摘要:
A programming and erase method that extends erase time degradation of nonvolatile memory devices by using a constant erase voltage and a set of program voltages, where the average program voltage of the set of the program voltages is approximately equal to the constant erase voltage.
摘要:
An intermediate implant step is performed to optimize the performance of the transistors in the peripheral portion of a floating gate type memory integrated circuit. The polysilicon layer (Poly 1) that forms the floating gate in the respective floating gate type memory devices prevents penetration of the optimizing implant into the core region in which the floating gate memory devices are formed. This permits the optimization implant to be performed without the need for an additional mask, thus reducing costs and production time.
摘要:
This invention describes methods for producing gate oxide regions in periphery regions of semiconductor chips, wherein the gate oxide regions have improved electrical properties. The methods involve the deposition of a barrier layer over the periphery of the semiconductor chip to prevent the introduction of contaminating nitrogen atoms into the periphery during a nitridation step in the core region of the semiconductor chip. By preventing the contamination of the gate areas of the periphery, the gate oxide regions so produced have increased breakdown voltages and increased reliability. This invention describes methods for etching the barrier layers used to protect the periphery from tunnel oxide nitridation. Semiconductor devices made with the methods of this invention have longer expected lifetimes and can be manufactured with higher device density.
摘要:
A memory devices and methods can use multiple sense operations to detect a state of memory elements in a marginal state. In some embodiments, an evaluation circuit can generates an output value for a memory element in response multiple sense results for the same memory element.
摘要:
Phase change devices, and particularly multi-terminal phase change devices, include first and second active terminals bridged together by a phase-change material whose conductivity can be modified in accordance with a control signal applied to a control electrode. This structure allows an application in which an electrical connection can be created between the two active terminals, with the control of the connection being effected using a separate terminal or terminals. Accordingly, the resistance of the heater element can be increased independently from the resistance of the path between the two active terminals. This allows the use of smaller heater elements thus requiring less current to create the same amount of Joule heating per unit area. The resistance of the heating element does not impact the total resistance of the phase change device. The programming control can be placed outside of the main signal path through the phase change device, reducing the impact of the associated capacitance and resistance of the device.
摘要:
Phase change devices, and particularly multi-terminal phase change devices, include first and second active terminals bridged together by a phase-change material whose conductivity can be modified in accordance with a control signal applied to a control electrode. This structure allows an application in which an electrical connection can be created between the two active terminals, with the control of the connection being effected using a separate terminal or terminals. Accordingly, the resistance of the heater element can be increased independently from the resistance of the path between the two active terminals. This allows the use of smaller heater elements thus requiring less current to create the same amount of Joule heating per unit area. The resistance of the heating element does not impact the total resistance of the phase change device. The programming control can be placed outside of the main signal path through the phase change device, reducing the impact of the associated capacitance and resistance of the device.
摘要:
Phase change devices, and particularly multi-terminal phase change devices, include first and second active terminals bridged together by a phase-change material whose conductivity can be modified in accordance with a control signal applied to a control electrode. This structure allows an application in which an electrical connection can be created between the two active terminals, with the control of the connection being effected using a separate terminal or terminals. Accordingly, the resistance of the heater element can be increased independently from the resistance of the path between the two active terminals. This allows the use of smaller heater elements thus requiring less current to create the same amount of Joule heating per unit area. The resistance of the heating element does not impact the total resistance of the phase change device. The programming control can be placed outside of the main signal path through the phase change device, reducing the impact of the associated capacitance and resistance of the device.
摘要:
A method, apparatus, and system in which an embedded memory comprises one or more electrically-alterable non-volatile memory cells that include a coupling capacitor, a read transistor, and a tunneling capacitor. The coupling capacitor has a first gate composed of both N+ doped material and P+ doped material, and a P+ doped region abutted to a N+ doped region. The P+ doped region abutted to the N+ doped region surrounds the first gate. The read transistor has a second gate. The tunneling capacitor has a third gate composed of both N+ doped material and P+ doped material.
摘要:
A method, apparatus, and system in which an embedded memory comprises one or more electrically-alterable non-volatile memory cells that include a coupling capacitor, a read transistor, and a tunneling capacitor. The coupling capacitor has a first gate composed of both N+ doped material and P+ doped material, and a P+ doped region abutted to a N+ doped region. The P+ doped region abutted to the N+ doped region surrounds the first gate. The read transistor has a second gate. The tunneling capacitor has a third gate composed of both N+ doped material and P+ doped material.
摘要:
A method and system for programming of the normal bits of a memory array of dual bit memory cells is accomplished by programming at a substantially high delta VT. The substantially higher VT assures that the memory array will maintain programmed data and erase data consistently after higher temperature stresses and/or customer operation over substantial periods of time. Furthermore, by utilizing substantially high gate and drain voltages during programming, programming times are kept short without degrading charge loss. A methodology is provided that determines the charge loss for single bit operation during program and erase cycles. The charge losses over cycling and stress are then utilized to determine an appropriate delta VT to be programmed into a command logic and state machine.