U.S. patent application number 16/515666 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-21 for sensing techniques for a memory cell.
The applicant listed for this patent is Micron Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Ferdinando Bedeschi, Efrem Bolandrina, Umberto Di Vincenzo, Riccardo Muzzetto.
Application Number | 20210020221 16/515666 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004204077 |
Filed Date | 2021-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210020221 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Di Vincenzo; Umberto ; et
al. |
January 21, 2021 |
SENSING TECHNIQUES FOR A MEMORY CELL
Abstract
Methods, systems, and devices for sensing techniques for a
memory cell are described to enable a latch to sense a logic state
of a memory cell. A transistor coupled with a memory cell may boost
a first voltage associated with the memory cell to a second voltage
via one or more parasitic capacitances of the transistor. The
second voltage may be developed on a first node of a sense
component, and the second voltage may be shifted to a third voltage
at a first node of the sense component by applying a voltage to a
shift node coupled with a capacitor of the sense component. Similar
boosting and shifting operations may be performed to develop a
reference voltage on a second node of the sense component. The
sense component may sense the state of the memory cell by comparing
with the reference voltage.
Inventors: |
Di Vincenzo; Umberto;
(Capriate San Gervasio, IT) ; Bolandrina; Efrem;
(Fiorano al Serio, IT) ; Muzzetto; Riccardo;
(Arcore, IT) ; Bedeschi; Ferdinando; (Biassono,
IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Micron Technology, Inc. |
Boise |
ID |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004204077 |
Appl. No.: |
16/515666 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11C 11/2273 20130101;
G11C 11/2259 20130101; G11C 11/221 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G11C 11/22 20060101
G11C011/22 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: coupling a gate of a transistor that is in
a source-follower configuration with a memory cell to apply a first
voltage to the gate of the transistor; increasing, after coupling
the gate with the memory cell, a first node of the transistor to a
second voltage based at least in part on a parasitic capacitance
associated with the transistor; isolating a latch from the first
node of the transistor based at least in part on increasing the
first node to the second voltage; adjusting, at a node of the
latch, the second voltage to a third voltage based at least in part
on isolating the latch from the first node; and determining a logic
state stored by the memory cell based at least in part on adjusting
the second voltage to the third voltage.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: performing signal
integration of the first voltage based at least in part on the
parasitic capacitance associated with the transistor, wherein
increasing the first node of the transistor to the second voltage
is based at least in part on performing the signal integration.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: coupling a second
node of the transistor with a voltage source based at least in part
on coupling the gate of the transistor with the memory cell,
wherein increasing the first node to the second voltage is based at
least in part on coupling the second node with the voltage
source.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein coupling the second node of the
transistor with the voltage source further comprises: activating a
second transistor coupled with the voltage source and the second
node of the transistor.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: applying a signal to
a first plate of a capacitor that includes a second plate coupled
with the node of the latch based at least in part on isolating the
latch from the first node, wherein adjusting the second voltage to
the third voltage is based at least in part on applying the
signal.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: coupling a gate of a
second transistor in a source-follower configuration with a
reference voltage source to apply a first reference voltage to the
gate of the second transistor; increasing, based at least in part
on coupling the gate of the second transistor with the reference
voltage source, a first node of the second transistor to a second
reference voltage based at least in part on a parasitic capacitance
associated with the second transistor; isolating the latch from the
first node of the second transistor based at least in part on
increasing the first node of the second transistor to the second
reference voltage; and adjusting, at a second node of the latch,
the second reference voltage to a third reference voltage based at
least in part on isolating the latch from the first node of the
second transistor.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: comparing the third
voltage with the third reference voltage, wherein determining the
logic state stored by the memory cell is based at least in part on
comparing the third voltage with the third reference voltage.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: activating a cascode
of the memory cell, wherein coupling the gate with the memory cell
is based at least in part on activating the cascode.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: applying an
activation voltage to a word line of the memory cell, wherein
coupling the gate with the memory cell is based at least in part on
applying the activation voltage to the word line.
10. An apparatus, comprising: a memory cell; a transistor in a
source-follower configuration and selectively couplable with the
memory cell, the transistor comprising a parasitic capacitance to
increase a voltage of a signal received from the memory cell; a
latch selectively couplable with the transistor and configured to
determine a logic state stored by the memory cell; and a capacitor
coupled with the latch and selectively couplable with the
transistor, the capacitor configured to adjust the voltage
increased by the transistor.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a voltage source
selectively couplable with a second node of the transistor, wherein
the parasitic capacitance of the transistor increases the voltage
based at least in part on selectively coupling the voltage source
with the second node of the transistor.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a second
transistor coupled with the voltage source and the second node of
the transistor, the second transistor configured to selectively
couple the voltage source with the second node of the
transistor.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the capacitor comprises a
first plate coupled with a shift node and a second plate coupled
with a first node of the latch, the shift node configured to
receive a signal to adjust the voltage increased by the
transistor.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the latch is configured to:
compare the adjusted voltage with a reference voltage, wherein
determining the logic state stored by the memory cell is based at
least in part on comparing the adjusted voltage with the reference
voltage.
15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a cascode
coupled with a digit line associated with the memory cell and
configured to selectively couple the transistor with the digit
line.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a word line
coupled with the memory cell and configured to selectively couple
the memory cell with the digit line.
17. An apparatus, comprising: a memory cell; a first transistor in
a source-follower configuration selectively couplable with the
memory cell, the first transistor comprising a first parasitic
capacitance to increase a voltage of a signal received from the
memory cell; a reference voltage source; a second transistor in a
source-follower configuration selectively couplable with the
reference voltage source, the second transistor comprising a second
parasitic capacitance to increase a voltage of a signal received
from the reference voltage source; a latch selectively couplable
with the first transistor and selectively couplable with the second
transistor, the latch configured to determine a logic state stored
by the memory cell; a first capacitor coupled with the latch and
selectively couplable with the first transistor, the first
capacitor configured to adjust the voltage increased by the first
transistor; and a second capacitor coupled with the latch and
selectively couplable with the second transistor, the second
capacitor configured to adjust the voltage increased by the second
transistor.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: a voltage source
selectively couplable with a second node of the first transistor
and a second node of the second transistor.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a third
transistor coupled with the voltage source and the second node of
the first transistor, the third transistor configured to
selectively couple the voltage source with the second node of the
first transistor; and a fourth transistor coupled with the voltage
source and the second node of the second transistor, the fourth
transistor configured to selectively couple the voltage source with
the second node of the second transistor.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: the first capacitor
comprises a first plate coupled with a shift node and a second
plate coupled with a first node of the latch, the shift node
configured to receive a first signal to adjust the voltage
increased by the first transistor; and the second capacitor
comprises a first plate coupled with the shift node and a second
plate coupled with a second node of the latch, the shift node
configured to receive a second signal to adjust the voltage
increased by the second transistor.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the second signal is the
same as the first signal.
22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the latch is configured to:
compare the voltage adjusted by the first capacitor with the
voltage adjusted by the second capacitor, wherein determining the
logic state stored by the memory cell is based at least in part on
comparing the voltage adjusted by the first capacitor with the
voltage adjusted by the second capacitor.
23. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: a cascode
coupled with a digit line associated with the memory cell and
configured to selectively couple the first transistor with the
digit line.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising: a word line
coupled with the memory cell and configured to selectively couple
the memory cell with the digit line.
25. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: a fourth
transistor coupled with the reference voltage source and the second
transistor, the fourth transistor configured to selectively couple
the reference voltage source with the second transistor.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The following relates generally to a system that includes at
least one memory device and more specifically to sensing techniques
for a memory cell.
[0002] Memory devices are widely used to store information in
various electronic devices such as computers, wireless
communication devices, cameras, digital displays, and the like.
Information is stored by programming different states of a memory
device. For example, binary devices most often store one of two
states, often denoted by a logic 1 or a logic 0. In other devices,
more than two states may be stored. To access the stored
information, a component of the device may read, or sense, at least
one stored state in the memory device.
[0003] To store information, a component of the device may write,
or program, the state in the memory device.
[0004] Various types of memory devices exist, including magnetic
hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM),
dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), ferroelectric
RAM (FeRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), flash
memory, phase change memory (PCM), and others. Memory devices may
be volatile or non-volatile. Non-volatile memory, e.g., FeRAM, may
maintain their stored logic state for extended periods of time even
in the absence of an external power source. Volatile memory
devices, e.g., DRAM, may lose their stored state when disconnected
from an external power source. FeRAM may be able to achieve
densities similar to volatile memory but may have non-volatile
properties due to the use of a ferroelectric capacitor as a storage
device.
[0005] Some memory devices (e.g., FeRAM devices) may include one or
more components coupled with a memory cell that may be dedicated
for performing one or more sense operations associated with the
memory cell. Some components included in the memory device may
increase the size or footprint of the memory device, introducing
extra costs and manufacturing complexity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system that supports
sensing techniques for a memory cell in accordance with examples as
disclosed herein.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a memory die that supports
sensing techniques for a memory cell in accordance with examples as
disclosed herein.
[0008] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate examples of hysteresis curves
that support sensing techniques for a memory cell in accordance
with examples as disclosed herein.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a circuit diagram that
supports sensing techniques for a memory cell in accordance with
examples as disclosed herein.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a circuit diagram that
supports sensing techniques for a memory cell in accordance with
examples as disclosed herein.
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a timing diagram that
supports sensing techniques for a memory cell in accordance with
examples as disclosed herein.
[0012] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a memory device that
supports sensing techniques for a memory cell in accordance with
examples as disclosed herein.
[0013] FIGS. 8 through 10 show flowcharts illustrating a method or
methods that support sensing techniques for a memory cell in
accordance with examples as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] A memory device may perform one or more sensing operations
with respect to a memory cell in order to sense or read a logic
state of the memory cell (e.g., via one or more components of the
memory device). For example, during a read operation, a memory cell
may be coupled (e.g., by activating a word line and a cascode) with
a sense component (e.g., a latch) via a transistor in a
source-follower configuration. The sense component may sense the
state of the memory cell by comparing a voltage signal associated
with the memory cell to a reference voltage (e.g., by latching or
firing the voltage signal and the reference voltage). In some
cases, a first voltage associated with the memory cell may be
boosted to a second voltage, which then may be shifted to a third
voltage (e.g., a voltage lower than the second voltage) before
being sensed by the sense component. The boosting and the shifting
may enable the third voltage to develop a usable signal, and may
enable the third voltage to correspond to a voltage level used by
the sense component. In this manner, a more reliable signal may be
developed from the memory cell and a lower voltage sense component
may be used. In some examples, the boosting and shifting may be
performed by an additional capacitor located between the memory
cell and the sense component. However, the additional capacitor may
increase the footprint of the memory device, or, if the additional
capacitor is reduced in size, it may have a reduced ability to
boost and shift the respective voltages.
