U.S. patent application number 14/742316 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-22 for provision of holding current in non-volatile random access memory.
The applicant listed for this patent is Intel Corporation. Invention is credited to Dany-Sebastien Ly-Gagnon, Kiran Pangal, Mase J. Taub, Raymond W. Zeng.
Application Number | 20160372194 14/742316 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57466612 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160372194 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ly-Gagnon; Dany-Sebastien ;
et al. |
December 22, 2016 |
PROVISION OF HOLDING CURRENT IN NON-VOLATILE RANDOM ACCESS
MEMORY
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and
configurations for controlling current in a non-volatile random
access memory (NVRAM) device. In an embodiment, the NVRAM device
may include a plurality of memory cells coupled to a plurality of
bit lines forming a bit line node with parasitic capacitance. Each
memory cell may comprise a switch device with a required level of a
holding current to maintain an on-state of the cell. A voltage
supply circuitry and a controller may be coupled with the NVRAM
device. The controller may control the circuitry to provide a
current pulse that keeps a memory cell in on-state. The pulse may
comprise a profile that changes over time from a set point to the
holding current level, in response to a discharge of the bit line
node capacitance through the memory cell after the set point is
achieved. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
Inventors: |
Ly-Gagnon; Dany-Sebastien;
(Santa Clara, CA) ; Pangal; Kiran; (Fremont,
CA) ; Zeng; Raymond W.; (Sunnyvale, CA) ;
Taub; Mase J.; (Folsom., CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Intel Corporation |
Santa Clara |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57466612 |
Appl. No.: |
14/742316 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11C 13/004 20130101;
H01L 29/06 20130101; H04L 65/403 20130101; G11C 11/56 20130101;
G11C 13/0004 20130101; G11C 13/0023 20130101; G11C 2213/77
20130101; G11C 2013/0078 20130101; G11C 13/0026 20130101; G11C
11/5678 20130101; G11C 13/0038 20130101; G11C 11/00 20130101; G11C
7/04 20130101; G11C 2013/0092 20130101; G11C 2013/0045 20130101;
G06F 11/1048 20130101; G11C 13/0097 20130101; G11C 13/0069
20130101; G11C 13/0028 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G11C 13/00 20060101
G11C013/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a non-volatile random access memory
(NVRAM) device including a plurality of memory cells coupled to a
plurality of bit lines forming a bit line node with parasitic
capacitance, wherein each memory cell comprises a switch device
that requires a level of a holding current to maintain an on-state
of the memory cell; a voltage supply circuitry coupled with the
NVRAM device; and a controller coupled with the voltage supply
circuitry, to control the voltage supply circuitry to provide a
current pulse that keeps a memory cell in an on-state, which
includes to provide a bit line voltage at a first level to the bit
line node, to select the memory cell; increase the bit line voltage
provided to the bit line node from the first level to a second
level, to cause current to pass through the memory cell, to achieve
a set point of the memory cell; and subsequent to the increase of
the bit line voltage from the first level to the second level,
disconnect voltage supply from the bit line node, to cause the bit
line node parasitic capacitance to discharge through the memory
cell, and to cause the current passing through the memory cell to
decrease over time, to reach the holding current level, wherein the
current pulse comprises a profile that changes over time from the
set point to the holding current level, in response to the
discharge of the bit line node parasitic capacitance through the
memory cell after the set point is achieved.
2. (canceled)
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is to control
the circuitry to provide a word line voltage to a word line node of
the NVRAM device, to select the memory cell.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the memory cell is coupled
with a word line of the NVRAM device, and with a bit line of the
NVRAM device, wherein the memory cell is selectable through the
word line and bit line associated with the word line node and the
bit line node respectively.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller to control the
circuitry to increase the bit line voltage applied to the bit line
node from the first level to a second level includes to control the
circuitry to increase the bit line voltage from a first level to
one or more intermediary levels, before the increase of the bit
line voltage to the second level, wherein the one or more
intermediary levels are lower than the second level and higher than
the first level.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller is to control
the circuitry to increase the bit line voltage from a first level
to one or more intermediary levels continuously or periodically,
over a period of time.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller to control the
circuitry to disconnect voltage supply from the bit line node
includes to control the circuitry to disconnect voltage supply
after a predetermined time period from a moment in time when the
bit line voltage reaches the second level.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the NVRAM device is a PCM
device, wherein the memory cell includes a phase change material,
and wherein a portion of the current pulse that passes through the
memory cell after the bit line voltage supply has been disconnected
from the bit line node provides a crystalline state to the phase
change material and keeps the phase change material from converting
to an amorphous state at least for a period of time.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the predetermined period of
time corresponds to a time period during which the phase change
material is at least partially crystallized.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control is to control the
circuitry to reconnect the bit line voltage supply to the bit line
node after another predetermined period of time, wherein the bit
line voltage supply is to provide the bit line voltage at a third
level.
11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the voltage supply circuitry
includes: a bit line voltage supply coupled with the bit line node,
to provide the bit line voltage to the bit line node; a word line
voltage supply coupled with the word line node, to provide the word
line voltage to the word line node; and a limiting device coupled
with the word line voltage supply, to control a current profile of
the current passing through the memory cell after the bit line
voltage supply has been disconnected from the bit line node.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the NVRAM device comprises a
cross-point memory array having the plurality of memory cells.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is disposed on
an integrated circuit.
14-18. (canceled)
19. A mobile device, comprising: a camera; a processor coupled with
the camera; and a memory coupled with the processor and the camera,
wherein the memory includes: a non-volatile random access memory
(NVRAM) device including a plurality of memory cells coupled to a
plurality of bit lines forming a bit line node with parasitic
capacitance, wherein each memory cell comprises a switch device
that requires a level of a holding current to maintain an on-state
of the memory cell; a voltage supply circuitry coupled with the
NVRAM device; and a controller coupled with the voltage supply
circuitry, to control the voltage supply circuitry to provide a
current pulse that keeps a memory cell in an on-state, which
includes to provide a bit line voltage at a first level to the bit
line node, to select the memory cell; increase the bit line voltage
provided to the bit line node from the first level to a second
level, to cause current to pass through the memory cell, to achieve
a set point of the memory cell; and subsequent to the increase of
the bit line voltage from the first level to the second level,
disconnect voltage supply from the bit line node, to cause the bit
line node parasitic capacitance to discharge through the memory
cell, and to cause the current passing through the memory cell to
decrease over time, to reach the holding current level, wherein the
current pulse comprises a profile that changes over time from the
set point to the holding current level, in response to the
discharge of the bit line node parasitic capacitance through the
memory cell after the set point is achieved.
20. (canceled)
21. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein the controller to
control the circuitry to increase the bit line voltage applied to
the bit line node from the first level to a second level includes
to control the circuitry to increase the bit line voltage from a
first level to one or more intermediary levels, before the increase
of the bit line voltage to the second level, wherein the one or
more intermediary levels are lower than the second level and higher
than the first level.
22. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein the controller to
control the circuitry to disconnect voltage supply from the bit
line node includes to control the circuitry to disconnect voltage
supply after a predetermined time period from a moment in time when
the bit line voltage reaches the second level.
23-25. (canceled)
Description
FIELD
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to
the field of integrated circuits, and more particularly, to a
provision of holding current in non-volatile random access memory
(NVRAM) devices, such as phase change memory devices.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Phase change memory (PCM) technology such as multi-stack
cross-point PCM is a promising alternative to other non-volatile
(NV) memory technology, commonly known as non-volatile random
access memory (NVRAM). In PCM memory cells, the threshold voltage
window is defined as the difference between the set state threshold
voltage (referred to as the SET VT) and reset state threshold
voltage (referred to as the RESET VT) of the memory cell. It is
desirable to have the threshold voltage window as large as
possible. This may be accomplished by either lowering the SET VT or
increasing the RESET VT.
[0003] PCM memory cells use a switch device, with a minimal
on-state holding current (referred to as the holding current) that
may be required to sustain the memory cell's on-state. Current
passing through the memory cell may determine the level of SET VT.
Providing a SET VT as low as possible may increase the threshold
voltage window. In order to provide a SET VT as as low possible, a
current passing through a memory cell at or near the holding
current may be desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Embodiments will be readily understood by the following
detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
To facilitate this description, like reference numerals designate
like structural elements. Embodiments are illustrated by way of
example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the
accompanying drawings.
[0005] FIG. 1 is an example apparatus comprising an NVRAM device,
such as PCM, device having the holding current provision technology
of the present disclosure, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0006] FIG. 2 is an example circuit diagram of an apparatus
comprising an NVRAM device, such as PCM device, having the holding
current provision technology of the present disclosure, in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0007] FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating voltage supply
circuitry control of the apparatus of FIG. 1 to provide a current
pulse to a memory cell, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 4 is an example process flow diagram of a process 400
for performing a set operation of an NVRAM (e.g., PCM) device, in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 5 is an example graph illustrating the ramp-down of bit
line node voltage as a function of time after the bit line voltage
supply is disconnected from the bit line node of the apparatus of
FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating example set state threshold
voltage (SET VT) and reset state threshold voltage (RESET VT)
distribution curves of the memory cell of the apparatus of FIG. 1,
in accordance with some embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating holding current distribution
for memory cells placed at different distances from a bit line node
(AXN node) of the apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 8 is an example system that includes an NVRAM (e.g.,
PCM) device in accordance with various embodiments described
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof wherein like
numerals designate like parts throughout, and in which is shown by
way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or
logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of
embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0014] Techniques for controlling current in an NVRAM device, such
as PCM device, are discussed herein. In one instance, the apparatus
may comprise an NVRAM device including a plurality of memory cells
coupled to a plurality of bit lines forming a bit line node with
parasitic capacitance. Each memory cell may comprise a switch
device with a required level of a holding current to maintain an
on-state of the memory cell. The NVRAM device may further include a
voltage supply circuitry coupled with the NVRAM device and a
controller coupled with the voltage supply circuitry. The
controller may control the circuitry to provide a current pulse
that keeps a memory cell in an on-state. The current pulse may
comprise a profile that changes over time from a set point to the
holding current level, in response to a discharge of the bit line
node parasitic capacitance through the memory cell after the set
point is achieved.
[0015] In another instance, the apparatus may comprise an NVRAM
device including a plurality of memory cells coupled to a plurality
of word lines forming a word line node with parasitic capacitance.
Each memory cell may comprise a switch device with a required level
of a holding current to maintain an on-state of the memory cell.
The NVRAM device may further include a voltage supply circuitry
coupled with the NVRAM device and a controller coupled with the
voltage supply circuitry. The controller may control the circuitry
to provide a current pulse that keeps a memory cell in an on-state.
The current pulse may comprise a profile that changes over time
from a set point to the holding current level, in response to a
discharge of the word line node parasitic capacitance through the
memory cell after the set point is achieved.
[0016] Various operations are described as multiple discrete
operations in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in
understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of
description should not be construed as to imply that these
operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these
operations may not be performed in the order of presentation.
Operations described may be performed in a different order than the
described embodiment. Various additional operations may be
performed and/or described operations may be omitted in additional
embodiments.
[0017] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase "A
and/or B" means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the
present disclosure, the phrase "A, B, and/or C" means (A), (B),
(C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), (A, B or C) or (A, B and
C).
[0018] The description may use the phrases "in an embodiment," or
"in embodiments," which may each refer to one or more of the same
or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms "comprising,"
"including," "having," and the like, as used with respect to
embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous. The term
"coupled" may refer to a direct connection, an indirect connection,
or an indirect communication.
[0019] As used herein, the term "module" may refer to, be part of,
or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an
electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group)
and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that execute one or
more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit,
state machine, and/or other suitable components that provide the
described functionality.
[0020] FIG. 1 is an example apparatus 100 comprising an NVRAM
device, such as PCM device, having the holding current provision
technology of the present disclosure, in accordance with some
embodiments. According to various embodiments, the apparatus 100
may include one or more memory cells (hereinafter "memory cells
102"), which may be configured in an array as shown. The memory
cells 102 may include, for example, a phase change material such as
a chalcogenide glass that can be switched between crystalline and
amorphous states with the application of heat produced by an
electric current. The state (e.g., crystalline/amorphous) of the
phase change material may correspond with a logical value (e.g., 0,
1, 00, 01, 10, 11 and so forth) of the memory cells 102. The
apparatus 100 may be part of a phase change memory and switch
(PCMS) device in some embodiments. The memory cells 102 may include
a switch such as, for example, an ovonic threshold switch (OTS)
configured for use in selection/programming operations of the
memory cells 102. In other embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be
part of other suitable types of memory devices. Regardless, as will
be described in more detail below, the apparatus 100 may be
incorporated with the reset current delivery technology of the
present disclosure to facilitate delivery of a set current pulse to
the memory cells.
[0021] The apparatus 100 may further include one or more bit lines
(hereinafter "bit lines 104") and one or more word lines
(hereinafter "word lines 106") coupled to the memory cells 102, as
can be seen. The bit lines 104 and word lines 106 may be configured
such that each of the memory cells 102 is disposed at an
intersection of each individual bit line and word line.
