Method of programming and erasing a non-volatile memory array
AssigneeMacronix International Co., Ltd.
InventorsSu-Chueh Loh, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Chi-Ling Chu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of processing an array of non-volatile memory cells to program or erase the same, by applying a voltage to the same through a program and verify pulse application circuit. The process includes a first step of selecting a voltage to be applied. Then, the maximum number of memory cells that can be processed simultaneously is determined, based on the selected voltage and characteristics of the memory cells and the circuit. The array is divided into processing groups, each group having a number of cells less than or equal to the maximum determined number. Finally, the voltage is applied to the cells.
Claims12
A method of processing an array of non-volatile memory cells to program or erase the same, by applying a voltage to the same through a program and verify pulse application circuit, comprising the steps of
- selecting a voltage to be applied;
- determining the maximum number of memory cells that can be processed simultaneously, based on the selected voltage and characteristics of the memory cells and the circuit;
- grouping the array into processing groups, each group having a number of cells less than or equal to the maximum determined number;
- and
- applying the voltage to the cells.
A method of processing an array of non-volatile memory cells to program or erase the same, by applying a voltage to the same through a program and verify pulse application circuit, comprising the steps of
- selecting an initial voltage to be applied;
- determining the maximum number of memory cells that can be processed simultaneously, based on the selected voltage and characteristics of the memory cells and the circuit;
- grouping the array into processing groups, each group having a number of cells less than or equal to the maximum determined number;
- applying the voltage to the cells;
- verifying which cells of the array were successfully processed;
- and
- iteratively continuing the selecting, determining, grouping and applying and verifying steps until the entire array is successfully processed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.