摘要:
The present invention relates to improvements in erasing a flash memory. An object of the present invention is to shorten the erasing time. During pre-erase writing, at least either word lines or bit lines are selected in units of multiple lines at a time, and data are written in multiple selective transistors simultaneously.
摘要:
An exclusive OR circuit includes a first series circuit in which a source of a first pMIS transistor is connected to a positive-voltage power supply line. A drain of the first pMIS transistor is connected to a drain of a first nMIS transistor via a second nMIS transistor. The source of the first nMIS transistor is connected to a low-voltage power supply line via a fourth nMIS transistor. A second series circuit has a drain of a third nMIS transistor connected to a high-voltage power supply line via a second pMIS transistor. The source of the third nMIS transistor is connected to the source of a third pMIS transistor. The drain of the third pMIS transistor is connected to the low-voltage power supply line via a fourth pMIS transistor. The gates of the first and third nMIS transistors and the first and third pMIS transistors are connected to one another and provided with a first input. The gates of the second and fourth nMIS transistors and the second and fourth pMIS transistors are connected to one another and provided with a second input. The sources of the second and third nMIS transistors are connected to each other and provide the exclusive OR of the first and second inputs.
摘要:
A flash memory performs channel erasing or source erasing by applying a negative voltage to a control gate. The device includes a voltage restriction device which restricts the negative voltage to be applied to the control gate so that the negative voltage will be a constant value relative to the voltage of the channel or source. Alternatively, two voltage restricting devices restrict the negative voltage applied to the control gate and the voltage to be applied to the source so that the voltages will be a constant value relative to a common reference voltage.
摘要:
The present invention relates to improvements in erasing a flash memory. An object of the present invention is to shorten the erasing time. During pre-erase writing, at least either word lines or bit lines are selected in units of multiple lines at a time, and data are written in multiple selective transistors simultaneously.
摘要:
A negative-voltage circuit for realizing a flash memory is installed independently and is applied selectively to word lines in response to signals sent from row decoders. Row decoders for specifying word lines need not be installed in the negative voltage circuit. The negative circuit can therefore be reduced in scale.
摘要:
A semiconductor memory device has 2n word lines, a plurality of bit lines, a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells disposed at each intersection of the word lines and the bit lines, a write circuit for writing data to a memory cell located at an intersection of selected ones of the word lines and the bit lines, and a sense amplifier for reading data out of the memory cells. Further, the semiconductor memory device comprises a first unit for simultaneously selecting a block of 2m (n>m) word lines among the 2n word lines, and a second unit for not selecting a block of 2k (m>k) word lines among the 2m word lines. The second unit does not select the block of 2k word lines, and selects a block of 2k word lines prepared outside the 2n word lines when any one of the 2k word lines among the 2m word lines is defective. Consequently, redundant word lines are effectively employed, write and verify operations are stable, and thereby the yield and performance of the semiconductor memory device are improved.
摘要:
A semiconductor memory device has 2.sup.n word lines, a plurality of bit lines, a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells disposed at each intersection of the word lines and the bit lines, a write circuit for writing data to a memory cell located at an intersection of selected ones of the word lines and the bit lines, and a sense amplifier for reading data out of the memory cells. Further, the semiconductor memory device comprises a first unit for simultaneously selecting a block of 2.sup.m (n>m) word lines among the 2.sup.n word lines, and a second unit for not selecting a block of 2.sup.k (m>k) word lines among the 2.sup.m word lines. The second unit does not select the block of 2.sup.k word lines, and selects a block of 2.sup.k word lines prepared outside the 2.sup.n word lines when any one of the 2.sup.k word lines among the 2.sup.m word lines is defective. Consequently, redundant word lines are effectively employed, write and verify operations are stable, and thereby the yield and performance of the semiconductor memory device are improved.
摘要:
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory employs sense amplifiers, circuits for providing stabilized source voltages, and circuits for realizing high-speed and reliable read and write operations. The semiconductor memory has a matrix of nonvolatile erasable memory cell transistors. The semiconductor memory employs an arrangement for effectively using a plurality of source voltages and applying a verify voltage to sense amplifiers and word lines, a write verify arrangement for detecting an output of the sense amplifiers, an arrangement for comparing an output of the sense amplifiers with a reference value to determine whether or not a written state of the memory cell transistors is acceptable, an arrangement for adjusting an output of the sense amplifiers with use of inverters and transistors in response to a current flowing to the memory cell transistors, to improve a drive speed of the sense amplifiers, an internal source voltage generating arrangement using an n-channel depletion transistor connected to an external source voltage (Vcc), the gate of the transistor being connected to a low source voltage (Vss) to provide an internal source voltage (Vci), a combination of an arrangement for dropping the external source voltage (Vcc) for read to a predetermined value to drive a read circuit in the memory and an arrangement for dropping an external voltage (Vpp) for write, to generate a word line potential for a verify-after-write operation, an arrangement for setting a reference voltage (Vref) as a lower threshold (Vth) allowed for cell transistors (11.sub.00 to 11.sub.22), and comparing the voltage of a data bus (13) with the reference voltage (Vref), to simultaneously carry out an erase-verify operation on all memory cell transistors, and a pre-read arrangement for accessing the next address during a read time of the sense amplifiers, to improve a read speed.
摘要:
A semiconductor memory having address buffer means, memory cell means, word line selection means, bit line selection means, an output buffer, first address generation means connected to the address buffer means, for providing and address for specifying a group of data pieces, and second address generation means for providing addresses for specifying the data pieces, respectively, the semiconductor memory comprising first reading means for selecting and reading a group of data pieces through one of the word line selection means and bit line selection means according to an address provided by the first address generation means, second reading means for selecting the data pieces, which have been selected and read according to the address provided by the first address generation means, through one of the bit line selection means and word line selection means according addresses provided by the second address generation means and providing them to the output buffer; and pre-reading means for reading another group of data pieces according the another address to be provided by the first address generation means while the preceding data pieces are being read according to the preceding address provided by the first address generation means and being selectively provided to the output buffer according to the addresses provided by the second address generation means.
摘要:
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory employs sense amplifiers, circuits for providing stabilized source voltages, and circuits for realizing high-speed and reliable read and write operations. The semiconductor memory has a matrix of nonvolatile erasable memory cell transistors. The semiconductor memory employs an arrangement for effectively using a plurality of source voltages and applying a verify voltage to sense amplifiers and word lines, a write verify arrangement for detecting an output of the sense amplifiers, an arrangement for comparing an output of the sense amplifiers with a reference value to determine whether or not a written state of the memory cell transistors is acceptable, an arrangement for adjusting an output of the sense amplifiers with use of inverters and transistors in response to a current flowing to the memory cell transistors, to improve a drive speed of the sense amplifiers, an internal source voltage generating arrangement using an n-channel depletion transistor connected to an external source voltage (V.sub.CC), the gate of the transistor being connected to a low source voltage (V.sub.ss) to provide an internal source voltage (V.sub.ci), a combination of an arrangement for dropping the external source voltage (V.sub.cc) for read to a predetermined value to drive a read circuit in the memory and an arrangement for dropping an external voltage (V.sub.pp) for write, to generate a word line potential for a verify-after-write operation, an arrangement for setting a reference voltage (V.sub.ref) as a lower threshold (V.sub.th) allowed for cell transistors (11.sub.00 to 11.sub.22), and comparing the voltage of a data bus (13) with the reference voltage (V.sub.ref), to simultaneously carry out an erase-verify operation on all memory cell transistors, and a pre-read arrangement for accessing the next address during a read time of the sense amplifiers, to improve a read speed.