Method and apparatus for sensing flash memory using delta sigma modulation
US7366021B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 2005 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C2207/063
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A simple method and device for accurately measuring flash memory cell current. The sensing scheme comprises an integrator, an analog to digital converter, and a digital to analog converter. The method comprises the acts of applying an input current and a feedback output current to a summer, integrating the resulting summer output over time, passing the integrated output to a clocked comparator, outputting a comparator output which controls a feedback circuit that keeps the integrator's voltage at the same level as a reference voltage, and outputting a digital average current to a counter. Delta sigma modulation (averaging) is employed to cancel out noise that would otherwise affect the cell current measurement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.