Non-volatile memory with a charge pump with regulated voltage

A memory comprising

• a plurality of memory cells connected to one another by row lines and by column lines to form a matrix of memory cells;
• a charge pump connected to said matrix of memory cells;
• a plurality of controllable connection elements, with each controllable connection element being connected between an output of said charge pump and a respective column line;
• a first element equivalent to a controllable connection element and being connected to the output of said charge pump;
• a second element equivalent to a memory cell in a biased condition and being connected in series with said first element and a common voltage reference;
• and
• a regulator connected between said second element and an input of said charge pump for regulating an output voltage therefrom based upon a voltage between terminals of said second element.

A method for regulating a charge pump connected to a memory comprising a plurality of memory cells connected to one another by row lines and by column lines to form a matrix of memory cells, the method comprising:

• selectively activating a plurality of controllable connection elements, with each controllable connection element being connected between an output of the charge pump and a respective column line;
• selectively activating a first element equivalent to a controllable connection element and being connected to the output of the charge pump;
• controlling at least one second element for being equivalent to a memory cell in a biased condition, the second element being connected in series with the first element and a common voltage reference;
• and
• regulating an output voltage from the charge pump based upon a voltage between terminals of the second element.