[0022] The apparatus 100 may further include a voltage supply
circuitry 120 coupled with the memory cells 102 and configured to
provide and control voltage supply of the apparatus 100. For
example, the voltage supply circuitry 120 may be configured to
apply voltage or bias to a target memory cell of the memory cells
102 using the word lines 106 and the bit lines 104 to select the
target cell for a read or write operation. Bit line drivers 128 may
be coupled to the bit lines 104 and word line drivers 126 may be
coupled to the word lines 106 to facilitate decoding/selection of
the one or more memory cells 102. According to embodiments
described herein, the controller 140 may control the circuitry 120
to provide a current pulse that may keep a memory cell in an
on-state. The current pulse may comprise a profile that changes
over time from a set point to the holding current level, in
response to a discharge of the bit line node parasitic capacitance
through the memory cell after the set point is achieved.
[0023] In embodiments, the cells 102, word line 106 and bit lines
106 may be organized to form a cross-point memory array 150. For
example, the apparatus 100 may include one or more tiles 124. The
one or more tiles 124 may comprise a portion of the array of one or
more word lines 106, bit lines 104, and memory cells 102 that is
treated as a discrete unit during a selection operation of a target
memory cell. That is, in some embodiments, each of the one or more
tiles 124 is a unit of the array that is biased to select the
target memory cell (e.g., a bit, a pair of bits, and so forth) in
the array. In the depicted embodiment, the one or more tiles 124
comprise an array of four word lines and four bit lines (4
WL.times.4 BL); however, other tile sizes can be used in other
embodiments including, for example, a tile size of one thousand
word lines by one thousand bit lines (1000 WL.times.1000 BL). The
one or more tiles 124 may be part of any memory layer of a stacked
memory configuration in some embodiments. For example, the one or
more tiles 124 may be part of a memory layer formed on another
memory layer, in some embodiments.
[0024] The bit lines 104 may be coupled to a bit line electrode
(global bit line) 108, which may be further coupled to the voltage
supply circuitry 120 at a bit line node 116. Voltage supply
circuitry 120 may include, for example, a bit line supply 132 that
may be configured to provide an electrical supply for the bit lines
104.
[0025] The word lines 106 may be coupled to a word line electrode
(global word line) 110, which may be further coupled to the voltage
supply circuitry 120 at a word line node 118. Voltage supply
circuitry 120 may include, for example, a word line voltage supply
134 that may be configured to provide an electrical supply (e.g.,
voltage HNVNN) for the word lines 106. The bit line electrode 108
and the word line electrode 110 may each be a current path to the
memory cells 102. The word line drivers 126 and the bit line
drivers 128 may each comprise single or multiple transistors per
electrode according to various embodiments.
[0026] In an embodiment, the voltage supply circuitry 120 may
include components 122 configured to provide different
functionalities to the apparatus 100. Components 122 may include,
for example, sensing circuitry coupled to the bit line electrode
108. The sensing circuitry may use the bit line electrode 108 as an
electrical node for performing a read operation, such as a sense
operation, of the memory cells 102. Components 122 may further
include write circuitry (not shown) coupled to the bit line
electrode 108. The write circuitry may use the bit line electrode
108 as an electrical node for performing a write operation, such as
a set or reset operation, of the memory cells 102.
[0027] Components 122 may include a selection module coupled to the
word line electrode 110, to facilitate a selection operation of the
memory cells 102 using the word line electrode 110. The selection
operation may precede a read or write operation and place the
target memory cell of the memory cells 102 in a state to receive a
read or write operation. During selection, a target memory cell may
be moved from a subthreshold region of operation to a region of
operation above a threshold region of operation by applying a
voltage bias across the target memory cell of the memory cells 102.
The voltage bias to achieve selection of the target cell may be
provided by circuitry 120 via word line and bit line drivers 126
and 128 for the respective target word line and bit line.
[0028] In embodiments, the target word line bias and the target bit
line bias may be controlled such that, in combination, an overall
bias is applied across the target cell that is sufficient to bring
the target memory cell above a threshold voltage and turn the
memory cell on, e.g., enable the memory cell to conduct current
during a set operation of the memory cell. The set operation may be
aimed to bring the memory cell to a set state, in which the phase
change material of the memory cell may be in crystalline state,
providing for low resistance of the memory cell.
[0029] In some embodiments, the features of the circuitry 120 may
be suitably combined in one or more modules or may be coupled with
the other of the bit line electrode 108 and/or word line electrode
110 than depicted. The apparatus 100 may be configured to perform
actions of methods described herein, according to various
embodiments. For example, the apparatus 100 may be coupled with one
or more control modules configured to perform select and/or set
operations of a memory cell, according to embodiments described
herein.
[0030] For purposes of explanation, the apparatus 100 is shown in
FIG. 1 as including a controller 140 coupled to the voltage supply
circuitry 120 and configured to control current provided by the
voltage supply circuitry 120 to the memory cells 102. The operation
of the controller 140 to control voltage supply circuitry 120 to
provide a current pulse to a memory cell during a set operation in
accordance with embodiments described herein will be explained in
reference to FIG. 2, in view of the foregoing discussion.
[0031] As discussed above, a memory cell may include a switch
device, with a minimal on-state holding current (a turn-off point)
that may be required to sustain the memory cell's on-state. The
phase change material of the memory cell may be responsible to
ensure a difference in VT levels for SET and RESET states of the
memory cell. When the phase change material is crystalline (in a
SET VT state), it is at a lower VT than when the phase change
material is amorphous (in a RESET VT state). The switch device may
select the cell when enough voltage is applied across the cell.
Crystallization currents may be near the holding current. If the
memory cell receives a current that is at or about the
crystallization current level, the memory cell may at least
partially crystallize and the cell VT may move towards the SET VT
level.
[0032] If the current to the memory cell is below the
crystallization current level, the current may have no effect on
the memory cell. Generally, the crystallization current is a
function of the material composition and the thermal profile of the
memory cell. The holding current may be a function of the material
parameters of the switch device of the memory cell and the
parasitic circuit dynamics surrounding the memory cell. Variations
in process manufacturing may lead to variations in the cell
crystallization and holding currents. The embodiments described
herein provide a current sweep passing through a target memory cell
from a predetermined set point down to the lowest current that the
memory cell can support, e.g. the holding current of the cell. A
controlled ramp-down current sweep (set current pulse) through the
memory cell may ensure that the crystallization current (or
near-crystallization current) is applied to the memory cell, to
prevent the memory cell from re-thresholding during a set
operation. As described below in greater detail, to provide for the
crystallization current or near-crystallization current flowing
through the memory cell, the bit line node may be "floated", e.g.,
supply voltage may be disconnected from the bit line node after a
certain voltage level at the node has been achieved. After the bit
line voltage is floated, the memory cell may still be in amorphous
state, and a portion of the current pulse may crystallize the
memory cell. In this case, the memory cell may not re-threshold and
as such, if it became crystallized after floating of the bit line
node, it may not return to an amorphous state.
