PUF memory devices and methods of manufacturing thereof
View Patent ↗A memory device includes an array comprising a plurality of one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cells; a plurality of word lines (WLs); a plurality of bit lines (BLs); and a plurality of control gate (CG) lines. Each of the OTP memory cells comprises a first fuse resistor, a second fuse resistor, a first transistor, and a second transistor. The first fuse resistor and the second fuse resistor are coupled to a corresponding one of the BLs, while the first transistor and the second transistor are gated by a first one and a second one of the CG lines, respectively.
1 . A memory device, comprising:
an array comprising a plurality of one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cells;
a plurality of word lines (WLs);
a plurality of bit lines (BLs); and
a plurality of control gate (CG) lines;
wherein each of the OTP memory cells comprises a first fuse resistor, a second fuse resistor, a first transistor, and a second transistor; and
wherein the first fuse resistor and the second fuse resistor are coupled to a corresponding one of the BLs, while the first transistor and the second transistor are gated by a first one and a second one of the CG lines, respectively.
2 . The memory device of claim 1 , wherein the OTP memory cells are arranged over plurality of columns and a plurality of rows, each of the rows including a corresponding one of the WLs, each of the columns including a corresponding one of the BLs and a corresponding pair of the CG lines.
3 . The memory device of claim 1 , wherein each of the OTP memory cells further comprises a third transistor and a fourth transistor, and wherein the third and fourth transistors are commonly gated by a corresponding one of the WLs.
4 . The memory device of claim 3 , wherein the first fuse resistor, the first transistor, and the third transistor are connected in series between the corresponding BL and a power rail that carries a supply voltage, and wherein the second fuse resistor, the second transistor, and the fourth transistor are connected in series between the corresponding BL and the power rail.
5 . The memory device of claim 4 , wherein the first to fourth transistors are formed along a frontside surface of a substrate, the first and second fuse resistors are formed in one of a plurality of metallization layers disposed over the frontside surface, and the power rail is formed over a backside surface of the substrate.
6 . The memory device of claim 1 , wherein each of the OTP memory cells further comprises a third transistor, and wherein the third transistor is gated by a corresponding one of the WLs.
7 . The memory device of claim 6 , wherein the first fuse resistor, the first transistor, and the third transistor are connected in series between the corresponding BL and a power rail that carries a supply voltage, and wherein the second fuse resistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor are also connected in series between the corresponding BL and the power rail.
8 . The memory device of claim 7 , wherein the first to third transistors are formed along a frontside surface of a substrate, the first and second fuse resistors are formed in one of a plurality of metallization layers disposed over the frontside surface, and the power rail is formed over a backside surface of the substrate.
9 . The memory device of claim 1 , wherein each of the OTP memory cells is configured to permanently present a logic state based on whether the first fuse resistor or the second fuse resistor is randomly blown.
10 . The memory device of claim 9 , wherein the logic state is identified based on activating one of the first transistor or the second transistor.
11 . A memory device, comprising:
a memory cell that comprises:
a first fuse resistor;
a second fuse resistor;
a first transistor connected to the first fuse resistor in series; and
a second transistor connected to the second fuse resistor in series;
wherein the memory cell is configured to randomly present a first logic state when the first fuse resistor is blown, or a second logic state when the second fuse resistor is blown.
12 . The memory device of claim 11 , wherein either the first logic state or the second logic state functions as a bit of a Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) signature.
13 . The memory device of claim 11 , wherein the memory cell further comprises:
a third transistor connected to the first transistor in series; and
a fourth transistor connected to the second transistor in series.
14 . The memory device of claim 13 , wherein the third and fourth transistors are concurrently activated and the first and second transistors are concurrently activated, when programming the memory cell to randomly blow the first fuse resistor or the second fuse resistor.
15 . The memory device of claim 13 , wherein the third and fourth transistors are concurrently activated and only one of the first or second transistors is activated, when reading the memory cell to identify the first or second logic state.
16 . The memory device of claim 11 , wherein the memory cell further comprises:
a third transistor connected to each of the first transistor and the second transistor in series.
17 . The memory device of claim 16 , wherein the third transistor is activated and the first and second transistors are concurrently activated, when programming the memory cell to randomly blow the first fuse resistor or the second fuse resistor.
18 . The memory device of claim 16 , wherein the third transistor is activated and only one of the first or second transistors is activated, when reading the memory cell to identify the first or second logic state.
19 . A method for forming a memory device, comprising:
forming at least, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a third transistor on a first side of a substrate;
forming a first fuse resistor and a second fuse resistor in one of a plurality of first metallization layers that are disposed over the first to third transistors on the first side; and
forming a power rail in one of a plurality of second metallization layers that are disposed on a second side of the substrate opposite to the first side.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the first to third transistors, the first to second fuse resistors, and the power rail collectively form an efuse memory cell that is configured to generate a bit of a Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) signature based on whether the first fuse resistor or the second fuse resistor has been blown.