Integrated circuit power distribution with threshold switches
AssigneeWestern Digital Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMac D. Apodaca, Daniel Bedau, Daniel Shepard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
To provide enhanced power distribution in integrated circuits, solid state memory arrays, or other solid state devices, various systems, architectures, apparatuses, and methods, are provided herein. In a first example, an integrated circuit power distribution system is provided. The system includes a first power distribution bus coupled to a current source and a threshold bridge element, and a second power distribution bus coupled to one or more target devices and the threshold bridge element. The threshold bridge element comprises a bridge material with properties that pass current responsive to application of a threshold voltage across the bridge material.
Claims20
An integrated circuit power distribution system, comprising:
- a first power distribution bus coupled to a current source and a threshold bridge element;
- a second power distribution bus coupled to one or more target devices and the threshold bridge element;
- and
- the threshold bridge element comprising a bridge material with properties that pass current responsive to application of a threshold voltage across the bridge material.
A method of operating a power distribution system in an integrated circuit, the method comprising:
- applying an activation voltage across a threshold bridge element disposed between a first power distribution bus and a second power distribution bus, the first power distribution bus coupled to a current source and the second power distribution bus coupled to one or more target devices;
- and
- removing the activation voltage after the threshold bridge element passes current supplied by the current source, wherein the threshold bridge element continues to pass the current after removal of the activation voltage.
A solid state data storage array, comprising:
- one or more wordlines each coupling sets of non-volatile memory (NVM) devices configured to store bits of data;
- each of the wordlines coupled by ovonic switching elements to power distribution links;
- and
- the ovonic switching elements each configured to pass current from a connected power distribution link through an associated wordline to at least one NVM device responsive to application of a threshold voltage across the connected power distribution link and the associated wordline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.