Three-dimensional memory array incorporating serial chain diode stack
US6631085B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C2213/72
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A three-dimensional memory array includes a plurality of rail-stacks on each of several levels forming alternating levels of X-lines and Y-lines for the array. Memory cells are formed at the intersection of each X-line and Y-line. The memory cells of each memory plane are all oriented in the same direction relative to the substrate, forming a serial chain diode stack. In certain embodiments, row and column circuits for the array are arranged to interchange function depending upon the directionality of memory cells in the selected memory plane. High-voltage drivers for the X-lines and Y-lines are each capable of passing a write current in either direction depending on the direction of the selected memory cell. A preferred bias arrangement reverse biases only unselected memory cells within the selected memory plane, totaling approximately N2 memory cells, rather than approximately 3N2 memory cells as with prior arrays.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.