Interlocking memory/logic cell layout and method of manufacture
A memory/logic cell layout structure includes a pair of memory/logic cells formed on a substrate. Each memory/logic cell ( 102, 104 ) can include a pair of memory areas to store data ( 106 - 0/106 - 1, 106 - 2/106 - 3 ), and a logic portion ( 108 - 0, 108 - 1 ) that receives the data stored therein. Memory areas and the logic portions of each memory/logic cell can be arranged on the substrate in a shape of an L, U, S, T, or Z to form a pair of interlocking memory/logic cells.
1. A configuration for memory/logic cells, comprising:
a first memory/logic cell having at least a first memory cell with at least one pass transistor and a first logic section coupled between a first pseudo-supply node that is selectively isolated from a power supply and a first match line; and
a second memory/logic cell having at least a second memory cell with at least one pass transistor and a second logic section coupled between a second pseudo-supply node that is selectively isolated from the power supply and a second match line; wherein
the at least one pass transistor of the at least first memory cell is coupled to the second pseudo-supply node.
2. The configuration of claim 1 , wherein:
the first and second logic sections each include a plurality of transistors physically arranged in series with one another to form at least one stack.
3. The configuration of claim 2 , wherein:
the plurality of transistors comprise n-channel insulated gate field effect transistors.
4. The configuration of claim 2 , wherein:
the plurality of transistors form a first stack in parallel with a second stack, at least a first transistor of the first stack having a gate coupled to the first memory cell and at least a first transistor of the second stack having a gate coupled to the second memory cell.
5. The configuration of claim 4 , further including:
a first and second data line arranged in parallel with and formed over the first and second stacks;
at least a second transistor in the first stack and at least a second transistor in the second stack having gates coupled to the first data line, and
at least a third transistor in the first stack and at least a third transistor in the second stack having gates coupled to the second data line.
6. The configuration of claim 2 , further including:
the plurality of transistors form a first stack in parallel with a second stack; and
a first and second pseudo-supply line arranged essentially perpendicular to and formed over the first and second stacks, the first pseudo-supply line being coupled to at least one transistor of the first stack, and the second pseudo-supply line being coupled to at least one transistor of the second stack.
7. The configuration of claim 2 , further including:
the plurality of transistors form a first stack in parallel with a second stack; and
a first and second match line arranged essentially perpendicular to and formed over the first and second stacks, the first match line being coupled to the first stack, and the second match line being coupled to the second stack.
8. The configuration of claim 2 , further including:
the first memory/logic cell comprises a first latch and a second latch; and
a first power supply line formed over and essentially parallel to the at least one stack, the first power supply line being commonly coupled to the first and second latch at a single node.
9. The configuration of claim 8 , further including:
the second memory/logic cell comprises a third latch and a fourth latch;
the first power supply line is commonly coupled to the third and fourth latch at a single node;
a second power supply line essentially parallel to the first power supply line commonly coupled to the first and third latches; and
a third power supply line formed over and essentially parallel to the first power supply line, the third power supply line being commonly coupled to the second and fourth latches; wherein
the second and third power supply lines provide a different power supply voltage than the first power supply line.
10. The configuration of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one pass transistor of the at least second memory cell is coupled to the first pseudo-supply node.
11. The configuration of claim 1 , further including:
the first memory/logic cell is formed in one row of an array of memory/logic cells; and
the second memory/logic cell is formed in another row of the array that is adjacent to the one row.
12. The configuration of claim 1 , wherein:
the first memory/logic cell comprises a first latch and a second latch that each store data values on complementary logic nodes, one logic node of the first and second latch being accessed by a first word line, the other logic node of the first latch being coupled to the second pseudo-supply node in response to a first preset word line, and the other logic node of the second latch being coupled to the first pseudo-supply node in response to the first preset word line.
13. The configuration of claim 12 , wherein:
the second memory/logic cell comprises a third latch and a fourth latch that each store data values on complementary logic nodes, one logic node of the third and fourth latch being accessed by a second word line, the other logic node of the third latch being coupled to the second pseudo-supply node in response to a second preset word line, and the other logic node of the fourth latch being coupled to the first pseudo-supply node in response to the second preset word line.