Abstract:
A non-volatile memory device that a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. An array of non-volatile memory cells is in the semiconductor substrate arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. Each memory cell comprises a first region on a surface of the semiconductor substrate of a second conductivity type, and a second region on the surface of the semiconductor substrate of the second conductivity type. A channel region is between the first region and the second region. A word line overlies a first portion of the channel region and is insulated therefrom, and adjacent to the first region and having little or no overlap with the first region. A floating gate overlies a second portion of the channel region, is adjacent to the first portion, and is insulated therefrom and is adjacent to the second region. A coupling gate overlies the floating gate. A bit line is connected to the first region. A negative charge pump circuit generates a first negative voltage. A control circuit receives a command signal and generates a plurality of control signals, in response thereto and applies the first negative voltage to the word line of the unselected memory cells. During the operations of program, read or erase, a negative voltage can be applied to the word lines of the unselected memory cells.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an improved sensing amplifier and related method for use in read operations in flash memory devices. In one embodiment, the sensing amplifier includes a built-in voltage offset. In another embodiment, a voltage offset is induced in the sensing amplifier through the use of capacitors. In another embodiment, the sensing amplifier utilizes sloped timing for the reference signal to increase the margin by which a “0” or “1” are detected from the current drawn by the selected cell compared to the reference cell. In an another embodiment, a sensing amplifier is used without any voltage offset.
Abstract:
A memory device that provides individual memory cell read, write and erase. In an array of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, each column of memory cells includes a column bit line, a first column control gate line for even row cells and a second column control gate line for odd row cells. Each row of memory cells includes a row source line. In another embodiment, each column of memory cells includes a column bit line and a column source line. Each row of memory cells includes a row control gate line. In yet another embodiment, each column of memory cells includes a column bit line and a column erase gate line. Each row of memory cells includes a row source line, a row control gate line, and a row select gate line.
Abstract:
A non-volatile memory device has a charge pump for providing a programming current and an array of non-volatile memory cells. Each memory cell of the array is programmed by the programming current from the charge pump. The array of non-volatile memory cells is partitioned into a plurality of units, with each unit comprising a plurality of memory cells. An indicator memory cell is associated with each unit of non-volatile memory cells. A programming circuit programs the memory cells of each unit using the programming current, when fifty percent or less of the memory cells of each unit is to be programmed, and programs the inverse of the memory cells of each unit and the indicator memory cell associated with each unit, using the programming current, when more than fifty percent of the memory cells of each unit is to be programmed.
Abstract:
A non-volatile memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. An array of non-volatile memory cells is located in the semiconductor substrate and arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. Each memory cell comprises a first region on a surface of the semiconductor substrate of a second conductivity type, and a second region on the surface of the semiconductor substrate of the second conductivity type. A channel region is between the first region and the second region. A word line overlies a first portion of the channel region and is insulated therefrom, and adjacent to the first region and having little or no overlap with the first region. A floating gate overlies a second portion of the channel region, is adjacent to the first portion, and is insulated therefrom and is adjacent to the second region. A coupling gate overlies the floating gate. A bit line is connected to the first region. During the operations of program, read, or erase, a negative voltage can be applied to the word lines and/or coupling gates of the selected or unselected memory cells.
Abstract:
Various embodiments for inhibiting the programming of memory cells coupled to unselected bit lines while programming a memory cell coupled to a selected bit line in a flash memory array are disclosed. Various embodiments for compensating for leakage current during the programming of memory cells coupled to a selected bit line in a flash memory array also are disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of forming a memory device that includes forming on a substrate, a first insulation layer, a first conductive layer, a second insulation layer, a second conductive layer, a third insulation layer. First trenches are formed through third insulation layer, the second conductive layer, the second insulation layer and the first conductive layer, leaving side portions of the first conductive layer exposed. A fourth insulation layer is formed at the bottom of the first trenches that extends along the exposed portions of the first conductive layer. The first trenches are filled with conductive material. Second trenches are formed through the third insulation layer, the second conductive layer, the second insulation layer and the first conductive layer. Drain regions are formed in the substrate under the second trenches. A pair of memory cells results, with a single continuous channel region extending between drain regions for the pair of memory cells.