Patent · US Expired

Programmable logic array structure for semiconductor nonvolatile memories, particularly flash-eeproms

US5559449A · kind A · utility

58Cited by
8References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 21, 1995
Grant dateSep 24, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 21, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K19/1772
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The PLA, which implements a state machine of a nonvolatile memory, presents a dynamic NAND-NOT-NOR configuration, and the timing signals for correct reading of the PLA are generated by a clock generator which generates a monostable succession of read enabling signals on receiving a predetermined switching edge of an external clock signal. The clock generator enables evaluation of the AND and OR planes of the PLA and subsequently storage of the results through sections duplicating the propagation delays of the signals in the corresponding parts of the PLA. Reading is terminated as soon as completion of the storage step is indicated, so that reading of the PLA lasts only as long as strictly necessary, thus preventing erroneous switching while at the same time ensuring correct reading of the PLA.

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