Methods and apparatuses for programming flash memory using modulated pulses
US7848158B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 2008 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C16/12
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for programming non-volatile semiconductor memory devices by using modulated pulses are disclosed. An apparatus may have a pulse generator, to create a sequence of pulses and set a threshold voltage of a non-volatile memory cell, and a pulse coupler. The apparatus may have a threshold verifier capable of verifying that the threshold voltage is set within an acceptable voltage range of a target threshold voltage. A pulse width modulator in some apparatuses may modulate the pulse durations early in the sequence when programming fast bits and late in the sequence when programming slow bits. An apparatus may generate a sequence of pulses, apply the sequence of pulses to a memory cell to set a threshold voltage of the memory cell, and modulate one or more of pulses in the sequence the parameters of pulse duration, pulse separation time, and step voltage magnitude.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.