Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for writing and erasing flash memory

US5650967A · kind A · utility

26Cited by
7References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 6, 1995
Grant dateJul 22, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 6, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C5/066
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A DRAM-compatible nonvolatile memory includes a FLASH memory and a logic controller. The logical controller accepts conventional DRAM command protocol and accepts data and addresses from DRAM data and address buses, respectively. The logic controller responds to repeated CAS-before-RAS signals and a write enable signal to initiate block erases and writes to the FLASH memory. The nonvolatile, DRAM-compatible memory is incorporated in a package having the same pin structure as a conventional DRAM package, such that the nonvolatile, DRAM-compatible memory can be mounted in a DRAM mount, such as a socket. Because the nonvolatile, DRAM-compatible memory can share common data, address, and command lines with conventional DRAMs, a single memory card can be produced containing both conventional DRAMs and the nonvolatile, DRAM-compatible memories.

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