U.S. patent application number 14/826063 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-16 for method, system and device for non-volatile memory device operation.
The applicant listed for this patent is ARM Ltd.. Invention is credited to Robert Campbell Aitken, Lucian Shifren.
Application Number | 20170047115 14/826063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56694184 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170047115 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aitken; Robert Campbell ; et
al. |
February 16, 2017 |
METHOD, SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DEVICE
OPERATION
Abstract
Disclosed are methods, systems and devices for operation of
non-volatile memory devices. In one aspect, a non-volatile memory
device may be placed in any one of multiple memory states in a
write operation by controlling a current and a voltage applied to
terminals of the non-volatile memory device. For example, a write
operation may apply a programming signal across terminals of
non-volatile memory device having a particular current and a
particular voltage for placing the non-volatile memory device in a
particular memory state.
Inventors: |
Aitken; Robert Campbell;
(San Jose, CA) ; Shifren; Lucian; (San Jose,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ARM Ltd. |
Cambridge |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
56694184 |
Appl. No.: |
14/826063 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11C 2013/005 20130101;
G11C 13/0069 20130101; G11C 2013/009 20130101; G11C 2013/0078
20130101; G11C 13/0007 20130101; G11C 2213/15 20130101; G11C
13/0002 20130101; G11C 13/004 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G11C 13/00 20060101
G11C013/00 |
Claims
1. A non-volatile memory cell comprising: a correlated electron
switch (CES) element comprising a correlated electron material
(CEM), the CES element being configurable to be in an impedance
state based, at least in part, on a screening length of the CEM and
responsive to localization properties of electrons in the CEM; and
a conducting element to connect a first terminal of the CES element
to a bitline responsive to a voltage signal on a wordline, wherein
the CES element is responsive to application of a first voltage
across the first terminal and a second terminal of the CES element
while maintaining a first current through the CES element to place
a memory state of the CES element in a first impedance state;
wherein the CES element is responsive to application of a second
voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal while
maintaining a second current through the CES element to place the
memory state of the CES element in a second impedance state; and
wherein the memory state of the CES element is detectable based, at
least in part, on a measured current through the CES element in
response to application of a third voltage between the first and
second terminals in a read operation.
2. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the CEM comprises a
resistance and a capacitance, and wherein the capacitance is
increased in response to transition of the CES element from the
first impedance state to the second impedance state, the increased
capacitance to absorb excess charge on the first terminal and
substantially dissipate the excess charge through the resistance if
the first terminal is subsequently disconnected from the
bitline.
3. The memory cell of claim 2, wherein the capacitance is increased
in response to a physical transformation of the CEM.
4. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein a magnitude of the third
voltage is limited to being less than or equal to a magnitude of
the second voltage.
5. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the memory cell is placed in
the second impedance state in response to application of the second
voltage between the first and second terminals for a dwell
time.
6. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein a magnitude of the first
voltage is greater than a magnitude of the second voltage, and
wherein the magnitude of the second current is greater than a
magnitude of the first current.
7. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the first impedance state
comprises a conductive or low impedance memory state, and wherein
the second impedance state comprises an insulative or high
impedance memory state.
8. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein the CES element comprises a
CeRAM element.
9. The memory cell of claim 1, wherein a magnitude of the measured
current is limited to less than a magnitude of the first and second
current during the read operation to preserve the memory state of
the CES element.
10. A method comprising: applying a first voltage between a first
terminal of a non-volatile memory element and a second terminal of
the non-volatile memory element while maintaining a first current
between the first and second terminals to place the non-volatile
memory element in a first memory state in a first write operation;
applying a second voltage between the first and second terminals of
the non-volatile memory element while maintaining a second current
between the first and second terminals to place the non-volatile
memory element in a second memory state in a second write
operation; and applying a third voltage between the first terminal
and the second terminal in a read operation, wherein a magnitude of
the second voltage is greater than a magnitude of the first
voltage, and wherein a magnitude of the first current is greater
than a magnitude of the second current.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein a capacitance between the first
and second terminals increases in response to the memory cell being
placed in the first memory state, and wherein the capacitance
decreases in response to the non-volatile memory element being
placed in the second memory state.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-volatile memory element
comprises a correlated electron switch (CES) element.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-volatile memory element
comprises a resistance and a capacitance, and further comprising:
increasing the capacitance in response to placing the non-volatile
memory element in the first memory state, the increased capacitance
to absorb charge on the first terminal; and dissipating the
absorbed charge through the resistance in response to disconnecting
the first terminal from a bitline.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the capacitance is increased in
response to a physical transformation of the non-volatile memory
element.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the memory cell is placed in
the second memory state in response to application of the second
voltage between the first and second terminals for a dwell
time.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first memory state
comprises a conductive or low impedance memory state, and wherein
the second memory state comprises an insulative or high impedance
memory state.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-volatile memory element
comprises a CES element.
18. The method of claim 10, and further comprising detecting the
memory state of the non-volatile memory element based, at least in
part, on a third current through the non-volatile memory element
measured during application of the third voltage during the read
operation, wherein a magnitude of the third current is limited to
less than the magnitude of the first current to maintain the memory
state of the non-volatile memory element during the read
operation.
19. The non-volatile memory device of claim 1, wherein a critical
current to be applied to the CES to place the CES in a high
impedance or insulative impedance state in a second write operation
is based, at least in part, on a current applied to the CES to
place the CES in a low impedance or conductive impedance state in a
first write operation preceding the second write operation.
20. The method of claim 10, wherein a critical current level for
the first current in the first write operation is determined based,
at least in part, on a magnitude of a current applied in preceding
write operation to place the non-volatile memory element in the
second memory state.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] Disclosed are techniques for utilizing memory devices.
[0003] 2. Information
[0004] Non-volatile memories are a class of memory in which the
memory cell or element does not lose its state after power supplied
to the device is removed. The earliest computer memories, made with
rings of ferrite that could be magnetized in two directions, were
non-volatile, for example. As semiconductor technology evolved into
higher levels of miniaturization, the ferrite devices were
abandoned for the more commonly known volatile memories, such as
DRAMs (Dynamic Random Access Memories) and SRAMs (Static-RAMs).
[0005] One type of non-volatile memory, electrically erasable
programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) devices have large cell
areas and may require a large voltage (e.g., from 12.0 to 21.0
volts) on a transistor gate to write or erase. Also, an erase or
write time is typically of the order of tens of microseconds. One
limiting factor with EEPROMs is the limited number of erase/write
cycles to no more than slightly over 600,000--or of the order of
10.sup.5-10.sup.6. The semiconductor industry has eliminated a need
of a pass-gate switch transistor between EEPROMs and non-volatile
transistors by sectorizing a memory array in such a way that
"pages" (e.g., sub-arrays) may be erased at a time in EEPROMs
called flash memory devices. In flash memory devices, an ability to
keep random access (erase/write single bits) was sacrificed for
speed and higher bit density.
