MRAM word line power control scheme

• US 9,672,885 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2012
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Kim, Taehyun, Kang, Seung H., Kim, Sungryul, Bhatnagar, Manoj, Kim, Jung Pill, Nowak, Matthew M.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Douglas
• Application Number:
  US13/602,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20140063922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,736 Days
• Field of Search: 365158, 36518909, 365226, 36523006
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/16 using elements in which the storage effect is based on magnetic spin effect
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/165 Auxiliary circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/1653 Address circuits or decoders
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/1657 Word-line or row circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/1673 Reading or sensing circuits or methods
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/1675 Writing or programming circuits or methods
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/1693 Timing circuits or methods
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/1697 Power supply circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 8/08 Word line control circuits, e.g. drivers, boosters, pull-up circuits, pull-down circuits, precharging circuits, for word lines

Abstract

Systems, circuits and methods for controlling word line (WL) power levels at a WL of a Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM). The disclosed power control scheme uses existing read/write commands and an existing power generation module associated with the MRAM to supply and control WL power levels, thereby eliminating the cost and increased die-size of schemes that control WL power through relatively large and expensive power control switches and control circuitry on the MRAM macro.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a memory macro comprising a Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) and a command decoder; and

a power generation module configured to provide different power levels to a word line of the MRAM in response to at least one of a write command or a read command;

wherein the power generation module comprises;

a buffer configured to receive the write command and the read command and provide a wait time;

a selector coupled to the buffer and not coupled to the command decoder, the selector configured to select a first power level for the word line based on the write command or a second power level for the word line based on the read command, wherein the selector is further configured to apply the wait time between selection of the first power level and selection of the second power level; and

an isolation circuit configured to couple an output of the selector and the word line.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selector comprises a multiplexer circuit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 integrated in at least one semiconductor die.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, integrated into a device, selected from the group consisting of a set top box, music player, video player, entertainment unit, navigation device, communications device, personal digital assistant (PDA), fixed location data unit, and a computer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the MRAM comprises Spin Transfer Torque MRAM.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the MRAM comprises a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) coupled to a word line transistor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first power level is higher than the second power level.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power generation module comprises a low dropout (LDO) regulator.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the isolation circuit comprises an operational amplifier configured to receive the output of the selector at a positive terminal input of the operational amplifier and provide the different power levels to the word line at an output of the operational amplifier.

10. A method of controlling word line power to a memory macro comprising a Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) comprising:

receiving a write command and a read command at a command decoder provided in the memory macro;

receiving a write command and a read command at a buffer provided in a power generation module;

providing a wait time by the buffer;

controlling a selector of the power generation module for selecting a first power level for a word line of the MRAM based on the write command or a second power level for the word line based on the read command, and for applying the wait time between selecting the first power level and selecting the second power level, wherein the selector is coupled to the buffer and not coupled to the command decoder; and

coupling an output of the selector with the word line using an isolation circuit.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first power level is higher than said second power level.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the power generation module comprises a low dropout (LDO) regulator.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the MRAM comprises Spin Transfer Torque MRAM.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the MRAM comprises a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) coupled to a word line transistor.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein coupling the output of the selector with the word line using the isolation circuit comprises coupling the output of the selector to a positive terminal input of an operational amplifier of the isolation circuit and coupling an output of the operational amplifier to the word line.