Patent · US Expired

Methods and circuits for testing programmability of a semiconductor memory cell and memory array using a breakdown phenomenon in an ultra-thin dielectric

US7031209B2 · kind B2 · utility

26Cited by
95References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 9, 2004
Grant dateApr 18, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 14, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2029/5006
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of testing the programmability of a memory cell is disclosed. The memory cell comprises a select transistor and a data storage element. The method comprises applying a test voltage across the data storage element. The select transistor is turned on. Finally, a current flow through the data storage element when the test voltage is applied is measured. A test positive signal is indicated if the current flow is greater than a reference.

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