Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090116290 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES RELATING TO AUTOMATIC CELL THRESHOLD VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT - Methods and apparatuses for automatically measuring memory cell threshold voltages are disclosed. Measurement circuitry includes an internal reference current generator, a plurality of memory cells and a pre-charge bit line reference circuit. If the reference current is greater than the memory cell current, the bit line voltage will increase. Conversely, if the reference current is less than the memory cell current, the bit line voltage will decrease. The reference current is generated in large steps until a comparator, that compares the bit line voltage and a pre-charged bit line reference voltage, is switched. The reference current then generates a current in small steps until the comparator is again switched. The reference current converges on the memory cell current within an accuracy of 10 nA. The memory cell threshold voltage is then determined from the memory cell current. Systems including memory according to an embodiment of the invention are also disclosed. | 05-07-2009 |
20090180331 | Semiconductor memory device having bit line pre-charge unit separated from data register - A semiconductor memory device is described that can, in certain embodiments, reduce a delay in access time and/or an area of a memory cell array. In one or more embodiments, a flash memory device that includes a memory cell array, a data register, a state machine, input/output pads, a row decoder, and a column decoder. The memory cell array includes a pre-charge unit that is placed between a plurality of memory cell arrays. The pre-charge unit pre-charges a bit line in a read operation. A data register is separated from the pre-charge unit and is located away from the arrays. Write data are coupled from a data register to the arrays, and read data are coupled from the arrays to the data register. | 07-16-2009 |
20090238011 | VCC CONTROL INSIDE DATA REGISTER OF MEMORY DEVICE - A memory device including current-limiting circuitry coupled to a first inverter inside a data register is provided. The current-limiting circuitry controls a voltage supplied to the first inverter and a reference voltage may be adjusted so that the voltage supplied to the first inverter is prevented from dropping below a voltage supplied to a second inverter inside the data register. The memory device may include a switch to allow coupling to the current-limiting circuitry for programming of the memory device. | 09-24-2009 |
20090279376 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVELY LIMITING PEAK POWER CONSUMPTION DURING PROGRAMMING OR ERASE OF NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DEVICES - A power supply circuit is used to supply power having a limited peak magnitude to an array of non-volatile memory cells during programming or erasing of the memory cells. The power supply circuit includes a reference current source supplying a reference current having a predetermined magnitude. The reference current source is coupled to a current generator, which supplies current to the array. The current generator may use current mirrors, and it supplies a current to the array having a predetermined relationship to the reference current. The current generator is selectively enabled by a control circuit so that current is supplied to the array during programming or erasing of at least some of the memory cells in the array. | 11-12-2009 |
20100020606 | WORD LINE DRIVERS IN NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING A SHARED POWER BANK AND PROCESSOR-BASED SYSTEMS USING SAME - A word line driver system that utilizes a voltage selection circuit to supply one of several voltages to an output node coupled to a plurality of word line control circuits. Each word line control circuit is coupled to a respective word line in an array of non-volatile memory cells. The voltage selection circuit may include selectable low pass filters for filtering the supplied voltage supplied to the word lines in the array of memory cells without significantly increasing the overall die-size of the device. | 01-28-2010 |
20100125429 | AUTOMATIC WORD LINE LEAKAGE MEASUREMENT CIRCUITRY - The present invention is a circuit and method for measuring leakage on the plurality of word lines in a memory device. In one embodiment, a memory device may include a leakage measurement circuit that is coupled to a plurality of word lines of the memory device. The leakage measurement circuit may be operable to generate a reference current and to determine whether a leakage current on one of the plurality of word lines is acceptable relative to the reference current. In another embodiment, a method may include determining whether leakage on one of a plurality of word lines of a memory device is allowable using a circuit in the memory device. | 05-20-2010 |
20100220530 | CIRCUITS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DRIVING HIGH AND LOW VOLTAGES ON BIT LINES IN NON-VOLATILE MEMORY - An integrated circuit bit line driver system includes a plurality of bit line drivers coupled to respective bit lines of an array of non-volatile memory cells. Each of the bit line drivers includes a bias transistor through which an input signal is coupled to the respective bit line. The bit line driver system includes a bias voltage circuit that generates a bias voltage that is coupled to the respective gates of the bias transistors. The bias voltage circuit initially accelerates the charging of the transistor gates, and subsequently completes charging the gates at a slower rate. The bias voltage is generated using a diode-coupled transistor having electrical characteristics the match those of the bias transistors so that the bias voltage varies with process or temperature variations of the integrated circuit in the same manner as the threshold voltage of the bias transistors vary with process or temperature variations. | 09-02-2010 |
