One cell programmable switch using non-volatile cell
AssigneeMacronix International Co., Ltd.
InventorsAlbert Sun, Eric Sheu, Ying-Che Lo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A one transistor, non-volatile programmable switch comprises a first node and a second node coupled with corresponding circuit elements in an integrated circuit. A single, non-volatile programmable transistor having a drain coupled to one of the first node and second node, a source coupled to the other of the first node and second node, gate coupled to an energizing conductor, the data storage structure constitute the programmable switch. The non-volatile programmable transistor consists of a mask programmable ROM cell, or a charge programmable device, in which the data storage structure comprises a floating gate or a nitride layer, or other charge trapping layer, between oxides or other insulators.
Claims14
A programmable switch for a configurable integrated circuit comprising:
- a first node and a second node coupled with corresponding circuit elements in the integrated circuit;
- a non-volatile programmable device configured as a switch between the first and second nodes, having a drain coupled to one of the first node and the second node, a source coupled to the other of the first node and the second node, a gate coupled to an energizing conductor, and a data storage structure;
- and
- a charge pump coupled to the energizing conductor, to produce a boosted voltage during logical operation of the corresponding circuit elements to reduce voltage drop across said device for signals propagating between the first and second nodes.
A programmable switch for a configurable integrated circuit, comprising:
- a first node and a second node coupled with corresponding circuit elements in the integrated circuit;
- a single transistor, non-volatile programmable device, having a drain coupled to one of the first node and the second node, a source coupled to the other of the first node and the second node, a control gate coupled to an energizing conductor, and a charge storage structure;
- programming circuitry coupled to the first and second nodes, and to the energizing conductor, to apply voltages sufficient to inject and remove charge from the charge storage structure to program the charge programmable device;
- and
- a charge pump coupled to the energizing conductor, to produce a boosted voltage during logical operation of the integrated circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.