Patent · US Expired

Memory system having programmable control parameters

US5801985A · kind A · utility

237Cited by
16References
70Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 28, 1995
Grant dateSep 1, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 28, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2029/4402
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A memory system capable of being configured for optimum performance after fabrication using control parameters stored in non-volatile data storage units. The system includes an array of memory cells, separate from the data storage units, arranged in a multiplicity of rows and a multiplicity of columns, with each cell located in one of the rows being coupled to a common word line and with each cell located in one of the columns being coupled to a common bit line. Control circuitry for controlling memory operations such as programming the memory cells and reading the memory cells when the memory system is in a normal mode of operation. The non-volatile data storage units store control parameter data used by the control means for controlling the memory operations, with the control parameters being modifiable when the memory system is placed in an alternative mode of operation as opposed the normal mode of operation. Once the memory has been fabricated and characterized, the control parameters can be selected for optimum memory performance and loaded into the data storage units.

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