second circuit is
spaced apart from the first and third circuits by the interconnect
region.
4. The circuitry of claim 3, further including a second
interconnect extending through the interconnect region to provide
communication between the first and third circuits.
5. The circuitry of claim 1, wherein the stack of semiconductor
layers operates as a vertically oriented negative differential
resistance static random access memory device.
6. The circuitry of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the
second circuit includes a crystalline semiconductor material
region.
7. Circuitry comprising: first and second circuits, the second
circuit including a vertically oriented semiconductor device which
includes a stack of semiconductor layers; and an interconnect
region which includes a first interconnect, the interconnect region
extending between the first and second circuits; wherein the first
and second circuits are in communication with each other through
the first interconnect.
8. The circuitry of claim 7, further including a third circuit
positioned near the first circuit so that the second circuit is
spaced apart from the first and third circuits by the interconnect
region.
9. The circuitry of claim 8, wherein the interconnect region
includes a second interconnect extending between the second and
third circuits.
10. The circuitry of claim 8, further including a third
interconnect which extends between the first and third
circuits.
11. The circuitry of claim 7, wherein the vertically oriented
semiconductor device operates as a memory device.
12. The circuitry of claim 7, wherein the vertically oriented
semiconductor device operates as a negative differential resistance
static random access memory device.
13. The circuitry of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the
third circuit includes a crystalline semiconductor material
region.
14. The circuitry of claim 7, wherein the stack of semiconductor
layers is bonded to the interconnect region.
15. Circuitry comprising: an interconnect region which includes a
first interconnect; and first and second circuits in communication
with each other through the first interconnect, the second circuit
including a stack of semiconductor layers; wherein the second
circuit is bonded to the interconnect region.
16. The circuitry of claim 15, wherein the interconnect region
extends between the first and second circuits.
17. The circuitry of claim 16, further including a third circuit,
wherein the interconnect region extends between the second and
third circuits.
18. The circuitry of claim 17, wherein first and third circuits
include laterally oriented semiconductor devices.
19. The circuitry of claim 15, wherein second circuit does not
include laterally oriented semiconductor devices.
20. The circuitry of claim 15, wherein second circuit includes a
vertically oriented semiconductor device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No.
11/092,521, entitled "ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT WITH EMBEDDED MEMORY",
filed on Mar. 29, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. Pat. No.
7,052,941 filed on Jun. 21, 2004, the contents of both of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to semiconductor
circuitry and, more particularly, to circuitry which includes
memory devices.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Advances in semiconductor manufacturing technology have
provided computer chips with integrated circuits that include many
millions of active and passive electronic devices, along with the
interconnects to provide the desired circuit connections. As is
well-known, most integrated circuits include laterally oriented
active and passive electronic devices that are carried on a single
major surface of a substrate. Active devices typically include
transistors and passive devices typically include resistors,
capacitors, and inductors. However, these laterally oriented
devices consume significant amounts of chip area.
[0006] For example, a typical computer system includes a main
computer chip with a processor circuit, a control circuit, and a
memory cache that are carried on a single major surface of a
substrate. The typical computer system also includes main memory
which is positioned on a separate memory chip outside the main
computer chip. Since the memory cache is positioned on the same
substrate as the processor and control circuits in the main
computer chip, it is often referred to as embedded memory.
[0007] The memory cache typically includes fast and expensive
memory cells, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cells, and
the main memory typically includes slower and less expensive
Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) cells. Both SRAM and DRAM cells
are larger than the devices included in the processor and control
circuits, with SRAM cells being much larger than DRAM cells. As is
well-known in the art, cache memory (L1 cache or L2 cache, for
example) is used to store information from a slower storage medium
or subsystem, such as the main memory or peripherals like hard
disks and CD-ROMs, that is accessed frequently to increase the
operation of the main computer chip.
[0008] One reason the operation of the main computer chip is
increased because its idle time is reduced. For example, when the
processor circuit accesses the main memory, it does so in about 60
nanoseconds (ns). However, a typical processor circuit can have
cycle times of about 2 nanoseconds. Hence, there are about 30
wasted cycles while the processor circuit accesses the main memory.
As a result, the processor circuit is idle for many cycle times
while it accesses the main memory.
