Switching device with high-voltage translator

A non-volatile memory comprising:

• a matrix of memory cells organized in rows and columns;
• a plurality of bit lines connected to the columns of said matrix of memory cells;
• a plurality of word lines connected to the rows of said matrix of memory cells;
• a read/write circuit;
• a plurality of switching transistors connected between said read/write circuit and said plurality of bit lines;
• and
• a column address decoder connected to said plurality of switching transistors for providing a plurality of switching signals thereto, and comprising
• an address decoding circuit for providing a plurality of bit line address selection signals, and
• a plurality of voltage-switching devices, at least one voltage-switching device for receiving a respective bit line address selection signal, each voltage-switching device comprising
• a high-voltage translator circuit connected to a high-voltage node receiving either a low-voltage logic level or a high-voltage level as a function of a low-voltage/high-voltage mode control signal, said high-voltage translator providing at least one output signal as a function of the low-voltage/high-voltage mode control signal and the bit line address selection signal, and
• a voltage-level switching circuit connected to said high-voltage translator circuit and being controlled by the at least one output signal, the low-voltage/high-voltage mode control signal, and the bit line address selection signal for providing one of the plurality of switching signals, as an output voltage level, that is ground or the low-voltage logic level for the low-voltage mode, and the high-voltage level for the high-voltage mode.

A method for controlling a voltage-switching device comprising a high-voltage translator connected to a high-voltage node, and a voltage-level switching circuit connected to the high-voltage translator circuit for providing an output voltage level, the method comprising:

• providing to the high-voltage node a low-voltage logic level or a high-voltage level as a function of a low-voltage/high-voltage mode control signal;
• generating at least one output signal from the high-voltage translator as a function of the low-voltage/high-voltage mode control signal and a switching control signal;
• and
• controlling the voltage-level switching circuit by the at least one output signal, the low-voltage/high-voltage mode control signal and the switching control signal for generating, as the output voltage level, ground or the low-voltage logic level for the low-voltage mode, and the high-voltage level for the high-voltage mode.