Wordline driver for a non-volatile memory device, a non-volatile memory device and method
First Claim
1. A wordline driver for a non-volatile memory device, the wordline driver comprising:
- a wordline driver output;
a first power source, adapted to provide an erase level voltage for erasing portions of the non-volatile memory device;
a second power source, adapted to provide read and program level voltages for reading and programming portions of the non-volatile memory device;
first switching means adapted to connect the wordline driver output to a one of the first and second power sources dependent upon an operating mode of the wordline driver, the first switching means including an isolation transistor adapted to selectively connect the second power source and the wordline driver output; and
a programmable switch controller for providing a variable control signal to a control electrode of the isolation transistor, the programmable switch controller being arranged to set the variable control signal to a value dependent upon at least one operating parameter of the non-volatile memory device, and wherein the programmable switch controller further comprises;
a voltage reference having an output; and
a control loop connected between the output of the voltage reference and the control electrode of the isolation transistor and configured to adapt the output of the voltage reference to provide the variable control signal to the control electrode of the isolation transistor.
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Abstract
A wordline driver, for a non-volatile memory device, comprises a wordline driver output, a first power source, adapted to provide an erase level voltage for erasing portions of the non-volatile memory device, a second power source, adapted to provide read and program level voltages for reading and programming portions of the non-volatile memory device and first switching means, including an isolation transistor, adapted to connect the wordline driver output to a one of the first and second power sources dependent upon an operating mode of the wordline driver. The wordline driver further comprises a programmable switch controller for providing a variable control signal to a control electrode of the isolation transistor. The programmable switch controller is arranged to set the variable control signal to a value dependent upon the operating parameters of the non-volatile memory device and such that the endurance of the isolation transistor is maximised.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A wordline driver for a non-volatile memory device, the wordline driver comprising:
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a wordline driver output; a first power source, adapted to provide an erase level voltage for erasing portions of the non-volatile memory device; a second power source, adapted to provide read and program level voltages for reading and programming portions of the non-volatile memory device; first switching means adapted to connect the wordline driver output to a one of the first and second power sources dependent upon an operating mode of the wordline driver, the first switching means including an isolation transistor adapted to selectively connect the second power source and the wordline driver output; and a programmable switch controller for providing a variable control signal to a control electrode of the isolation transistor, the programmable switch controller being arranged to set the variable control signal to a value dependent upon at least one operating parameter of the non-volatile memory device, and wherein the programmable switch controller further comprises; a voltage reference having an output; and a control loop connected between the output of the voltage reference and the control electrode of the isolation transistor and configured to adapt the output of the voltage reference to provide the variable control signal to the control electrode of the isolation transistor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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2. A wordline driver for a non-volatile memory device, the wordline driver comprising:
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a wordline driver output; a first power source, adapted to provide an erase level voltage for erasing portions of the non-volatile memory device; a second power source, adapted to provide read and program level voltages for reading and programming portions of the non-volatile memory device; first switching means, including an isolation transistor, adapted to connect the wordline driver output to a one of the first and second power sources dependent upon an operating mode of the wordline driver; and a programmable switch controller for providing a variable control signal to a control electrode of the isolation transistor, the programmable switch controller being arranged to set the variable control signal to a value dependent upon at least one operating parameter of the non-volatile memory device, wherein the programmable switch controller comprises; a voltage reference having an output; and a control loop connected between the output of the voltage reference and the control electrode of the isolation transistor and configured to adapt the output of the voltage reference to provide the variable control signal to the control electrode of the isolation transistor. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In a wordline driver of a non-volatile memory device, a method comprising:
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selectively connecting a wordline driver output of the wordline driver to one of a first power source or a second power source dependent upon an operating mode of the wordline driver, the first power source adapted to provide an erase level voltage for erasing portions of the non-volatile memory device and the second power source adapted to provide read and program level voltages for reading and programming portions of the non-volatile memory device; and providing, from a programmable switch controller of the wordline driver, a variable control signal to a control electrode of an isolation transistor adapted to selectively connect the second power source to the wordline driver output, the variable control signal being set to a value dependent upon at least one operating parameter of the non-volatile memory device, and wherein providing the variable control signal comprises adapting, via control loop of the programmable switch controller, an output of a voltage reference to provide the variable control signal to the control electrode of the isolation transistor.
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Specification