The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 09, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 30, 1997
Alan Kramer, Berkeley, CA (US);
Roberto Canegallo, Tortona, IT;
Mauro Chinosi, Cologno Monzese, IT;
Giovanni Gozzini, Palazzolo sull'Oglio, IT;
Pier Luigi Rolandi, Volpedo, IT;
Marco Sabatini, Brescia, IT;
SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
To check the programming of a nonvolatile memory cell storing an actual threshold value, the drain terminal of the cell is biased at a constant voltage; the gate terminal is biased at a check voltage; the cell is supplied with a predetermined current to determine a gate-source voltage drop related to the actual threshold value; and the voltage at the source terminal is supplied to an input of an operational amplifier. In an open-loop configuration, the desired threshold value of the set predetermined current is supplied as the check voltage; the amplifier compares the source voltage with the ground; and switching of the amplifier indicates the desired threshold value has been reached. In a closed-loop configuration, the output of the operational amplifier is connected directly to the gate terminal of the cell, and supplies the desired threshold value directly.