US5107459A
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Stacked bit-line architecture for high density cross-point memory cell array
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1990-04-20
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Granted: 1992-04-21
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Expires: 2010-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A stacked bit-line architecture utilizing high density cross-point memory arrays forms a DRAM semiconductor memory device. The true and complementary bit-line pairs connected to the respective memory cell arrays are formed in two metal layers, one above the other. A bit-line interconnector region is provided that uses a third interconnection layer together with the first and second layers to transpose the vertical stacking of each pair and to transpose the planar alignment of adjacent bit-line pairs. The DRAM memory cell array has a high density cross-point memory cell architecture that behaves electrically as a folded bit-line array.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher M. Chu
- 👤 Sang H. Dhong
- 👤 Wei Hwang
- 👤 Nicky C-C. Lu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:59
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C11/00; G11C11/21; G11C11/34; G11C11/40; G11C11/401; G11C11/4063; G11C11/407; G11C11/409; G11C11/4097; H; H10; H10B; H10B12/00; H10B12/30; H10B12/39; H10B12/395
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A semiconductor memory device comprising: an array of cross-point memory cells formed in a semiconductor substrate and arranged in rows and columns to form a matrix; a plurality of word lines connected to said memory cells in the columns of said matrix; a plurality of bit-lines connected to said memory cells in the rows of said matrix; said plurality of bit-lines comprising a plurality of bit-line pairs of true and complement bit-lines, the true and complement bit-lines of each bit-line pair being vertically stacked one above the other in first and second interconnection layers, respectively, one of the true and complement bit-lines of each bit-line pair being connected to a memory cell in each column of said matrix; means for transposing the vertical stacking of the true and complement bit-lines of each bit-line pair to be within the second and first interconnection layers, respectively; and a plurality of sense amplifiers, the true and complement bit-lines of each bit-line pair being connected to a corresponding one of said plurality of sense amplifiers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A semiconductor memory device comprising: an array of cross-point memory cells formed in a semiconductor substrate and arranged in rows and columns to form a matrix; a plurality of word lines connected to said memory cells in the columns of said matrix; a plurality of bit-lines connected to said memory cells in the rows of said matrix; said plurality of bit-lines comprising a plurality of bit-line pairs of true and complement bit-lines, the true and complement bit-lines of each bit-line pair being vertically stacked one above the other in first and second interconnection layers, respectively, one of the true and complement bit-lines of each bit-line pair being connected to a memory cell in each column of said matrix; means for transposing the vertical stacking of the true and complement bit-lines of each bit-line pair to be within the second and first interconnection layers, respectively; and a plurality of sense amplifiers, the true and complement bit-lines of each bit-line pair being connected to a corresponding one of said plurality of sense amplifiers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of bit-line pairs include at least one sub-array of first and second bit-line pairs, the first and second bit-line pairs of each sub-array being planarly aligned parallel to each other in corresponding first and second rows, respectively, said transposing means including means for transposing the planar alignment of the first and second bit-line pairs to be within the second and first rows, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 2 further including n transposing means, where n is an odd integer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 3 wherein said plurality of sense amplifiers are arranged on opposite outer borders of said substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 wherein said transposing means comprises first, second and third interconnection layers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 5 wherein said transposing means includes means for interconnecting the first layer to the third layer and for interconnecting the second layer to the first layer, the first layer formed above the third layer and the second layer formed above the first layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 6 wherein the third interconnection layer is comprised of polycrystalline silicon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 7 wherein the first and second interconnection layers are comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of tungsten and aluminum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 wherein each of said cross-point memory cells includes an access transistor and a storage capacitor thereby forming an integrated circuit DRAM.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 9 wherein said storage capacitor is a trench capacitor and said access transistor is a trench transistor vertically aligned over said storage capacitor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 3 wherein each of said cross-point memory cells includes an access transistor and a storage capacitor thereby forming an integrated circuit DRAM.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 11 wherein said storage capacitor is a trench capacitor and said access transistor is a trench transistor vertically aligned over said storage capacitor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 6 wherein each of said cross-point memory cells includes an access transistor and a storage capacitor thereby forming an integrated circuit DRAM.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The semiconductor memory device of claim 13 wherein said storage capacitor is a trench capacitor and said access transistor is a trench transistor vertically aligned over said storage capacitor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-04-21 | 1995-10-21 | 1996-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-21 | 1999-10-21 | 2000-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-21 | 2003-10-21 | 2004-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |