IP Library Granted Patent US 8,098,516
Granted Patent B2
US 8,098,516 · App. 12/855,896 · Granted Jan 17, 2012

Static source plane in STRAM

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,098,516
App. No.
12/855,896
Granted
Jan 17, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A memory array includes a plurality of magnetic tunnel junction cells arranged in a 2 by 2 array. Each magnetic tunnel junction cell is electrically coupled between a bit line and a source line and each magnetic tunnel junction cell electrically coupled to a transistor. Each magnetic tunnel junction cell is configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by passing a write current passing though the magnetic tunnel junction cell. A first word line is electrically coupled to a gate of first set of two of the transistors and a second word line is electrically coupled to a gate of a second set of two of the transistors. The source line is a common source line for the plurality of magnetic tunnel junctions.

Claims (31)

1. A memory array, comprising:

a plurality of magnetic tunnel junction cells arranged in a 2 by 2 array, each magnetic tunnel junction cell electrically coupled between a bit line and a source line and each magnetic tunnel junction cell electrically coupled to a transistor, each magnetic tunnel junction cell configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by passing a write current passing though the magnetic tunnel junction cell;

a first word line electrically coupled to a gate of a first set of two of the transistors;

a second word line electrically coupled to a gate of a second set of two of the transistors; wherein the source line is a common source line for the plurality of magnetic tunnel junctions.

2. A memory array according to claim 1 , wherein the common source line is electrically coupled to a voltage generator providing a static voltage for writing both the high resistance state and a low resistance state to the magnetic tunnel junction cell.

3. A memory array according to claim 1 , wherein the common source line electrically couples a transistor for each magnetic tunnel junction cell to each other.

4. A memory array according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines, the word lines being orthogonal to the bit lines.

5. A memory array according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic tunnel junction cell is a spin-transfer torque memory cell.

6. A memory array according to claim 2 , wherein the bit line is electrically coupled to a second voltage generator providing writing voltage for writing the low resistance state to the magnetic tunnel junction cell and grounded for writing the high resistance state to the magnetic tunnel junction cell.

7. A memory array according to claim 1 , wherein the transistor is body biased.

8. A memory array, comprising:

a plurality of magnetic tunnel junction cells arranged in a 2 by 2 array, each magnetic tunnel junction cell electrically coupled to a transistor, each magnetic tunnel junction cell is configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by passing a write current passing though the magnetic tunnel junction cell;

a plurality of bit lines arranged in columns, each bit line column electrically coupled at least selected magnetic tunnel junction cells along the column;

a plurality of word lines arranged in rows being orthogonal to the word line rows, each word line row electrically couples at least selected transistors along the row; and

a single source line electrically connecting all the transistors in the array.

9. A memory array according to claim 8 , wherein the transistor is body biased.

10. A memory array according to claim 8 , wherein the source line is electrically coupled to a voltage generator providing a static voltage for writing both the high resistance state and a low resistance state to the magnetic tunnel junction cell.

11. A memory array according to claim 8 , wherein the source line electrically couples the transistor for each magnetic tunnel junction cell to each other.

12. A memory array according to claim 8 , wherein each magnetic tunnel junction cell is electrically coupled between the bit line column and the source line and the transistor is electrically coupled between the source line and the magnetic tunnel junction cell.

13. A memory array according to claim 8 , wherein the magnetic tunnel junction cell is a spin-transfer torque memory cell.

14. A memory array according to claim 10 , wherein each bit line row is electrically coupled to a second voltage generator providing a writing voltage for writing the low resistance state to the magnetic tunnel junction cell and grounded for writing the high resistance state to the magnetic tunnel junction cell.

15. A memory array, comprising:

a plurality of magnetic tunnel junction cells arranged in a 2 by 2 array, each magnetic tunnel junction cell electrically coupled to a transistor, each magnetic tunnel junction cell is configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by passing a write current passing though the magnetic tunnel junction cell;

a plurality of bit lines arranged in columns, each bit line column electrically coupled at least selected magnetic tunnel junction cells along the column;

a plurality of word lines arranged in rows being orthogonal to the word line rows, each word line row electrically couples at least selected transistors along the row; and

a single static source line electrically connecting all the transistors in the 2 by 2 array, the single static source line configured to provide a constant voltage to all the transistors in the array when writing either the high resistance state or low resistance state.

16. A memory array according to claim 15 , wherein the transistor is body biased.

17. A memory array according to claim 15 , wherein the source line is electrically coupled to a voltage generator providing a static voltage for writing both the high resistance state and a low resistance state to the magnetic tunnel junction cell.

18. A memory array according to claim 15 , wherein the single source line electrically couples the transistor for each magnetic tunnel junction cell to each other.

19. A memory array according to claim 15 , wherein each magnetic tunnel junction cell in the 2 by 2 array is electrically coupled between the bit line column and the static source line and the transistor is electrically coupled between the static source line and the magnetic tunnel junction cell.

20. A memory array according to claim 15 , wherein the magnetic tunnel junction cell is a spin-transfer torque memory cell.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2025
From: THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
To: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HDD HOLDINGS; I365 INC.; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL; SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY (US) HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 072193/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2025
From: THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
To: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY US HOLDINGS, INC.; EVAULT, INC. (F/K/A I365 INC.); SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 070363/0903 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2024
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; EVAULT INC
Reel/Frame 068457/0076 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2024
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; EVAULT, INC. (F/K/A I365 INC.); SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY US HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 067471/0955 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2019
From: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
To: EVERSPIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 050483/0188 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 15, 2012
From: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; EVAULT, INC. (F/K/A I365 INC.); SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY US HOLDINGS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 029253/0585 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 15, 2012
From: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; EVAULT, INC. (F/K/A I365 INC.); SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY US HOLDINGS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 029127/0527 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 24, 2011
From: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 026010/0350 →