20100246274 | SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE HAVING BIT LINE PRE-CHARGE UNIT SEPARATED FROM DATA REGISTER - A semiconductor memory device is described that can, in certain embodiments, reduce a delay in access time and/or an area of a memory cell array. In one or more embodiments, a flash memory device that includes a memory cell array, a data register, a state machine, input/output pads, a row decoder, and a column decoder. The memory cell array includes a pre-charge unit that is placed between a plurality of memory cell arrays. The pre-charge unit pre-charges a bit line in a read operation. A data register is separated from the pre-charge unit and is located away from the arrays. Write data are coupled from a data register to the arrays, and read data are coupled from the arrays to the data register. | 09-30-2010 |
20100259977 | VCC CONTROL INSIDE DATA REGISTER OF MEMORY DEVICE - A memory device including current-limiting circuitry coupled to a first inverter inside a data register is provided. The current-limiting circuitry controls a voltage supplied to the first inverter and a reference voltage may be adjusted so that the voltage supplied to the first inverter is prevented from dropping below a voltage supplied to a second inverter inside the data register. The memory device may include a switch to allow coupling to the current-limiting circuitry for programming of the memory device. | 10-14-2010 |
20100271871 | METHODS FOR PROGRAMMING A MEMORY DEVICE AND MEMORY DEVICES USING INHIBIT VOLTAGES THAT ARE LESS THAN A SUPPLY VOLTAGE - Methods for programming a memory array and memory devices are disclosed. In one such method, inhibited bit lines are charged to an inhibit voltage that is less than a supply voltage. The word lines of memory cells to be programmed are biased at a programming preparation voltage that is less than a nominal programming preparation voltage as used in the conventional art. Programming pulses can be applied to selected word lines of the memory cells to be programmed when the uninhibited bit lines are at 0V. | 10-28-2010 |
20100309730 | MEMORY ERASE METHODS AND DEVICES - Memory devices and erase methods for memories are disclosed, such as those adapted to discharge an erase voltage from a memory block while protecting low voltage string select gate transistors by maintaining the string select gate transistors in a turned on state during discharge. | 12-09-2010 |
20110110163 | WORD LINE DRIVERS IN NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING A SHARED POWER BANK AND PROCESSOR-BASED SYSTEMS USING SAME - A word line driver system that utilizes a voltage selection circuit to supply one of several voltages to an output node coupled to a plurality of word line control circuits. Each word line control circuit is coupled to a respective word line in an array of non-volatile memory cells. The voltage selection circuit may include selectable low pass filters for filtering the supplied voltage supplied to the word lines in the array of memory cells without significantly increasing the overall die-size of the device. | 05-12-2011 |
20110164456 | METHODS FOR PROGRAMMING A MEMORY DEVICE AND MEMORY DEVICES USING INHIBIT VOLTAGES THAT ARE LESS THAN A SUPPLY VOLTAGE - Methods for programming a memory array and memory devices are disclosed. In one such method, inhibited bit lines are charged to an inhibit voltage that is less than a supply voltage. The word lines of memory cells to be programmed are biased at a programming preparation voltage that is less than a nominal programming preparation voltage as used in the conventional art. Programming pulses can be applied to selected word lines of the memory cells to be programmed when the uninhibited bit lines are at 0V. | 07-07-2011 |
20110249503 | SELECT GATE PROGRAMMING IN A MEMORY DEVICE - Methods for programming select gates, memory devices, and memory systems are disclosed. In one such method for programming, a program inhibit voltage is transferred from a source line to unselected bit lines. Bit line-to-bit line capacitance, between the unselected bit lines and selected bit lines to be program inhibited, boosts the bit line voltage of the selected, inhibited bit lines to a target inhibit voltage. In one embodiment, the voltage on the selected, inhibited bit line can be increased in a plurality of inhibit steps whereby either one, two, or all of the steps can be used during the programming of unprogrammed select gates. | 10-13-2011 |
20110286282 | SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY COLUMN DECODER DEVICE AND METHOD - Semiconductor memory devices and methods include a flash memory cell array fabricated in a well, with memory cells in the same column connected to each other in series and connected to a respective bit line. The memory devices also include a column decoder, a data register buffer unit, a row decoder, an erase control unit, and an input/output buffer unit. In one or more embodiments, the erase control unit applies voltages to the well to erase the memory cells in a manner that avoids breaking down p-n junctions formed by transistors fabricated in the well. In another embodiment, high voltage transistors are used to selectively isolate the bit lines from and couple the bit lines to a peripheral circuit in pairs so that each high voltage transistor is shared by two bit lines. | 11-24-2011 |
20120014185 | CIRCUITS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DRIVING HIGH AND LOW VOLTAGES ON BIT LINES IN NON-VOLATILE MEMORY - An integrated circuit bit line driver system includes a plurality of bit line drivers coupled to respective bit lines of an array of non-volatile memory cells. Each of the bit line drivers includes a bias transistor through which an input signal is coupled to the respective bit line. The bit line driver system includes a bias voltage circuit that generates a bias voltage that is coupled to the respective gates of the bias transistors. The bias voltage circuit initially accelerates the charging of the transistor gates, and subsequently completes charging the gates at a slower rate. The bias voltage is generated using a diode-coupled transistor having electrical characteristics the match those of the bias transistors so that the bias voltage varies with process or temperature variations of the integrated circuit in the same manner as the threshold voltage of the bias transistors vary with process or temperature variations. | 01-19-2012 |
20120092933 | MEMORY ERASE METHODS AND DEVICES - Memory devices and erase methods for memories are disclosed, such as those adapted to discharge an erase voltage from a memory block while protecting low voltage string select gate transistors by maintaining the string select gate transistors in a turned on state during discharge. | 04-19-2012 |
20120218833 | LEAKAGE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS - Described examples include leakage measurement systems and methods for measuring leakage current between a word line at a boosted voltage and a word line at a supply voltage. The boosted voltage may be generated by charge pump circuitry. Examples of leakage measurement systems described herein may be included in memory devices. | 08-30-2012 |
20120281482 | WORD LINE DRIVERS IN NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING A SHARED POWER BANK AND PROCESSOR-BASED SYSTEMS USING SAME - A word line driver system that utilizes a voltage selection circuit to supply one of several voltages to an output node coupled to a plurality of word line control circuits. Each word line control circuit is coupled to a respective word line in an array of non-volatile memory cells. The voltage selection circuit may include selectable low pass filters for filtering the supplied voltage supplied to the word lines in the array of memory cells without significantly increasing the overall die-size of the device. | 11-08-2012 |
20130003464 | CIRCUITS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR DRIVING HIGH AND LOW VOLTAGES ON BIT LINES IN NON-VOLATILE MEMORY - An integrated circuit bit line driver system includes a plurality of bit line drivers coupled to respective bit lines of an array of non-volatile memory cells. Each of the bit line drivers includes a bias transistor through which an input signal is coupled to the respective bit line. The bit line driver system includes a bias voltage circuit that generates a bias voltage that is coupled to the respective gates of the bias transistors. The bias voltage circuit initially accelerates the charging of the transistor gates, and subsequently completes charging the gates at a slower rate. The bias voltage is generated using a diode-coupled transistor having electrical characteristics the match those of the bias transistors so that the bias voltage varies with process or temperature variations of the integrated circuit in the same manner as the threshold voltage of the bias transistors vary with process or temperature variations. | 01-03-2013 |
20130107640 | APPARATUSES, INTEGRATED CIRCUITS, AND METHODS FOR MEASURING LEAKAGE CURRENT | 05-02-2013 |
20130315001 | SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY COLUMN DECODER DEVICE AND METHOD - Semiconductor memory devices and methods include a flash memory cell array fabricated in a well, with memory cells in the same column connected to each other in series and connected to a respective bit line. The memory devices also include a column decoder, a data register buffer unit, a row decoder, an erase control unit, and an input/output buffer unit. In one or more embodiments, the erase control unit applies voltages to the well to erase the memory cells in a manner that avoids breaking down p-n junctions formed by transistors fabricated in the well. In another embodiment, high voltage transistors are used to selectively isolate the bit lines from and couple the bit lines to a peripheral circuit in pairs so that each high voltage transistor is shared by two bit lines. | 11-28-2013 |
20140003151 | SELECT GATE PROGRAMMING IN A MEMORY DEVICE | 01-02-2014 |
20140071772 | LEAKAGE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS - Described examples include leakage measurement systems and methods for measuring leakage current between a word line at a boosted voltage and a word line at a supply voltage. The boosted voltage may be generated by charge pump circuitry. Examples of leakage measurement systems described herein may be included in memory devices. | 03-13-2014 |
20140133249 | APPARATUSES, INTEGRATED CIRCUITS, AND METHODS FOR MEASURING LEAKAGE CURRENT - Methods, apparatuses, and integrated circuits for measuring leakage current are disclosed. In one such example method, a word line is charged to a first voltage, and a measurement node is charged to a second voltage, the second voltage being less than the first voltage. The measurement node is proportionally coupled to the word line. A voltage on the measurement node is compared with a reference voltage. A signal is generated, the signal being indicative of the comparison. Whether a leakage current of the word line is acceptable or not can be determined based on the signal. | 05-15-2014 |
20150029802 | APPARATUSES, INTEGRATED CIRCUITS, AND METHODS FOR MEASURING LEAKAGE CURRENT - Methods, apparatuses, and integrated circuits for measuring leakage current are disclosed. In one such example method, a word line is charged to a first voltage, and a measurement node is charged to a second voltage, the second voltage being less than the first voltage. The measurement node is proportionally coupled to the word line. A voltage on the measurement node is compared with a reference voltage. A signal is generated, the signal being indicative of the comparison. Whether a leakage current of the word line is acceptable or not can be determined based on the signal. | 01-29-2015 |