Patent · US Expired

Flash memory wordline decoder with overerase repair

US5822252A · kind A · utility

122Cited by
6References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 5, 1996
Grant dateOct 13, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 5, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2216/20
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The invention provides a flash memory and decoder with overerase repair that can provide three word line voltages to overcome the overerased problems. The wordline decoder includes a wordline latch that provides a high flexibility of erasing size so that single/multiple sub-wordlines, single/multiple wordlines, single/multiple block, and whole array can be erased simultaneously. An exemplary embodiment of a flash memory wordline decoder that can provide three voltages includes a plurality of voltage terminals to receive a plurality of voltages, a plurality of address terminals to receive a plurality of address signals, a procedure terminal to receive a procedure signal, and a plurality of output wordlines adapted to be coupled to a bank of flash transistors. The wordline decoder circuit is configured to decode the address signals and includes a plurality of latches coupled to the wordlines and configured to latch the wordlines and to provide one of a plurality of operational voltages on the wordlines to accomplish a predetermined operation responsive to the procedure signal. The plurality of voltage terminals are configured in a way that the high voltage required for erasure or for…

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