发明名称 Two capacitor self-referencing nonvolatile bitcell
摘要 A system on chip (SoC) provides a memory array of self referencing nonvolatile bitcells. Each bit cell includes two ferroelectric capacitors connected in series between a first plate line and a second plate line, such that a node Q is formed between the two ferroelectric capacitors. The first plate line and the second plate line are configured to provide a voltage approximately equal to first voltage while the bit cell is not being accessed. A clamping circuit coupled to the node Q. A first read capacitor is coupled to the bit line via a transfer device controlled by a first control signal. A second read capacitor coupled to the bit line via another transfer device controlled by a second control signal. A sense amp is coupled between the first read capacitor and the second read capacitor.
申请公布号 US8817520(B2) 申请公布日期 2014.08.26
申请号 US201313753814 申请日期 2013.01.30
申请人 Texas Instruments Incorporated 发明人 Khanna Sudhanshu;Bartling Steven Craig
分类号 G11C11/22 主分类号 G11C11/22
代理机构 代理人 Pessetto John R.;Telecky, Jr. Frederick J.
主权项 1. A system on chip (SoC) comprising: a memory array of self referencing non-volatile bit cells, wherein each bit cell comprises: two ferroelectric capacitors connected in series between a first plate line and a second plate line, such that a node Q is formed between the two ferroelectric capacitors, wherein the first plate line and the second plate line are configured to provide a voltage approximately equal to first voltage while the bit cell is not being accessed; anda transfer gate coupled between the node Q and a bit line;wherein the memory array further comprises: a first read capacitor coupled to the bit line via a transfer device controlled by a first control signal; a second read capacitor coupled to the bit line via another transfer device controlled by a second control signal; and a sense amp coupled between the first read capacitor and the second read capacitor, the sense amp being operable to determine a value stored in a selected bit cell by comparing a first sense voltage transferred from the node Q to the first read capacitor by the first transfer device and a second sense voltage transferred from the node Q to the second read capacitor by the second transfer device; wherein each bit cell further comprises a clamping circuit coupled to the node Q, wherein the clamping circuit is operable to clamp the node Q to a voltage approximately equal to first voltage while the bit cell is not being accessed; wherein the memory array further comprises a pre-charge circuit coupled to the first read capacitor and to the second read capacitor; wherein the memory array further comprises a controller, wherein the controller is configured to read a selected bit cell by releasing the clamp device, pre-charging the first and second read capacitors, placing a second voltage on the first plate line while maintaining the first voltage on the second plate line, enabling the transfer gate, and asserting the first control signal to transfer the first sense voltage from the node Q to the first read capacitor, placing a second voltage on the second plate line while maintaining the first voltage on the first plate line, enabling the transfer gate, and asserting the second control signal to transfer the second sense voltage from the node Q to the second read capacitor; wherein the precharge circuit is operable to precharge the first read capacitor and the second read capacitor to a voltage value approximately midway between the first voltage and the second voltage.
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