[0033] FIG. 2 is an example circuit diagram of an apparatus
comprising an NVRAM device having the holding current provision
technology of the present disclosure, such as PCM device in
accordance with some embodiments. More specifically, FIG. 2
illustrates an example portion 202 of the apparatus 100 in more
detail, and a corresponding example circuit model 204 of the
example portion 202 of the apparatus 100, in accordance with some
embodiments. For simplicity of explanation, like elements of
apparatus 100, example portion 202, and example circuit model 204
are indicated by like numerals. As shown, the example portion 202
may include at least a fragment of the cross-point memory array
150, including the cells 102, which may include a selected (e.g.,
target) cell T. The example portion 202 may further include bit
line voltage supply sources VPP, VHH, VHHMVT, and VCC, comprising
at least in part the bit line supply 132. The bit line node 116 is
indicated by abbreviation AXN (referred to hereinafter as "AXN
node"). It will be understood that the number and voltage levels of
voltage supply sources may vary, depending on demands and
configuration of the apparatus 100, and the voltage supply sources
VPP, VHH, VHHMVT, and VCC are shown for illustrative purposes.
[0034] As shown, the example portion 202 may further include global
word line driver GWL and local word line driver LWL, as well as
global bit line driver GBL and local bit line driver LBL. The
ground point of the bit line voltage supply 132 is indicated by
abbreviation GND.
[0035] The example portion 202 may further include word line
voltage supply source HNVNN at HNREG node, comprising at least in
part the word line supply 134. As shown, word line supply 134 may
include other components, such as limiting devices WLLIM
(hereinafter WLLIM device) and NOLIM configured to control (e.g.,
limit) the current passing through the target cell T. In
embodiments, WLLIM and NOLIM are devices that may be configured to
control the current passing through the target cell T. There may
only be one or both of the devices (e.g. WLLIM and/or NOLIM) or
there may be more than 2 devices that are used to control the
current.
[0036] The example circuit model 204 represents a simplified
circuit diagram of the example portion 202 of the apparatus 100, in
accordance with some embodiments. The like elements of the example
circuit model 204 and the example portion 202 of the apparatus 100
are indicated by like numerals or abbreviations. As shown, GBL,
LBL, GWL, and LWL are represented by their corresponding
resistances and capacitances (e.g., GBL and CGBL respectively and
the like). The AXN node 116 may have its own parasitic capacitance
C.sub.AXN (e.g., about 1 pF). Similarly, the word line node 118 may
have parasitic capacitance C.sub.HNREG.
[0037] In some embodiments, the controller 140 may be configured to
control the voltage supply circuitry 120 (e.g., its components 132
and 134) to create a SET pulse in a form of a passive ramp-down
current profile over time using the parasitic capacitance C.sub.AXN
of the AXN node 116. More specifically, the controller 140 may
control voltage supply circuitry 120 to provide a current pulse
that may keep a memory cell (e.g., T) in an on-state. The current
pulse may comprise a profile that may change over time from a set
point to the holding current level, in response to a discharge of
the bit line node parasitic capacitance C.sub.AXN through the
memory cell T after the set point is achieved.
[0038] More specifically, after selection of a target memory cell
T, e.g., with a bit line supply voltage of a certain (first) level,
the bit line voltage supply may increase to a different (second)
level. At a certain point in time, the bit line voltage supply may
be disabled, leaving the AXN node 116 "floating," and the bit line
node capacitance C.sub.AXN may be discharged through the cell T to
terminate the SET pulse. As the bit line node capacitance C.sub.AXN
discharges, the voltage on the AXN node 116 may be reduced and the
current may also reduce. Because the AXN node 116 is not being
driven with a voltage supply, the voltage on the AXN node 116 may
only be discharged through the cell T. The voltage at the AXN node
116 cannot increase, preventing a re-thresholding of the cell T
during the ramp-down. Because no voltage supply is connected to the
bit line side, the cell T may not threshold again. Current that
passes through the memory cell may eventually reach the holding
current level and the switching device of the cell T may turn the
cell T off.
[0039] Accordingly, the current through the memory cell may be
controlled to decrease from a specified set point down to about the
holding current level of the switch device of the memory cell
without allowing for the possibility of a re-thresholding event of
the cell. When the bit line node capacitance C.sub.AXN is
discharged, the bit line potential may decrease and become low
enough, so that the memory cell T may not able to re-threshold.
[0040] To summarize, the described embodiments may enable control
of the current passing through a target memory cell of the memory
array 150 by modifying the SET current pulse (or, in some
embodiments, a read current pulse) to achieve a lower SET VT after
thresholding the memory cell. In general, the described embodiments
may be used in conjunction with techniques that modify the current
profile during the pulsing, to turn the memory cell off in a
controlled fashion. The described embodiments may be used, for
example, to terminate a read pulse and provide a set-back operation
to the cell. In this case, if the cell thresholds during the read
operation, the described embodiments may provide a ramp-down pulse
down to the holding current of the cell, enabling the memory cell
to remain at the same SET VT. The described embodiments may prevent
a re-threshold of the memory cell during the termination of the
pulse, to preserve the SET VT state of the memory cell that may be
achieved with the current pulse being delivered to the memory
cell.
[0041] FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating voltage supply
circuitry control of the apparatus 100 to provide a current pulse
to a memory cell, to enable the memory cell to remain at
substantially the same level of set threshold voltage without
re-thresholding, in accordance with some embodiments. More
specifically, the example diagram includes a graph 302 illustrating
voltage applied to the bit line node (AXN node) as a function of
time, a graph 304 illustrating voltage at the word line node (HNREG
node) as a function of time, a graph 306 illustrating a current
profile passing through the memory cell the as a function of time,
and a graph 308 illustrating voltage at the gate of the limiting
device (WLLIM device) as a function of time.
[0042] Before time instance t1, a memory cell may be selected,
e.g., by providing a voltage of a selection level (e.g., "idle" or
first voltage level v0, graph 302) to the memory cell. For example,
the bit line decoders GBL and word line decoders GWL of the memory
array 150 (FIGS. 1-2) may be turned on so as to select one specific
cell in the array.
[0043] At time instance t1, AXN voltage may be ramped to level v1
(e.g., intermediary level, graph 302) and HNREG voltage may be
ramped to v1's level (graph 304), e.g., in response to turning on
the WLLIM device (graph 308).
[0044] At t2, AXN voltage may be ramped to level v2 (e.g., second
level, graph 302), but during the ramp, the memory cell may snap
(turn on), as indicated by numeral 310, and a current I1 above the
holding current may begin to flow through the memory cell (current
I1, graph 306).