[0015] Therefore, in some cases, the footprint of the memory device
may be reduced by boosting the first voltage to the second voltage
using one or more parasitic capacitances of the transistor, and by
shifting the second voltage to the third voltage using one or more
capacitors associated with the sense component. A drain and a
source of the transistor may transition from a grounded state to a
high-voltage state when the transistor is activated. This
transition may boost the first voltage to a second voltage through
one or more feedback parasitic capacitances associated with a metal
oxide semiconductor (MOS) of the transistor. A transistor coupling
the transistor and the sense component may be switched on and off
to develop the second voltage on a first node of the sense
component and then isolate the sense component from the
transistor.
[0016] The second voltage may be shifted to a third voltage at the
first node of the sense component, which may be coupled with a
first plate of a capacitor. A signal may be driven to a second
plate of the capacitor. For example, the signal on the second plate
may go from a fourth voltage to a fifth (e.g., lower) voltage to
shift the second voltage at the first node to the third voltage at
the first node. Similar boosting and shifting operations may be
performed to develop a reference voltage on a second node of the
sense component. The sense component may sense the state of the
memory cell by comparing the third voltage with the reference
voltage.
[0017] Features of the disclosure are initially described in the
context of a memory system and memory die as described with
reference to FIGS. 1-3. Features of the disclosure are described in
the context of circuit diagrams and a timing diagram as described
with reference to FIGS. 4-6. These and other features of the
disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference
to an apparatus diagram and flowcharts that relate to sensing
techniques for a memory cell as described with references to FIGS.
7-11.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system 100 that utilizes
one or more memory devices in accordance with examples as disclosed
herein. The system 100 may include an external memory controller
105, a memory device 110, and a plurality of channels 115 coupling
the external memory controller 105 with the memory device 110. The
system 100 may include one or more memory devices, but for ease of
description the one or more memory devices may be described as a
single memory device 110.
[0019] The system 100 may include portions of an electronic device,
such as a computing device, a mobile computing device, a wireless
device, or a graphics processing device. The system 100 may be an
example of a portable electronic device. The system 100 may be an
example of a computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a
smartphone, a cellular phone, a wearable device, an
internet-connected device, or the like. The memory device 110 may
be component of the system configured to store data for one or more
other components of the system 100. In some examples, the system
100 is capable of machine-type communication (MTC),
machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, or device-to-device (D2D)
communication.
[0020] At least portions of the system 100 may be examples of a
host device. Such a host device may be an example of a device that
uses memory to execute processes such as a computing device, a
mobile computing device, a wireless device, a graphics processing
device, a computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a
smartphone, a cellular phone, a wearable device, an
internet-connected device, some other stationary or portable
electronic device, or the like. In some cases, the host device may
refer to the hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof
that implements the functions of the external memory controller
105. In some cases, the external memory controller 105 may be
referred to as a host or host device. In some examples, system 100
is a graphics card.
[0021] In some cases, a memory device 110 may be an independent
device or component that is configured to be in communication with
other components of the system 100 and provide physical memory
addresses/space to potentially be used or referenced by the system
100. In some examples, a memory device 110 may be configurable to
work with at least one or a plurality of different types of systems
100. Signaling between the components of the system 100 and the
memory device 110 may be operable to support modulation schemes to
modulate the signals, different pin designs for communicating the
signals, distinct packaging of the system 100 and the memory device
110, clock signaling and synchronization between the system 100 and
the memory device 110, timing conventions, and/or other
factors.
[0022] The memory device 110 may be configured to store data for
the components of the system 100. In some cases, the memory device
110 may act as a slave-type device to the system 100 (e.g.,
responding to and executing commands provided by the system 100
through the external memory controller 105). Such commands may
include an access command for an access operation, such as a write
command for a write operation, a read command for a read operation,
a refresh command for a refresh operation, or other commands. The
memory device 110 may include two or more memory dice 160 (e.g.,
memory chips) to support a desired or specified capacity for data
storage. The memory device 110 including two or more memory dice
may be referred to as a multi-die memory or package (also referred
to as multi-chip memory or package).
[0023] The system 100 may further include a processor 120, a basic
input/output system (BIOS) component 125, one or more peripheral
components 130, and an input/output (I/O) controller 135. The
components of system 100 may be in electronic communication with
one another using a bus 140.
[0024] The processor 120 may be configured to control at least
portions of the system 100. The processor 120 may be a
general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an
application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a
field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic
device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware
components, or it may be a combination of these types of
components. In such cases, the processor 120 may be an example of a
central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a
general purpose graphic processing unit (GPGPU), or a system on a
chip (SoC), among other examples.
[0025] The BIOS component 125 may be a software component that
includes a BIOS operated as firmware, which may initialize and run
various hardware components of the system 100. The BIOS component
125 may also manage data flow between the processor 120 and the
various components of the system 100, e.g., the peripheral
components 130, the I/O controller 135, etc. The BIOS component 125
may include a program or software stored in read-only memory (ROM),
flash memory, or any other non-volatile memory.
[0026] The peripheral component(s) 130 may be any input device or
output device, or an interface for such devices, that may be
integrated into or with the system 100. Examples may include disk
controllers, sound controller, graphics controller, Ethernet
controller, modem, universal serial bus (USB) controller, a serial
or parallel port, or peripheral card slots, such as peripheral
component interconnect (PCI) or specialized graphics ports. The
peripheral component(s) 130 may be other components understood by
those skilled in the art as peripherals.
[0027] The I/O controller 135 may manage data communication between
the processor 120 and the peripheral component(s) 130, input
devices 145, or output devices 150. The I/O controller 135 may
manage peripherals that are not integrated into or with the system
100. In some cases, the I/O controller 135 may represent a physical
connection or port to external peripheral components.
[0028] The input 145 may represent a device or signal external to
the system 100 that provides information, signals, or data to the
system 100 or its components. This may include a user interface or
interface with or between other devices. In some cases, the input
145 may be a peripheral that interfaces with system 100 via one or
more peripheral components 130 or may be managed by the I/O
controller 135.
[0029] The output 150 may represent a device or signal external to
the system 100 configured to receive an output from the system 100
or any of its components. Examples of the output 150 may include a
display, audio speakers, a printing device, or another processor on
printed circuit board, and so forth. In some cases, the output 150
may be a peripheral that interfaces with the system 100 via one or
more peripheral components 130 or may be managed by the I/O
controller 135.
[0030] The components of system 100 may be made up of
general-purpose or special purpose circuitry designed to carry out
their functions. This may include various circuit elements, for
example, conductive lines, transistors, capacitors, inductors,
resistors, amplifiers, or other active or passive elements,
configured to carry out the functions described herein.
[0031] The memory device 110 may include a device memory controller
155 and one or more memory dice 160. Each memory die 160 may
include a local memory controller 165 (e.g., local memory
controller 165-a, local memory controller 165-b, and/or local
memory controller 165-N) and a memory array 170 (e.g., memory array
170-a, memory array 170-b, and/or memory array 170-N). A memory
array 170 may be a collection (e.g., a grid) of memory cells, with
each memory cell being configured to store at least one bit of
digital data. Features of memory arrays 170 and/or memory cells are
described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2. A memory array
may include one or more memory cells that are coupled with a sense
component via a transistor in a source-follower configuration,
where the transistor may be configured to boost a memory cell
voltage and one or more capacitors of the sense component may be
configured to shift the boosted voltage.
[0032] The memory device 110 may be an example of a two-dimensional
(2D) array of memory cells or may be an example of a
three-dimensional (3D) array of memory cells. For example, a 2D
memory device may include a single memory die 160. A 3D memory
device may include two or more memory dice 160 (e.g., memory die
160-a, memory die 160-b, and/or any quantity of memory dice 160-N).
In a 3D memory device, a plurality of memory dice 160-N may be
stacked on top of one another or next to one another. In some
cases, memory dice 160-N in a 3D memory device may be referred to
as decks, levels, layers, or dies. A 3D memory device may include
any quantity of stacked memory dice 160-N (e.g., two high, three
high, four high, five high, six high, seven high, eight high). This
may increase the quantity of memory cells that may be positioned on
a substrate as compared with a single 2D memory device, which in
turn may reduce production costs or increase the performance of the
memory array, or both. In some 3D memory device, different decks
may share at least one common access line such that some decks may
share at least one of a word line, a digit line, and/or a plate
line.
[0033] The device memory controller 155 may include circuits or
components configured to control operation of the memory device
110. As such, the device memory controller 155 may include the
hardware, firmware, and software that enables the memory device 110
to perform commands and may be configured to receive, transmit, or
execute commands, data, or control information related to the
memory device 110. The device memory controller 155 may be
configured to communicate with the external memory controller 105,
the one or more memory dice 160, or the processor 120. In some
cases, the memory device 110 may receive data and/or commands from
the external memory controller 105. For example, the memory device
110 may receive a write command indicating that the memory device
110 is to store certain data on behalf of a component of the system
100 (e.g., the processor 120) or a read command indicating that the
memory device 110 is to provide certain data stored in a memory die
160 to a component of the system 100 (e.g., the processor 120). In
some cases, the device memory controller 155 may control operation
of the memory device 110 described herein in conjunction with the
local memory controller 165 of the memory die 160. Examples of the
components included in the device memory controller 155 and/or the
local memory controllers 165 may include receivers for demodulating
signals received from the external memory controller 105, decoders
for modulating and transmitting signals to the external memory
controller 105, logic, decoders, amplifiers, filters, or the
like.
[0034] The local memory controller 165 (e.g., local to a memory die
160) may be configured to control operations of the memory die 160.
Also, the local memory controller 165 may be configured to
communicate (e.g., receive and transmit data and/or commands) with
the device memory controller 155. The local memory controller 165
may support the device memory controller 155 to control operation
of the memory device 110 as described herein. In some cases, the
memory device 110 does not include the device memory controller
155, and the local memory controller 165 or the external memory
controller 105 may perform the various functions described herein.
As such, the local memory controller 165 may be configured to
communicate with the device memory controller 155, with other local
memory controllers 165, or directly with the external memory
controller 105 or the processor 120.
[0035] The external memory controller 105 may be configured to
enable communication of information, data, and/or commands between
components of the system 100 (e.g., the processor 120) and the
memory device 110. The external memory controller 105 may act as a
liaison between the components of the system 100 and the memory
device 110 so that the components of the system 100 may not need to
know the details of the memory device's operation. The components
of the system 100 may present requests to the external memory
controller 105 (e.g., read commands or write commands) that the
external memory controller 105 satisfies. The external memory
controller 105 may convert or translate communications exchanged
between the components of the system 100 and the memory device 110.
In some cases, the external memory controller 105 may include a
system clock that generates a common (source) system clock signal.
In some cases, the external memory controller 105 may include a
common data clock that generates a common (source) data clock
signal.
[0036] In some cases, the external memory controller 105 or other
component of the system 100, or its functions described herein, may
be implemented by the processor 120. For example, the external
memory controller 105 may be hardware, firmware, or software, or
some combination thereof implemented by the processor 120 or other
component of the system 100. While the external memory controller
105 is depicted as being external to the memory device 110, in some
cases, the external memory controller 105, or its functions
described herein, may be implemented by a memory device 110. For
example, the external memory controller 105 may be hardware,
firmware, or software, or some combination thereof implemented by
the device memory controller 155 or one or more local memory
controllers 165. In some cases, the external memory controller 105
may be distributed across the processor 120 and the memory device
110 such that portions of the external memory controller 105 are
implemented by the processor 120 and other portions are implemented
by a device memory controller 155 or a local memory controller 165.
