IP Library Granted Patent US 8,064,255
Granted Patent B2
US 8,064,255 · App. 12/006,226 · Granted Nov 22, 2011

Architecture of a nvDRAM array and its sense regime

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,064,255
App. No.
12/006,226
Granted
Nov 22, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A process of operating a memory array includes performing all volatile and nonvolatile operations on an nvDRAM cell array via a single data interface and using only DRAM-level signals on the data interface.

Claims (31)

1. A memory system comprising:

a plurality of nvDRAM cells;

a plurality of sense amplifiers; and

the nvDRAM cells comprising a single data interface, the single data interface coupling the nvDRAM cells to the sense amplifiers, the sense amplifiers configured to operate with current sensing during RECALL operations, and with differential voltage sensing otherwise.

2. The memory system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nvDRAM cells further comprising:

each nvDRAM cell comprising a pair of charge cells, one charge cell coupled to a true bit line and not to a complement bit line, the other coupled to the complement bit line and not to the true bit line.

3. The memory system of claim 1 , further comprising:

the nvDRAM cells comprising a single control interface, the single control interface comprising a single higher than DRAM level control signal line.

4. A device comprising:

at least one processor, and

a memory system comprising a plurality of nvDRAM cells and a plurality of sense amplifiers, the nvDRAM cells comprising a single data interface, the single data interface coupling the nvDRAM cells to the sense amplifiers, the sense amplifiers configured to operate with current sensing during RECALL operations, and with differential voltage sensing otherwise.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of nvDRAM cells further comprises:

each nvDRAM cell comprising a pair of charge cells, one charge cell coupled to a true bit line and not to a complement bit line, the other coupled to the complement bit line and not to the true bit line.

6. The device of claim 4 , further comprising:

the nvDRAM cells comprising a single control interface, the single control interface comprising a single higher than DRAM level control signal line.

7. A process of operating a memory array comprising:

performing all volatile and nonvolatile operations on an nvDRAM cell array via a single data interface and operating sense amplifiers with current sensing during RECALL operations, and with differential voltage sensing otherwise.

8. The process of operating a memory array of claim 7 , further comprising:

using only a single control line for all control signals to the nvDRAM that exceed DRAM levels.

9. The memory system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an additional current source to the nvDRAM cells that is switched on during RECALL and switched off otherwise.

10. The memory system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an additional current source to the nvDRAM cells that is switched on during RECALL and one or more of STORE and ERASE, and switched off otherwise.

11. The device of claim 4 , further comprising:

an additional current source to the nvDRAM cells that is switched on during RECALL and switched off otherwise.

12. The device of claim 4 , further comprising:

an additional current source to the nvDRAM cells that is switched on during RECALL and one or more of STORE and ERASE, and switched off otherwise.

13. The process of claim 7 , further comprising:

applying an additional current source to cells of the nvDRAM during RECALL, and switching off the current source otherwise.

14. The process of claim 7 , further comprising:

applying an additional current source to cells of the nvDRAM during RECALL and one or more of STORE and ERASE, and switching off the current source otherwise.

Assignments (6)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE 8647899 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 035240 FRAME 0429. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTERST. Recorded Nov 3, 2020
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 058002/0470 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
Reel/Frame 041178/0061 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2016
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
To: MONTEREY RESEARCH, LLC
Reel/Frame 040908/0979 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 21, 2015
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 035240/0429 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2008
From: SIMTEK CORPORATION
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021771/0821 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2008
From: SCADE, ANDREAS; GUENTHER, STEFAN
To: SIMTEK
Reel/Frame 020875/0055 →