Recording and playback integrated system for analog non-volatile flash memory
US5959883A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 9, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C2211/5623
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An analog recording and playback system using non-volatile flash memory. An array of flash memory cells is used to store an analog signal and retrieve the stored analog signal on a real-time basis. A plurality of column driver circuits are coupled to the columns of flash memory cells for simultaneous programming and reading. A programming algorithm is used to write the analog signal within an operating range of the flash memory cells since the operating range may shift due to process variations. The system includes trimbit circuits to provide a trimmable initial programming voltage, programming step, programming current, read current, and select gate voltage. The system further includes a Serial Peripheral Interface ("SPI") that interfaces with a host microcontroller. The host microcontroller can send a number of commands to the system through the SPI for efficient message management. These commands include the basic commands to record or playback and various addressing and message cueing options. The system utilizes row and column redundancy to increase production yield.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.