[0006] More recently, FeRAMs (Ferroelectric RAMS) have provided low
power, relatively high write/read speed, and endurance for
read/write cycles exceeding 10 billion times. Similarly, magnetic
memories (MRAMs) have provided high write/read speed and endurance,
but with a high cost premium and higher power consumption. Neither
of these technologies reaches the density of flash memory devices,
for example. As such, flash remains a non-volatile memory of
choice. Nevertheless, it is generally recognized that flash memory
technology may not scale easily below 65 nanometers (nm); thus, new
non-volatile memory devices capable of being scaled to smaller
sizes are actively being sought.
[0007] Technologies considered for the replacement of flash memory
devices have included memories based on certain materials that
exhibit a resistance change associated with a change of phase of
the material (determined, at least in part, by a long range
ordering of atoms in the crystalline structure). In one type of
variable resistance memory called a phase change memory (PCM/PCRAM)
devices, a change in resistance occurs as the memory element is
melted briefly and then cooled to either a conductive crystalline
state or a non-conductive amorphous state. Typical materials vary
and may include GeSbTe, where Sb and Te can be exchanged with other
elements of the same or similar properties on the Periodic Table.
However, these resistance-based memories have not proved to be
commercially useful because their transition between the conductive
and the insulating state depends on a physical structure phenomenon
(e.g., melting at up to 600 degrees C.) and returning to a solid
state that cannot be sufficiently controlled for a useful memory in
many applications.
[0008] Another variable resistance memory category includes
materials that respond to an initial high "forming" voltage and
current to activate a variable resistance function. These materials
may include, for example, Pr.sub.xCa.sub.yMn.sub.zO.sub..epsilon.,
with x, y, z and .epsilon. of varying stoichiometry; transition
metal oxides, such as CuO, CoO, VO.sub.x, NiO, TiO.sub.2,
Ta.sub.2O.sub.5; and some perovskites, such as Cr; SrTiO.sub.3.
Several of these memory types exist and fall into the resistive
RAMs (ReRAMs) or conductive bridge RAMS (CBRAM) classification, to
distinguish them from the chalcogenide type memories. It is
postulated that resistance switching in these RAMs is due, at least
in part, to the formation of narrow conducting paths or filaments
connecting the top and bottom conductive terminals by the
electroforming process, though the presence of such conducting
filaments are still a matter of controversy. Since operation of a
ReRAM/CBRAM may be strongly temperature dependent, a resistive
switching mechanism in a ReRAM/CBRAM may also be highly temperature
dependent. Additionally, these systems may operate stochastically
as the formation and movement of the filament is stochastic. Other
types of ReRAM/CBRAM may also exhibit unstable qualities. Further,
resistance switching in ReRAM/CBRAMs tends to fatigue over many
memory cycles. That is, after a memory state is changed many times,
a difference in resistance between a conducting state and an
insulative state may change significantly. In a commercial memory
device, such a change may take the memory out of specification and
make it unusable.
[0009] Given an inherent difficulty in forming a thin film
resistance switching material that is stable over time and
temperature, a workable resistance switching memory remains a
challenge. Furthermore, all resistance switching mechanisms
developed up to now have been inherently unsuitable for memories,
due to high currents, electroforming, no measurable memory read or
write windows over a reasonable range of temperatures and voltages,
and many other problems such as stochastic behavior. Thus, there
remains a need in the art for a non-volatile memory that is
deterministic has low power, high speed, high density and
stability, and in particular, such a memory that is scalable to
feature sizes well below 65 nanometers (nm).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1A shows a plot of current density versus voltage for a
CES device according to an embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an equivalent circuit to a
CES device according to an embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a memory circuit according
to an embodiment.
[0013] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are schematic diagrams of alternative
implementations of a sense circuit according to particular
embodiments
[0014] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are schematic diagrams of alternative
implementations of a write circuit according to particular
embodiments.
[0015] FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of alternative
architectures for a bitcell according to particular
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Particular aspects of the present disclosure incorporate a
Correlated Electron Material (CEM) to form a correlated electron
switch (CES). In this context, a CES may exhibit an abrupt
conductor/insulator transition arising from electron correlations
rather than solid state structural phase changes (e.g.,
crystalline/amorphous in phase change memory (PCM) devices or
filamentary formation and conduction in resistive RAM devices as
discussed above). In one aspect, an abrupt conductor/insulator
transition in a CES may be responsive to a quantum mechanical
phenomenon, in contrast to melting/solidification or filament
formation. Such a quantum mechanical transition between conductive
and insulative states in a CEM memory device may be understood in
any one of several aspects.
[0017] In one aspect, a quantum mechanical transition of a CES
between an insulative state and a conductive state may be
understood in terms of a Mott transition. In a Mott transition, a
material may switch from an insulative state to conductive state if
a Mott transition condition occurs. The criteria may be defined by
the condition (n.sub.C).sup.1/3a=0.26), where n.sub.C is a
concentration of electrons and "a" is a Bohr radius. If a critical
carrier concentration is achieved such that the Mott criteria is
met, a Mott transition may occur and state may change from a high
resistance/capacitance to a low resistance/capacitance.
[0018] In one aspect, a Mott transition may be controlled by a
localization of electrons. As carriers are localized, a strong
coulomb interaction between electrons splits the bands of the
material creating an insulator. If electrons are no longer
localized, a weak coulomb interaction may dominate band splitting,
leaving behind a metal (conductive) band. This is sometimes
explained as a "crowded elevator" phenomenon. While an elevator has
only a few people in it, the people can move around easily, which
is analogous to a conducting state. While the elevator reaches a
certain concentration of people, on the other hand, passengers can
no longer move, which is analogous to the insulative state.
However, it should be understood that this classical explanation
provided for illustrative purposes, like all classical explanations
of quantum phenomenon, is only an incomplete analogy, and that
claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.
[0019] In particular implementations of aspects of this disclosure,
a resistive switching integrated circuit memory may comprise: a
resistive switching memory cell including a CES device; a write
circuit for placing the resistive switching memory cell in a first
resistive state or a second resistive state depending on signals
provided to the memory cell, wherein a resistance of the CES is
higher in the second resistance state than in the first resistance
state; and a read circuit for sensing the state of the memory cell
and providing an electrical signal corresponding to the sensed
state of the memory cell. In one aspect, a resistance of a CES in
the second memory cell state may be more than 100 times the
resistance in the second memory cell state. In a particular
implementation, a CES device may switch resistive states responsive
to a Mott-transition in the majority of the volume of the CES
device. In one aspect, a CES device may comprise a material
selected from a group comprising aluminum, cadmium, chromium,
cobalt, copper, gold, iron, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel,
palladium, rhenium, ruthenium, silver, tin, titanium, vanadium, and
zinc (which may be linked to a cation such as oxygen or other types
of ligands), or combinations thereof.
