Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for programming a memory array

US7212454B2 · kind B2 · utility

21Cited by
51References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 22, 2005
Grant dateMay 1, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 9, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C17/14
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for programming a memory array are disclosed. In one embodiment, after each word line is programmed, an attempt is made to detect a defect on that word line. If a defect is detected, the word line is repaired with a redundant word line. The word lines are then reprogrammed and rechecked for defects. In another embodiment, after each word line is programmed, an attempt is made to detect a defect on that word line. If a defect is detected, that word line is repaired along with a previously-programmed adjacent word line. In yet another embodiment, after each word line is programmed, an attempt is made to detect a defect on that word line and a previously-programmed adjacent word line. If a defect is detected on that word line, that word line and the previously-programmed adjacent word line are repaired with redundant word lines.

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