Patent · US Expired

Method of programming and erasing non-volatile memory cells

US6418060B1 · kind B1 · utility

78Cited by
8References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 3, 2002
Grant dateJul 9, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 3, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10B69/00
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of selectively programming an individual memory cell of a non-volatile memory array. The non-volatile memory array is an array of memory cells. Each memory cell is made up of an ONO gate built on a substrate, which also acts as a well. On one side of the gate is a diffusion drain encompassed by a localized well region set in the well. On the other side of the gate is a diffusion source set in the well. When operated, appropriate voltages are applied to the source, the gate, the drain, and the localized well region to program or erase the non-volatile memory. The designed localized well region prevents an induction current in the unselected gates of the array, allowing for better selectivity and performance.

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