Patent · US Active

Apparatus and method for refreshing or toggling a phase-change memory cell

US7986549B1 · kind B1 · utility

20Cited by

5References

20Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Micron Technology, Inc. · US

Inventors

Stephen H. Tang · Pleasanton, US
Derchang Kau · Cupertino, US

Key dates

Filing date	Dec 29, 2008
Grant date	Jul 26, 2011
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Sep 17, 2029

Classification

Technology area (CPC G)Physics
CPC primaryG11C2013/0076
WIPO fieldComputer technology
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for refreshing or toggling a phase-change memory cell are described. The apparatus includes a voltage ramp element coupled to the phase-change memory cell and provided for controlling voltage across the phase-change memory cell. A current control element is coupled to the phase-change memory cell and provided for controlling current through the phase-change memory cell. A current sensor element is coupled to the phase-change memory cell. A write-back timer and control element is coupled to the current sensor element and to the current control element.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.