Memory cell and memory cell array having an electrically floating body transistor, and methods of operating same

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for writing, programming, holding, maintaining, sampling, sensing, reading and/or determining a data state of a memory cell of a memory cell array, such as a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells each comprising an electrically floating body transistor. In one aspect, the techniques are directed to controlling and/or operating a semiconductor memory cell having an electrically floating body transistor in which an electrical charge is stored in the body region of the electrically floating body transistor. The techniques may employ bipolar transistor currents to control, write and/or read a data state in such a memory cell. In this regard, the techniques may employ a bipolar transistor current to control, write and/or read a data state in/of the electrically floating body transistor of the memory cell.