Patent · US Expired

Flash memory device

US6044017A · kind A · utility

67Cited by
3References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 19, 1998
Grant dateMar 28, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 19, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C16/0483
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A flash memory includes an array of memory cells having sources, drains, floating gates, and control gates. The array includes a conductive plate formed over the memory cells to affect a capacitive coupling between the memory cells and the conductive plate. A first voltage source provides a first voltage to the control gate of a selected one of the memory cells. A second voltage source provides a second voltage to the conductive plate after the control gate of the selected one of the memory cells has been charged up to a predetermined voltage level. Additionally, the flash memory includes a switching circuit to transfer the first and second voltages to the control gate of the selected memory cell and the conductive plate, respectively, responsive to a first and second control signals.

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