IP Library Granted Patent US 12,525,307
Granted Patent B2
US 12,525,307 · App. 18/539,622 · Granted Jan 13, 2026

One-time programmable memory circuit, one-time programmable memory and operation method thereof

Inventor: E Ray Hsieh (Taoyuan, TW)
Assignee: eRaytroniks Co., Ltd.
G11C17/18H10B20/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,525,307
App. No.
18/539,622
Granted
Jan 13, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure provides a one-time programmable memory, which includes a one-time programmable (OTP) diode and a control field effect transistor (FET). One end of the OTP diode is electrically connected to a source line. The control FET includes a gate, a first source/drain and a second source/drain, the gate of the control FET is electrically connected to a word line, the first source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to a bit line, and the second source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to another of the OTP diode.

Claims (19)

1 . A one-time programmable (OTP) memory, comprising:

an OTP diode having one end electrically connected to a source line; and

a control field effect transistor (FET) comprising a gate, a first source/drain and a second source/drain, wherein the gate of the control FET is electrically connected to a word line, and the first source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to a bit line, and the second source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode,

wherein the control FET is an N-type control FET or a P-type control FET, and the OTP diode is an NPN diode, a NIN diode, a gate-floating N-type FET, a PNP diode, a PIP diode or a gate-floating P-type FET.

2 . The one-time programmable memory of claim 1 , wherein when the control FET is turned on by a control voltage of the word line, a programming voltage of the bit line makes an avalanche breakdown occur in the OTP diode, thereby forming a programmed state of the OTP diode.

3 . A one-time programmable memory circuit, comprising:

a plurality of memory units arranged in an array, each of the memory units comprising a one-time programmable memory, and the one-time programmable memory comprising:

an OTP diode having one end electrically connected to a source line; and

a control FET comprising a gate, a first source/drain and a second source/drain, wherein the gate of the control FET is electrically connected to a word line, and the first source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to a bit line, and the second source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode,

wherein the control FET is an N-type control FET or a P-type control FET, and the OTP diode is an NPN diode, a NIN diode, a gate-floating N-type FET, a PNP diode, a PIP diode or a gate-floating P-type FET.

4 . The one-time programmable memory circuit of claim 3 , wherein each of the memory units further comprises another one-time programmable memory, and the another one-time programmable memory comprises:

another OTP diode having one end electrically connected to a source line; and

another control FET comprising a gate, a first source/drain and a second source/drain, wherein the gate of the another control FET is electrically connected to another word line, the first source/drain of the another control FET is electrically connected to the bit line, and the second source/drain of the another control FET is electrically connected to another end of the another OTP diode.

5 . An operation method of a one-time programmable memory, the one-time programmable memory comprising an OTP diode and a control FET connected in series, and the operation method comprising steps of:

when programming the one-time programmable memory, applying a control voltage to a word line, applying a programming voltage to a bit line, and applying a zero voltage to a source line, wherein one end of the OTP diode is electrically connected to the source line, a gate of the control FET is electrically connected to the word line, a first source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to the bit line, a second source/drain of the control FET is electrically connected to another end of the OTP diode,

wherein the control FET is an N-type control FET or a P-type control FET, and the OTP diode is an NPN diode, a NIN diode, a gate-floating N-type FET, a PNP diode, a PIP diode or a gate-floating P-type FET.

6 . The operation method of claim 5 , wherein the control voltage turns on the control FET, the programming voltage makes an avalanche breakdown occur in the OTP diode, thereby forming a programmed state of the OTP diode.

7 . The operation method of claim 5 , further comprising:

when reading the one-time programmable memory, applying a working voltage to the word line, applying the zero voltage to the source line, and applying a read voltage to the bit line.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 11, 2024
From: NATIONAL CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
To: ERAYTRONIKS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 068548/0165 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2023
From: HSIEH, E RAY
To: NATIONAL CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 066005/0294 →
Priority Claims (1)
TW 112146137 · Nov 28, 2023 · national
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63387692 · Dec 15, 2022
Related Publication 20240203515A1 · Jun 20, 2024
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