Likewise, in some cases, one or more functions ascribed herein to
the device memory controller 155 or local memory controller 165 may
in some cases be performed by the external memory controller 105
(either separate from or as included in the processor 120). One or
more of the memory controllers may be operable to boost a memory
cell voltage via one or more parasitic capacitances of a transistor
in a source-follower configuration during a sense operation. One or
more of the memory controllers may also be operable to shift the
boosted voltage via one or more capacitors of a sense component
during the sense operation.
[0037] The components of the system 100 may exchange information
with the memory device 110 using a plurality of channels 115. In
some examples, the channels 115 may enable communications between
the external memory controller 105 and the memory device 110. Each
channel 115 may include one or more signal paths or transmission
mediums (e.g., conductors) between terminals associated with the
components of system 100. For example, a channel 115 may include a
first terminal including one or more pins or pads at external
memory controller 105 and one or more pins or pads at the memory
device 110. A pin may be an example of a conductive input or output
point of a device of the system 100, and a pin may be configured to
act as part of a channel. In some cases, a pin or pad of a terminal
may be part of to a signal path of the channel 115. Additional
signal paths may be coupled with a terminal of a channel for
routing signals within a component of the system 100. For example,
the memory device 110 may include signal paths (e.g., signal paths
internal to the memory device 110 or its components, such as
internal to a memory die 160) that route a signal from a terminal
of a channel 115 to the various components of the memory device 110
(e.g., a device memory controller 155, memory dice 160, local
memory controllers 165, memory arrays 170).
[0038] Channels 115 (and associated signal paths and terminals) may
be dedicated to communicating specific types of information. In
some cases, a channel 115 may be an aggregated channel and thus may
include multiple individual channels. For example, a data channel
190 may be .times.4 (e.g., including four signal paths), .times.8
(e.g., including eight signal paths), .times.16 (e.g., including
sixteen signal paths), and so forth. Signals communicated over the
channels may use a double data rate (DDR) timing scheme. For
example, some symbols of a signal may be registered on a rising
edge of a clock signal and other symbols of the signal may be
registered on a falling edge of the clock signal. Signals
communicated over channels may use single data rate (SDR)
signaling. For example, one symbol of the signal may be registered
for each clock cycle.
[0039] In some cases, the channels 115 may include one or more
command and address (CA) channels 186. The CA channels 186 may be
configured to communicate commands between the external memory
controller 105 and the memory device 110 including control
information associated with the commands (e.g., address
information). For example, the CA channel 186 may include a read
command with an address of the desired data. In some cases, the CA
channels 186 may be registered on a rising clock signal edge and/or
a falling clock signal edge. In some cases, a CA channel 186 may
include any quantity of signal paths to decode address and command
data (e.g., eight or nine signal paths).
[0040] In some cases, the channels 115 may include one or more
clock signal (CK) channels 188. The CK channels 188 may be
configured to communicate one or more common clock signals between
the external memory controller 105 and the memory device 110. Each
clock signal may be configured to oscillate between a high state
and a low state and coordinate the actions of the external memory
controller 105 and the memory device 110. In some cases, the clock
signal may be a differential output (e.g., a CK_t signal and a CK_c
signal) and the signal paths of the CK channels 188 may be
configured accordingly. In some cases, the clock signal may be
single ended.
[0041] In some cases, the channels 115 may include one or more data
(DQ) channels 190. The data channels 190 may be configured to
communicate data and/or control information between the external
memory controller 105 and the memory device 110. For example, the
data channels 190 may communicate information (e.g.,
bi-directional) to be written to the memory device 110 or
information read from the memory device 110.
[0042] In some cases, the channels 115 may include one or more
other channels 192 that may be dedicated to other purposes. These
other channels 192 may include any quantity of signal paths. In
some cases, the other channels 192 may include one or more write
clock signal (WCK) channels. In some cases, the other channels 192
may include one or more error detection code (EDC) channels.
[0043] The channels 115 may couple the external memory controller
105 with the memory device 110 using a variety of different
architectures. Examples of the various architectures may include a
bus, a point-to-point connection, a crossbar, a high-density
interposer such as a silicon interposer, or channels formed in an
organic substrate or some combination thereof. For example, in some
cases, the signal paths may at least partially include a
high-density interposer, such as a silicon interposer or a glass
interposer.
[0044] Memory cells of a memory array 170 (e.g., or a memory
device) may be coupled with a transistor in a source-follower
configuration configured to boost a first memory cell voltage to a
second voltage using one or more parasitic capacitances during a
sense operation. The transistor may be coupled with a sense
component that may be configured to shift the second voltage to a
third voltage using one or more capacitors associated with the
sense component. The transistor may boost the first voltage to the
second voltage, and a transistor coupling the transistor and the
sense component may be switched on and off in order to develop the
second voltage on a first node of the sense component and then
isolate the sense component from the transistor. The second voltage
may be shifted to a third voltage at the first node of the sense
component, which may be coupled with a first plate of a capacitor.
A second plate of the capacitor may be coupled with a shift node,
and the shift node may be driven to a lower voltage in order to
shift the second voltage to the third voltage at the first node
(e.g., via the capacitor). Similar boosting and shifting operations
may be performed to develop a reference voltage on a second node of
the sense component, and the sense component may sense the state of
the memory cell by comparing the third voltage with the reference
voltage (e.g., by latching or firing the third voltage and the
reference voltage).
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a memory die 200 in
accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The memory die 200
may be an example of the memory dice 160 described with reference
to FIG. 1. In some cases, the memory die 200 may be referred to as
a memory chip, a memory device, or an electronic memory apparatus.
The memory die 200 may include one or more memory cells 205 that
are programmable to store different logic states. Each memory cell
205 may be programmable to store two or more states. For example,
the memory cell 205 may be configured to store one bit of
information at a time (e.g., a logic 0 or a logic 1). In some
cases, a single memory cell 205 (e.g., a multi-level memory cell)
may be configured to store more than one bit of information at a
time (e.g., a logic 00, logic 01, logic 10, or a logic 11).
[0046] A memory cell 205 may store a state (e.g., polarization
state or dielectric charge) that represents digital data. In FeRAM
architectures, the memory cell 205 may include a capacitor that
includes a ferroelectric material to store a charge and/or a
polarization representative of the programmable state. In DRAM
architectures, the memory cell 205 may include a capacitor that
includes a dielectric material to store a charge representative of
the programmable state.
[0047] Operations such as reading and writing may be performed on
memory cells 205 by activating or selecting access lines such as a
word line 210, a digit line 215, and/or a plate line 220. In some
cases, digit lines 215 may also be referred to as bit lines.
References to access lines, word lines, digit lines, plate lines or
their analogues, are interchangeable without loss of understanding
or operation. Activating or selecting a word line 210, a digit line
215, or a plate line 220 may include applying a voltage to the
respective line.
[0048] The memory die 200 may include the access lines (e.g., the
word lines 210, the digit lines 215, and the plate lines 220)
arranged in a grid-like pattern. Memory cells 205 may be positioned
at intersections of the word lines 210, the digit lines 215, and/or
the plate lines 220. By biasing a word line 210, a digit line 215,
and a plate line 220 (e.g., applying a voltage to the word line
210, digit line 215, or plate line 220), a single memory cell 205
may be accessed at their intersection.
[0049] Accessing the memory cells 205 may be controlled through a
row decoder 225, a column decoder 230, and a plate driver 235. For
example, a row decoder 225 may receive a row address from the local
memory controller 265 and activate a word line 210 based on the
received row address. A column decoder 230 receives a column
address from the local memory controller 265 and activates a digit
line 215 based on the received column address. A plate driver 235
may receive a plate address from the local memory controller 265
and activates a plate line 220 based on the received plate address.
For example, the memory die 200 may include multiple word lines
210, labeled WL_1 through WL_M, multiple digit lines 215, labeled
DL_1 through DL_N, and multiple plate lines, labeled PL_1 through
PL_P, where M, N, and P depend on the size of the memory array.
Thus, by activating a word line 210, a digit line 215, and a plate
line 220, e.g., WL_1, DL_3, and PL_1, the memory cell 205 at their
intersection may be accessed. The intersection of a word line 210
and a digit line 215, in either a two-dimensional or
three-dimensional configuration, may be referred to as an address
of a memory cell 205. In some cases, the intersection of a word
line 210, a digit line 215, and a plate line 220 may be referred to
as an address of the memory cell 205.
[0050] The memory cell 205 may include a logic storage component,
such as capacitor 240, and a switching component 245. The capacitor
240 may be an example of a ferroelectric capacitor. A first node of
the capacitor 240 may be coupled with the switching component 245
and a second node of the capacitor 240 may be coupled with a plate
line 220. The switching component 245 may be an example of a
transistor or any other type of switch device that selectively
establishes or de-establishes electronic communication between two
components.
[0051] Selecting or deselecting the memory cell 205 may be
accomplished by activating or deactivating the switching component
245. The capacitor 240 may be in electronic communication with the
digit line 215 using the switching component 245. For example, the
capacitor 240 may be isolated from digit line 215 when the
switching component 245 is deactivated, and the capacitor 240 may
be coupled with digit line 215 when the switching component 245 is
activated. In some cases, the switching component 245 is a
transistor and its operation is controlled by applying a voltage to
a transistor gate, where the voltage differential between the
transistor gate and transistor source is greater or less than a
threshold voltage of the transistor. In some cases, the switching
component 245 may be a p-type transistor or an n-type transistor.
The word line 210 may be in electronic communication with the gate
of the switching component 245 and may activate/deactivate the
switching component 245 based on a voltage being applied to word
line 210.
[0052] A word line 210 may be a conductive line in electronic
communication with a memory cell 205 that is used to perform access
operations on the memory cell 205. In some architectures, the word
line 210 may be in electronic communication with a gate of a
switching component 245 of a memory cell 205 and may be configured
to control the switching component 245 of the memory cell. In some
architectures, the word line 210 may be in electronic communication
with a node of the capacitor of the memory cell 205 and the memory
cell 205 may not include a switching component.
[0053] A digit line 215 may be a conductive line that connects the
memory cell 205 with a sense component 250. In some architectures,
the memory cell 205 may be selectively coupled with the digit line
215 during portions of an access operation. For example, the word
line 210 and the switching component 245 of the memory cell 205 may
be configured to selected couple and/or isolate the capacitor 240
of the memory cell 205 and the digit line 215. In some
architectures, the memory cell 205 may be in electronic
communication (e.g., constant) with the digit line 215. A digit
line 215 may be couple (e.g., selectively couple) a memory cell 205
with a sense component 250 via a transistor in a source-follower
configuration. During a read or sense operation, the digit line 215
may access a memory cell 205 and transfer a voltage associated with
the memory cell to the transistor.