[0009] The processor circuit, however, can access the cache memory
in about 10 ns to 30 ns, so the idle time is significantly reduced
if the information needed is stored in the cache memory. The access
time of the processor circuit to a hard disk is even slower at
about 10 milliseconds (ms) to 12 ms, and the access time to a
CD-ROM drive is about 10 times greater than this. Hence, cache
memory uses a small amount of fast and expensive memory to allow
the processor circuit faster access to information normally stored
by a large amount of slower, less-expensive memory.
[0010] With this in mind, it seems like the operation of the
computer system can be speeded up even more by increasing the size
of the cache memory so that it operates as the main memory or by
embedding the main memory on the same substrate as the processor
and control circuit and eliminating the cache memory altogether.
However, there are several problems with doing this.
[0011] One problem with doing this is cost. As mentioned above, the
SRAM cells included in cache memory are larger and expensive, so
increasing the size of the cache memory would significantly
increase the cost of the computer chip. DRAM cells are less
expensive and smaller, but to embed them with the main computer
chip will still significantly increase the cost. One reason the
cost increases for both embedded SRAM and DRAM cells is because the
number of masks needed to fabricate the main computer chip
increases. For example, to embed SRAM and DRAM memory cells with
the main computer chip would require about 3-4 and 6-8 extra masks,
respectively. This is because the masks used to fabricate the
processor and control circuitry are not compatible with the masks
used to fabricate SRAM and DRAM memory cells. Another reason the
cost increases is because, as discussed below, the yield in
manufacturing computer chips decreases as the size of the computer
chip increases.
[0012] Another problem is that in today's computer systems, the
size of the main memory is much larger than the size of the cache
memory. For example, in current state of the art systems, the main
memory can store 256 MB to 1 GB in a single memory chip, but the
cache memory can only store about 1 MB to 2 MB. This is because the
size of the memory circuitry needed to store information in SRAM is
much larger than that needed for DRAM. A conventional SRAM circuit
includes six transistors to store one bit of information and a
conventional DRAM circuit includes one transistor and one
capacitor, which tend to be large, to store one bit of
information.
[0013] For example, the size of a conventional embedded SRAN cell
is about 70-120 F.sup.2 and the size of a conventional DRAM memory
cell is about 15 F.sup.2. As is known in the art, 1 F is the
minimum photolithographic feature size. Hence, if the computer chip
is being fabricated using 90 nm lithography, then 1 F corresponds
to 90 nm and 1 F.sup.2 corresponds to an area that it 90 nm by 90
nm in size. If the computer chip is being fabricated using 60 nm
lithography, then 1 F corresponds to 60 nm and 1 F.sup.2
corresponds to an area that it 60 nm by 60 nm in size. Thus, to
increase the size of the cache memory by increasing the number of
SRAM cells included therein would significantly increase the size
of the computer chip and decrease its yield. Further, most of the
area on the computer chip will be occupied by memory circuitry
instead of processor and control circuitry.
[0014] This presents several problems. As mentioned above, one
problem is that the yield of computer chips in a manufacturing run
decreases as their size increases. As is well-known in the art,
several computer chips are fabricated from a single large wafer in
a run. The individual computer chips carried by the wafer are
typically referred to as die. Once the computer chips are
fabricated, the die in the wafer are diced to provide separate
chips. A wafer, however, has defects distributed throughout it
surface which can negatively impact the operation of the computer
chips. If the computer chip is larger in size, then it is more
likely to include a defect from the wafer and if the computer chip
is smaller in size, then it is less likely to include a defect from
the wafer. Hence, smaller computer chips are less likely to be
defective. Further, if the computer chip is smaller in size, then
more of them can be fabricated from a single wafer, which also
decreases costs. Hence, smaller computer chips increase the yield
and decrease the costs.
[0015] Another problem is that it is typically desirable to
increase the number of devices included in the processor and
control circuitry so that the processor can operate faster and
perform more complicated operations. It is desirable for computer
chips to be fast so they can process more data in a given amount of
time. The speed of operation of a computer chip is typically
measured in the number of instructions per second it can
perform.
[0016] Computer chips can be made to process more data in a given
amount of time in several ways. In one way, the computer chip can
include devices which are smaller, but this requires advances in
lithography and increasingly expensive manufacturing equipment. As
discussed above, they can also be made faster by decreasing the
time it takes to perform certain tasks, such as storing or
retrieving information to and from memory or other peripherals and
subsystems.
[0017] Computer chips can also be made faster by increasing the
number of devices included therein so that more information can be
processed in a given period of time. For example, if one processor
operates on 32-bit data, then another processor that operates on
64-bit data can process information twice as fast because it can
perform more instructions per second. However, the 64-bit processor
will need more devices since there are more bits to process at a
given time. Hence, if most of the area on the computer chip is
occupied by memory cells, then there is less area for the processor
and control circuitry to process data with a higher number of bits.
The total area of the computer chip can be increased, but as
discussed above, this decreases the yield and increases the
cost.
[0018] Accordingly, it is highly desirable to provide new
structures and methods for fabricating computer chips which operate
faster and cost effective to fabricate.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention provides circuitry which includes
first and second circuits and an interconnect region. A first
interconnect is included in the interconnect region. The first
interconnect extends above and between the first and second
circuits to provide communication therebetween. A third circuit is
positioned on the interconnect region and a second interconnect is
included in the interconnect region. The second interconnect
extends between the third circuit and at least one of the first and
second circuits to provide communication therebetween.
[0020] The present invention also provides circuitry which includes
control and digital circuitry positioned on a substrate. An
interconnect region is positioned on surfaces of the control and
digital circuitry to provide communication therebetween. Memory
circuitry is positioned on the interconnect region so that the
interconnect region provides communication between the memory
circuitry and the control circuitry.
[0021] The present invention further provides circuitry which
includes a substrate and first and second processor circuits
carried by the substrate. A control circuit is carried by the
substrate and positioned near the first and second processor
circuits. An interconnect region is carried by and extends from the
substrate. The interconnect region allows the first and second
processor circuits to communicate with each other and the control
circuit. A memory circuit is positioned on the interconnect region
so that the memory circuit is electrically coupled to the control
circuit through the interconnect region.
[0022] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a simplified top view of a computer chip, in
accordance with the present invention, with one processor
positioned near a control circuit, the sectional view being taken
along a cut line 1-1' of FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a simplified sectional view of the computer chip
of FIG. 1 taken along a cut-line 2-2' of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a computer chip with memory
devices positioned on the same substrate as the processor and
control circuits.
[0026] FIGS. 3b-3d are simplified perspective views of different
computer chips in which the memory circuit is positioned above the
processor and/or control circuits in accordance with the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a more detailed view of a memory circuit shown in
FIGS. 2 and 6.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a simplified top view of a computer chip, in
accordance with the present invention, with multiple processors
separated by a control circuit, the sectional view being taken
along a cut line 5-5' of FIG. 6.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a simplified sectional view of the computer chip
of FIG. 5 taken along a cut-line 6-6' of FIG. 5.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a simplified top view of another embodiment of a
computer chip, in accordance with the invention, with multiple
processor circuits and multiple control circuits.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a simplified top view of another embodiment of a
computer chip, in accordance with the present invention, with
multiple processor circuits surrounded by a control circuit.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a simplified top view of another embodiment of a
computer chip, in accordance with the present invention, with
multiple processors partially surrounded by multiple control
circuits.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] FIGS. 1 and 2 show simplified top and cross sectional views
of a computer chip 100 which includes circuitry, in accordance with
the present invention. FIG. 1 is a top view taken along a cut-line
1-1' of FIG. 2 and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along a
cut-line 2-2' of FIG. 1. It should be noted that in the following
figures, like reference characters indicate corresponding elements
throughout the several views.
[0034] In this embodiment, computer chip 100 includes processor and
control circuits which are carried by a substrate and coupled
together so that signals can flow between them. Computer chip 100
also includes a memory circuit positioned above the processor and
control circuits. The memory circuit is spaced apart from the
processor and control circuits by an interconnect region. The
memory circuit is also coupled to the control circuit through the
interconnect region so that signals can flow therebetween. In this
way, the control circuit can receive output signals from the
processor circuit and, in response, provide signals to and receive
signals from the memory circuit. In response, the control circuit
provides input signals to the processor circuit. It should be noted
that a memory circuit is discussed here and throughout the
disclosure for illustrative purposes and that, in other
embodiments, the memory circuit can be replaced with other
circuitry which can be fabricated in the same or a similar
manner.
[0035] A processor circuit typically executes a series of machine
instructions to process data. It usually includes an ALU
(Arithmetic/Logic Unit) to perform mathematical operations like
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Modern
processor circuits typically include floating point processors that
can perform extremely sophisticated operations on large floating
point numbers. A processor circuit provide commands to the control
circuit to move data from one memory location to another in the
memory circuit. A processor circuit can also make decisions and
jump to a new set of instructions based on those decisions.
[0036] One advantage of computer chip 100 is that the memory
circuit is positioned above the control and processor circuits
which is desirable since the memory circuit typically occupies much
more area than the control and processor circuits. In some examples
of a typical computer chip where the processor, control, and memory
circuits are positioned on the same substrate, the memory circuit
can occupy 50% or more of the total area of the chip. An example of
this is shown in FIG. 3a, which is a perspective view of a computer
chip 110 with a memory circuit 221 positioned on the same substrate
111 as processor and control circuits 144 and 143. In this
particular example, processor circuit 144 and control circuit 143
occupy 30% and 20%, respectively, of the total area of the chip,
and memory circuit 221 occupies 50%. It should be noted, however,
that they can occupy different amounts of area than that shown
here.
[0037] FIGS. 3b-3d are simplified perspective views of computer
chips 114, 115, and 116, respectively, which are similar or
identical to computer chip 100. In FIGS. 3b-3d, computer chips 114,
115, and 116 each include a substrate 142 which carries processor
circuit 144 and control circuit 143. Chip 100 also includes memory
circuit 121 positioned above and separated from substrate 142 by an
interconnect region, which is not shown for simplicity. In the
example shown in FIG. 3b, processor circuit 144 and control circuit
143 include more electronic devices and occupy twice the area than
they do in computer chip 110 shown in FIG. 3a. This may be
desirable so that computer chip 114 can operate with data
represented by a higher number of bits. This may also be desired so
that chip 114 can perform more complicated operations, such as more
accurate computations or pipelining. Further, memory circuit 121
also occupies twice the area so that it can store more information,
which speeds up the operation of computer chip 114.
[0038] In FIG. 3c, the area of computer chip 115 is half the size
of computer chip 110 shown in FIG. 3a because processor 144 and
control circuit 143 are the same size as that shown in FIG. 3a.
Memory circuit 121 is positioned above substrate 142 and extends
over the same area as processor circuit 144 and control circuit 143
combined. In this way, computer chip 115 in FIG. 3c occupies half
the area as chip 110 and, consequently, is less expensive to
fabricate because it has a higher yield and more chips can be
fabricated on a single wafer.
[0039] In FIG. 3d, the area of computer chip 116 is the same as
computer chip 110 shown in FIG. 3a, but processor 144 and control
circuit 143 are the same size as that shown in FIG. 3b. Memory
circuit 121 is positioned above substrate 142 and extends over the
same area as control circuit 143, so its size is less than that
shown in FIG. 3b. This may be useful in applications where a lot of
memory is not needed. It should be noted that memory circuit 121
can also be positioned over processor circuit 142 or it can extend
over both processor and control circuits 144 and 143.
[0040] It should also be noted that in some embodiments, the
processor in the computer chip discussed herein can address memory
devices on a separate chip positioned outside the computer chip.
Further, in some embodiments, the computer chip can include
embedded memory cells on the same surface as the control and
processor circuits, in addition to the memory devices positioned
above them. These memory devices can include a cache memory and/or
ROM devices. For example the ROM devices can operate as a BIOS
(Basic Input/Output System) for the computer system.
[0041] Another advantage of computer chip 100 is that the memory
circuit is positioned closer to the control and processor circuits
so that signals can flow therebetween in less time. This speed up
operation of computer chip 100 because the access time is reduced
and computer chip 100 is idle for fewer cycle times. Still another
advantage of circuit 100 is that the control and processor circuits
are fabricated with a different mask set than the memory circuit.
