IP Library Granted Patent US 9,570,165
Granted Patent B2
US 9,570,165 · App. 14/568,011 · Granted Feb 14, 2017

1D-2R memory architecture

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,570,165
App. No.
14/568,011
Granted
Feb 14, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A memory device includes an array of resistive memory cells. Each resistive memory cell in the array includes a first resistive memory element, a second resistive memory element, and a two-terminal switching element. The first resistive memory element is electrically coupled to the second resistive memory element and to the switching element at a common node.

Claims (53)

1. A memory cell, comprising:

a first resistive memory element, wherein a first end of the first resistive memory element is physically connected with a select line;

a second resistive memory element electrically coupled with a word line and with a second end of the first resistive memory element at a common node; and

a two-terminal switching element electrically coupled with the common node.

2. The memory cell of claim 1 ,

wherein the first resistive memory element comprises a first polarity; and

wherein the second resistive memory element comprises a second polarity complementary to the first polarity.

3. The memory cell of claim 1 ,

wherein the two-terminal switching element comprises a polysilicon diode or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) diode.

4. The memory cell of claim 1 ,

wherein the two-terminal switching element is electrically coupled with a bit line.

5. The memory cell of claim 1 ,

wherein the memory cell is configured to store at least two bits of information based at least in part on the first resistive memory element or the second resistive memory element being configured in a first state, a second state, a third state, or combinations thereof;

wherein the first state is a high resistance state;

wherein the second state is a low resistance state; and

wherein the third state is an intermediate resistance state.

6. A memory device, comprising:

a plurality of resistive memory cells, each resistive memory cell comprising:

a first resistive memory element, wherein a first end of the first resistive memory element is physically connected with a select line;

a second resistive memory element electrically coupled with a word line and with a second end of the first resistive memory element at a common node; and

a two-terminal switching element electrically coupled with the common node at a first terminal and with a bit line at a second terminal.

7. The memory device of claim 6 ,

wherein the first resistive memory element comprises a first polarity; and

wherein the second resistive memory element comprises a second polarity different from the first polarity.

8. The memory device of claim 6 , further comprising:

wherein the word line is arranged in a first direction; and

wherein the bit line is arranged in a second direction different from the first direction.

9. The memory device of claim 6 ,

wherein the plurality of resistive memory cells are arranged in an array;

wherein a plurality of word lines are arranged in a column direction in the array; and

wherein each resistive memory cell is coupled to a first word line at a first cell terminal and a second word line at a second cell terminal.

10. The memory device of claim 6 ,

wherein the plurality of resistive memory cells are arranged in an array;

wherein a plurality of word lines are arranged in a column direction in the array; and

wherein adjacent resistive memory cells are electrically coupled with a common word line.

11. The memory device of claim 6 ,

wherein a resistive memory cell comprising the first resistive memory element and the second resistive memory element is configured to store at least two bits of data based at least in part on the first resistive memory element or the second resistive memory element being configured in a first state, a second state, a third state, or combinations thereof;

wherein the first state is a high resistance state;

wherein the second state is a low resistance state; and

wherein the third state is an intermediate resistance state.

12. A method, comprising:

selecting an operation from reading, writing, or erasing; and

in response to the operation selected:

applying a select voltage to a select line physically connected with a first end of a first resistive memory element of a memory cell;

applying a word line voltage to a word line electrically coupled with a second resistive memory element of the memory cell; and

applying a bit line voltage to a bit line electrically coupled with a two-terminal switching element of the memory cell;

wherein a second end of the first resistive memory element is coupled with the second resistive memory element and the two-terminal switching element at a common node.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

substantially simultaneously erasing each memory cell in a block of the plurality of the memory cells in response to selecting erasing as the operation.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

erasing a single memory cell in a block of the memory cells in response to selecting erasing as the operation.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

storing at least two bits of data in the memory cell based at least in part on the first resistive memory element or the second resistive memory element being configured in a first state, a second state, or a third state.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2018
From: RAMBUS INC.
To: HEFEI RELIANCE MEMORY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 045984/0845 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 7, 2015
From: SEKAR, DEEPAK CHANDRA; BRONNER, GARY BELA; CHEVALLIER, CHRISTOPHE; VEREEN, LIDIA; SWAB, PHILIP F.S.; FRIEND, ELIZABETH; ERTOSUN, MEHMET GUNHAN
To: RAMBUS INC.
Reel/Frame 034657/0618 →