Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for programming flash memory device

US6449187B1 · kind B1 · utility

3Cited by
5References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 17, 2001
Grant dateSep 10, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 17, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C16/0416
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The method is for programming a memory cell in an array of cells having a plurality of bit lines, each with bit-line coupled cells, and a plurality of word lines, each with word-line coupled cells. A word line-bit line combination identifies a target cell. Each cell has a drain, source, gate and floating gate arrayed upon a base common to the cells, all of which cooperate to establish a floating gate-to-source field in each cell. The method includes the steps of: (a) applying a select signal to a word line and a bit line coupled with the target cell; (b) providing an adjusted signal to the bit-line coupled cells to decrease strength of the floating gate-to-drain field for the bit-coupled cells; (c) programming the target cell; and (d) maintaining the adjusted signal at least until the programming is complete.

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