Method, system and circuit for programming a non-volatile memory array
First Claim
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1. A method of programming an array of non-volatile memory (“
- NVM”
) cells, said method comprising;
substantially concurrently applying different programming pulses to a first set and a second set of NVM cells, wherein the first set of NVM cells is associated with a first target threshold voltage and the second set of NVM cells is associated with a second target threshold voltage, and further comprising;
upon one or more NVM cells of the first or second sets of cells reaching or exceeding an intermediate threshold voltage level associated with either the first or second set, applying to a terminal of one or more cells in either the first or second set second phase programming pulses adapted to induce relatively greater threshold voltage changes in cells having less stored charge than in cells having relatively more stored charge.
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Abstract
The present invention is a multi-phase method, circuit and system for programming non-volatile memory (“NVM”) cells in an NVM array. The present invention may include a controller to determine when, during a first programming phase, one or more NVM cells of a first set of cells reaches or exceeds a first intermediate voltage, and to cause a charge pump circuit to apply to a terminal of the one or more cells in the first set second phase programming pulses to induce relatively greater threshold voltage changes in cells having less stored charge than in cells having relatively more stored charge.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of programming an array of non-volatile memory (“
- NVM”
) cells, said method comprising;
substantially concurrently applying different programming pulses to a first set and a second set of NVM cells, wherein the first set of NVM cells is associated with a first target threshold voltage and the second set of NVM cells is associated with a second target threshold voltage, and further comprising;
upon one or more NVM cells of the first or second sets of cells reaching or exceeding an intermediate threshold voltage level associated with either the first or second set, applying to a terminal of one or more cells in either the first or second set second phase programming pulses adapted to induce relatively greater threshold voltage changes in cells having less stored charge than in cells having relatively more stored charge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- NVM”
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5. A System for programming an array of non-volatile memory (“
- NVM”
) cells, said system comprising;
a controller adapted to cause a charge pump circuit to substantially concurrently apply different programming pulses to a first set and a second set of NVM cells, wherein the first set of NVM cells is associated with a first target threshold voltage and the second set of NVM cells is associated with a second target threshold voltage, and wherein the controller is further adapted to determine when one or more NVM cells of the first or second sets of cells reaches or exceeds an intermediate threshold voltage level associated with either the first or second set and to cause said charge pump circuit to apply to a terminal of one or more cells in either the first or second set second phase programming pulses adapted to induce relatively greater threshold voltage changes in cells having less stored charge than in cells having relatively more stored charge. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
- NVM”
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9. A non-volatile memory (“
- NVM”
) device comprising;
a controller adapted to cause a charge pump circuit to substantially concurrently apply different programming pulses to a first set and a second set of NVM cells, wherein the first set of NVM cells is associated with a first target threshold voltage and the second set of NVM cells is associated with a second target threshold voltage, and wherein the controller is further adapted to determine when one or more NVM cells of the first or second sets of cells reaches or exceeds an intermediate threshold voltage level associated with either the first or second set and to cause said charge pump circuit to apply to a terminal of one or more cells in either the first or second set second phase programming pulses adapted to induce relatively greater threshold voltage changes in cells having less stored charge than in cells having relatively more stored charge. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
- NVM”
Specification