[0054] A plate line 220 may be a conductive line in electronic
communication with a memory cell 205 that is used to perform access
operations on the memory cell 205. The plate line 220 may be in
electronic communication with a node (e.g., the cell bottom) of the
capacitor 240. The plate line 220 may be configured to cooperate
with the digit line 215 to bias the capacitor 240 during access
operation of the memory cell 205.
[0055] The sense component 250 may be configured to determine a
state (e.g., a polarization state or a charge) stored on the
capacitor 240 of the memory cell 205 and determine a logic state of
the memory cell 205 based on the detected state. The charge stored
by a memory cell 205 may be extremely small, in some cases. As
such, the sense component 250 may include one or more sense
amplifiers to amplify the signal output of the memory cell 205. The
sense amplifiers may detect minute changes in the charge of a digit
line 215 during a read operation and may produce signals
corresponding to either a logic 0 or a logic 1 based on the
detected charge. During a read operation, the capacitor 240 of
memory cell 205 may output a signal (e.g., discharge a charge) to
its corresponding digit line 215. The signal may cause a voltage of
the digit line 215 to change. The sense component 250 may be
configured to compare the signal received from the memory cell 205
across the digit line 215 to a reference signal 255 (e.g., a
reference voltage). The sense component 250 may determine the
stored state of the memory cell 205 based on the comparison. The
sense component 250 may include various transistors or amplifiers
to detect and amplify a difference in the signals. The detected
logic state of the memory cell 205 may be provided as an output of
the sense component 250 (e.g., to an input/output 260), and may
indicate the detected logic state to another component of a memory
device 110 that includes the memory die 200, such as a device
memory controller 155 (e.g., directly or using the local memory
controller 265). In some cases, the sense component 250 may be in
electronic communication with the row decoder 225, the column
decoder 230, and/or the plate driver 235. A sense component 250 may
be selectively couplable with a memory cell 205 via a transistor in
source-follower configuration. The transistor may boost a voltage
associated with the memory cell 205, and may be coupled with the
sense component 250 to transfer the boosted voltage. The sense
component 250 may receive and shift the boosted voltage and may
compare the shifted voltage to a reference voltage to determine a
logic state of the memory cell 205.
[0056] The local memory controller 265 may control the operation of
memory cells 205 through the various components (e.g., row decoder
225, column decoder 230, plate driver 235, and sense component
250). The local memory controller 265 may be an example of the
local memory controller 165 described with reference to FIG. 1. In
some cases, one or more of the row decoder 225, column decoder 230,
and plate driver 235, and sense component 250 may be co-located
with the local memory controller 265. The local memory controller
265 may be configured to receive one or more commands and/or data
from an external memory controller 105 (or a device memory
controller 155 described with reference to FIG. 1), translate the
commands and/or data into information that can be used by the
memory die 200, perform one or more operations on the memory die
200, and communicate data from the memory die 200 to the external
memory controller 105 (or the device memory controller 155) in
response to performing the one or more operations. The local memory
controller 265 may generate row, column, and/or plate line address
signals to activate the target word line 210, the target digit line
215, and the target plate line 220. The local memory controller 265
may also generate and control various voltages or currents used
during the operation of the memory die 200. In general, the
amplitude, shape, or duration of an applied voltage or current
discussed herein may be adjusted or varied and may be different for
the various operations discussed in operating the memory die 200. A
memory controller may be operable to boost a memory cell 205
voltage via one or more parasitic capacitances of a transistor in a
source-follower configuration during a sense operation. A memory
controller may also be operable to shift the boosted voltage via
one or more capacitors of a sense component 250 during the sense
operation.
[0057] In some cases, the local memory controller 265 may be
configured to perform a write operation (e.g., a programming
operation) on one or more memory cells 205 of the memory die 200.
During a write operation, a memory cell 205 of the memory die 200
may be programmed to store a desired logic state. In some cases, a
plurality of memory cells 205 may be programmed during a single
write operation. The local memory controller 265 may activate a
target word line 210, a target digit line 215, and/or a target
plate line 220 (e.g., applying a voltage to the word line 210,
digit line 215, or the plate line 220) to apply a specific signal
(e.g., voltage) to the digit line 215 and a specific signal (e.g.,
voltage) to the plate line 220 during the write operation to store
a specific state in the capacitor 240 of the memory cell 205, the
specific state being indicative of a desired logic state.
[0058] The local memory controller 265 may be configured to perform
a read operation (e.g., a sense operation) on one or more memory
cells 205 of the memory die 200. During a read operation, the logic
state stored in a memory cell 205 of the memory die 200 may be
determined. In some cases, a plurality of memory cells 205 may be
sensed during a single read operation. The local memory controller
265 may identify a target memory cell 205 on which to perform the
read operation. The local memory controller 265 may identify a
target word line 210, a target digit line 215, and/or a target
plate line 220 in electronic communication with the target memory
cell 205 (e.g., the address of the target memory cell 205). The
local memory controller 265 may activate the target word line 210,
the target digit line 215, and/or a target plate line 220 (e.g.,
applying a voltage to the word line 210, the digit line 215, or the
plate line 220), to access the target memory cell 205. The target
memory cell 205 may transfer a signal to the sense component 250 in
response to biasing the access lines.
[0059] The sense component 250 may amplify the signal. The local
memory controller 265 may fire the sense component 250 (e.g., latch
the sense component) and thereby compare the signal received from
the memory cell 205 to the reference signal 255. Based on that
comparison, the sense component 250 may determine a logic state
that is stored on the memory cell 205. The local memory controller
265 may communicate the logic state stored on the memory cell 205
to the external memory controller 105 (or the device memory
controller) as part of the read operation.
[0060] During a sense portion of a read operation, a transistor
coupled with a memory cell 205 may boost a first voltage associated
with the memory cell 205 to a second voltage (e.g., via one or more
parasitic capacitances of the transistor). A transistor coupling
the transistor and a sense component 250 may be switched on and off
in order to develop the second voltage on a first node of the sense
component 250 and then isolate the sense component 250 from the
transistor. The second voltage may be shifted to a third voltage at
a first node of the sense component 250, which may be coupled with
a first plate of a capacitor. A second plate of the capacitor may
be coupled with a shift node, and the shift node may be driven to a
lower voltage in order to shift the second voltage to the third
voltage at the first node (e.g., via the capacitor). Similar
boosting and shifting operations may be performed to develop a
reference voltage on a second node of the sense component 250, and
the sense component 250 may sense the state of the memory cell by
comparing the third voltage to the reference voltage (e.g., by
latching or firing the third voltage and the reference
voltage).
[0061] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate examples of non-linear electrical
properties of a ferroelectric memory cell with hysteresis curves
300-a and 300-b in accordance with various examples as disclosed
herein. Hysteresis curves 300-a and 300-b illustrate an example
ferroelectric memory cell writing and reading process,
respectively. Hysteresis curves 300-a and 300-b depict the charge,
Q, stored on a ferroelectric capacitor (e.g., capacitor 240
described with reference to FIG. 2) as a function of a voltage
difference, V.
[0062] A ferroelectric material is characterized by a spontaneous
electric polarization, that is, it maintains a non-zero electric
polarization in the absence of an electric field. Example
ferroelectric materials include barium titanate (BaTiO3), lead
titanate (PbTiO3), lead zirconium titanate (PZT), and strontium
bismuth tantalate (SBT). The ferroelectric capacitors described
herein may include these or other ferroelectric materials. Electric
polarization within a ferroelectric capacitor results in a net
charge at the ferroelectric material's surface and attracts
opposite charge through the capacitor terminals. Thus, charge is
stored at the interface of the ferroelectric material and the
capacitor terminals. Because the electric polarization may be
maintained in the absence of an externally applied electric field
for relatively long times, even indefinitely, charge leakage may be
significantly decreased as compared with, for example, capacitors
employed in DRAM arrays. This may reduce the need to perform
refresh operations.
[0063] Hysteresis curves 300-a and 300-b may be understood from the
perspective of a single terminal of a capacitor. By way of example,
if the ferroelectric material has a negative polarization, positive
charge accumulates at the terminal. Likewise, if the ferroelectric
material has a positive polarization, negative charge accumulates
at the terminal. Additionally, the voltages in hysteresis curves
300-a and 300-b represent a voltage difference across the capacitor
and are directional. For example, a positive voltage may be
realized by applying a positive voltage to the terminal in question
(e.g., a cell plate) and maintaining the second terminal (e.g., a
cell bottom) at ground (or approximately zero volts (0V)). A
negative voltage may be applied by maintaining the terminal in
question at ground and applying a positive voltage to the second
terminal--i.e., positive voltages may be applied to negatively
polarize the terminal in question. Similarly, two positive
voltages, two negative voltages, or any combination of positive and
negative voltages may be applied to the appropriate capacitor
terminals to generate the voltage difference shown in hysteresis
curves 300-a and 300-b.
[0064] As depicted in hysteresis curve 300-a, the ferroelectric
material may maintain a positive or negative polarization with a
zero-voltage difference, resulting in two possible charged states:
a charge state 305 and a charge state 310. According to the
examples of FIGS. 3A and 3B, charge state 305 represents a logic 0
and charge state 310 represents a logic 1. In some examples, the
logic values of the respective charge states may be reversed to
accommodate other schemes for operating a memory cell.
[0065] A logic 0 or 1 may be written to the memory cell by
controlling the electric polarization of the ferroelectric
material, and thus the charge on the capacitor terminals, by
applying voltage. For example, applying a net positive voltage 315
across the capacitor results in charge accumulation until charge
state 305-a is reached. Upon removing voltage 315, charge state
305-a follows path 320 until it reaches charge state 305 at zero
voltage. Similarly, charge state 310 is written by applying a net
negative voltage 325, which results in charge state 310-a. After
removing negative voltage 325, charge state 310-a follows path 330
until it reaches charge state 310 at zero voltage. Charge states
305-a and 310-a may also be referred to as the remnant polarization
(Pr) values, i.e., the polarization (or charge) that remains upon
removing the external bias (e.g., voltage). The coercive voltage is
the voltage at which the charge (or polarization) is zero.
[0066] To read, or sense, the stored state of the ferroelectric
capacitor, a voltage may be applied across the capacitor. In
response, the stored charge, Q, changes, and the degree of the
change depends on the initial charge state--i.e., the final stored
charge (Q) depends on whether charge state 305-b or 310-b was
initially stored. For example, hysteresis curve 300-b illustrates
two possible stored charge states 305-b and 310-b. Voltage 335 may
be applied across the capacitor 240 as discussed with reference to
FIG. 2. In other cases, a fixed voltage may be applied to the cell
plate and, although depicted as a positive voltage, voltage 335 may
be negative. In response to voltage 335, charge state 305-b may
follow path 340. Likewise, if charge state 310-b was initially
stored, then it follows path 345. The final position of charge
state 305-c and charge state 310-c depend on one or more factors,
including the specific sensing scheme and circuitry.
