US4491938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low voltage RAM cell
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1981-12-28
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Granted: 1985-01-01
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Expires: 2001-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A memory cell includes a gated capacitor connected to a first node and also connected to a refresh line. The memory cell further includes a transistor that is also connected to the first node and to a second node with the gate terminal being connected to a second refresh line. The second node is connected to the bit line used to access the bit information contained in the cell. A second transistor is included that has one side connected to a power line, the second side connected to the second node and the gate terminal connected to the first node. A first refresh signal is provided on the refresh line connected to the gated capacitor and a second refresh signal is provided to the gate of the first transistor. The second refresh signal is of a voltage magnitude greater than the voltage provided on the power line and the second refresh signal is also provided at a time during which the first refresh signal is absent. Also provided is a semiconductor capacitor that includes the region of a first plurality located in a semiconductor substrate of opposite plurality with a layer of silicon dioxide located on top of the region and on an area adjacent to this region. A metal layer is located on top of the silicon dioxide layer and adjacent to a gap which is made up of the first plurality type and located in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to the region of first plurality together with being adjacent to the metal layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerald G. Leach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:03
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C11/00; G11C11/21; G11C11/34; G11C11/40; G11C11/401; G11C11/402; H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/01; H03K19/017; H03K19/01728; H03K19/01735; H03K19/02; H03K19/08; H03K19/094; H03K19/096; H03K5/00; H03K5/13; H03K5/135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A memory cell comprising: a bit line for conducting data to the memory cell; a gated capacitor device for storing data from the bit line and having a first terminal connect to a first node and a second terminal connected to a first refresh line; a first transistor with a first terminal connected to said first node, a second terminal connected to a second node and the bit line and a third terminal connected to a second refresh line; a second transistor with a first terminal connected to a power line, a second terminal connected to said second node and a third terminal connected to said first node; first means for providing a first reset refresh signal on said first refresh line; and second means for providing a second refresh signal of a voltage magnitude greater than the voltage on said power line provided on said second refresh line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A memory cell comprising: a bit line for conducting data to the memory cell; a gated capacitor device for storing data from the bit line and having a first terminal connect to a first node and a second terminal connected to a first refresh line; a first transistor with a first terminal connected to said first node, a second terminal connected to a second node and the bit line and a third terminal connected to a second refresh line; a second transistor with a first terminal connected to a power line, a second terminal connected to said second node and a third terminal connected to said first node; first means for providing a first reset refresh signal on said first refresh line; and second means for providing a second refresh signal of a voltage magnitude greater than the voltage on said power line provided on said second refresh line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A memory cell according to claim 1, wherein the first refresh signal indicates a read.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A memory cell according to claim 2, wherein said second refresh signal indicates a write.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A memory cell according to claim 1, wherein said cell is fabricated with metal oxide semiconductor devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A memory cell according to claim 1, wherein said second refresh signal occurs mutually exclusive of the occurrence of said first refresh signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
137 words
A memory cell comprising: a bit line for conducting data to the memory cell; a gated capacitor device for storing data from the bit line and having a first terminal connected to a first node and a second terminal connected to a first refresh line; a first transistor with a first terminal connected to said first node, a second terminal connected to a second node and the bit line and a third terminal connected to a second refresh line; a second transistor with a first terminal connected to a power line, a second terminal connected to said second node and a third terminal connected to said first node; said bit line addressed by address signals of a voltage magnitude greater than the voltage provided by said power line to obtain data stored in the gated capacitor device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
A memory cell comprising: a bit line for conducting data to the memory cell; a gated capacitor device for storing data from the bit line and having a first terminal connected to a first node and a second terminal connected to a first refresh line; a first transistor with a first terminal connected to said first node, a second terminal connected to a second node and the bit line and a third terminal connected to a second refresh line; a second transistor with a first terminal connected to a power line, a second terminal connected to said second node and a third terminal connected to said first node; said bit line addressed by address signals of a voltage magnitude greater than the voltage provided by said power line to obtain data stored in the gated capacitor device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
177 words
A memory cell comprising: a bit line for conducting data to the memory cell; a gated capacitor device for storing data obtained from a bit line and having a first terminal connected to a first node and a second terminal connected to a first refresh line, said gated capacitor including a region of a first polarity located in a semiconductor substrate of opposite polarity, a layer of silicon dioxide located upon said region and upon an area adjacent to said region, a metal layer located on top of said silicon dioxide layer and adjacent to a gap, and said gap of first polarity located in said semiconductor substrate and adjacent to said region; a first transistor with a first terminal connected to said first node, a second terminal connected to a second node and the bit line and a third terminal connected to a second refresh line; and a second transistor with a first terminal connected to a power line, a second terminal connected to said second node and a third terminal connected to said first node.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
177 words
A memory cell comprising: a bit line for conducting data to the memory cell; a gated capacitor device for storing data obtained from a bit line and having a first terminal connected to a first node and a second terminal connected to a first refresh line, said gated capacitor including a region of a first polarity located in a semiconductor substrate of opposite polarity, a layer of silicon dioxide located upon said region and upon an area adjacent to said region, a metal layer located on top of said silicon dioxide layer and adjacent to a gap, and said gap of first polarity located in said semiconductor substrate and adjacent to said region; a first transistor with a first terminal connected to said first node, a second terminal connected to a second node and the bit line and a third terminal connected to a second refresh line; and a second transistor with a first terminal connected to a power line, a second terminal connected to said second node and a third terminal connected to said first node.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A memory cell according to claim 7, wherein said bit line is addressed by address signals of a voltage magnitude greater than the voltage provided by said power line.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4291393A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-01 | 1988-07-02 | 1989-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-01 | 1992-07-02 | 1993-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-01 | 1996-07-02 | 1997-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |