IP Library Patent Application 14278763
Patent Application
App. No. 14/278,763

OPTIMIZATION OF CIRCUIT LAYOUT AREA OF A MEMORY DEVICE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
14/278,763
Abstract

A memory cell including a storage cell, a write port cell, and a read port cell is discussed. The storage cell is configured to store a logic value. The write port cell is configured to write the logic value. The read port cell is configured to read the stored logic value and includes a plurality of read ports. At least a first port of the plurality of read ports includes a first and a second active diffusion region that are each configured to be used for implementation of a second p-channel transistor. At least a second read port of the plurality of read ports includes a third and fourth active diffusion regions that are each configured to be used for implementation of a second n-channel transistor.

Claims (48)

1 . A memory cell, comprising:

a storage cell configured to store a logic value;

a write port cell coupled to the storage cell configured to write the logic value; and

a read port cell coupled to the storage cell configured to read the stored logic value, the read port cell comprising a plurality of read ports,

wherein a first read port of the plurality of read ports includes a first p-channel transistor and a second p-channel transistor, and

wherein a second read port of the plurality of read ports includes a first n-channel transistor and a second n-channel transistor.

2 . The memory cell of claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the plurality of read ports each includes the first p-channel transistor and the second p-channel transistor, and

wherein a second portion of the plurality of read ports each includes the first n-channel transistor and the second n-channel transistor.

3 . The memory cell of claim 1 , wherein the first and the second p-channel transistors and the first and the second n-channel transistors are fin field effect transistors (FinFETs).

4 . The memory cell of claim 1 , wherein the first and the second p-channel transistors and the first and the second n-channel transistors are metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs).

5 . The memory cell of claim 1 , wherein gates of the first p-channel transistor and the first n-channel transistor are coupled to an output node of the storage cell.

6 . The memory cell of claim 1 , wherein the second p-channel transistor is coupled to a first read bit line (RBL) and a first read word line (RWL), and

wherein the second n-channel transistor is coupled to a second RBL and a second RWL.

7 . The memory cell of claim 6 , wherein the first RBL is configured to be precharged to a first voltage level, and

wherein the second RBL is configured to be precharged to a second voltage level, the second voltage level being different from the first voltage level.

8 . The memory cell of claim 1 , wherein the storage cell comprises:

a feedback loop; and

a switching circuit configured to open the feedback loop during a write mode of operation.

9 . The memory cell of claim 1 , wherein the storage cell comprises:

a feedback loop: and

a reset circuit configured to:

open the feedback loop; and

set a logic value at an input node of the storage cell.

10 . A memory cell, comprising:

a storage cell configured to store a logic value;

a write port cell, coupled to the storage cell, configured to write the logic value; and

a read port cell, coupled to the storage cell, configured to read the stored logic value, the read port cell comprising a plurality of read ports,

wherein a first read port of the plurality of read ports includes a first active diffusion region and a second active diffusion region, the first active diffusion region being configured to be used for implementation of a first p-channel transistor and the second active diffusion region being configured to be used for implementation of a second p-channel transistor, and

wherein a second read port of the plurality of read ports includes a third active diffusion region and a fourth active diffusion region, the third active diffusion region being configured to be used for implementation of a first n-channel transistor and the second active diffusion region being configured to be used for implementation of a second n-channel transistor.

11 . The memory cell of claim 10 , wherein the first and the second active diffusion regions are configured to form a first substantially continuous active diffusion region, and

wherein the third and the fourth active diffusion regions are configured to form a second substantially continuous active diffusion region.

12 . The memory cell of claim 10 , wherein the first and the second p-channel transistors and the first and the second n-channel transistors are metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs).

13 . The memory cell of claim 10 , wherein the first and the second p-channel transistors and the first and the second n-channel transistors are fin field effect transistors (FinFETs).

14 . The memory cell of claim 10 , wherein a first portion of the plurality of read ports each includes the first p-channel transistor and the second p-channel transistor, and

wherein a second portion of the plurality of read ports each includes the first n-channel transistor and the second n-channel transistor.

15 . The memory cell of claim 10 , wherein the first portion of the plurality of read ports each further includes a first polysilicon region, the first polysilicon region being configured as a first gate region of the first p-channel transistor, and

wherein the second portion of the plurality of read ports each further includes a second polysilicon region, the second polysilicon region being configured as a second gate region of the first n-channel transistor.

16 . The memory cell of claim 15 , wherein the first and the second polysilicon regions are configured to form a substantially continuous polysilicon region.

17 . A semiconductor device, comprising:

a storage cell configured to store a logic value;

a write port cell configured to write the logic value; and

a read port cell configured to read the stored logic value, the read port cell comprising a first read port and a second read port,

wherein the first read port includes a first active diffusion region and a second active diffusion region, the first active diffusion region being configured to be used for implementation of a first p-channel transistor and the second active diffusion region being configured to be used for implementation of a second p-channel transistor, and

wherein the second read port includes a third active diffusion region and a fourth active diffusion region, the third active diffusion region being configured to be used for implementation of a first n-channel transistor and the second active diffusion region being configured to be used for implementation of a second n-channel transistor.

18 . The semiconductor device of claim 17 , wherein the first read port further includes a first polysilicon region, the first polysilicon region being configured as a first gate region of the first p-channel transistor, and

wherein the second read port further includes a second polysilicon region, the second polysilicon region being configured as a second gate region of the first n-channel transistor.

19 . The semiconductor device of claim 18 , wherein the first and the second polysilicon regions are configured to form a substantially continuous polysilicon region.

20 . The semiconductor device of claim 17 , wherein the first and the second p-channel transistors and the first and second n-channel transistors are fin field effect transistors (FinFETs).

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 May 15, 2014
From: CHU, SCOTT YU-FAN
To: BROADCOM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032906/0738 →