[0067] In some cases, the final charge may depend on the intrinsic
capacitance of the digit line connected to the memory cell. For
example, if the capacitor is electrically connected to the digit
line and voltage 335 is applied, the voltage of the digit line may
rise due to its intrinsic capacitance. A voltage measured at a
sense component may not equal voltage 335 and instead may depend on
the voltage of the digit line. The position of final charge states
305-c and 310-c on hysteresis curve 300-b may thus depend on the
capacitance of the digit line and may be determined through a
load-line analysis--i.e., charge states 305-c and 310-c may be
defined with respect to the digit line capacitance. As a result,
the voltage of the capacitor, voltage 350 or voltage 355, may be
different and may depend on the initial state of the capacitor.
[0068] By comparing the digit line voltage to a reference voltage,
the initial state of the capacitor may be determined. The digit
line voltage may be the difference between voltage 335 and the
final voltage across the capacitor, voltage 350 or voltage
355--i.e., the difference between the voltage 335 and the voltage
350 or the different between the voltage 335 and the voltage 355. A
reference voltage may be generated such that its magnitude is
between the two possible voltages of the two possible digit line
voltages to determine the stored logic state i.e., if the digit
line voltage is higher or lower than the reference voltage. Upon
comparison by the sense component, the sensed digit line voltage
may be determined to be higher or lower than the reference voltage,
and the stored logic value of the ferroelectric memory cell (i.e.,
a logic 0 or 1) may be determined.
[0069] In some cases, a ferroelectric memory cell may maintain the
initial logic state after a read operation. For example, if charge
state 305-b is stored, the charge state may follow path 340 to
charge state 305-c during a read operation and, after removing
voltage 335, the charge state may return to initial charge state
305-b by following path 340 in the opposite direction. In some
cases, a ferroelectric memory cell may lose its initial logic state
after a read operation. For example, if charge state 310-b is
stored, the charge state may follow path 345 to charge state 305-c
during a read operation and, after removing voltage 335, the charge
state may relax to the charge state 305-b by following path
340.
[0070] Hysteresis curve 300-b illustrates an example of reading a
memory cell that is configured to store the charge state 305-b and
the charge state 310-b. A read voltage 335 may be applied, for
example, as a voltage difference via a digit line 215 and a plate
line 220 as described with reference to FIG. 2. Hysteresis curve
300-b may illustrate read operations where the read voltage 335 is
negative voltage difference Vcap (e.g., where Vbottom-Vplate is
negative). A negative read voltage across the capacitor may be
referred to as a "plate high" read operation, where a plate line
220 is taken initially to a high voltage, and a digit line 215 is
initially at a low voltage (e.g., a ground voltage). Although read
voltage 335 is shown as a negative voltage across the ferroelectric
capacitor 240, in alternative operations a read voltage may be a
positive voltage across the ferroelectric capacitor 240, which may
be referred to as a "plate low" read operation.
[0071] The read voltage 335 may be applied across the ferroelectric
capacitor 240 when a memory cell 205 is selected (e.g., by
activating a switching component 245 as described with reference to
FIG. 2). Upon applying the read voltage 335 to the ferroelectric
capacitor 240, charge may flow into or out of the ferroelectric
capacitor 240 via the digit line 215 and plate line 220, and
different charge states may result depending on whether the
ferroelectric capacitor 240 was at charge state 305-a (e.g., a
logic 1) or at charge state 310-a (e.g., a logic 0).
[0072] During a sense portion of a read operation, the signal
developed from a memory cell may be boosted from a first voltage to
a second voltage using one or more parasitic capacitances of a
transistor in a source-follower configuration. The second voltage
may be shifted to a third voltage at a first node of the sense
component using a capacitor. A first plate of a capacitor may be
coupled with the first node and a second plate of the capacitor may
be coupled with a shift node. The shift node may be driven to a
lower voltage to shift the second voltage to the third voltage at
the first node (e.g., via the capacitor).
[0073] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a circuit diagram 400 that
supports sensing techniques for a memory cell in accordance with
examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, circuit diagram 400
may represent a portion of a memory device, where the memory device
may include components of a memory die as described with reference
to FIG. 2. For example, circuit diagram 400 may be associated with
a memory cell 405, which may be an example of a memory cell
described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Circuit diagram 400 may
also include a word line 210-a, a digit line 215-a, and a sense
component 435 (e.g., a latch), which may be coupled with memory
cell 405 and may be examples of a word line 210, a digit line 215,
and a sense component described with reference to FIG. 2. The
circuit illustrated in circuit diagram 400 may be configured to
perform one or more sensing operations of the memory cell 405 to
sense a logic state stored on the memory cell 405.
[0074] For example, transistor 430-a may be activated by applying a
voltage to word line 210-a, thereby connecting digit line 215-a to
memory cell 405. A cascode 410 may also be activated (e.g., a
current from memory cell 405 may flow into cascode 410), coupling
the memory cell 405 to sense component 435 via a transistor 420 in
a source-follower configuration. Upon activating transistor 420
(e.g., via a transistor 430-b), a voltage signal associated with a
logic state of memory cell 405 may be integrated on an integration
node 415 (e.g., to develop a higher-voltage signal) and transferred
to sense component 435. Digit line 215-a may be disconnected from
integration node 415 (e.g., by deactivating cascode 410) once the
voltage signal is developed on integration node 415. A transistor
430-c (e.g., a transistor) may also be deactivated to isolate the
sense component 435 from transistor 420, and sense component 435
may sense the logic state of memory cell 405 by comparing the
voltage signal to the reference voltage (e.g., by latching or
firing the voltage signal and the reference voltage).
[0075] A first voltage associated with memory cell 405 may be
boosted to a second voltage (e.g., via the integration), which may
be shifted to a third voltage (e.g., a voltage lower than the
second voltage) before reaching the sense component 435. The
boosting and the shifting may enable the third voltage to develop a
signal from the memory cell that reduces a bit error rate, and may
enable the third voltage to correspond to a voltage level employed
by sense component 435. In this manner, the size of the signal from
the memory cell may be larger while the size and components of the
sense component may be smaller. In some examples, the boosting and
shifting may be performed by an additional capacitor located
between memory cell 405 and sense component 435. However, the
additional capacitor may increase the footprint of the memory
device, or, if the additional capacitor is reduced in size, it may
have a reduced ability to boost and shift the respective voltages.
Therefore, in some cases, the footprint of the memory device may be
reduced by boosting the first voltage to the second voltage using a
parasitic capacitance 425 of transistor 420 and shifting the second
voltage to the third voltage using one or more capacitors 440
associated with sense component 435.
[0076] For example, as described above, transistor 430-a and
cascode 410 may be activated, and transistor 430-b may be activated
to switch on transistor 420 (e.g., where transistor 420 may be in a
source-follower configuration). When transistor 430-b switches on,
parasitic capacitances 425-a and/or 425-b associated with
transistor 420 may boost a first voltage associated with memory
cell 405. In some cases, parasitic capacitances 425-a and 425-b may
represent physical components of the circuit. In some cases,
parasitic capacitances 425-a and 425-b may not represent physical
components of the circuit, and may instead represent a parasitic
capacitance associated with one or more physical components of
transistor 420. In one example, a drain and a source of transistor
420 may transition from a grounded state to a high-voltage state
when transistor 430-b switches on. This transition may boost the
first voltage to a second voltage using the parasitic capacitances
425-a and 425-b associated with a MOS of transistor 420. As such,
the second voltage (e.g., second voltage signal) may be developed
on integration node 415 across parasitic capacitances 425-a and
425-b (e.g., mainly on parasitic capacitance 425-a).
[0077] In some examples, transistor 430-c (e.g., a transistor) may
be switched on, such that the second voltage may also be applied to
a first node 445-a of sense component 435. Transistor 430-c may be
switched off once the second voltage is developed on first node
445-a, such that sense component 435 may be isolated from the
transistor 420 and the memory cell 405. The second voltage may be
shifted to a third voltage at first node 445-a, where first node
445-a may be coupled with a first plate of a capacitor 440-a.
Capacitor 440-a may store data associated with memory cell 405, as
represented by the second or third voltage. In some cases, a second
plate of capacitor 440-a may be coupled with a shift node 450, and
the shift node 450 may be driven to a lower voltage in order to
shift the second voltage to the third voltage at first node 445-a
(e.g., via capacitor 440-a). A similar shifting operation may be
performed on a second node 445-b of the sense component 435, where
second node 445-b may be configured to develop a reference voltage,
and may be coupled with a capacitor 440-b and with shift node 450.
Sense component 435 may sense the logic state of memory cell 405 by
comparing the third voltage to the reference voltage (e.g., by
latching or firing the third voltage and the reference
voltage).
[0078] Several benefits may be realized from using the parasitic
capacitance 425 to boost the first voltage to the second voltage,
and from using the shift node 450 and capacitor 440-a to shift the
second voltage to the third voltage, as illustrated by circuit
diagram 400. In some cases, the benefits may include reducing the
area of the memory device, which may also decrease fabrication time
and costs. In some cases, an amount of parasitic effects on the
integration node 415 may be reduced (e.g., because circuitry
coupling the integration node 415 with the cascode 410 may be
shortened). Reducing the amount of parasitic effects on the
integration node 415 may enable the circuit to produce a voltage
boost more quickly and accurately than with an additional
capacitor.
[0079] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a circuit diagram 500 that
supports sensing techniques for a memory cell in accordance with
examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, circuit diagram 500
may represent a portion of a memory device, where the memory device
may include components of a memory die as described with reference
to FIG. 2. For example, circuit diagram 500 may be associated with
a memory cell 505, which may be an example of a memory cell
described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Circuit diagram 500 may
also include a word line 210-b, a digit line 215-b, and a sense
component 535 (e.g., a latch), which may be coupled with memory
cell 505 and may be examples of a word line 210, a digit line 215,
and a sense component described with reference to FIG. 2. In some
cases, portions of circuit diagram 500 may represent portions of
circuit diagram 400. The memory device may employ portions of the
circuit illustrated in circuit diagram 500 to perform one or more
sensing operations with respect to memory cell 505 (e.g., in order
to sense a logic state of memory cell 505).
[0080] As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the footprint
of the memory device may be reduced by boosting and shifting a
voltage associated with the memory cell 505 using various circuit
components. For example a first voltage associated with the memory
cell may be boosted to a second voltage using a first parasitic
capacitance 525 (e.g., 525-a and/or 525-b) of a first transistor
520-a and the second voltage may be shifted to a third voltage
using one or more capacitors 540 associated with sense component
535. The footprint of memory device may be reduced by performing
similar operations on a reference voltage source. For example, a
first reference voltage may be boosted to a second reference
voltage using a second parasitic capacitance 525 (e.g., 525-c
and/or 525-d) of a second transistor 520-b and the second reference
voltage may be shifted to a third reference voltage using one or
more capacitors 540 associated with sense component 535.
