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:
Aug. 24, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 27, 1998
Richard Fournel, Lumbin, FR;
Fabrice Marinet, Grenoble, FR;
SGS Microelectronics S.A., Gentilly, FR;
Abstract
A memory cell in an integrated circuit using CMOS technology includes the following in series: an N type selection MOS transistor and a PN semiconductor junction. The source of the transistor is connected to the N type zone of the junction by a metal contact made on at least a part of the N type zone. The method of control includes, in the programming mode, the application to the integrated circuit of a level of supply voltage greater than a nominal value, within an upper limit that is permissible for the integrated circuit, and the application of this level to the drain and the gate of the selection transistor. The selection transistor is made with a channel having a length smaller than or equal to the minimum length in the technology considered. Accordingly, the selection transistor is biased in the snap-back mode. The memory cell may be used in a memory circuit in matrix form.