Patent · US Expired

Precision programming of nonvolatile memory cells

US5870335A · kind A · utility

74Cited by
30References
39Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 6, 1997
Grant dateFeb 9, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 6, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2211/5645
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An integrated circuit memory system and method for precision hot carrier injection programming of single or plurality of nonvolatile memory cells is described. Each program cycle is followed by a verify cycle. Precision programming is achieved by incrementally changing a programming current pulse flowing between the source and drain in the memory cell during successive program cycles and a constant current during successive verify cycles. Current control and voltage mode sensing circuitry reduces circuit complexity, reduces programming cell current, lowers power dissipation, and enables page mode operation. Precision programming is useful for multilevel digital and analog information storage.

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