Patent · US Active

Method of programming a split-gate flash memory cell with erase gate

US10714489B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
7References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 4, 2018
Grant dateJul 14, 2020
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 4, 2038

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2216/04
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A memory device with a memory cell and control circuitry. The memory cell includes source and drain regions formed in a semiconductor substrate, with a channel region extending there between. A floating gate is disposed over a first portion of the channel region for controlling its conductivity. A select gate is disposed over a second portion of the channel region for controlling its conductivity. A control gate is disposed over the floating gate. An erase gate is disposed over the source region and adjacent to the floating gate. The control circuitry is configured to perform a program operation by applying a negative voltage to the erase gate for causing electrons to tunnel from the erase gate to the floating gate, and perform an erase operation by applying a positive voltage to the erase gate for causing electrons to tunnel from the floating gate to the erase gate.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.