A two-switch hybrid memory cell device includes a storage node connected between one terminal of a first switch and a gate of a second switch. The device also includes a resistive switching device connected to the storage node. The resistive switching device is to act as a capacitance by being set to a high resistive state when the memory cell is in a dynamic mode.
1. A two-switch hybrid memory cell device comprising:
a storage node connected between one terminal of a first switch and a gate of a second switch, the first switch also being connected to a write bit line, and the second switch being connected to a read bit line; and
a resistive switching device connected between the storage node and a select line, the select line not in direct connection with the second switch;
wherein the resistive switching device is to act as a capacitance by being set to a high resistive state when the memory cell is in a dynamic mode.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the capacitance of the resistive switching device is to store a digital value while the memory cell is in a dynamic mode.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein a memory system utilizing the memory cell is to refresh the capacitance of the resistive switching device periodically.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the resistive switching device is to store data in a non-volatile manner while the memory cell is in a non-volatile mode.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the resistive switching device is a metal-insulator-metal transition device.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the memory cell is part of an embedded memory system.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein a memory system utilizing the memory cell switches between the dynamic mode and a non-volatile mode in response to a combination of power and memory requirements.
8. A method for operating a two-switch hybrid memory cell, the method comprising:
applying a signal to a bit line connected to one terminal of a first switch, a second terminal of the first switch being connected to a first terminal of a resistive switching device and a gate terminal of a second switch; and
while in a dynamic mode, storing data in a capacitance of the resistive switching device while the resistive switching device is in a high resistive state; and
while in a non-volatile mode, storing data with a resistive state of the resistive switching device.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
applying a read signal to a word line connected to a first terminal of the second switch; and
connecting a sense amplifier to a bit line connected to a second terminal of the second switch to read a state of the capacitance used to store data.
10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising periodically refreshing a signal stored in the capacitance of the resistive switching device.
11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising, changing the memory cell to the non-volatile mode.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein changing the memory cell between the non-volatile mode and the dynamic mode is done in response to demands from a system utilizing the memory cell, the demands being based on a combination of memory and power requirements.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the resistive switching device is connected to a select line that is not directly connected to the second switch, the method further comprising:
detecting the state of the resistive switching device by connecting the select line to a sense amplifier.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising, changing the resistive state of the resistive switching device by applying a signal between the bit line connected to the first terminal of the first switch and the select line.
15. The method of claim 8 , wherein the resistive switching device is a metal-insulator-metal transition device.
16. The method of claim 8 , wherein the memory cell is part of an embedded memory system.
17. A hybrid memory system comprising a number of two-switch cells, each cell comprising:
a write switch comprising:
a first terminal connected to a write bit line;
a second terminal connected to a storage node; and
a gate connected to a write word line; and
a read switch comprising:
a gate connected to the storage node;
a first terminal connected to a read word line; and
a second terminal connected to a read bit line; and
a resistive switching device comprising:
a first terminal connected to the storage node; and
a second terminal connected to a select line;
wherein a capacitance of the resistive switching device while in a high resistive state is to store data while the memory cell is in a dynamic mode and a resistive state of the resistive switching device is used to store data while the memory cell is in a non-volatile mode.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the resistive switching device is a metal-insulator-metal transition device.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the memory system comprises an embedded memory system.
20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the memory system is to switch between the dynamic mode and the non-volatile mode in response to a combination of power and memory requirements.