[0045] The purpose of having intermediary voltage level v1 provided
to the AXN node may be to decouple the ramp-up of voltage so that
the ramp-up of voltage at the AXN node to the second level v2 may
not be done in a single step. In more general terms, increasing the
bit line voltage provided to the bit line node from an idle (first)
level to a second level v2 may include increasing the bit line
voltage from a first level to one or more intermediary levels,
before increasing the bit line voltage to the second level. More
specifically, the controller 140 may control the voltage supply
circuitry 120 (FIG. 1) to increase the bit line voltage supply
continuously or periodically, over a period of time, taking the bit
line voltage supply level through multiple intermediary levels. For
example, the controller 140 may control the voltage supply
circuitry 120 to switch from voltage supply source VCC to voltage
supply source VHHMVT to voltage supply source VHH to voltage supply
source VPP (see FIG. 2).
[0046] Between t2 and t3, the voltage at AXN node may still be
ramping to level v2 (graph 302). Current I1 may be flowing through
the selected memory cell (current I1, graph 306), as determined by
the gate voltage on the WLLIM device (Vg1, graph 308).
[0047] After t3, the gate voltage on the WLLIM device may be ramped
to a second value (Vg2, graph 308) so as to modulate the current
profile through the selected memory cell, to reach a set point
(indicated by current I2, graph 306).
[0048] After t4, the gate voltage on the WLLIM device may be ramped
to a second value (Vg3) so as to modulate the current profile
through the memory cell.
[0049] In more general terms, one or more current steps (e.g. I1
and/or I2 and/or I3 or more than 3 currents) may be used during the
first part of the current pulse.
[0050] After t5, AXN node may be "floated" (e.g., the bit line
voltage supply may be disconnected from the AXN node as described
above), and the AXN capacitance (CAXN, FIG. 2) may start to
discharge through the memory cell, providing current I3, until t6,
when the voltage available and path resistance causes the current
to start reducing.
[0051] After t6, the current through the memory cell may be
gradually reduced (graph 306), as a consequence of the floating AXN
node (graph 302), at a rate that may be defined by the parasitic
capacitance, the voltage available and the path resistance. The
path resistance may be modulated so as to achieve a specific
discharge rate while the AXN node is floated.
[0052] At t7, the current through the memory cell may reach the
holding current value (Ihold) and become insufficient to sustain
on-state, and the memory cell may turn off
[0053] At t8, the provision of the current pulse to the memory cell
may be terminated and the voltages may return to their idle states
(graphs 302, 304, and 308).
[0054] Between times t5 and t8, the WLLIM device may be held at a
fixed value, allowing charges to go through the WLLIM device, and
thus limiting current (discharge rate of CAXN is limited). As
shown, between times t6 and t7, even though the current Ihold is
held constant (WLLIM gate is fixed between t6 and t7), the current
Ihold may still decrease because the available voltage may not be
sufficient to allow the current to increase or remain
unchanged.
[0055] It should be noted that the WLLIM device may be used as
described above to control current flowing through the memory cell,
by draining charges from the AXN node at a controlled rate. The
described process may also be implemented without manipulating the
WLLIM device. For example, the WLLIM device may be set to a static
level throughout time period t1-t8 (e.g., voltage at the gate of
the WLLIM device may remain unchanged), and the current Ihold
flowing through the memory cell and controlled by the voltage at
AXN node as described above may prevent a re-threshold of the
memory cell.
[0056] The time period from a moment in time about which the bit
line voltage reaches the second level v2 to a moment in time about
which the AXN node is left floating (e.g., voltage supply is
disconnected from the AXN node), such as a time period from about
t3 to t5, may be determined empirically (e.g., by testing one or
more apparatuses 100) and programmed into the controller 140 of the
apparatus 100. Alternatively, the time period may comprise the time
between the memory cell turn-on and the floating of the AXN node,
e.g., time period from t2 to t5. Similarly, this time period may be
determined empirically and programmed into the controller 140, in
order to disconnect the bit line voltage supply from the AXN node
at a particular moment in time.
[0057] After another period of time following t8, the bit line
voltage supply may be reconnected to the AXN node, to provide the
bit line voltage at a particular, e.g., idle level.
[0058] It should be noted that the embodiments described herein
refer to a scheme where the bit line node (AXN node) is floated. In
other embodiments, the bit line and the word line configurations
described above may have their roles interchanged. More
specifically, the apparatus 100 (e.g., controller 140) may be
configured to float the word line node (HNREG node). In this
embodiment, a current limiting device (WLLIM device) may be used at
the bit line node instead of the word line node as described above,
to control current flowing through the memory cell. Accordingly,
the controller may be configured to control voltage supply
circuitry 120 (e.g., word line voltage supply 134) to provide a
current pulse that keeps a memory cell in an on-state, wherein the
current pulse comprises a profile that changes over time from a set
point to the holding current level, in response to a discharge of
the word line node parasitic capacitance through the memory cell
after the set point is achieved.
[0059] Similarly to the above embodiments, the controller 140 may
control the voltage supply circuitry 120 to provide a word line
voltage at a first level to the word line node of the NVRAM device,
to select the memory cell. In contrast to the above embodiments,
the controller 140 may be configured to decrease the word line
voltage provided to the word line node from the first level to a
second level, to cause current to pass through the memory cell, to
achieve the set point on-state of the memory cell, and, subsequent
to the decrease of the word line voltage from the first level to
the second level, disconnect voltage supply from the word line
node, to cause the word line node parasitic capacitance C.sub.HNREG
to discharge through the memory cell, and to cause the current
passing through the memory cell to decrease over time, to reach the
holding current that keeps the memory cell in the on-state.
[0060] Decreasing the word line voltage applied to the word line
node from the first level to a second level may include, similar to
the above-described embodiments, to control the circuitry 120 to
decrease the word line voltage from a first level to one or more
intermediary levels, before the decrease of the word line voltage
to the second level, wherein the one or more intermediary levels
are higher than the second level and lower than the first level.
Decrease of the word line voltage from a first level to one or more
intermediary levels may be conducted continuously or periodically,
over a period of time. The controller 140 may further control the
voltage supply circuitry 120 to disconnect voltage supply from the
word line node after a predetermined time period from a moment in
time when the word line voltage reaches the second level. In the
described embodiment, the voltage supply circuitry 120 may include
a bit line voltage supply coupled with the bit line node, to
provide the bit line voltage to the bit line node, a word line
voltage supply coupled with the word line node, to provide the word
line voltage to the word line node, and a limiting device coupled
with the bit line voltage supply, to control a current profile of
the current passing through the memory cell after the word line
voltage supply has been disconnected from the word line node.
[0061] FIG. 4 is an example process flow diagram of a process 400
for performing a set operation of an NVRAM (e.g., PCM) device, in
accordance with some embodiments. The process 400 may comport with
embodiments described in connection with FIGS. 1-3 and vice versa.
The process may be performed, for example, by the controller 140 to
control circuitry 120 of the apparatus 100 comprising a PCM device,
as described in reference to FIGS. 1-3.
