Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. Multilevel-Cell Phase-Change Memory: A Viable Technology
 
research article

Multilevel-Cell Phase-Change Memory: A Viable Technology

Athmanathan, Aravinthan  
•
Stanisavljevic, Milos  
•
Papandreou, Nikolaos
Show more
2016
IEEE Journal On Emerging And Selected Topics In Circuits And Systems

In order for any non-volatile memory (NVM) to be considered a viable technology, its reliability should be verified at the array level. In particular, properties such as high endurance and at least moderate data retention are considered essential. Phase-change memory (PCM) is one such NVM technology that possesses highly desirable features and has reached an advanced level of maturity through intensive research and development in the past decade. Multilevel-cell (MLC) capability, i.e., storage of two bits per cell or more, is not only desirable as it reduces the effective cost per storage capacity, but a necessary feature for the competitiveness of PCM against the incumbent technologies, namely DRAM and Flash memory. MLC storage in PCM, however, is seriously challenged by phenomena such as cell variability, intrinsic noise, and resistance drift. We present a collection of advanced circuit-level solutions to the above challenges, and demonstrate the viability of MLC PCM at the array level. Notably, we demonstrate reliable storage and moderate data retention of 2 bits/cell PCM, on a 64 k cell array, at elevated temperatures and after 1 million SET/RESET endurance cycles. Under similar operating conditions, we also show feasibility of 3 bits/cell PCM, for the first time ever.

  • Details
  • Metrics
Type
research article
DOI
10.1109/Jetcas.2016.2528598
Web of Science ID

WOS:000372656300010

Author(s)
Athmanathan, Aravinthan  
Stanisavljevic, Milos  
Papandreou, Nikolaos
Pozidis, Haralampos
Eleftheriou, Evangelos
Date Issued

2016

Publisher

Ieee-Inst Electrical Electronics Engineers Inc

Published in
IEEE Journal On Emerging And Selected Topics In Circuits And Systems
Volume

6

Issue

1

Start page

87

End page

100

Subjects

Memory

•

nonvolatile memory

•

phase change memory

•

semiconductor device reliability

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
LSM  
Available on Infoscience
July 19, 2016
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/127477
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés