Abstract:
An electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“CMOS NON-VOLATILE MEMORY”) cell is fabricated using standard CMOS fabrication processes. First and second polysilicon gates are patterned over an active area of the cell between source and drain regions. Thermal oxide is grown on the polysilicon gates to provide an isolating layer. Silicon nitride is deposited between the first and second polysilicon gates to form a lateral programming layer.
Abstract:
An electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“CMOS NON-VOLATILE MEMORY”) cell is fabricated using standard CMOS fabrication processes. First and second polysilicon gates are patterned over an active area of the cell between source and drain regions. Thermal oxide is grown on the polysilicon gates to provide an isolating layer. Silicon nitride is deposited between the first and second polysilicon gates to form a lateral programming layer.
Abstract:
An electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“CMOS NON-VOLATILE MEMORY”) cell is fabricated using standard CMOS fabrication processes. First and second polysilicon gates are patterned over an active area of the cell between source and drain regions. Thermal oxide is grown on the polysilicon gates to provide an isolating layer. Silicon nitride is deposited between the first and second polysilicon gates to form a lateral programming layer.
Abstract:
Some embodiments provide an integrated circuit (‘IC’) that includes at least first and second circuits operating at a first voltage. The IC includes, between the first and second circuits, a direct connection comprising a third circuit for transmitting a signal from the first circuit to the second circuit at a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage. At least one of the first and second circuits is a configurable circuit for configurably performing operations.
Abstract:
An ESD protection circuit includes a bipolar transistor, a resistor, and a zener diode formed on and within a semiconductor substrate. The resistor extends between the base and emitter regions of the transistor so that voltage developed across the resistor can turn on the transistor. The zener diode is formed in series with the resistor and extends between the base and collector regions of the transistor. Thus configured, breakdown current through the zener diode, typically in response to an ESD event, turns on the transistor to provide a nondestructive discharge path for the ESD. The zener diode includes anode and cathode diffusions. The cathode diffusion extends down into the semiconductor substrate in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. The anode diffusion extends down through the cathode diffusion into the semiconductor substrate. The anode diffusion extends down further than the cathode diffusion so that the zener diode is arranged vertically with respect to the substrate. The cathode diffusion can be formed using two separate diffusions, one of which extends deeper into the substrate than other.
Abstract:
Structures and methods for selectively applying a well bias to only those portions of a PLD where such a bias is necessary or desirable, e.g., applying a positive well bias to transistors on critical paths within a user's design. A substrate for an integrated circuit includes a plurality of wells, each of which can be independently and programmably biased with the same or a different well bias voltage. In one embodiment, FPGA implementation software automatically determines the critical paths and generates a configuration bitstream that enables positive well biasing only for the transistors participating in the critical paths, or only for programmable logic elements (e.g., CLBs or lookup tables) containing those transistors. In another embodiment, negative well biasing is selectively applied to reduce leakage current.
Abstract:
A pass gate circuit includes a pass transistor and a body bias control circuit for biasing the body of the pass transistor to reduce body effect. The body bias control circuit includes one or more control transistors arranged to selectively connect the substrate (body) of the pass transistor to the drain or gate of the pass transistor when predetermined voltages are applied to the drain and gate of the pass transistor. As a result, the pass transistor exhibits a reduced body effect in the on-state. In one embodiment, the body bias control circuit includes a first control transistor having a drain and gate connected to the gate of the pass transistor, a gate connected to the drain of the pass transistor, and a source. The body bias control circuit also includes a second control transistor having a drain connected to the source of the first control transistor, a source connected to a body of the pass transistor, and a gate connected to the drain of the pass transistor. The bodies of the pass transistor, first control transistor and second control transistor are electrically interconnected. With this arrangement, the body of the pass transistor is biased "high" by the gate of the pass transistor only when both the gate and drain of the pass transistor are at a high voltage level.
Abstract:
A mixed mode RAM/ROM cell includes a volatile memory cell and an antifuse coupled to the cell. In an array of mixed mode memory cells, addressing circuitry is coupled to the volatile memory cells and programming circuitry is coupled to the antifuses. After an antifuse is programmed, the associated memory cell is transformed from a volatile memory to a non-volatile memory. Specifically, during normal operation, a standard supply voltage is provided to all antifuses. Thus, after a power down or power fluctuation, the programmed antifuses ensure subsequent configuration of their respective volatile memory cells.
Abstract:
Some embodiments provide an integrated circuit (‘IC’) that includes at least first and second circuits operating at a first voltage. The IC includes, between the first and second circuits, a direct connection comprising a third circuit for transmitting a signal from the first circuit to the second circuit at a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage. At least one of the first and second circuits is a configurable circuit for configurably performing operations.
Abstract:
An MOS device has an embedded dielectric structure underlying an active portion of the device, such as a source extension or a drain extension. In an alternative embodiment, an embedded dielectric structure underlies the channel region of a MOS device, as well as the source and drain extensions.