Nonvolatile memory with a write protection circuit

Abstract

A nonvolatile memory includes a memory array and a control circuit having a command latch and a command decoder. The control circuit receives an output enable signal and a write enable signal to control memory operations of the memory array in accordance with a command latched into the command latch via the command decoder. A write protection circuit is also provided that disables the command latch and the command decoder when the output and write enable signals are both active. The protection circuit includes a pulse generator that generates a reset signal to reset the command latch to the read array state and a control logic that causes the pulse generator to assert the reset signal when an output enable signal and a write enable signal of the memory are both active until after the write enable signal has been forced internally inactive and the command latch closed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.