[0081] As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the memory
device may activate a transistor 530-a (e.g., via word line 210-b)
and a cascode 510-a to couple the memory cell 505 with sense
component 535. The memory device may also active transistor 530-b
to switch on the first transistor 520-a (e.g., where transistor
520-a may be in a source-follower configuration). When transistor
530-b switches on, parasitic capacitances 525-a and 525-b (e.g., a
first parasitic capacitance 525) associated with the first
transistor 520-a may boost a first voltage associated with memory
cell 505 to a second voltage. In some cases, parasitic capacitances
525-a and 525-b may represent physical components of the circuit.
In some cases, parasitic capacitances 525-a and 525-b may not
represent physical components of the circuit, and may instead
represent a parasitic capacitance associated with one or more
physical components of the first transistor 520-a. The second
voltage (e.g., second voltage signal) may be developed on a first
integration node 515-a across parasitic capacitances 525-a and
525-b.
[0082] In some examples, transistor 530-c (e.g., a transistor) may
be switched on, such that the second voltage may also be applied to
a first node 545-a of sense component 535. Transistor 530-c may be
switched off once the second voltage is developed on first node
545-a, such that sense component 535 may be isolated from the first
transistor 520-a and the memory cell 505. The second voltage may be
shifted to a third voltage at first node 545-a, where first node
545-a may be coupled with a first plate of a first capacitor 540-a.
First capacitor 540-a may store data associated with memory cell
505, as represented by the second or third voltage. In some cases,
a second plate of first capacitor 540-a may be coupled with a shift
node 550, and the shift node 550 may be driven to a lower voltage
in order to shift the second voltage to the third voltage at first
node 545-a (e.g., via first capacitor 540-a) . Similar operations
may be performed simultaneously to develop a reference voltage on a
second node 545-b of the sense component 535, as described
below.
[0083] For example, the memory device may activate a transistor
530-e (e.g., a transistor) to couple a reference voltage source 555
with sense component 535. The memory device may also activate
transistor 530-f to switch on a second transistor 520-b (e.g.,
where transistor 520-b may be in a source-follower configuration).
When transistor 530-f switches on, parasitic capacitances 525-c and
525-d (e.g., a second parasitic capacitance 525) associated with
the second transistor 520-b may boost a first reference voltage
associated with reference voltage source 555 to a second reference
voltage.
[0084] In some cases, parasitic capacitances 525-c and 525-d may
represent physical components of the circuit. In some cases,
parasitic capacitances 525-c and 525-d may not represent physical
components of the circuit, and may instead represent a parasitic
capacitance associated with one or more physical components of the
second transistor 520-b. In one example, a drain and a source of
the second transistor 520-b may transition from a grounded state to
a high-voltage state when transistor 530-f switches on. This
transition may boost the first reference voltage to the second
reference voltage using the parasitic capacitances 525-c and 525-d
associated with a MOS of the second transistor 520-b. As such, the
second reference voltage (e.g., second reference voltage signal)
may be developed on a second integration node 515-b across
parasitic capacitances 525-c and 525-d.
[0085] In some examples, transistor 530-d (e.g., a transistor) may
be switched on, such that the second reference voltage may also be
applied to a second node 545-b of sense component 535. Transistor
530-d may be switched off once the second reference voltage is
developed on second node 545-b, such that sense component 535 may
be isolated from the second transistor 520-b and the reference
voltage source 555. The second reference voltage may be shifted to
a third reference voltage at second node 545-b, where second node
545-bmay be coupled with a first plate of a second capacitor 540-b.
Second capacitor 540-b may store data associated with reference
voltage source 555, as represented by the second or third reference
voltage. In some cases, a second plate of second capacitor 540-b
may be couple with shift node 550, and shift node 550 may be driven
to a lower voltage in order to shift the second reference voltage
to the third reference voltage at second node 545-b (e.g., via
second capacitor 540-b). Sense component 535 may sense the logic
state of memory cell 405 by comparing the third voltage to the
third reference voltage (e.g., by latching or firing the third
voltage and the third reference voltage). In some cases, the memory
device may be configured such that the third voltage and the third
reference voltage are produced simultaneously, and such that the
two voltages may be sampled in a same instant of time.
[0086] Several benefits may be realized from the circuit
illustrated by circuit diagram 500. In some cases, the benefits may
include reducing the area of the memory device, which may also
decrease fabrication time and costs. In some cases, an amount of
parasitic effects on the integration nodes 515 may be reduced
(e.g., because circuitry coupling the integration node 515-a with
cascode 510 and coupling the integration node 515-b with transistor
530-e may be shortened). Reducing the amount of parasitic effects
on the integration nodes 515 may enable the circuit to produce a
voltage boost more quickly and accurately. Further, the third
voltage and the third reference voltage may be produced
simultaneously, which may allow the memory device to sample the
signals from the reference voltage source 555 and the memory cell
505 in one step, which may decrease latency and increase read
and/or write times of the memory device.
[0087] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a timing diagram 600 that
supports sensing techniques for a memory cell in accordance with
examples as disclosed herein. The timing diagram 600 illustrates
procedures during a read operation, such as during one or more
sense portions of a read operation. A sense operation may
correspond to a time period between t1 and t6 that includes a first
phase 650 through a fifth phase 670. The read operation and other
operations may extend into a time period after t6. The timing
diagram 600 shows various voltages which may illustrate techniques
for memory cell sensing. The voltages may be associated with the
components of one or more circuits that may correspond to circuit
diagrams 400 and/or 500, and described with reference to FIGS. 4
and 5. The timing diagram 600 may additionally or alternatively
illustrate various voltages associated with a memory device, which
may be an example of a memory device described with reference to
FIG. 1. Timing diagram 600 may illustrate methods to boost a memory
cell voltage at t2 using a parasitic capacitance of a transistor in
a source-follower configuration. Timing diagram 600 may also
illustrate methods to shift a boosted voltage at t5 using a shift
node coupled to one or more capacitors of a sense component.
[0088] During an initial phase 645 (e.g., beginning at t0), which
may also be referred to as an idle period, a digit line voltage
(VDL) 605 and other voltages may be kept at a constant voltage
(e.g., within a threshold of a constant voltage). In some cases,
the constant voltages may be zero volts, a positive voltage, or a
negative voltage. The initial phase may represent a time before the
beginning of the read operation and the corresponding sense
operation. The digit line voltage 605 may be an example of a
voltage applied to or measured on a digit line 215 as described
with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5.
[0089] At t1, a first phase 650 may begin. A voltage may be applied
to the digit line (e.g., digit line 215) such that VDL 605 may be
driven from a constant initial voltage to an activated voltage
(VACT). The digit line may be used to access the memory cell for
read and sense operations (e.g., via VDL 605). For example, the
digit line may couple the memory cell a sense component via a
transistor in source-follower configuration (transistor 420 and 520
as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5).
[0090] At t2, a second phase 655 may begin as a second transistor
(e.g., transistor 430-bdescribed with reference to FIG. 4) coupled
with the transistor is switched on, by applying a switch voltage
610 (e.g., VSWITCH). The switch voltage 610 may move from a high
voltage to a low voltage to switch on the second transistor on when
the second transistor is a p-type transistor. In other examples,
when the second transistor is an n-type transistor the switch
voltage 610 may move from a low voltage to a high voltage to
activate the second transistor. When the second transistor switches
on (e.g., at or after t2), parasitic capacitances associated with
the transistor may boost a first voltage associated with the memory
cell to a second voltage (e.g., at or after t2), where the first
and the second voltage may be based on a logic state stored by the
memory cell. In one example, a drain and a source of the transistor
may transition from a grounded state to a high-voltage state when
the second transistor switches on, which may boost the first
voltage to the second voltage through feedback parasitic
capacitances associated with a MOS of the transistor. The
transistor may be coupled with an integration node and a source
follower node, such that a voltage of the integration node (VIN)
625 (e.g., node between transistor 420 and cascode 410 as described
with reference to FIG. 4) and a voltage of the source follower node
(VSFN) 630 (e.g., node between transistor 420 and transistor 430-c
as described with reference to FIG. 4) may be boosted when the
second transistor switches on. In some cases, VIN 625 may be higher
than VSFN 630.
[0091] When the second transistor switches on the transistor (e.g.,
at or after t2), VIN 625 may be boosted from a first voltage to a
second voltage (e.g., at or after t2), where the first voltage and
the second voltage may be based on a logic state of the memory
cell. In a first example where the memory cell stores a logic state
of "1," VIN 625-a may be boosted to a second voltage associated
with a logic state of "1" (VB,1). In a second example where the
memory cell stores a logic state of "0", VIN 625-b may be boosted
to a second voltage associated with a logic state of "0" (VB,0).
VSFN 630 may also be boosted from a first voltage to a second
voltage based on the logic state of the memory cell (e.g., at or
after t2). In one example, VSFN 630-a or VSFN 630-b may be boosted
to a second voltage associated with a logic state of "1" (VB,SF,1)
if the memory cell stores either logic state. If the memory cell
stores a logic state of "1" the second voltage may remain at
VB,SF,1, while if the memory cell stores a logic state of "0," the
second voltage may fall to a voltage associated with a logic state
of "0" (VB,SF,0) at or before t3.
[0092] At t3, a third phase 660 may begin, and an isolator
transistor (e.g., transistor 430-c or 530-c, or 530-c as described
with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5) that selectively couples the
transistor with the sense component may be activated (e.g., by
applying an isolation transistor voltage (VISO) 615 at or after
t3). The isolator transistor may couple a first node of the sense
component with the transistor (e.g., may couple the sense component
with the source follower node). As such, a voltage 635 (e.g.,
VSNS,1) of the first node (e.g., node 445-a and 545-b described
with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5) of the sense component may be
raised to a same voltage as VSFN 630 (e.g., at or after t3). For
example, VSNS,1 635-a may rise to VB,SF,1 if the logic state of the
memory cell is "1" or VSNS,1 635-b may rise to VB,SF,0 if the logic
state of the memory cell is "0". As described with reference to
FIG. 5, a second isolator transistor (e.g., 530-d as described with
reference to FIG. 5) may couple a second node of the sense
component to a reference voltage source (e.g., via a second
transistor in source-follower configuration). As such, a voltage of
the second node of the sense component (VSNS,2) 640 may rise to a
reference voltage at or after t3.
[0093] At t4, a fourth phase 665 may begin, and the isolator
transistor may be deactivated (e.g., at or after t4), which may
isolate the sense component from the transistor. The second
isolator transistor may also be deactivated, which may isolate the
sense component from the reference voltage source and from the
second transistor. In some cases, isolating the sense component may
result in slightly lower VSNS,1 635 and VSNS,2 640, as illustrated
at t4. In some cases, the change in VSNS,1 635 and VSNS,2 640 may
be small or undetectable.
