Patent · US Expired

Qualification test method and circuit for a non-volatile memory

US6563752B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
3References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 30, 2001
Grant dateMay 13, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 30, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C16/04
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A qualification test method for a non-volatile memory includes determining a relation curve between the programming voltage and the lifetime of the memory cell. A programming voltage with respect to the memory array within the expected lifetime is estimated. According to the relation curve, the accelerating test voltage and the test time period corresponding to the programming voltage operated in the expected lifetime are computed out. The test is performed for the test time period under the accelerating test voltage. All the memory cells at the programmed state are tested to see if the original programmed state still remains. If the programmed state remains, the memory array is judged to have the life period. If the programmed state does not remain, the memory array is judged to have no the life period.

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