US5046044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
SEU hardened memory cell
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-01
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Granted: 1991-09-03
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Expires: 2010-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A memory cell is disclosed comprising cross-coupled inverters including gated diodes connected in the cross-coupling which increase the memory cell's resistance to single event upset. The layouts for constructing such a memory cell, which optimize READ and WRITE speeds, are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore W. Houston
- 👤 Terence G. Blake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:23
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C5/00; G11C5/005; G11C11/00; G11C11/21; G11C11/34; G11C11/40; G11C11/41; G11C11/412; G11C11/4125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A memory cell comprising: two cross-coupled inverters each including a p-channel transistor and an n-channel transistor, said p and n channel transistors in a respective inverter sharing a common gate, each inverter further including a first diode connected to and between the n-channel transistor and the p-channel transistor; second diodes connected between and to the gate of one inverter and a drain of a selected transistor of the other inverter, wherein the gate common to said p and n channel transistors of an inverter also overlies said first and second diodes, and wherein each second diode connects to the drain of said n-channel transistor; and coupling transistors each connected to an anode of said second diode and the drain of the p-channel transistor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A memory cell comprising: two cross-coupled inverters each including a p-channel transistor and an n-channel transistor, said p and n channel transistors in a respective inverter sharing a common gate, each inverter further including a first diode connected to and between the n-channel transistor and the p-channel transistor; second diodes connected between and to the gate of one inverter and a drain of a selected transistor of the other inverter, wherein the gate common to said p and n channel transistors of an inverter also overlies said first and second diodes, and wherein each second diode connects to the drain of said n-channel transistor; and coupling transistors each connected to an anode of said second diode and the drain of the p-channel transistor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A memory cell as recited in claim 1 wherein said coupling transistors are p-channel transistors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A memory cell comprising two cross-coupled inverters each including a pull-up element and a pull-down element, a first diode connected to and between said pull-up and pull-down elements, the cross-coupling accomplished through the connection of second diodes across associated inputs of one inverter and the pull-down element of another inverter, said cross-coupling being further accomplished through the connection of coupling transistors across associated inputs of one inverter and the pull-up element of another inverter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A memory cell comprising two cross-coupled inverters each including a pull-up element and a pull-down element, a first diode connected to and between said pull-up and pull-down elements, the cross-coupling accomplished through the connection of second diodes across associated inputs of one inverter and the pull-down element of another inverter, said cross-coupling being further accomplished through the connection of coupling transistors across associated inputs of one inverter and the pull-up element of another inverter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A memory cell as recited in claim 3 wherein the input to one inverter is capacitively coupled to said first diode of the other inverter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-02 | 1995-03-04 | 1995-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-02 | 1999-03-04 | 1999-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-02 | 2003-03-04 | 2003-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |