Patent ID: 8486745
Filing Date: 2013-07-16
Classification: G11C,H01L,H03K

Abstract:
1. A method for selectively establishing an electrical connection, the method comprising: coupling a first active terminal to a first terminal of phase change device (PCD) operable to provide a signal; coupling a second active terminal to a second terminal of PCD operable to receive the signal; and modifying an electrical conductivity state of the PCD having phase change material (PCM) by allowing a control signal to travel from a control terminal of PCD to a heating element and from the heating element to a portion of PCM before reaching the first active terminal or the second active terminal, wherein modifying an electrical conductivity state of the PCD further includes allowing the control signal to pass through higher resistance of the heating element to generate Joule heating, wherein the first and second active terminals, PCM, and control terminal are arranged in a lateral configuration.