Motorola Corporation

Paul E Grimme

Paul D Shannon

Hiroyuki Oka

Robert W Sparks

A method and apparatus for post-packaging testing of one-time programmable memories provided means for assuring that each cell of the memory will appear to a customer to be erased and that it is capable of being programmed. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a microcomputer including one-time programmable memory, but the invention also includes memory-only devices. Marginal reading method and apparatus provide for detecting the threshold voltage of memory cells below the level at which the cell appears to the customer to be erased and marginal programming method and apparatus provide for slightly increasing the threshold voltage of cells in order to ensure their programmability.

Method and apparatus for post-packaging testing of one-time programmable

A method and apparatus for post-packaging testing of one-time programmable memories provides means for assuring that each cell of the memory will appear to a customer to be erased and that it is capable of being programmed. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a microcomputer including one-time programmable memory, but the invention also includes memory-only devices. Marginal reading method and apparatus provide for detecting the threshold voltage of memory cells below the level at which the cell appears to the customer to be erased and marginal programming method and apparatus provide for slightly increasing the threshold voltage of cells in order to ensure their programmability.

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Dripping Springs, TX, United States of America

Paul E Grimme