Silicon Based Unified Memory Devices And Technology

The primary focus of this book is on basic device concepts, memory cell design, and process technology integration. The first part provides in-depth coverage of conventional nonvolatile memory devices, stack structures from device physics, historical perspectives, and identifies limitations of conventional devices. The second part reviews advances made in reducing and/or eliminating existing limitations of NVM device parameters from the standpoint of device scalability, application extendibility, and reliability. The final part proposes multiple options of silicon based unified (nonvolatile) memory cell concepts and stack designs (SUMs). The book provides Industrial R&D personnel with the knowledge to drive the future memory technology with the established silicon FET-based establishments of their own. It explores application potentials of memory in areas such as robotics, avionics, health-industry, space vehicles, space sciences, bio-imaging, genetics etc.

Semiconductor flash memory is an indispensable component of modern electronic systems which has gained a strategic position in recent decades due to the progressive shift from computing to consumer (and particularly mobile) products as revenue drivers for Integrated Circuits (IC) companies. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the different technological approaches currently being studied to fulfill future memory requirements. Two main research paths are identified and discussed. Different "evolutionary paths" based on the use of new materials (such as silicon nanocrystals for storage nodes and high-k insulators for active dielectrics) and of new transistor structures (such as multi-gate devices) are investigated in order to extend classical floating gate technology to the 32 nm node. "Disruptive paths" based on new storage mechanisms or new technologies (such as phase-change devices, polymer or molecular cross-bar memories) are also covered in order to address 22 nm and smaller IC generations. Finally, the main factors at the origin of these phenomena are identified and analyzed, providing pointers on future research activities and developments in this area.

This comprehensive reference book provides electronics engineers with the technical data and perspective necessary for the intelligent selection, specification, and application of nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices. A "one-stop shopping" tool for the working engineer, this book presents the fundamental aspects of nonvolatile semiconductor memory technologies, devices, reliability, and applications.

Proceedings of SPIE present the original research papers presented at SPIE conferences and other high-quality conferences in the broad-ranging fields of optics and photonics. These books provide prompt access to the latest innovations in research and technology in their respective fields. Proceedings of SPIE are among the most cited references in patent literature.

A valuable reference for the most vital microelectronic components in the marketplace DRAMs are the technology drivers of high volume semiconductor fabrication processes for new generation products that, in addition to computer markets, are finding increased usage in automotive, aviation, military and space, telecommunications, and wireless industries. A new generation of high-density and high-performance memory architectures evolving for mass storage devices, including embedded memories and nonvolatile flash memories, are serving a diverse range of applications. Comprehensive and up to date, Advanced Semiconductor Memories: Architectures, Designs, and Applications offers professionals in the semiconductor and related industries an in-depth review of advanced semiconductor memories technology developments. It provides details on: Static Random Access Memory technologies including advanced architectures, low voltage SRAMs, fast SRAMs, SOI SRAMs, and specialty SRAMs (multiport, FIFOs, CAMs) High Performance Dynamic Random Access Memory-DDRs, synchronous DRAM/SGRAM features and architectures, EDRAM, CDRAM, Gigabit DRAM scaling issues and architectures, multilevel storage DRAMs, and SOI DRAMs Applications-specific DRAM architectures and designs - VRAMs, DDR SGRAMs, RDRAMs, SLDRAMs, 3-D RAM Advanced Nonvolatile Memory designs and technologies, including floating gate cell theory, EEPROM/flash memory cell design, and multilevel flash FRAMs and reliability issues Embedded memory designs and applications, including cache, merged processor, DRAM architectures, memory cards, and multimedia applications Future memory directions with megabytes to terabytes storage capacities using RTDs, single electron memories, etc. A continuation of the topics introduced in Semiconductor Memories: Technology, Testing, and Reliability, the author's earlier work, Advanced Semiconductor Memories: Architectures, Designs, and Applications offers a much-needed reference to the major developments and future directions of advanced semiconductor memory technology.