Hence, the masks are less complicated and less expensive to make. A
further advantage is that the memory devices are fabricated from
blanket semiconductor layers after they have been bonded to the
interconnect region. Hence, the memory devices do not need to be
aligned with the processor and/or control circuitry, which is a
complicated and expensive process.
[0042] In this embodiment, computer chip 100 includes control
circuit 143 and processor circuit 144 carried by substrate 142
(FIG. 2). Computer chip 100 also includes memory circuit 121 spaced
apart from processor circuit 144 and control circuit 143 by an
interconnect region 131. In this way, memory circuit 121 is
positioned above processor circuit 144 and control circuit 143 as
discussed above. Memory circuit 121 is coupled to control circuit
143 through interconnect region 131 so that signals can flow
therebetween.
[0043] In this embodiment, substrate 142 includes silicon, although
it can include other materials which can support the subsequent
structures positioned thereon. Other suitable substrate materials
include gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, and silicon carbide,
among others. It should be noted that substrate 142 can have
portions doped n-type or p-type and some portions of substrate 142
can even be undoped. The preferred material for substrate 142 in
this invention is single crystalline material which can have
defects, but is generally better material quality compared to
amorphous or polycrystalline material.
[0044] In this example, control circuit 143 and processor circuit
144 include digital circuitry known in the art. However, the
digital circuitry is not shown in FIGS. 1 or 2 for simplicity and
ease of discussion. The digital circuitry can include electronic
devices, such as transistors, which extend into substrate 142
and/or out of substrate 142 through a surface 142a (FIG. 2).
Processor circuit 144 can operate in many different ways. For
example, processor circuit 144 can operate as a central processing
unit, such as those commonly found in a computer chip, a signal
processor, such as those commonly found in communication systems,
or a microcontroller. In other examples, processor circuit 144 can
include analog circuitry, such as amplifiers and/or converters, for
analog-to-digital converter applications. Control circuit 143
includes circuitry typically found in periphery logic circuits
which read, write, and erase semiconductor memory devices. This
circuitry typically includes a sense amplifier, column selector,
and/or a row selector which are used to communicate with memory
devices, as will be discussed in more detail below.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, interconnect region 131 is positioned on
surface 142a of substrate 142. Interconnect region 131 and regions
subsequently positioned thereon are not shown in FIG. 1 for
simplicity. Here, interconnect region 131 includes an interlayer
dielectric region (ILD) 133 with interconnects extending between
surface 142a and a surface 131a of region 131 so that signals can
flow therethrough. Each interconnect typically includes one or more
interconnect lines 135 and/or one or more vias 134. Interconnect
region 131 also typically includes one or more contacts 132 coupled
to the electronic devices included in control circuit 143 or
processor circuit 144.
[0046] In accordance with the invention, the interconnects included
in interconnect region 131 can be formed so that signals, such as
signal S.sub.a, can flow between the various devices included in
processor circuit 144. The interconnects can also be coupled
together so that signals can flow between control circuit 143 and
processor circuit 144. The interconnects, vias, and contacts can
include conductive materials known in the art, such as aluminum
(Al), copper (Cu), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), or a doped
semiconductor, among others.
[0047] For example, signal S.sub.a can flow between processor
circuit 144 and control circuit 143 through an interconnect 138a
included in interconnect region 131, as shown in FIG. 2.
Interconnect 138a includes contacts 132a and 132b and an
interconnect line 135a. Ends of contacts 132a and 132b are coupled
to processor circuit 144 and control circuit 143, respectively, and
extend upwardly therefrom surface 142a. Interconnect line 135a
extends between opposed ends of contacts 132a and 132b. Here,
control circuit 143 is positioned near processor circuit 144 so
that the distance traveled by signals S.sub.a flowing therebetween
is reduced.
