IP Library Granted Patent US 8,509,023
Granted Patent B2
US 8,509,023 · App. 13/446,584 · Granted Aug 13, 2013

Method and system for split threshold voltage programmable bitcells

Inventor: Jonathan Schmitt (Eden Prairie, MN)
Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,509,023
App. No.
13/446,584
Granted
Aug 13, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A memory device includes an antifuse. The antifuse is configured to program a bit cell of the memory device. The antifuse is configured with a PMOS device.

Claims (31)

1. A bitcell comprising:

an insulating layer;

a first doping layer under the insulating layer;

a second doping layer under the insulating layer and characterized by a higher gate voltage breakdown than the first doping layer; and

a gate terminal for the insulating layer, the bitcell configured for programming by a voltage on the gate terminal that results in a conductive hole selectively burned in the insulating layer between the gate terminal and the first doping layer.

2. The bitcell of claim 1 , where the bitcell is configured as an antifuse.

3. The bitcell of claim 1 , where the first and the second doping layers are adjacent to one another under the insulating layer.

4. The bitcell of claim 1 , where the conductive hole is selectively burned between the first doping layer and the gate terminal by virtue of the higher gate voltage breakdown voltage of the second doping layer.

5. The bitcell of claim 1 , where the insulating layer is adjacent to the first doping layer.

6. The bitcell of claim 1 , where the second doping layer is in between the first doping layer and an output terminal of the bitcell.

7. The bitcell of claim 1 , where the first doping layer is located under the insulating layer according to a desired location for the conductive hole and thus for a desired gate length for the bitcell.

8. A bitcell comprising:

an insulating layer;

a first doping layer under the insulating layer;

a second doping layer under the insulating layer and characterized by a lower threshold voltage than the first doping layer; and

a gate terminal for the insulating layer, the bitcell configured for programming by a voltage on the gate terminal that results in a conductive hole selectively burned in the insulating layer between the gate terminal and the first doping layer.

9. The bitcell of claim 8 , where the bitcell is configured as an antifuse.

10. The bitcell of claim 8 , where the first and the second doping layers are adjacent to one another under the insulating layer.

11. The bitcell of claim 8 , where the insulating layer is adjacent to the first doping layer.

12. The bitcell of claim 8 , where the second doping layer is in between the first doping layer and an output terminal of the bitcell.

13. The bitcell of claim 8 , where the first doping layer is located under the insulating layer according to a desired location for the conductive hole and thus for a desired gate length for the bitcell.

14. The bitcell of claim 8 , where the first doping layer is characterized by a lower gate voltage breakdown than the second doping layer.

15. A bitcell comprising:

a gate region;

an insulating layer under the gate region; and

a substrate layer defining a channel under the insulating layer, the channel comprising a variable doping profile that causes formation of a conductive hole, burned through the insulating layer, in a selected portion of the insulating layer above the doped channel.

16. The bitcell of claim 15 , where the bitcell is embedded in a one time programmable memory.

17. The bitcell of claim 15 , where the variable doping profile comprises at least two regions, each with a different doping profile.

18. The bitcell of claim 15 , where the variable doping profile results in a low gate voltage breakdown in the region of the selected portion of the insulating layer, relative to other portions of the insulating layer.

19. The bitcell of claim 15 , where the variable doping profile results in a high threshold voltage in the region of the selected portion of the insulating layer, relative to other portions of the insulating layer.

20. The bitcell of claim 15 , where the selected portion corresponds to a pre-determined desired gate length for the bitcell, when programmed.

Assignments (4)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 3, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BROADCOM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041712/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2017
From: BROADCOM CORPORATION
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 041706/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: BROADCOM CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 037806/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2012
From: SCHMITT, JONATHAN
To: BROADCOM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028946/0888 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 13173149 · Jun 30, 2011
Continuation In Part 12689122 · Jan 18, 2010
Continuation 11505744 · Aug 17, 2006
Related Publication 20120195091A1 · Aug 2, 2012