Tool for charge trapping memory using simulated programming operations

An automated design tool which simulates charge trapping in a charge trapping structure having a tunneling layer, a charge trapping layer and blocking layer;

• comprising:
• a processor including machine readable memory storing a parameter set characterizing materials and thicknesses of the tunneling layer, a charge trapping layer and blocking layer;
• a computer program stored in the machine readable memory, which includes instructions to compute charge trapped in the charge trapping layer as a function of the parameter set, said instructions to compute charge trapped in the charge trapping layer including logic for determining first tunneling current through the tunneling layer, logic for determining second tunneling current out of the charge trapping layer to the gate, logic for determining third tunneling current escaping from traps in the charge trapping layer and tunneling out to the gate, and logic for integrating said tunneling currents over a time interval.

An article of manufacture comprising:

• machine readable memory storing a computer program for automated design which simulates charge trapping in a charge trapping structure having a tunneling layer, a charge trapping layer and blocking layer, using a parameter set characterizing materials and thicknesses of the tunneling layer, a charge trapping layer and blocking layer;
• said computer program including instructions to compute charge trapped in the charge trapping layer as a function of the parameter set, said instructions to compute charge trapped in the charge trapping layer including logic for determining a first tunneling current through the tunneling layer, logic for determining a second tunneling current out of the charge trapping layer to the gate, logic for determining a third tunneling current escaping from traps in the charge trapping layer and tunneling out to the gate, and logic for integrating said tunneling currents over a time interval.