[0048] In this embodiment, a memory circuit 121 is positioned on
interconnect region 131 and bonded to surface 131a. The bonding can
be done in many different ways. For example, the bonding can be
done by heating bonding surface 131a and coupling memory circuit
121 thereto. Since memory circuit 121 is bonded to interconnect
region 131 instead of deposited thereon, it can include better
quality semiconductor material. One reason the material is better
quality is because it is more crystalline. It is more crystalline
than polycrystalline material which is typically deposited on
dielectric regions when wafer bonding is not used. More information
about wafer bonding can be found in co-pending U.S. patent
applications titled "SEMICONDUCTOR LAYER STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF
MAKING THE SAME," "SEMICONDUCTOR BONDING AND LAYER TRANSFER
METHOD," and "WAFER BONDING METHOD" filed on an even date herewith
by the same inventor and incorporated herein by reference.
[0049] Memory circuit 121 includes a bit line 120a positioned on
surface 131a. A dielectric region 123 is positioned on surface 131a
and bit line 120a. Bit line vias 124a extend upwardly therefrom bit
line 120a and through dielectric region 123. The number of bit line
vias 124a depends on the number of devices it is desired to form in
memory circuit 121. Each bit line via 124a is coupled to an
electronic device 124.
[0050] Electronic device 124 is typically a transistor or a memory
device, although it can include other devices. The transistor can
be a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) and
the memory device can be a negative differential resistance (NDR)
static random access memory (SRAM) cell. An NDR SRAM includes a
layer structure that operates as a transistor and a layer structure
that operates as a thyristor. The transistor and thyristor are
coupled together to operate as the NDR SRAM cell. More information
regarding the NDR SRAM cell can be found in co-pending U.S. patent
application titled "SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE" filed on the same
date herewith by the same inventor and incorporated herein by
reference.
[0051] A reference line via 124b is coupled to the opposite end of
each device 124. Each reference line via 124b extends upwardly from
its corresponding device 124 where it connects to a reference line
120b. In this way, each device 124 is coupled between bit line and
reference lines vias 124a and 124b. It should be noted, however,
that in other embodiments, line 120a can be used as a reference
line and line 120b can be used as a bit line. A dielectric region
148 is positioned on dielectric region 123 and reference line
120b.
[0052] Memory circuit 121 and interconnect region 131 include
interconnects so that signals can flow between control circuit 143
and bit line 120a and reference line 120b. In this particular
example, a reference interconnect 136 extends through regions 133
and 123 so that one end is coupled to control circuit 143 and the
opposite end is coupled to reference line 120b. Similarly, a bit
interconnect 137 extends through region 133 so that one end is
coupled to control circuit 143 and the other end is coupled to bit
line 120a. Hence, control circuit 143 can provide a bit signal to
bit line 120a through interconnect 137 and a reference signal to
reference line 120b through interconnect 136. In this way, control
circuit 143 can communicate with the devices included in device
structure 124. In other examples, the reference line 120b can be
connected to an outside contact (not shown) which provides a
reference voltage or current from outside of the circuit 100.
[0053] In operation, various signals, such as signal S.sub.a, can
flow between processor circuit 144 and control circuit 143. In
response, control circuit 143 provides signals to and receives
signals from memory circuit 121 through interconnects 136 and 137.
The signals can be to read, write, and/or erase information in
memory circuit 121. Control circuit 143 then provides input signals
to processor circuit 144. The input signals can be data values
stored by memory circuit 121 that processor circuit 144 desires to
process.
[0054] FIG. 4 shows a more detailed sectional view of memory
circuit 121. In this particular example, each electronic device 124
is a single transistor capacitorless dynamic random access memory
(DRAM) device, although devices 124 can include other devices, such
as a SONOS (Semiconductor Oxide Nitride Oxide Semiconductor) type
nonvolatile memory device with a ONO (Oxide Nitride Oxide)
dielectric. Here, device 124 includes an n.sup.+pn.sup.- stack of
layers, although it can include other layer structures, such as a
npn stack, a p.sup.+np.sup.+ stack, or a pnp stack. The
n.sup.+pn.sup.+ stack includes an n.sup.+-type doped region 125a
positioned on bit line via 124a and a p-type doped region 125b
positioned on region 125b. An n.sup.+-type doped region 125c is
positioned on region 125c so that it is coupled between region 125b
and reference line via 124b. An insulating region 125d is
positioned around the outer periphery of the stack of regions 125a,
125b, and 125c. A control terminal 125e is positioned around the
outer periphery of insulating region 125d.
[0055] In this way, the conductivity of regions 125a, 125b, and/or
125c can be adjusted in response to a word signal provided to
control terminal 125e. The word signal is provided by control
circuit 143 through a word interconnect 139. Word interconnect 139
is coupled between control circuit 143 and control terminal 125e
and extends through dielectric regions 123 and 133 similar to
interconnects 136 and 137. Interconnect 139, insulator region 125d,
and control terminal 125e are not shown in FIG. 2 for
simplicity.
[0056] FIGS. 5 and 6 show simplified top and sectional views of a
computer chip 101 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 5
is a top view taken along a cut-line 5-5' of FIG. 6 and FIG. 6 is a
sectional view taken along a cut-line 6-6' of FIG. 5. In this
embodiment, chip 101 includes multiple processors which can
communicate with the control circuit and the memory circuit as
discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-2, 3b-3d, and 4. In
this embodiment, however, the processors can also communicate with
each other using an interface circuit (not shown) which provides
better data flow between processors. The data flow is better
because it can happen faster and with less noise so there are fewer
errors in the signal.
[0057] Computer chip 102 includes control circuit 143 and
processors 144a-144d which are carried by substrate 142 (FIG. 6).
Here, control circuit 143 is positioned in a region that is
cross-shaped from a top view (FIG. 5) so that it extends between
processors 144a-144d. In this way, the processors are separated
from each other by control circuit 143. It should be noted that in
this example, processors 144a-144d can be the same or similar to
processor circuit 144 discussed above in conjunction with FIGS.
1-2, 3b-3d, and 4. Interconnect region 131 is positioned on surface
142a of substrate 142 so that it covers control circuit 143 as well
as processors 144a-144d. However, in other embodiments,
interconnect region 131 can be positioned so that it covers only a
portion of logic circuit 143, processor circuit 144a, processor
circuit 144b, processor circuit 144c, and/or processor circuit
144d.
[0058] In chip 101, various signals can flow between processors
144a-144d and control circuit 143. For example, signal S.sub.a,
S.sub.b, S.sub.c, and S.sub.d can flow between processor circuit
144a, 144b, 144c, and 144d, respectively, and control circuit 143,
as shown in FIG. 5. Signals can also flow between processors
144a-144d without flowing through control circuit 143. For example,
signals S.sub.ab, S.sub.ac, S.sub.bd, and S.sub.cd can flow between
processors 144a-144b, 144a-144c, 144b-144d, and 144c-144d,
respectively, as shown in FIG. 5. Signals S.sub.ab, S.sub.ac,
S.sub.bd, and S.sub.cd can flow through interconnects which extend
through interconnect region 131. The interconnects can be similar
to interconnect 138, but are not shown for simplicity.
[0059] In a particular example, signal S.sub.a can flow between
processor circuit 144a and control circuit 143 through an
interconnect 138a, as shown in FIG. 6. Interconnect 138a includes
contacts 132a and 132b and interconnect line 135a, as described
above in conjunction with FIG. 2. Similarly, signal S.sub.b can
flow between processor circuit 144b and control circuit 143 through
an interconnect 138.sub.b. Interconnect 138.sub.b includes contacts
132c and 132d and interconnect line 135b. Ends of contacts 132c and
132d are coupled to processor circuit 144b and control circuit 143,
respectively, and extend upwardly therefrom. Interconnect line 135b
extends between opposed ends of contacts 132c and 132d so that
signal S.sub.b can flow between processor circuit 144b and control
circuit 143. Signals S.sub.c and S.sub.d can flow between control
circuit 143 and corresponding processors 144c and 144d with similar
interconnects included in interconnect region 131.
[0060] One advantage of chip 101 is that the distance between
control circuit 143 and processors 144a-144d is reduced so that
they can communicate with each other faster. This increases the
speed of computer chip 100. Another advantage is that the design of
chip 101 is convenient because each processor circuit 144a-144d can
have the same or a similar design which simplifies its
fabrication.