[0094] At t5, a fifth phase 670 may begin, and a voltage 620 (e.g.,
VSN) of a shift node (e.g., shift node 450 or 550 described with
reference to FIGS. 4 and 5) may be shifted (e.g., at or after t5)
in order to shift VSNS,1 635 and VSNS,2 640. In some cases, the
shift node may be coupled to one or both of the first and second
nodes of the sense component, such that lowering the VSN 620 may
shift or lower VSNS,1 635 and VSNS,2 640. The shift node may be
coupled to the first node of the sense component via a first
capacitor, such that VSNS,1 635 may be shifted via the first
capacitor. The shift node may also be coupled to the second node of
the sense component via a second capacitor, such that VSNS,2 640
may be shifted via the second capacitor. In one example, VSNS,1
635-a may be shifted to a voltage corresponding to a logic state of
"1" (VS,1). In some cases, VS,1 may be a same voltage or near the
voltage of VB,SF,0, and in other cases VS,1 may be different from
VB,SF,0. In another example, VSNS,1 635-b may be shifted to a
voltage corresponding to a logic state of "0" (VS,0). VSNS,2 640
may also be shifted to a different voltage (e.g., to a lower
voltage). In some cases, the shifted VSNS,1 635 and VSNS,2 640 may
correspond to voltage levels that may enable the sense component to
sense the logic state of the memory cell.
[0095] At or after t6, the sense component may fire and may sense
the logic state of the memory cell using VSNS,1 635 (e.g., VSNS,1
635-a or VSNS,1 635-b) and VSNS,2 640. The read operation may
continue after t6 with one or more other operations associated with
reading the logic state of the memory cell.
[0096] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a memory device 705 that
supports sensing techniques for a memory cell in accordance with
examples as disclosed herein. The memory device 705 may be an
example of aspects of a memory device as described with reference
to FIGS. 4 through 6. The memory device 705 may include a coupling
component 710, a voltage increase component 715, an isolation
component 720, a voltage adjust component 725, and a read component
730. Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly,
with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0097] The coupling component 710 may couple a gate of a transistor
that is in a source-follower configuration with a memory cell to
apply a first voltage to the gate of the transistor. In some
examples, the coupling component 710 may couple a gate of a second
transistor in a source-follower configuration with a reference
voltage source to apply a first reference voltage to the gate of
the second transistor. In some examples, the coupling component 710
may activate a cascode of the memory cell, where coupling the gate
with the memory cell is based on activating the cascode. In some
examples, the coupling component 710 may apply an activation
voltage to a word line of the memory cell, where coupling the gate
with the memory cell is based on applying the activation voltage to
the word line.
[0098] The voltage increase component 715 may increase, after
coupling the gate with the memory cell, a first node of the
transistor to a second voltage based on a parasitic capacitance
associated with the transistor. In some examples, the voltage
increase component 715 may perform signal integration of the first
voltage based on the parasitic capacitance associated with the
transistor, where increasing the first node of the transistor to
the second voltage is based on performing the signal integration.
In some examples, the voltage increase component 715 may couple a
second node of the transistor with a voltage source based on
coupling the gate of the transistor with the memory cell, where
increasing the first node to the second voltage is based on
coupling the second node with the voltage source. In some examples,
the voltage increase component 715 may activate a second transistor
coupled with the voltage source and the second node of the
transistor. In some examples, the voltage increase component 715
may increase, based on coupling the gate of the second transistor
with the reference voltage source, a first node of the second
transistor to a second reference voltage based on a parasitic
capacitance associated with the second transistor.
[0099] The isolation component 720 may isolate a latch from the
first node of the transistor based on increasing the first node to
the second voltage. In some examples, the isolation component 720
may isolate the latch from the first node of the second transistor
based on increasing the first node of the second transistor to the
second reference voltage.
[0100] The voltage adjust component 725 may adjust, at a node of
the latch, the second voltage to a third voltage based on isolating
the latch from the first node. In some examples, the voltage adjust
component 725 may apply a signal to a first plate of a capacitor
that includes a second plate coupled with the node of the latch
based on isolating the latch from the first node, where adjusting
the second voltage to the third voltage is based on applying the
signal. In some examples, the voltage adjust component 725 may
adjust, at a second node of the latch, the second reference voltage
to a third reference voltage based on isolating the latch from the
first node of the second transistor.
[0101] The read component 730 may determine a logic state stored by
the memory cell based on adjusting the second voltage to the third
voltage. In some examples, the read component 730 may compare the
third voltage with the third reference voltage, where determining
the logic state stored by the memory cell is based on comparing the
third voltage with the third reference voltage.
[0102] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart illustrating a method or methods
800 that supports sensing techniques for a memory cell in
accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The operations of
method 800 may be implemented by a memory device or its components
as described herein. For example, the operations of method 800 may
be performed by a memory device as described with reference to FIG.
7. In some examples, a memory device may execute a set of
instructions to control the functional elements of the memory
device to perform the described functions. Additionally or
alternatively, a memory device may perform aspects of the described
functions using special-purpose hardware.
[0103] At 805, the memory device may couple a gate of a transistor
that is in a source-follower configuration with a memory cell to
apply a first voltage to the gate of the transistor. The operations
of 805 may be performed according to the methods described herein.
In some examples, aspects of the operations of 805 may be performed
by a coupling component as described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0104] At 810, the memory device may increase, after coupling the
gate with the memory cell, a first node of the transistor to a
second voltage based on a parasitic capacitance associated with the
transistor. The operations of 810 may be performed according to the
methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the
operations of 810 may be performed by a voltage increase component
as described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0105] At 815, the memory device may isolate a latch from the first
node of the transistor based on increasing the first node to the
second voltage. The operations of 815 may be performed according to
the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the
operations of 815 may be performed by an isolation component as
described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0106] At 820, the memory device may adjust, at a node of the
latch, the second voltage to a third voltage based on isolating the
latch from the first node. The operations of 820 may be performed
according to the methods described herein. In some examples,
aspects of the operations of 820 may be performed by a voltage
adjust component as described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0107] At 825, the memory device may determine a logic state stored
by the memory cell based on adjusting the second voltage to the
third voltage. The operations of 825 may be performed according to
the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the
operations of 825 may be performed by a read component as described
with reference to FIG. 7.
[0108] In some examples, an apparatus as described herein may
perform a method or methods, such as the method 800. The apparatus
may include features, means, or instructions (e.g., a
non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions
executable by a processor) for coupling a gate of a transistor that
is in a source-follower configuration with a memory cell to apply a
first voltage to the gate of the transistor, increasing, after
coupling the gate with the memory cell, a first node of the
transistor to a second voltage based on a parasitic capacitance
associated with the transistor, isolating a latch from the first
node of the transistor based on increasing the first node to the
second voltage, adjusting, at a node of the latch, the second
voltage to a third voltage based on isolating the latch from the
first node, and determining a logic state stored by the memory cell
based on adjusting the second voltage to the third voltage.
[0109] Some examples of the method 800 and the apparatus described
herein may further include operations, features, means, or
instructions for performing signal integration of the first voltage
based on the parasitic capacitance associated with the transistor,
where increasing the first node of the transistor to the second
voltage may be based on performing the signal integration.
[0110] Some examples of the method 800 and the apparatus described
herein may further include operations, features, means, or
instructions for coupling a second node of the transistor with a
voltage source based on coupling the gate of the transistor with
the memory cell, where increasing the first node to the second
voltage may be based on coupling the second node with the voltage
source.
[0111] In some examples of the method 800 and the apparatus
described herein, coupling the second node of the transistor with
the voltage source further may include operations, features, means,
or instructions for activating a second transistor coupled with the
voltage source and the second node of the transistor.
[0112] Some examples of the method 800 and the apparatus described
herein may further include operations, features, means, or
instructions for applying a signal to a first plate of a capacitor
that includes a second plate coupled with the node of the latch
based on isolating the latch from the first node, where adjusting
the second voltage to the third voltage may be based on applying
the signal.
[0113] Some examples of the method 800 and the apparatus described
herein may further include operations, features, means, or
instructions for coupling a gate of a second transistor in a
source-follower configuration with a reference voltage source to
apply a first reference voltage to the gate of the second
transistor, increasing, based on coupling the gate of the second
transistor with the reference voltage source, a first node of the
second transistor to a second reference voltage based on a
parasitic capacitance associated with the second transistor,
isolating the latch from the first node of the second transistor
based on increasing the first node of the second transistor to the
second reference voltage, and adjusting, at a second node of the
latch, the second reference voltage to a third reference voltage
based on isolating the latch from the first node of the second
transistor.
[0114] Some examples of the method 800 and the apparatus described
herein may further include operations, features, means, or
instructions for comparing the third voltage with the third
reference voltage, where determining the logic state stored by the
memory cell may be based on comparing the third voltage with the
third reference voltage.
[0115] Some examples of the method 800 and the apparatus described
herein may further include operations, features, means, or
instructions for activating a cascode of the memory cell, where
coupling the gate with the memory cell may be based on activating
the cascode.
[0116] Some examples of the method 800 and the apparatus described
herein may further include operations, features, means, or
instructions for applying an activation voltage to a word line of
the memory cell, where coupling the gate with the memory cell may
be based on applying the activation voltage to the word line.
[0117] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart illustrating a method or methods
900 that supports sensing techniques for a memory cell in
accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The operations of
method 900 may be implemented by a memory device or its components
as described herein. For example, the operations of method 900 may
be performed by a memory device as described with reference to FIG.
7. In some examples, a memory device may execute a set of
instructions to control the functional elements of the memory
device to perform the described functions. Additionally or
alternatively, a memory device may perform aspects of the described
functions using special-purpose hardware.
[0118] At 905, the memory device may couple a gate of a transistor
that is in a source-follower configuration with a memory cell to
apply a first voltage to the gate of the transistor. The operations
of 905 may be performed according to the methods described herein.
In some examples, aspects of the operations of 905 may be performed
by a coupling component as described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0119] At 910, the memory device may increase, after coupling the
gate with the memory cell, a first node of the transistor to a
second voltage based on a parasitic capacitance associated with the
transistor. The operations of 910 may be performed according to the
methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the
operations of 910 may be performed by a voltage increase component
as described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0120] At 915, the memory device may perform signal integration of
the first voltage based on the parasitic capacitance associated
with the transistor, where increasing the first node of the
transistor to the second voltage is based on performing the signal
integration. The operations of 915 may be performed according to
the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the
operations of 915 may be performed by a voltage increase component
as described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0121] At 920, the memory device may isolate a latch from the first
node of the transistor based on increasing the first node to the
second voltage. The operations of 920 may be performed according to
the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the
operations of 920 may be performed by an isolation component as
described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0122] At 925, the memory device may adjust, at a node of the
latch, the second voltage to a third voltage based on isolating the
latch from the first node. The operations of 925 may be performed
according to the methods described herein. In some examples,
aspects of the operations of 925 may be performed by a voltage
adjust component as described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0123] At 930, the memory device may determine a logic state stored
by the memory cell based on adjusting the second voltage to the
third voltage. The operations of 930 may be performed according to
the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the
operations of 930 may be performed by a read component as described
with reference to FIG. 7.
[0124] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a method or methods
1000 that supports sensing techniques for a memory cell in
accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The operations of
method 1000 may be implemented by a memory device or its components
as described herein. For example, the operations of method 1000 may
be performed by a memory device as described with reference to FIG.
7. In some examples, a memory device may execute a set of
instructions to control the functional elements of the memory
device to perform the described functions. Additionally or
alternatively, a memory device may perform aspects of the described
functions using special-purpose hardware.
