The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
May. 13, 2014

Filed:

Sep. 11, 2012
Applicants:

Manish Garg, Morrisville, NC (US);

Michael Thaithanh Phan, Cary, NC (US);

Inventors:

Manish Garg, Morrisville, NC (US);

Michael ThaiThanh Phan, Cary, NC (US);

Assignee:

QUALCOMM Incorporated, San Diego, CA (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C 8/08 (2006.01); G11C 8/16 (2006.01); G11C 8/12 (2006.01); G11C 7/08 (2006.01); G11C 5/06 (2006.01); G11C 11/419 (2006.01); G11C 11/408 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C 8/08 (2013.01); G11C 8/12 (2013.01); G11C 8/16 (2013.01); G11C 7/08 (2013.01); G11C 5/063 (2013.01); G11C 11/419 (2013.01); G11C 11/4085 (2013.01);
Abstract

Systems and methods for selectively boosting word-line (WL) voltage in a memory cell array. The method relies several embodiments to minimize energy costs associated with WL boost scheme. One embodiment generates a transient voltage boost rather than supply a DC voltage boost. The transient boost generation may be controlled on a cycle basis and can be disabled when the array is not accessed. Another embodiment allows the system to generate the transient voltage boost locally, near a WL driver and only during the cycles when it is needed. Localized boost voltage generation reduces the load capacitance that needs to be boosted to higher voltage. Another embodiment efficiently distributes the transient boost to the WL drivers.


Find Patent Forward Citations

Loading…