[0062] At block 402, the process 400 may include providing current
at a set point to a memory cell of a plurality of memory cells of
an NVRAM device, coupled to a plurality of bit lines forming a bit
line node with parasitic capacitance.
[0063] The provision of the current at a set point may include
providing a bit line voltage at a first level to the bit line node
of the NVRAM device, to select a memory cell associated with the
bit line. As described in reference to FIG. 3, the memory cell may
be selected, e.g., by providing a bit line voltage at a first level
(e.g., idle level) to the AXN node 116 (FIG. 2). For example, the
apparatus 100 decoders may be enabled to pass the voltages applied
to the AXN node 116 and HNREG node 118.
[0064] The provision of the current at a set point may further
include increasing the bit line voltage provided to the bit line
node from the first level to a second level, to cause current to
pass through the memory cell, to achieve the set point on-state of
the memory cell. As described in reference to FIG. 3, the WLLIM
device may be enabled and the HNREG voltage may reach HNVNN level.
As the AXN voltage is ramped-up, the memory cell may threshold and
the current may be limited by the WLLIM device. The memory cell may
reach its on-state.
[0065] Increasing the bit line voltage provided to the bit line
node from the first level to a second level may include increasing
the bit line voltage from a first level to one or more intermediary
levels, before increasing the bit line voltage to the second level,
wherein the one or more intermediary levels are lower than the
second level and higher than the first level. For example, the
controller may control the voltage supply circuitry to increase the
bit line voltage from a first level to one or more intermediary
levels continuously or periodically, over a period of time.
[0066] At block 404, the process 400 may include providing a
current pulse with a profile that changes over time from the set
point to the holding current level, in response to a discharge of
the bit line node parasitic capacitance through the memory cell
after the current set point is achieved. This action may include,
subsequent to the increase of the bit line voltage from the first
level to the second level, disconnecting voltage supply from the
bit line node, to cause the bit line node parasitic capacitance to
discharge through the memory cell, and to cause the current passing
through the memory cell to decrease over time, to reach the holding
current that keeps the memory cell in the on-state. The voltage
disconnect may occur after a predetermined time period from a
moment in time when the bit line voltage reaches the second
level.
[0067] As described in reference to FIG. 3, the AXN node may be
left "floating," e.g. all voltage sources may be disconnected from
that node. The capacitance at the AXN node may discharge through
the cell, sustaining the on-state of the memory cell until the
current reaches a value at which the memory cell may turn off.
Accordingly, the voltage at AXN node may be reduced passively over
time and the cell may reach the lowest current that the on-state of
the memory cell may support. The memory cell may eventually shut
off, when it no longer sustains holding conditions. In embodiments,
the WLLIM device may be configured to limit current passing through
the memory cell during the ramp-down.
[0068] At block 406, the process 400 may include reconnecting the
bit line voltage supply to the bit line node after another
predetermined period of time. At that point, the bit line voltage
supply may provide the bit line voltage at idle level.
[0069] The actions of the process 400 or other techniques described
herein may be performed by any suitable module. For example, as
noted above, one or more control modules (e.g., controller 140) may
be coupled to control the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 to perform the
actions described herein. Accordingly, an article of manufacture is
disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the article of manufacture
may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The
article of manufacture may have instructions stored thereon that,
in response to execution by a processor, cause the actions
described herein to be performed. Any suitable apparatus including,
for example, a PCM device may be equipped with any suitable means
(e.g., the one or more control modules and/or apparatus 100 of FIG.
1) configured to perform actions described herein.
[0070] FIG. 5 is an example graph illustrating the ramp-down of bit
line node voltage as a function of time after the bit line voltage
supply is disconnected from the bit line node of the apparatus 100,
in accordance with some embodiments. The example voltage ramp-down
for three different memory cells located in different parts of the
memory array of the apparatus 100 is shown. For example, graphs
502, 504 and 506 illustrate the voltage at HNREG node for three
memory cells. Graph 508 comprising graphs 510 (lower curve), 512
(middle curve), and 514 (higher curve) illustrates the voltage at
the AXN node for the same three memory cells. Graphs 506 and 510
illustrate the voltages for AXN and HNREG, respectively, for a cell
that is located closest to AXN node and HNREG node with respect to
the other two cells. Graph 504 and 512 illustrate the voltages for
AXN node and HNREG node, respectively, for a cell that is located
further away than the cell described by 506 and 510 from AXN node
and HNREG node, but not further than the cell described by graph
502 and 514. Graphs 502 and 514 illustrate the voltages for AXN
node and HNREG node, respectively, for a cell that is located
further away from AXN node and HNREG node than the two other cells.
As shown, the regime where the current is constant is in the area
520 (between approximately 100 ns and 200 ns) where the voltage
loss at AXN node is linear in time. When the WLLIM device is no
longer held in saturation the path resistance will cause the
current to create a resistive voltage drop that is similar in
magnitude to the voltage available between AXN node and HNREG node
and the WLLIM device will transition from an operation in
saturation region to linear region. This point corresponds to t6 in
FIG. 3. At that point, the current gradually falls below the WLLIM
saturation current, leading to the passive current ramp-down. The
current then enters the regime indicated by numeral 522, where the
charges accumulated in the parasitic capacitance are discharged
through memory cell. During that time, the voltage at AXN node is
reduced until the memory cell reaches its minimum sustainable
on-state current and eventually shuts off.
[0071] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating example set state threshold
voltage (SET VT) and reset state threshold voltage (RESET VT)
distribution curves of the memory cell of the apparatus of FIG. 1,
in accordance with some embodiments. More specifically, graph 602
illustrates a SET VT distribution curve in a case in which a
standard current pulse is applied to a memory cell in a set
operation. Graph 604 illustrates a RESET VT distribution curve.
Graph 606 illustrates a SET VT distribution curve in a case in
which a current pulse formed in accordance with embodiments
described herein is applied to a memory cell in a set operation.
The illustrated results show improvement in SET VT level when using
the proposed method to achieve lowest on-state current for a SET
pulse, vs. standard termination of a SET pulse. As shown, the
threshold voltage window defined as the difference between the SET
VT and RESET VT of the memory cell may increase by a difference
indicated by numeral 610 (in some examples, from -500 mV to -800
mV) using the described approach.
[0072] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating holding current distribution
for memory cells placed at different distances from a bit line node
(AXN node) of the apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with some
embodiments. Specifically, graph 702 illustrates a holding current
distribution curve for a near memory cell, and graph 704
illustrates a holding current distribution curve for a far memory
cell (e.g., a memory cell that is farther from AXN node than the
memory cell associated with graph 702). As shown, the near memory
cell holding current may have a higher value than the far memory
cell holding current. Additionally, the near cell holding currents
may have some intrinsic variations due to manufacturing
imperfections. The current sweep provided according the embodiments
described herein may allow a memory cell to meet its holding
current, which may not be possible using conventional techniques
(e.g., using a pre-determined current set point to terminate the
current pulse).
[0073] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented
into a system using any suitable hardware and/or software to
configure as desired. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an example
system (e.g., a computing device 800) that includes an NVRAM (e.g.,
PCM) device 808 having circuitry (e.g., controller 180 and voltage
supply circuitry 120 of FIGS. 1-2) configured to perform actions in
accordance with various embodiments described herein. The computing
device 800 may house a board such as motherboard 802. The
motherboard 802 may include a number of components, including but
not limited to a processor 808 and at least one communication chip
806. The processor 804 may be physically and electrically coupled
to the motherboard 802. In some implementations, the at least one
communication chip 806 may also be physically and electrically
coupled to the motherboard 802. In further implementations, the
communication chip 808 may be part of the processor 804.
[0074] Depending on its applications, computing device 800 may
include other components that may or may not be physically and
electrically coupled to the motherboard 802. These other components
may include, but are not limited to, a camera 820, volatile memory
(e.g., DRAM), earlier described non-volatile memory (e.g., phase
change memory (PCM) 808 or ROM), flash memory, a graphics
processor, a digital signal processor, a crypto processor, a
chipset, an antenna, a display, a touchscreen display, a
touchscreen controller, a battery, an audio codec, a video codec, a
power amplifier, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a
compass, a Geiger counter, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a
speaker, and a mass storage device (such as hard disk drive,
compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), and so forth).
[0075] According to various embodiments, the PCM 808 may include
circuitry (e.g., controller 140 and circuitry 120 of FIGS. 1-2)
that is configured to perform actions (e.g., processes of FIG. 3 or
7) described herein. For example, the PCM 808 may be configured to
perform provision of holding current to its memory cells as
described herein.
[0076] The communication chip 806 may enable wireless
communications for the transfer of data to and from the computing
device 800. The term "wireless" and its derivatives may be used to
describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques,
communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through
the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid
medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not
contain any wires, although in some embodiments they might not. The
communication chip 806 may implement any of a number of wireless
standards or protocols, including but not limited to Institute for
Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) standards including
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), IEEE 802.16 standards (e.g., IEEE
802.16-2005 Amendment), Long-Term Evolution (LTE) project along
with any amendments, updates, and/or revisions (e.g., advanced LTE
project, ultra mobile broadband (UMB) project (also referred to as
"3GPP2"), etc.). IEEE 802.16 compatible Broadband Wireless Access
(BWA) networks are generally referred to as WiMAX networks, an
acronym that stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave
Access, which is a certification mark for products that pass
conformity and interoperability tests for the IEEE 802.16
standards. The communication chip 806 may operate in accordance
with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), General Packet
Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
(UMTS), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Evolved HSPA (E-HSPA), or
LTE network. The communication chip 806 may operate in accordance
with Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE Radio Access
Network (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network
(UTRAN), or Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN). The communication chip 806 may
operate in accordance with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA),
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Digital Enhanced Cordless
Telecommunications (DECT), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO),
derivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless protocols that
are designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The communication chip
806 may operate in accordance with other wireless protocols in
other embodiments.
[0077] The computing device 800 may include a plurality of
communication chips 806. For instance, a first communication chip
806 may be dedicated to shorter range wireless communications such
as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and a second communication chip 806 may be
dedicated to longer range wireless communications such as GPS,
EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, EV-DO, and others.
[0078] In various implementations, the computing device 800 may be
mobile computing device, a laptop, a netbook, a notebook, an
ultrabook, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant
(PDA), an ultra mobile PC, a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a
server, a printer, a scanner, a monitor, a set-top box, an
entertainment control unit, a digital camera, a portable music
player, or a digital video recorder. In further implementations,
the computing device 800 may be any other electronic device that
processes data.
[0079] The following paragraphs describe examples of various
embodiments.
[0080] Example 1 is an apparatus, comprising: a non-volatile random
access memory (NVRAM) device including a plurality of memory cells
coupled to a plurality of bit lines forming a bit line node with
parasitic capacitance, wherein each memory cell comprises a switch
device with a required level of a holding current to maintain an
on-state of the memory cell; a voltage supply circuitry coupled
with the NVRAM device; and a controller coupled with the voltage
supply circuitry, wherein the controller is to control the voltage
supply circuitry to provide a current pulse that keeps a memory
cell in an on-state, wherein the current pulse comprises a profile
that changes over time from a set point to the holding current
level, in response to a discharge of the bit line node parasitic
capacitance through the memory cell after the set point is
achieved.
[0081] Example 2 may include the subject matter of Example 1,
wherein the controller is to control the voltage supply circuitry
to: provide a bit line voltage at a first level to the bit line
node of the NVRAM device, to select the memory cell; increase the
bit line voltage provided to the bit line node from the first level
to a second level, to cause current to pass through the memory
cell, to achieve the set point on-state of the memory cell; and
subsequent to the increase of the bit line voltage from the first
level to the second level, disconnect voltage supply from the bit
line node, to cause the bit line node parasitic capacitance to
discharge through the memory cell, and to cause the current passing
through the memory cell to decrease over time, to reach the holding
current that keeps the memory cell in the on-state.
[0082] Example 3 may include the subject matter of Example 1,
wherein the controller is to control the circuitry to provide a
word line voltage to a word line node of the NVRAM device, to
select the memory cell.
[0083] Example 4 may include the subject matter of Example 3,
wherein the memory cell is coupled with a word line of the NVRAM
device, and with a bit line of the NVRAM device, wherein the memory
cell is selectable through the word line and bit line associated
with the word line node and the bit line node respectively.
[0084] Example 5 may include the subject matter of Example 1,
wherein the controller to control the circuitry to increase the bit
line voltage applied to the bit line node from the first level to a
second level includes to control the circuitry to increase the bit
line voltage from a first level to one or more intermediary levels,
before the increase of the bit line voltage to the second level,
wherein the one or more intermediary levels are lower than the
second level and higher than the first level.
[0085] Example 6 may include the subject matter of Example 5,
wherein the controller is to control the circuitry to increase the
bit line voltage from a first level to one or more intermediary
levels continuously or periodically, over a period of time.
[0086] Example 7 may include the subject matter of Example 1,
wherein the controller to control the circuitry to disconnect
voltage supply from the bit line node includes to control the
circuitry to disconnect voltage supply after a predetermined time
period from a moment in time when the bit line voltage reaches the
second level.
[0087] Example 8 may include the subject matter of Example 7,
wherein the NVRAM device is a PCM device, wherein the memory cell
includes a phase change material, and wherein a portion of the
current pulse that passes through the memory cell after the bit
line voltage supply has been disconnected from the bit line node
provides a crystalline state to the phase change material and keeps
the phase change material from converting to an amorphous state at
least for a period of time.
