Power supply independent current source for FLASH EPROM erasure
US5680348A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 1995 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C16/30
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for providing a constant electric field that is insensitive to fluctuations in the power supply to a FLASH EPROM during erasure. The system comprises a plurality of sector source drivers and a power supply insensitive constant current source. Each sector has at least one binary storage element. Each storage element has a source. The sector source drivers couple the at least one source of a sector to be erased to the power supply insensitive constant current source. The power supply insensitive constant current source provides an electric field across the tunneling oxide which is constant and insensitive to fluctuations in the power supply. This improves the wear characteristics and lifetime of the binary storage elements. In addition, this system remedies problems associated with short channel effects, electron trapping, and the use of various voltage sources.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.