[0020] In a particular embodiment, a CES device may be formed as a
"CEM random access memory (CeRAM)" device. In this context, a CeRAM
device comprises a material that may transition between or among a
plurality of predetermined detectable memory states based, at least
in part, on a transition of at least a portion of the material
between a conductive state and an insulative state utilizing the
quantum mechanical Mott transition. In this context, a "memory
state" means a detectable state of a memory device that is
indicative of a value, symbol, parameter or condition, just to
provide a few examples. In one particular implementation, as
described below, a memory state of a memory device may be detected
based, at least in part, on a signal detected on terminals of the
memory device in a read operation. In another particular
implementation, as described below, a memory device may be placed
in a particular memory state to represent or store a particular
value, symbol or parameter by application of one or more signals
across terminals of the memory device in a "write operation."
[0021] In a particular implementation, a CES element may comprise
material sandwiched between conductive terminals. By applying a
specific voltage and current between the terminals, the material
may transition between the aforementioned conductive and insulative
memory states. As discussed in the particular example
implementations below, material of a CES element sandwiched between
conductive terminals may be placed in an insulative or high
impedance memory state by application of a first programming signal
across the terminals having a voltage V.sub.reset and current
I.sub.reset, or placed in a conductive or low impedance memory
state by application of a second programming signal across the
terminals having a voltage V.sub.set and current I.sub.set. In this
context, it should be understood that terms such as "conductive or
low impedance" memory state and "insulative or high impedance"
memory state are relative terms and not specific to any particular
quantity or value for impedance or conductance. For example, while
a memory device is in a first memory state referred to as an
insulative or high impedance memory state the memory device in one
aspect is less conductive (or more insulative) than while the
memory device in a second memory state referred to as a conductive
or low impedance memory state.
[0022] In a particular implementation, CeRAM memory cells may
comprise a metal/CEM/metal (M/CEM/M) stack formed on a
semiconductor. Such an M/CEM/M stack may be formed on a diode, for
example. In an example, implementation, such a diode may be
selected from the group consisting of a junction diode and a
Schottky diode. In this context, it should be understood that
"metal" means a conductor, that is, any material that acts like a
metal, including, for example, polysilicon or a doped
semiconductor.
[0023] FIG. 1A shows a plot of current density versus voltage
across terminals (not shown) for a CES device according to an
embodiment. Based, at least in part, on a voltage applied to
terminals of the CES device (e.g., in a write operation), the CES
may be placed in a conductive state or an insulative state. For
example application of a voltage V.sub.set and current density
J.sub.set may place the CES device in a conductive memory state and
application of a voltage V.sub.reset and a current density
J.sub.reset may place the CES device in an insulative memory state.
Following placement of the CES in an insulative state or conductive
state, the particular state of the CES device may be detected by
application of a voltage V.sub.read (e.g., in a read operation) and
detection of a current or current density at terminals of the CeRAM
device.
[0024] According to an embodiment, the CES device of FIG. 1A may
include any TMO, such as, for example, perovskites, Mott
insulators, charge exchange insulators, and Anderson disorder
insulators. In particular implementations, a CES device may be
formed from switching materials such as nickel oxide, cobalt oxide,
iron oxide, yttrium oxide, and perovskites such as Cr doped
strontium titanate, lanthanum titanate, and the manganate family
including praesydium calcium manganate, and praesydium lanthanum
manganite, just to provide a few examples. In particular, oxides
incorporating elements with incomplete d and f orbital shells may
exhibit sufficient resistive switching properties for use in a CES
device. In an embodiment, a CES device may be prepared without
electroforming. Other implementations may employ other transition
metal compounds without deviating from claimed subject matter. For
example, {M(chxn).sub.2Br}Br.sub.2 where M may comprise Pt, Pd, or
Ni, and chxn comprises 1R,2R-cyclohexanediamine, and other such
metal complexes may be used without deviating from claimed subject
matter.
[0025] In one aspect, the CES device of FIG. 1A may comprise
materials that are TMO metal oxide variable resistance materials,
though it should be understood that these are exemplary only, and
are not intended to limit claimed subject matter. Particular
implementations may employ other variable resistance materials as
well. Nickel oxide, NiO, is disclosed as one particular TMO. NiO
materials discussed herein may be doped with extrinsic ligands,
which may stabilize variable resistance properties. In particular,
NiO variable resistance materials disclosed herein may include a
carbon containing ligand, which may be indicated by NiO(C.sub.x).
Here, one skilled in the art may determine a value of x for any
specific carbon containing ligand and any specific combination of
carbon containing ligand with NiO simply by balancing valences. In
another particular example, NiO doped with extrinsic ligands may be
expressed as NiO(L.sub.x), where L.sub.x is a ligand element or
compound and x indicates a number of units of the ligand for one
unit of NiO. One skilled in the art may determine a value of x for
any specific ligand and any specific combination of ligand with NiO
or any other transition metal simply by balancing valences.
[0026] If sufficient bias is applied (e.g., exceeding a
band-splitting potential) and the aforementioned Mott condition is
met (injected electron holes=the electrons in a switching region),
the CES device may rapidly switch from a conductive state to an
insulator state via the Mott transition. This may occur at point
108 of the plot in FIG. 1A. At this point, electrons are no longer
screened and become localized. This correlation may result in a
strong electron-electron interaction potential which splits the
bands to form an insulator. While the CES device is still in the
insulative state, current may generated by transportation of
electron holes. If enough bias is applied across terminals of the
CES, electrons may be injected into a metal-insulator-metal (MIM)
diode over the potential barrier of the MIM device. If enough
electrons have been injected and enough potential is applied across
terminals to place the CES device in a set state, an increase in
electrons may screen electrons and remove a localization of
electrons, which may collapse the band-splitting potential forming
a metal.
[0027] According to an embodiment, current in a CES device may be
controlled by an externally applied "compliance" condition
determined based, at least in part, on the external current limited
during a write operation a write operation to place the CES device
in an insulative state. This externally applied compliance current
may also set a condition of a current density for a subsequent
reset operation to place the CES in a conductive state. As shown in
the particular implementation of FIG. 1A, a current density
J.sub.comp applied during a write operation at point 116 to place
the CES device in an insulative state may determine a compliance
condition for placing the CES device in a conductive state in a
subsequent write operation. As shown, the CES device may be
subsequently placed in a conductive state by application of a
current density J.sub.reset.gtoreq.J.sub.comp at a voltage
V.sub.reset at point 108, where J.sub.comp is externally
applied.
[0028] The compliance therefore may set a number of electrons in a
CES device which are to be "captured" by holes for the Mott
transition. In other words, a current applied in a write operation
to place a CES device in a conductive memory state may determine a
number of holes to be injected to the CES device for subsequently
transitioning the CES device to an insulative memory state.