[0061] FIG. 7 is a top view of a computer chip 102 in accordance
with the present invention. Chip 102 includes processors 144a-144d
positioned near each other in a manner similar to that of chip 101
shown in FIG. 5. Here, however, the control circuit includes
separate control circuits 143a-143d. In this example, processors
144a and 144b are spaced apart by control circuit 143a, processors
144b and 144d are spaced apart by control circuit 143b, processors
144a and 144c are spaced apart by control circuit 143c, and
processors 144c and 144d are spaced apart by control circuit 143d.
It should be noted that each control circuit 143a-143d can be the
same or similar to control circuit 143 shown in FIG. 4.
[0062] Here, signals S.sub.a1 and S.sub.b1 flow between control
circuit 143a and processors 144a and 144b, respectively. Signals
S.sub.a2 and S.sub.c1 flow between control circuit 143c and
processors 144a and 144c, respectively. Signals S.sub.b2 and
S.sub.d1 flow between control circuit 143b and processors 144b and
144.sub.d, respectively. Signals S.sub.c2 and S.sub.d2 flow between
control circuit 143d and processors 144c and 144d,
respectively.
[0063] Signals S.sub.a1, S.sub.b1, S.sub.a2, S.sub.c1, S.sub.b2,
S.sub.d1, S.sub.c2, and S.sub.d2 flow between corresponding control
circuits and processors through interconnects, similar to
interconnects 138a and 138b, as described above, in conjunction
with FIG. 6. Signals S.sub.ab, S.sub.ac, S.sub.bd, S.sub.ad,
S.sub.bc, and S.sub.cd flow between corresponding processors
144a-144d through conductive lines which extend through substrate
142 or on its surface 142a. However, these conductive lines are not
shown for simplicity. One advantage of chip 102 is that signals
S.sub.ab, S.sub.ac, S.sub.bd, S.sub.cd, S.sub.ad, and S.sub.bc, can
flow therebetween processors 144a-144d faster so that chip 102 can
operate faster. One reason the signals can flow faster is because
the interconnects are shorter so the distance of travel is shorter
and their capacitance is smaller.
[0064] FIG. 8 is a top view of a computer chip 103 in accordance
with the present invention. Chip 103 includes processors 144a-144d
positioned adjacent to each other. However, in this example,
control circuit 143 extends around an outer periphery of processors
144a-144d. In this way, processors 144a-144d are surrounded by
control circuit 143. Signals S.sub.a, S.sub.b, S.sub.c, and S.sub.d
can flow between control circuit 143 and corresponding processors
144a-144d through interconnects, similar to interconnects 138a and
138.sub.b, as described above, in conjunction with FIG. 6.
Similarly, processors 144a-144d are coupled together so that
signals S.sub.ab, S.sub.ac, S.sub.bd, S.sub.ad, S.sub.bc, and
S.sub.cd can flow therebetween as described above in conjunction
with FIG. 7 above.
[0065] FIG. 9 is a top view of a computer chip 104 in accordance
with the present invention. Chip 104 includes processors 144a-144d
positioned near each other in a manner similar to that of chip 103
shown in FIG. 8. Here, however, control circuit 143a extends along
an outer periphery of processors 144a and 144b. Similarly, control
circuit 143b extends along an outer periphery of processors 144b
and 144d. Control circuit 143c extends along an outer periphery of
processors 144a and 144c and control circuit 143d extends along an
outer periphery of processors 144c and 144d.
[0066] Signals S.sub.a1, S.sub.a2, S.sub.b1, S.sub.b2, S.sub.c1,
S.sub.c2, S.sub.d1, and S.sub.d2 can flow between corresponding
control circuits 143a-143d and corresponding processors 144a-144d
through interconnects, similar to interconnects 138a and 138b, as
described above, in conjunction with FIG. 6. Similarly, processors
144a-144d are coupled together so that signals S.sub.ab, S.sub.ac,
S.sub.bd, S.sub.ad, S.sub.bc, and S.sub.cd can flow therebetween as
described above in conjunction with FIG. 6 above.
[0067] The present invention is described above with reference to
preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will
recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the
described embodiments without departing from the nature and scope
of the present invention. Various further changes and modifications
will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that
such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of
the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope
thereof.
[0068] Having fully described the invention in such clear and
concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand
and practice the same, the invention claimed is:
* * * * *