[0125] At 1005, the memory device may couple a gate of a second
transistor in a source-follower configuration with a reference
voltage source to apply a first reference voltage to the gate of
the second transistor. The operations of 1005 may be performed
according to the methods described herein. In some examples,
aspects of the operations of 1005 may be performed by a coupling
component as described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0126] At 1010, the memory device may increase, based on coupling
the gate of the second transistor with the reference voltage
source, a first node of the second transistor to a second reference
voltage based on a parasitic capacitance associated with the second
transistor. The operations of 1010 may be performed according to
the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the
operations of 1010 may be performed by a voltage increase component
as described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0127] At 1015, the memory device may isolate the latch from the
first node of the second transistor based on increasing the first
node of the second transistor to the second reference voltage. The
operations of 1015 may be performed according to the methods
described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of
1015 may be performed by an isolation component as described with
reference to FIG. 7.
[0128] At 1020, the memory device may adjust, at a second node of
the latch, the second reference voltage to a third reference
voltage based on isolating the latch from the first node of the
second transistor. The operations of 1020 may be performed
according to the methods described herein. In some examples,
aspects of the operations of 1020 may be performed by a voltage
adjust component as described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0129] It should be noted that the methods described above describe
possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may
be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations
are possible. Further, portions from two or more of the methods may
be combined.
[0130] An apparatus is described. The apparatus may include a
memory cell, a transistor in a source-follower configuration and
selectively couplable with the memory cell, the transistor
including a parasitic capacitance to increase a voltage of a signal
received from the memory cell, a latch selectively couplable with
the transistor and configured to determine a logic state stored by
the memory cell, and a capacitor coupled with the latch and
selectively couplable with the transistor, the capacitor configured
to adjust the voltage increased by the transistor.
[0131] Some examples of the apparatus may include a voltage source
selectively couplable with a second node of the transistor, where
the parasitic capacitance of the transistor increases the voltage
based on selectively coupling the voltage source with the second
node of the transistor. Some examples of the apparatus may include
a second transistor coupled with the voltage source and the second
node of the transistor, the second transistor configured to
selectively couple the voltage source with the second node of the
transistor. In some examples, the capacitor includes a first plate
coupled with a shift node and a second plate coupled with a first
node of the latch, the shift node configured to receive a signal to
adjust the voltage increased by the transistor.
[0132] Some examples may further include comparing the adjusted
voltage with a reference voltage, where determining the logic state
stored by the memory cell may be based on comparing the adjusted
voltage with the reference voltage. Some examples of the apparatus
may include a cascode coupled with a digit line associated with the
memory cell and configured to selectively couple the transistor
with the digit line. Some examples of the apparatus may include a
word line coupled with the memory cell and configured to
selectively couple the memory cell with the digit line.
[0133] An apparatus is described. The apparatus may include a
memory cell, a first transistor in a source-follower configuration
selectively couplable with the memory cell, the first transistor
including a first parasitic capacitance to increase a voltage of a
signal received from the memory cell, a reference voltage source, a
second transistor in a source-follower configuration selectively
couplable with the reference voltage source, the second transistor
including a second parasitic capacitance to increase a voltage of a
signal received from the reference voltage source, a latch
selectively couplable with the first transistor and selectively
couplable with the second transistor, the latch configured to
determine a logic state stored by the memory cell, a first
capacitor coupled with the latch and selectively couplable with the
first transistor, the first capacitor configured to adjust the
voltage increased by the first transistor, and a second capacitor
coupled with the latch and selectively couplable with the second
transistor, the second capacitor configured to adjust the voltage
increased by the second transistor.
[0134] Some examples of the apparatus may include a voltage source
selectively couplable with a second node of the first transistor
and a second node of the second transistor. Some examples of the
apparatus may include a third transistor coupled with the voltage
source and the second node of the first transistor, the third
transistor configured to selectively couple the voltage source with
the second node of the first transistor, and a fourth transistor
coupled with the voltage source and the second node of the second
transistor, the fourth transistor configured to selectively couple
the voltage source with the second node of the second
transistor.
[0135] In some examples, the first capacitor includes a first plate
coupled with a shift node and a second plate coupled with a first
node of the latch, the shift node configured to receive a first
signal to adjust the voltage increased by the first transistor, and
the second capacitor includes a first plate coupled with the shift
node and a second plate coupled with a second node of the latch,
the shift node configured to receive a second signal to adjust the
voltage increased by the second transistor. In some examples, the
second signal may be the same as the first signal. Some examples
may further include comparing the voltage adjusted by the first
capacitor with the voltage adjusted by the second capacitor, where
determining the logic state stored by the memory cell may be based
on comparing the voltage adjusted by the first capacitor with the
voltage adjusted by the second capacitor.
[0136] Some examples of the apparatus may include a cascode coupled
with a digit line associated with the memory cell and configured to
selectively couple the first transistor with the digit line. Some
examples of the apparatus may include a word line coupled with the
memory cell and configured to selectively couple the memory cell
with the digit line. Some examples of the apparatus may include a
fourth transistor coupled with the reference voltage source and the
second transistor, the fourth transistor configured to selectively
couple the reference voltage source with the second transistor.
[0137] Information and signals described herein may be represented
using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques.
For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals,
bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the
above description may be represented by voltages, currents,
electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields
or particles, or any combination thereof. Some drawings may
illustrate signals as a single signal; however, it will be
understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the signal
may represent a bus of signals, where the bus may have a variety of
bit widths.
[0138] As used herein, the term "virtual ground" refers to a node
of an electrical circuit that is held at a voltage of approximately
zero volts (0V) but that is not directly coupled with ground.
Accordingly, the voltage of a virtual ground may temporarily
fluctuate and return to approximately 0V at steady state. A virtual
ground may be implemented using various electronic circuit
elements, such as a voltage divider consisting of operational
amplifiers and resistors. Other implementations are also possible.
"Virtual grounding" or "virtually grounded" means connected to
approximately 0V.
[0139] The terms "electronic communication," "conductive contact,"
"connected," and "coupled" may refer to a relationship between
components that supports the flow of signals between the
components. Components are considered in electronic communication
with (or in conductive contact with or connected with or coupled
with) one another if there is any conductive path between the
components that can, at any time, support the flow of signals
between the components. At any given time, the conductive path
between components that are in electronic communication with each
other (or in conductive contact with or connected with or coupled
with) may be an open circuit or a closed circuit based on the
operation of the device that includes the connected components. The
conductive path between connected components may be a direct
conductive path between the components or the conductive path
between connected components may be an indirect conductive path
that may include intermediate components, such as switches,
transistors, or other components. In some cases, the flow of
signals between the connected components may be interrupted for a
time, for example, using one or more intermediate components such
as switches or transistors.
[0140] The term "coupling" refers to condition of moving from an
open-circuit relationship between components in which signals are
not presently capable of being communicated between the components
over a conductive path to a closed-circuit relationship between
components in which signals can be communicated between components
over the conductive path. When a component, such as a controller,
couples other components together, the component initiates a change
that allows signals to flow between the other components over a
conductive path that previously did not permit signals to flow.
[0141] The term "isolated" refers to a relationship between
components in which signals are not presently capable of flowing
between the components. Components are isolated from each other if
there is an open circuit between them. For example, two components
separated by a switch that is positioned between the components are
isolated from each other when the switch is open. When a controller
isolates two components from one another, the controller affects a
change that prevents signals from flowing between the components
using a conductive path that previously permitted signals to
flow.
[0142] As used herein, the term "electrode" may refer to an
electrical conductor, and in some cases, may be employed as an
electrical contact to a memory cell or other component of a memory
array. An electrode may include a trace, wire, conductive line,
conductive layer, or the like that provides a conductive path
between elements or components of memory array.
[0143] The devices discussed herein, including a memory array, may
be formed on a semiconductor substrate, such as silicon, germanium,
silicon-germanium alloy, gallium arsenide, gallium nitride, etc. In
some cases, the substrate is a semiconductor wafer. In other cases,
the substrate may be a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, such
as silicon-on-glass (SOG) or silicon-on-sapphire (SOP), or
epitaxial layers of semiconductor materials on another substrate.
The conductivity of the substrate, or sub-regions of the substrate,
may be controlled through doping using various chemical species
including, but not limited to, phosphorous, boron, or arsenic.
Doping may be performed during the initial formation or growth of
the substrate, by ion-implantation, or by any other doping
means.
[0144] A switching component or a transistor discussed herein may
represent a field-effect transistor (FET) and comprise a three
terminal device including a source, drain, and gate. The terminals
may be connected to other electronic elements through conductive
materials, e.g., metals. The source and drain may be conductive and
may comprise a heavily-doped, e.g., degenerate, semiconductor
region. The source and drain may be separated by a lightly-doped
semiconductor region or channel. If the channel is n-type (i.e.,
majority carriers are electrons), then the FET may be referred to
as a n-type FET. If the channel is p-type (i.e., majority carriers
are holes), then the FET may be referred to as a p-type FET. The
channel may be capped by an insulating gate oxide. The channel
conductivity may be controlled by applying a voltage to the gate.
For example, applying a positive voltage or negative voltage to an
n-type FET or a p-type FET, respectively, may result in the channel
becoming conductive. A transistor may be "on" or "activated" when a
voltage greater than or equal to the transistor's threshold voltage
is applied to the transistor gate. The transistor may be "off" or
"deactivated" when a voltage less than the transistor's threshold
voltage is applied to the transistor gate.
[0145] The description set forth herein, in connection with the
appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not
represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are
within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" used herein
means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and not
"preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The detailed
description includes specific details to providing an understanding
of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be
practiced without these specific details. In some instances,
well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form
to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.
[0146] In the appended figures, similar components or features may
have the same reference label. Further, various components of the
same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by
a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar
components. If just the first reference label is used in the
specification, the description is applicable to any one of the
similar components having the same first reference label
irrespective of the second reference label.
[0147] The various illustrative blocks and modules described in
connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or
performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA
or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor
logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof
designed to perform the functions described herein. A
general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the
alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller,
microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be
implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration).
[0148] The functions described herein may be implemented in
hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any
combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a
processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as
one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.
Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the
disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of
software, functions described above can be implemented using
software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring,
or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions
may also be physically located at various positions, including
being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented
at different physical locations. Also, as used herein, including in
the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (for example, a list of
items prefaced by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or
more of") indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a
list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or
BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase
"based on" shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of
conditions. For example, an exemplary step that is described as
"based on condition A" may be based on both a condition A and a
condition B without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on"
shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase "based at least
in part on."
[0149] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory
computer storage media and communication media including any medium
that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to
another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available
medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose
computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory
computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, electrically
erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disk (CD)
ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other
magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that
can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the
form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by
a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose
or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly
termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is
transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber
line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as
infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of
medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc,
optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray
disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs
reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are
also included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0150] The description herein is provided to enable a person
skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various
modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled
in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be
applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the
disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and
designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope
consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed
herein.
* * * * *