[0029] As pointed out above, a reset condition may occur in
response to a Mott transition at point 108. As pointed out above,
such a Mott transition may occur at condition in a CES device in
which a concentration of electrons n equals a concentration of
electron holes p. This condition may be modeled according to
expression (1) as follows:
.lamda. TF n 1 3 = C .about. 0.26 n = ( C .lamda. TF ) 3 ( 1 )
##EQU00001##
where:
[0030] .lamda..sub.TF is a Thomas Fermi screening length; and
[0031] C is a constant.
[0032] According to an embodiment, a current or current density in
a region 104 of the plot shown in FIG. 1A may exist in response to
injection of holes from a voltage signal applied across terminals
of a CES device. Here, injection of holes may meet a Mott
transition criterion for the conductive state to insulative state
transition at current I.sub.MI as a critical voltage V.sub.MI is
applied across terminals of CES device. This may be modeled
according to expression (3) as follows:
I MI ( V MI ) = Q ( V MI ) t .apprxeq. Q ( V MI ) t Q ( V MI ) = qn
( V MI ) ( 3 ) ##EQU00002## [0033] Where Q(V.sub.MI) is the charged
injected (hole or electron) and is a function of an applied
voltage. Injection of electron holes to enable a Mott transition
may occur between bands and in response to critical voltage
V.sub.MI. and critical current I.sub.MI. By equating electron
concentration n with a charge concentration to bring about a Mott
transition by holes injected by I.sub.MI in expression (3)
according to expression (1), a dependency of such a critical
voltage V.sub.MI on Thomas Fermi screening length .lamda..sub.TF
may be modeled according to expression (4) as follows:
[0033] I MI ( V MI ) = Q ( V MI ) t = qn ( V MI ) t = q t ( C
.lamda. TF ) 3 J reset ( V MI ) = J MI ( V MI ) = I MI ( V MI ) A
CeRam = q A CeRam t ( C .lamda. TF ( V MI ) ) 3 ( 4 ) ##EQU00003##
[0034] Where: [0035] A .sub.CeRam is a cross-sectional area of a
CES element; and [0036] J.sub.reset(V.sub.MI) is a current density
through the CES element to be applied to the CES element at a
critical voltage V.sub.MI to place the CES element in an insulative
state.
[0037] According to an embodiment, a CES element may be placed in a
conductive memory state (e.g., by transitioning from an insulative
memory state) by injection of a sufficient number of electrons to
satisfy a Mott transition criteria.
[0038] In transitioning a CES to a conductive memory state, as
enough electrons have been injected and the potential across
terminal of the CES device overcomes a critical switching potential
(e.g., V.sub.set), injected electrons begin to screen and
unlocalize double-occupied electrons to reverse a disproportion
reaction and closing the bandgap. A current density
J.sub.set(V.sub.MI) for transitioning the CES to the conductive
memory state at a critical voltage V.sub.MI enabling transition to
the conductive memory state may be expressed according to
expression (6) as follows:
I IM ( V IM ) = Q ( V IM ) t .apprxeq. Q ( V IM ) t Q ( V IM ) = qn
( V IM ) I IM ( V IM ) = Q ( V IM ) t = qn ( V IM ) t = q t ( C a B
) 3 J set ( V IM ) = J injection ( V IM ) = J IM ( V IM ) = I IM (
V IM ) A CeRam = q A CeRam t ( C a B ) 3 ( 6 ) ##EQU00004##
where:
[0039] a.sub.B is a Bohr radius.
[0040] According to an embodiment, a "read window" 102 for
detecting a memory state of a CES device in a read operation may be
set out as a difference between a portion 106 the plot of FIG. 1A
while the CES device is in an insulative state and a portion 104 of
the plot FIG. 1A while the CES device is in a conductive state at a
read voltage V.sub.read. In a particular implementation, read
window 102 may be used to determine a Thomas Fermi screening length
.lamda..sub.TF of material making up the CES device. For example,
at a voltage V.sub.reset, current densities J.sub.reset and
J.sub.set may be related to according to expression (7) as
follows:
.lamda. TF ( @ V reset ) = a B ( J reset J off ) 1 3 ( 7 )
##EQU00005##
[0041] In another embodiment, a "write window" 110 for placing a
CES device in an insulative or conductive memory state in a write
operation may be set out as a difference between V.sub.reset (at
J.sub.reset) and V.sub.set (at J.sub.set). Establishing
|V.sub.set|>|V.sub.reset| enables a switch between conductive
and insulative state. V.sub.reset may be approximately at a band
splitting potential arising from correlation and V.sub.set may be
approximately twice the band splitting potential. In particular
implementations, a size of write window 110 may be determined, at
least in part, by materials and doping of the CES device.
[0042] The transition from high resistance/capacitance to low
resistance/capacitance in a CES device may be represented by a
singular impedance of the CES device. FIG. 1B depicts a schematic
diagram of an equivalent circuit of an example variable impeder
device (such as a CES device), such as variable impeder device 124.
As mentioned, variable impeder device 124 may comprise
characteristics of both variable resistance and variable
capacitance. For example, an equivalent circuit for a variable
impeder device may, in an embodiment, comprise a variable resistor,
such as variable resistor 126 in parallel with a variable
capacitor, such as variable capacitor 128. Of course, although a
variable resistor 126 and variable capacitor 128 are depicted in
FIG. 1B as comprising discrete components, a variable impeder
device, such as variable impeder device 124, may comprise a
substantially homogenous CEM, wherein the CEM comprises
characteristics of variable capacitance and variable resistance.
Table 1 below depicts an example truth table for an example
variable impeder device, such as variable impeder device 100.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Resistance Capacitance Impedance
R.sub.high(V.sub.applied) C.sub.high(V.sub.applied)
Z.sub.high(V.sub.applied) R.sub.low(V.sub.applied)
C.sub.low(V.sub.applied)~0 Z.sub.low(V.sub.applied)
[0043] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a memory circuit according
to an embodiment. A bitcell circuit 200 may comprise one or more
memory elements (e.g., non-volatile memory elements) comprising a
CES device. In this context, a "bitcell" or "bitcell circuit" as
referred to herein comprises a circuit or portion of a circuit
capable of representing a value, symbol or parameter as a state.
For example, a bitcell may comprise one or more memory devices that
capable of representing a value, symbol or parameter as a memory
state of the memory device. In particular implementations, a
bitcell may represent a value, symbol or parameter as a single bit
or multiple bits.