[0088] Example 9 may include the subject matter of Example 8,
wherein the predetermined period of time corresponds to a time
period during which the phase change material is at least partially
crystallized.
[0089] Example 10 may include the subject matter of Example 9,
wherein the control is to control the circuitry to reconnect the
bit line voltage supply to the bit line node after another
predetermined period of time, wherein the bit line voltage supply
is to provide the bit line voltage at a third level.
[0090] Example 11 may include the subject matter of Example 3,
wherein the voltage supply circuitry includes: a bit line voltage
supply coupled with the bit line node, to provide the bit line
voltage to the bit line node; a word line voltage supply coupled
with the word line node, to provide the word line voltage to the
word line node; and a limiting device coupled with the word line
voltage supply, to control a current profile of the current passing
through the memory cell after the bit line voltage supply has been
disconnected from the bit line node.
[0091] Example 12 may include the subject matter of Example 1,
wherein the NVRAM device comprises a cross-point memory array
having the plurality of memory cells.
[0092] Example 13 may include the subject matter of any of Examples
1 to 12, wherein the apparatus is disposed on an integrated
circuit.
[0093] Example 14 is a method comprising: providing current at a
set point to a memory cell of a plurality of memory cells of a
non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) device, wherein the
plurality of memory cells is coupled to a plurality of bit lines
forming a bit line node with parasitic capacitance, each memory
cell comprising a switch device with a required level of a holding
current to maintain an on-state of the memory cell; and providing a
current pulse with a profile that changes over time from the set
point to the holding current level, in response to a discharge of
the bit line node parasitic capacitance through the memory cell
after the current set point is achieved.
[0094] Example 15 may include the subject matter of Example 14,
further comprising: providing a bit line voltage at a first level
to the bit line node of the NVRAM device, to select a memory cell
associated with the bit line; increasing the bit line voltage
provided to the bit line node from the first level to a second
level, to cause current to pass through the memory cell, to achieve
the set point on-state of the memory cell; and subsequent to the
increase of the bit line voltage from the first level to the second
level, disconnecting voltage supply from the bit line node, to
cause the bit line node parasitic capacitance to discharge through
the memory cell, and to cause the current passing through the
memory cell to decrease over time, to reach the holding current
that keeps the memory cell in the on-state.
[0095] Example 16 may include the subject matter of any of Examples
14 to 15, wherein increasing the bit line voltage provided to the
bit line node from the first level to a second level includes
increasing the bit line voltage from a first level to one or more
intermediary levels, before increasing of the bit line voltage to
the second level, wherein the one or more intermediary levels are
lower than the second level and higher than the first level.
[0096] Example 17 may include the subject matter of Example 16,
wherein disconnecting voltage supply from the bit line node
includes disconnecting voltage supply after a predetermined time
period from a moment in time when the bit line voltage reaches the
second level.
[0097] Example 18 may include the subject matter of Example 17,
further comprising: reconnecting the bit line voltage supply to the
bit line node after another predetermined period of time, wherein
the bit line voltage supply is to provide the bit line voltage at a
third level.
[0098] Example 19 is a mobile device, comprising: a camera; a
processor coupled with the camera; and a memory coupled with the
processor and the camera, wherein the memory includes: a
non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) device including a
plurality of memory cells coupled to a plurality of bit lines
forming a bit line node with parasitic capacitance, wherein each
memory cell comprises a switch device with a required level of a
holding current to maintain an on-state of the memory cell; a
voltage supply circuitry coupled with the NVRAM device; and a
controller coupled with the voltage supply circuitry, wherein the
controller is to control the voltage supply circuitry to provide a
current pulse that keeps a memory cell in an on-state, wherein the
current pulse comprises a profile that changes over time from a set
point to the holding current level, in response to a discharge of
the bit line node parasitic capacitance through the memory cell
after the set point is achieved.
[0099] Example 20 may include the subject matter of Example 19,
wherein the controller is to control the voltage supply circuitry
to: provide a bit line voltage at a first level to the bit line
node of the NVRAM device, to select the memory cell; increase the
bit line voltage provided to the bit line node from the first level
to a second level, to cause current to pass through the memory
cell, to achieve the set point on-state of the memory cell; and
subsequent to the increase of the bit line voltage from the first
level to the second level, disconnect voltage supply from the bit
line node, to cause the bit line node parasitic capacitance to
discharge through the memory cell, and to cause the current passing
through the memory cell to decrease over time, to reach the holding
current that keeps the memory cell in the on-state.
[0100] Example 21 may include the subject matter of Example 20,
wherein the controller to control the circuitry to increase the bit
line voltage applied to the bit line node from the first level to a
second level includes to control the circuitry to increase the bit
line voltage from a first level to one or more intermediary levels,
before the increase of the bit line voltage to the second level,
wherein the one or more intermediary levels are lower than the
second level and higher than the first level.
[0101] Example 22 may include the subject matter of Example 20,
wherein the controller to control the circuitry to disconnect
voltage supply from the bit line node includes to control the
circuitry to disconnect voltage supply after a predetermined time
period from a moment in time when the bit line voltage reaches the
second level.
[0102] Example 23 is a method comprising: providing current at a
set point to a memory cell of a plurality of memory cells of a
non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) device, wherein the
plurality of memory cells is coupled to a plurality of word lines
forming a word line node with parasitic capacitance, each memory
cell comprising a switch device with a required level of a holding
current to maintain an on-state of the memory cell; and providing a
current pulse with a profile that changes over time from the set
point to the holding current level, in response to a discharge of
the word line node parasitic capacitance through the memory cell
after the current set point is achieved.
[0103] Example 24 may include the subject matter of Example 23,
further comprising: providing a word line voltage at a first level
to the word line node of the NVRAM device, to select a memory cell
associated with the word line; decreasing the word line voltage
provided to the word line node from the first level to a second
level, to cause current to pass through the memory cell, to achieve
the set point on-state of the memory cell; and subsequent to the
decrease of the word line voltage from the first level to the
second level, disconnecting voltage supply from the word line node,
to cause the word line node parasitic capacitance to discharge
through the memory cell, and to cause the current passing through
the memory cell to decrease over time, to reach the holding current
that keeps the memory cell in the on-state.
[0104] Example 25 may include the subject matter of Example 24,
wherein decreasing the word line voltage provided to the word line
node from the first level to a second level includes decreasing the
word line voltage from a first level to one or more intermediary
levels, before decreasing of the word line voltage to the second
level, wherein the one or more intermediary levels are higher than
the second level and lower than the first level.
[0105] Methods, apparatuses, systems, and devices for performing
the above-described techniques are illustrative examples of
embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, other devices in the
above-described interactions may be configured to perform various
disclosed techniques.
[0106] Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein for purposes of description, a wide variety of
alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations
calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the
embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of
the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any
adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.
Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments described
herein be limited only by the claims.
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