Device-Aware Test for Back-Hopping Defects in STT-MRAMs

Sicong Yuan, Mottaqiallah Taouil, Moritz Fieback, Hanzhi Xun, Erik Jan Marinissen, Gouri Sankar Kar, Sidharth Rao, Sebastien Couet, Said Hamdioui

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
53 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The development of Spin-transfer torque magnetic RAM (STT-MRAM) mass production requires high-quality dedicated test solutions, for which understanding and modeling of manufacturing defects of the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is crucial. This paper introduces and characterizes a new defect called Back-Hopping (BH); it also provides its fault models and test solutions. The BH defect causes MTJ state to oscillate during write operations, leading to write failures. The characterization of the defect is carried out based on manufactured MTJ devices. Due to the observed non-linear characteristics, the BH defect cannot be modelled with a linear resistance. Hence, device-aware defect modeling is applied by considering the intrinsic physical mechanisms; the model is then calibrated based on measurement data. Thereafter, the fault modeling and analysis is performed based on circuit-level simulations; new fault primitives/models are derived. These accurately describe the way the STT-MRAM behaves in the presence of BH defect. Finally, dedicated march test and a Design-for-Test solutions are proposed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2023 Design, Automation and Test in Europe Conference and Exhibition, DATE 2023 - Proceedings
PublisherIEEE
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9783981926378
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Event2023 Design, Automation and Test in Europe Conference and Exhibition, DATE 2023 - Antwerp, Belgium
Duration: 17 Apr 202319 Apr 2023

Publication series

NameProceedings -Design, Automation and Test in Europe, DATE
Volume2023-April
ISSN (Print)1530-1591

Conference

Conference2023 Design, Automation and Test in Europe Conference and Exhibition, DATE 2023
Country/TerritoryBelgium
CityAntwerp
Period17/04/2319/04/23

Bibliographical note

Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.

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