[0044] According to an embodiment, bitcell circuit 200 may comprise
memory elements having a behavior similar to that of the CES device
discussed above in connection with FIG. 1 For example, a memory
element in bitcell 200 may be placed in a particular memory state
(e.g., a conductive or low impedance memory state, or insulative or
high impedance memory state) by independently controlling voltage
and current applied across terminals of the memory element in a
"write operation." As discussed below in particular
implementations, such a write operation may be executed by
application of a signal which is controlled to provide a critical
current and voltage across terminals of the memory device to place
the memory device in a particular memory state. In another aspect,
a memory state of a memory element in bitcell 200 may be detected
or sensed in a "read operation" by precharging a bitline BL by
closing transistor M0 in response to a drop in voltage of signal
PRN to connect bitline BL with voltage RVDD=0.4V. Transistor M0 may
subsequently open in response to an increase in voltage of signal
PRN, followed by a closing of transistor M3 in response to an
increase in voltage of signal RD_Col_Sel to connect bitline BL to
sense circuit 203. In this context, a "bitline" comprises a
conductor that is connectable to at least one terminal of a memory
element during a write operation to transmit a signal altering a
memory state of the memory element, or during a read operation to
transmit a signal indicative of a current memory state of the
memory element. Sense circuit 203 may detect a memory state of the
memory element in bitcell 200 based on a magnitude of current or
voltage from bitline BL through transistor M3 in a read operation.
An output signal may have a voltage that is indicative of a current
memory state of bitcell 200 (e.g., as a "1," "0" or other symbol).
In one aspect of a read operation, to detect a current memory state
of a memory element, a voltage of a signal applied across terminals
of the memory element in bitcell 200 may be controlled so as to not
detectably alter the current memory state of the memory
element.
[0045] FIGS. 5A through 8G are directed to specific implementations
of a bitcell circuit that include CES devices or elements to store
a particular memory state. While the description below provides
CeRAM devices or non-volatile memory elements as specific examples
of devices in a bitcell capable of maintaining a memory state, it
should be understood that these are merely example implementations.
For example, it should be recognized a CES adapted for purposes
other than a non-volatile memory device or CeRAM device may be used
for storing a particular memory state (e.g., a conductive or low
impedance memory state, or an insulative or high impedance memory
state) in a write operation which is detectable in a subsequent
read operation, and that claimed subject matter is not limited to
either implementation of a CeRAM or non-volatile memory
devices.
[0046] Particular example implementations of sense circuit 203 are
shown in the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 3A through 3C. As shown in
the particular example implementations, a sense circuit may
comprise a single-ended sense amplifier circuit including a voltage
mode amplifier as shown in FIG. 3A or a current mode amplifier as
shown in FIG. 3C. The particular implementation of FIG. 3A
comprises a differential voltage amplifier formed by field effect
transistors (FETs) M7, M8, M9 and M10 to receive a signal from a
bitline during a read operation and a reference voltage VREF. In a
particular implementation, a signal maintained at a reference
voltage VREF may be generated using a VREF circuit shown in the
schematic diagram of FIG. 3B according to an embodiment. Here,
reference voltage VREF may be set to VIN/2, where VIN is a voltage
level on a bitline during a read operation. The VREF circuit of
FIG. 3B may be activated during a read operation and generate a
signal maintained at reference voltage VREF voltage using a
resistor divider of two equal value hi-res Poly or Nwell resistors,
R1 and R2, for example. It should be understood that this is merely
an example of a circuit to generate a signal maintained at a
reference voltage, and that claimed subject matter is not limited
in this respect. For example, a differential voltage mode sense
amplifier is for illustrative purposes only. A differential latch
based voltage mode sense amplifier may also be used without
deviating from claimed subject matter.
[0047] As pointed out above, another particular example
implementation of a sense circuit is shown in the particular
example implementation of a current mode sense amplifier shown in
FIG. 3C. Here, a first stage comprises a current mirror which
senses the voltage on the bitline, VIN at a gate terminal of
transistor M12. A default state of the current sense mode amplifier
of FIG. 3C is reading a value of "1" since the bitline is
precharged to a particular voltage (e.g., 0.4V) while the sense
circuit of FIG. 3C is in a standby state with a voltage at SAE=0.0
V at a beginning of a read cycle. If a bitcell is written to a "0"
level, the bitline may be pulled from 0.4V to 0.0V which appears as
VIN while at the same signal SAE may be pulled to voltage VDD. This
may turn on transistor M12 to mirror a current into a second stage
forcing node 7 to be pulled to 0.0 V while pulling the sense
circuit output SAOUT is to voltage VDD. At the end of a read cycle,
signal SAE may return to 0.0V and the sense circuit of FIG. 3C may
return to a standby state. It should be understood that the above
described implementations of a sense circuit as illustrated in
FIGS. 3A through 3C are merely example implementations, and that
claimed subject matter is not limited by these particular example
implementations.
[0048] In another aspect, bitcell 200 may be changed to or placed
in a particular memory state (e.g., set or reset) in a write
operation by applying a voltage signal Wrt_Col_SeIN to close
transistor M4, connecting an adjustable driver circuit of write
circuit 202 to bitline BL. In a particular implementation, write
circuit 202 may drive a write supply voltage, WVDD, to a bitcell
while a signal Wrt_Col_SeIN is maintained at 0.0 V. As pointed out
above, a memory state of a CES device may be placed in a set or
reset memory by controlling a voltage and a current applied to
terminals of the CES device. In a particular non-limiting example
implementation, a signal generated by a write supply voltage WVDD
may be driven to particular voltage levels to match the reset and
set voltages V.sub.reset and V.sub.set for a CES device (e.g., 0.6V
or 1.2V). In addition, write circuit 202 may comprise an adjustable
strength driver to control a current density supplied to the CES
device.
[0049] As pointed out above in FIG. 1, a memory state of a CES
device in bitcell 200 may be changed or determined based on a
particular voltage and current applied to bitline BL. For example,
providing a signal to bitline BL having a voltage V.sub.reset and a
sufficient current I.sub.reset may place a CES device of bitcell
200 in an insulative or high impedance memory state. Likewise,
providing a signal to bitline BL having a voltage V.sub.set and a
sufficient current I.sub.set may place a CES device of bitcell 200
in a conductive or low impedance memory state. As may be observed
from FIG. 1, that while a magnitude of voltage V.sub.set is greater
than a magnitude of voltage V.sub.reset, a magnitude of current
I.sub.set is lower than a magnitude of current I.sub.reset.
[0050] FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of alternative
implementations for write circuit 202 according to alternative
implementations. In particular, a write operation is described as a
particular process of placing a memory device such as a CES element
in a particular memory state of a plurality of predetermined memory
states by applying a "programming signal" to terminals of the
memory device. Particular ones of the predetermined memory states
may correspond to particular voltage levels to be applied to the
memory device (e.g., V.sub.set and V.sub.reset). Similarly,
particular ones of the predetermined memory states may correspond
to particular current levels to be applied to the memory device
(e.g., I.sub.set and I.sub.reset). Accordingly, in a particular
embodiment, a programming signal to place a CES device in a
particular memory state in a write operation may be controlled to
have a particular voltage level and current level corresponding to
the particular memory state. The specific example embodiments of
FIGS. 4A and 4B are directed to providing a programming signal to a
"single-ended" bitcell to place the particular bitcell in a
particular memory state. It should be understood, however, that
aspects of the specific example embodiments of FIGS. 4A and 4B may
be applicable to generating one or more programming signals to
place multiple CES elements in a bitcell to memory states based on
a data signal, and that claimed subject matter is not limited to
the specific example embodiments of FIGS. 4A and 4B. For example, a
first write circuit according to FIG. 4A or 4B may be configured to
apply a first programming signal placing a first CES element of a
bitcell in a particular memory state and a second, replicated write
circuit may be configured to apply a second programming placing a
second CES element of the bitcell in a complementary memory
state.
[0051] As described in a particular implementation below, a voltage
signal having a voltage level for a programming signal to place a
memory device in a predetermined memory state may be selected at a
signal selection circuit based, at least in part, on a data signal.
Conducting elements connected to the signal selection circuit may
selectively connect the voltage signal to or disconnect the voltage
signal from the memory device at a current level corresponding to
the predetermined memory state based, at least in part, on the data
signal. In this context, a "conducting element" comprises a circuit
element capable of permitting current to pass between two nodes. In
a particular implementation, a conducting element may vary a
current permitted to pass between nodes based, at least in part, on
a particular condition. The particular implementations described
below employ FETs as conducting elements to permit current to pass
between source and drain terminals based, at least in part, on a
voltage applied to a gate terminal. It should be understood,
however, that other types of devices such as, a bipolar transistor,
diode, variable resistor, etc. may be used as a conducting element,
and that claimed subject matter is not limited this respect. In
this context, a conducting element having first and second
terminals may "connect" the first and second terminals by providing
a conductive path between the first and second terminals having a
very small or negligible impedance for a particular signal. In one
particular example implementation, a conductive element may vary an
impedance between the first and second terminals based, at least in
part, on a signal provided to a third terminal of the conductive
element (e.g., a based on a voltage or current applied to the third
terminal). In one aspect, a conductive element may "close" to
thereby connect first and second terminals in response to a signal
provided on the third terminal. Likewise, a conductive element may
"open" to thereby disconnect first and second terminals in response
to a different signal provide on the third terminal. In one aspect,
a conductive element in an open state may isolate a first portion
of a circuit from a second portion of the circuit by removing or
disrupting a conductive path between the first and second portions
of the circuit. In another aspect, a conducting element may vary an
impedance between first and second terminals between opened and
closed state based on a signal provided to a third terminal.
[0052] According to an embodiment, a signal may be provided to a
bitline in an operation based, at least in part, on whether the
operation is a read operation or a write operation. A signal WE may
be received at an inverter 304 to provide a signal WEN to gates of
FETs M34 and M30. If the particular operation is a read operation,
transistor M34 may be closed in response to signal WE while FETs
M30 and M32 may be opened in response to a voltage of signal WE to
provide a voltage V.sub.read to the bitline. Furthermore,
connecting voltage V.sub.read to FET M4 allows for less precise
timing of closing M4 at the commencement of a write operation to
apply a programming signal to a memory element. While FIGS. 4A, 4B
and 4C show that FET M4 connects a single bitline BL to a write
circuit, in particular implementations FET M4 may be among multiple
conducting elements in a multiplexer to selectively connect an
output signal of a write circuit to a bitline selected among
multiple bitlines (e.g., where the write circuit is configured to
provide a programming signal to any one of multiple bitlines
leading to bitcells). In other embodiments in which one write
circuit is provided per bitline, an output signal of a write
circuit may be connected directly to a bitline without a connection
from a conducting element responsive to a column select signal
(e.g., without FET M4).
[0053] If the particular operation is a write operation, signal WEN
may be at 0.0 V and FET M34 may be opened in response to a drop of
a voltage on signal WEN to disconnect bitline BL from voltage
V.sub.read. In response to a lowered voltage on signal WEN to
connect bitline BL to a programming signal maintained at a
particular voltage and current to place a bitcell in either a
conductive or low impedance memory state, or an insulative or high
impedance memory state. FET M32 may be closed in a write operation
to place the memory element in an insulative or high impedance
memory state (e.g., for writing a "0") in a reset operation. For
example, as shown in FIG. 4A, this may occur as signal WEN is low
while Data="0" to close FET M32 as a voltage expressed by the
condition "WEN or Data" is applied to a gate terminal of FET
M32.
[0054] According to an embodiment, a multiplexer 302 may receive a
voltage signal having a voltage V.sub.set and a voltage signal
having a voltage V.sub.reset (e.g., critical voltages for placing a
CES device in a conductive or low impedance memory state, or an
insulative or high impedance memory state). According to an
embodiment, voltage signals having voltages V.sub.set and
V.sub.reset may be generated using any one of several circuits (not
shown) including amplifiers and the like for generating a signal
having a controlled voltage and/or current. Multiplexer 302 may
select between providing a signal at voltage V.sub.set or voltage
V.sub.reset to FETs M30 and M32 based, at least in part, on a data
signal having a value of "1" or "0." In an embodiment, FET M30 may
close in response to a lowered voltage on signal WEN to connect a
selected voltage signal to bitline BL. Depending on whether the
data signal has a value of "1" or "0," a magnitude of current
provided to bitline BL may be affected. As illustrated above with
reference to FIG. 1, a write operation to modify a memory state of
a CES device to an insulative or high impedance memory state may be
accomplished with a higher current density J.sub.reset than a
current density J.sub.set to modify the memory state to a
conductive or low impedance memory state. In a particular
implementation, FET M32 and FET M30 may connect V.sub.reset to the
bitline based on the value of the data signal received at
multiplexer 302. As such, if a data signal received at multiplexer
302 in a write operation is a "0" for placing a CeRAM device in an
insulative or high impedance memory state, both FETs M30 and M32
may be closed to permit sufficient current to flow to bitline BL at
voltage V.sub.reset for placing the CeRAM device in an insulative
or high impedance memory state. On the other hand, if a data signal
received at multiplexer 302 in a write operation is a "1" for
placing a CeRAM device in a conductive or low impedance memory
state, FET M30 may be closed in response to a raised voltage of
signal WE while FET M32 remains open to limit current flowing to
bitline BL at voltage V.sub.set for placing the CeRAM device in a
conductive or low impedance memory state.
[0055] In the alternative implementation of FIG. 4B, multiplexer
352 may select between providing V.sub.set or V.sub.reset to FETs
M38 and M40 in a write operation based, at least in part, on a data
signal having a value of "1" or "0." In a read operation, a voltage
of signal WE may be lowered such that transistor M36 is closed to
connect a voltage V.sub.read-ref to bitline BL, and such that FETs
M38 and M40 are opened to disconnect multiplexer 352 from bitline
BL. In a write operation, a voltage of signal WE may be raised such
that FET M36 is opened to disconnect voltage V.sub.read-ref from
bitline BL, and such that FET M38 is closed to connect a signal
selected at multiplexer 352 to bitline BL through at least FET M38.
If a data signal received at multiplexer 352 in a write operation
is a "0" for placing a CeRAM element in an insulative or high
impedance memory state, both FETs M38 and M40 may be closed to
permit sufficient current to flow to bitline BL at voltage
V.sub.reset to place the CeRAM element in an insulative or high
impedance memory state. On the other hand, if a data signal
received at multiplexer 352 in a write operation is a "1" for
placing a CeRAM element in a conductive or low impedance memory
state, transistor M38 may be closed while transistor M40 remains
open to limit current flowing to bitline BL at voltage V.sub.set to
place the CeRAM element in a conductive or low impedance memory
state.
[0056] The particular example implementations of FIGS. 4A and 4B
are capable of providing a read voltage signal to bitline BL during
read operations. Here, signal Wrt_Col_SeIN may be lowered during
read operations to close FET M4 and connect the read voltage signal
to bitline BL (in addition to being lowered during write operations
to connect a programming signal to bitline BL). In alternative
implementations (as described below), a read voltage may be
generated locally at bitcell 200 to be provided to terminals of a
memory element during read operations. In which case, signal
Wrt_Col_SeIN may be raised during read operations to open FET M4
signal and disconnect write circuit from bitline BL.
[0057] The particular example embodiments of FIGS. 4A and 4B above
multiplexers 302 and 352 provide examples of a "signal selection
circuit." In this context, a signal selection circuit provides
circuit for selection of a signal having a particular voltage and
current to be applied to a device. It should be understood, that
multiplexers 302 and 352 are merely examples of a signal selection
circuit, and that claimed subject matter is not limited in this
respect. For example, a signal selection circuit may comprise
select a signal generated from a source external to the signal
selection circuit or generate a selected signal internally. In the
particular write circuit of FIG. 4C, for example, a value of Data
as "0" may close FET M44 and open FET M46 to provide a signal
having a current I.sub.reset. FETs M48, M52 and M54 may also close
to provide a lower voltage. A value of Data as "1," on the other
hand, may open FET M44 and close FET M46 to provide a signal having
a current I.sub.set. FETs M48, M52 and M54 may also open to provide
a higher voltage.
[0058] FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of alternative
architectures for a bitcell according to particular embodiments. In
a particular implementation of a read operation, a bitline may be
connected to a terminal of a non-volatile memory (NVM) element
through a first conducting element in response to a voltage signal
on a wordline. As pointed out above, a "non-volatile memory"
comprises an integrated circuit device in which a memory cell or
element maintains its memory state (e.g., a conductive or low
impedance memory state, or an insulative or high impedance memory
state) after power supplied to the device is removed. In this
context, a "wordline" comprises a conductor for transmitting a
signal to select a particular bitcell or group of bitcells to be
accessed in a read operation or a write operation. In a particular
example implementation, a voltage of a signal on a wordline may be
raised or lowered to select or deselect a particular bitcell or
group of bitcells to be connected to a corresponding bitline or
group of bitlines during a read or write operation. It should be
understood, however, that this is merely an example of a wordline
and that claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.
Also, in this context, a "reference node" comprises a node in a
circuit that is maintained at a particular voltage level or at a
particular voltage difference from another node in the circuit. In
one example, a reference node may comprise or be connected to a
ground node. In other particular implementations, a reference node
may be maintained at a particular voltage relative to that of a
ground node.
[0059] According to an embodiment, in a first write operation to
place an NVM element in a first memory state, a bitline may be
connected to a first terminal to the NVM element through a
conducting element in response to a voltage signal on a wordline.
In the first write operation, a programing signal having a first
write voltage and a first write current may be applied across
terminals of the NVM element to place the NVM element in a first
memory state (e.g., an insulative or high impedance memory state).
In a second write operation to place the NVM element in a second
memory state, the bitline may be connected again to the first
terminal of the NVM element through the first conducting element in
response to the voltage signal on the wordline. The second write
operation may apply a programming signal having a second write
voltage and a second write current between terminals of the NVM
element to place the NVM element in a second memory state (e.g., a
conductive or low impedance memory state). In a particular
implementation, the NVM element may comprise a CES element or CeRAM
element having one or more properties discussed above with
reference to FIG. 1 in that |V.sub.reset|<|V.sub.set| while
|I.sub.reset|>|I.sub.set|. Accordingly, in the particular
examples illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a magnitude of the first
write voltage may be greater than a magnitude of the second write
voltage, and a magnitude of the first write current may be less
than a magnitude of the second write current. Following placement
of the NVM element in the second memory state, a third voltage
(e.g., V.sub.read) may be applied across the terminals of the NVM
element in a read operation to detect a current memory state of the
NVM element. While the third voltage is being applied during the
read operation, a current between the first and terminals may be
limited to less than a magnitude of the first current (e.g.,
|I.sub.read|<|I.sub.reset|) to maintain the second memory state
of the NVM element (e.g., conductive or low impedance memory
state).
[0060] In one aspect, NVM element 52 comprises a CES element
connected to a FET M1 at a first terminal and a bitline BL2 at a
second terminal. In response to a wordline voltage WLB applied to a
gate terminal of FET M1, M1 may connect the first terminal of NVM
element 52 to bitline BL1 during read or write operations. In one
particular implementation, bitline BL2 may be connected to a
reference node such as a ground node (not shown). In other
implementations, bitlines BL1 and BL2 may comprise complementary
bitlines to apply an appropriate voltage (e.g., V.sub.set or
V.sub.reset) and current (e.g., I.sub.set or I.sub.reset) across
first and second terminals of NVM 52 in a write operation to place
NVM 52 in a desired memory state, or to apply an appropriate
voltage (e.g., V.sub.read) in a read operation. In this particular
example implementation, BL2 may be connected to a write circuit
through an additional conducting element (not shown) in response to
a wordline signal voltage.
[0061] As pointed out above, a write circuit may independently
control a voltage and a current of a signal applied to NVM element
52 in a write operation based, at least in part, on whether the
write operation is to place NVM element 52 in a conductive or low
impedance memory state, or an insulative or high impedance memory
state. For example, for a write operation to place NVM element 52
in a conductive or low impedance memory state, a signal having a
voltage V.sub.set and a current I.sub.set may be applied. Likewise,
for a write operation to place NVM element 52 in an insulative or
high impedance memory state, a signal having a voltage V.sub.reset
and a current I.sub.reset may be applied. As illustrated in FIG. 1,
voltage V.sub.set may have a greater magnitude than voltage
V.sub.reset while current I.sub.set may have a smaller magnitude
than current I.sub.reset. As discussed above in a particular
implementation, write circuit 202 may independently control voltage
and current to provide a signal to a bitline to place a
non-volatile memory device in a conductive or low impedance memory
state, or an insulative or high impedance state.
[0062] To detect a current memory state of NVM element 52, M1 may
connect bitline BL1 to node 2 to apply a read voltage V.sub.read
across first and second terminals of NVM 52 in a read operation.
While read voltage V.sub.read is applied, a current flowing through
bitline BL1 may then be sensed (e.g., at sense circuit 203) to
detect a current state of NVM element 52. According to an
embodiment, a magnitude of a current flowing through terminals of
NVM element 52 during a read operation may be limited to less than
the magnitude of I.sub.reset. This may prevent an unintended
transition of a current state of NVM element 52 in a conductive or
low impedance memory state to an insulative or high impedance
memory state during a read operation. Current flowing through
terminals of NVM element 52 during a read operation may be
controlled, for example, by controlling a voltage applied to a gate
of FET M1 during read operations. In the particular implementation
of FIG. 5B, FET M1 is configured as an NFET. Here, a boosted word
line voltage signal WL may be applied during a write operation to
permit sufficient current flowing through NVM element 52 to place
NVM element 52 in a particular memory state. A voltage of wordline
voltage signal WL may then be lowered during read operations to
limit current flowing through NVM element 52. Alternatively, a
voltage source applying a read voltage to bitline BL1 and/or BL2
(e.g., write circuit 202) may limit a current flowing to bitline
BL1 and/or BL2 during a read operation.
[0063] In FIGS. 5A and 5B, in a particular implementation where NVM
element 52 comprises a CES element, NVM element 52 may have
properties of a resistor 51 and a capacitor 53. In a particular
implementation where NVM element 52 comprises a CES element, it
should be understood that NVM element 52 comprises a single
monolithic material between terminals having a variable resistance
and variable capacitance determined based, at least in part, on a
particular memory state of NVM element 52. As such, it should be
understood that resistor 51 and capacitor 53 (shown as parallel
devices in FIGS. 5A and 5B) are not formed as separate or discrete
elements, but that resistor 51 and capacitor 53 as depicted in
FIGS. 5A and 5B are intended to represent resistive and capacitive
properties of the monolithic material forming a CES element.
[0064] According to an embodiment, a capacitance of capacitor 53
and a resistance of resistor 51 may vary depending on a particular
memory state of NVM element 52. For example, the capacitance of
capacitor 53 and the resistance of resistor 51 may be high as NVM
element 52 is in an insulative or high impedance memory state.
Likewise, the capacitance of capacitor 53 and the resistance of
resistor 51 may be low as NVM element 52 is in a conductive or low
impedance memory state. Here, if NVM element 52 comprises a CES
element, a capacitance of capacitor 53 may increase or decrease in
response to a quantum mechanical physical transformation to place
NVM element 52 in different memory states as discussed above.
[0065] As NVM element 52 is placed in an insulative or high
impedance state (e.g., in a write operation with application of
V.sub.reset and I.sub.reset), current may continue to flow from
bitline BL1 to NVM element 52 even following a transition to the
insulative or high impedance memory state. While resistor 51 may
not permit additional current to flow between first and second
terminals of NVM element 52, charge from current flowing through
FET M1 to NVM element 52 may be stored in capacitor 53. As FET M1
opens to disconnect BL1 from NVM element 52, charge stored in
capacitor 53 may dissipate through resistor 51.
[0066] FIGS. 5A and 5B employ different implementations of FET M1
as a conducting element to connect BL1 to node 2 during write or
read operations. Table 2 below summarizes aspects of operation of
the circuit of FIG. 5A in different states/modes. During a set
operation to place NVM element 52 in a conductive or low impedance
memory state, current I.sub.set may determine a compliance current
I.sub.comp to affect a current to be applied in a subsequent reset
operation I.sub.reset as discussed above in connection with FIG. 1.
Also, voltages applied between bitlines BL1 and BL2 during write or
ready operations consider a voltage drop V.sub.ds across FET
M1.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 State R, C WLB V.sub.BL1 - V.sub.BL2 V.sub.2
- V.sub.BL2 I.sub.BL1 Powerup L -- 0 0 -- W0 set L 0 V.sub.set +
V.sub.ds V.sub.set I.sub.comp W1 reset H 0 V.sub.reset + V.sub.ds
V.sub.reset I.sub.NFET Half select -- 0 < V.sub.t 0 -- Unselect
W0 H 1 V.sub.op 0* Leak, capacitor discharge Unselect W1 L 1
V.sub.op 0 leak Read L, H 1 V.sub.t < V < V.sub.reset
V.sub.read < V.sub.reset H/L Hold -- 1 V.sub.t + V.sub.reset 0*
--
[0067] Table 3 below summarizes aspects of operation of the
particular implementation of FIG. 5B in which transistor M1 is
configured as an NFET. Here, Table 3 differs from Table 2 to
reflect that different wordline voltages are applied to a gate of
transistor M1 during read and write operations.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 State R, C WL V.sub.BL1 - V.sub.BL2 V.sub.2
- V.sub.BL2 I.sub.BL1 Powerup L -- 0 0 -- W0 set L 1 V.sub.set +
V.sub.ds V.sub.set I.sub.comp W1 reset H 1 V.sub.reset + V.sub.ds
V.sub.reset I.sub.NFET Half select -- 1 < V.sub.t 0 -- Unselect
W0 H 0 V.sub.op 0* Leak, capacitor discharge Unselect W1 L 0
V.sub.op 0 leak Read L, H 0 V.sub.t < V < V.sub.reset
V.sub.read < V.sub.reset H/L Hold -- 0 V.sub.t + V.sub.reset 0*
--
[0068] It should be understood that the particular implementations
discussed above with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B are merely
non-limiting examples, and that other particular implementations
may be used without deviating from claimed subject matter.
[0069] References throughout this specification to one
implementation, an implementation, one embodiment, an embodiment
and/or the like means that a particular feature, structure, and/or
characteristic described in connection with a particular
implementation and/or embodiment is included in at least one
implementation and/or embodiment of claimed subject matter. Thus,
appearances of such phrases, for example, in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily intended to refer
to the same implementation or to any one particular implementation
described. Furthermore, it is to be understood that particular
features, structures, and/or characteristics described are capable
of being combined in various ways in one or more implementations
and, therefore, are within intended claim scope, for example. In
general, of course, these and other issues vary with context.
Therefore, particular context of description and/or usage provides
helpful guidance regarding inferences to be drawn.
[0070] While there has been illustrated and described what are
presently considered to be example features, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that various other modifications may be
made, and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from
claimed subject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of claimed
subject matter without departing from the central concept described
herein. Therefore, it is intended that claimed subject matter not
be limited to the particular examples disclosed, but that such
claimed subject matter may also include all aspects falling within
the scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *