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:
Jan. 30, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 04, 1999
Ishai Nachumovsky, Zichron Yaakov, IL;
Tower Semiconductor Ltd., Migdal Haemek, IL;
Abstract
A structure and method for implementing an EEPROM array using 2-bit non-volatile memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. Each memory cell has a first charge trapping region for storing a first bit and a second charge trapping region for storing a second bit. A plurality of bit lines are provided, wherein each bit line is coupled to the first charge trapping region of each memory cell in one column and to the second charge trapping region of each memory cell in an adjacent column. A memory control circuit is coupled to the bit lines, wherein the memory control circuit erases a word stored in the EEPROM array by applying an erase voltage to one or more of the bit lines. The applied erase voltage erasing all of the charge trapping regions coupled to the one or more bit lines. All of the charge trapping regions erased in response to the erase voltage represent a single word of the EEPROM array. The memory control circuit reads a word stored in the EEPROM array by sequentially accessing all of the charge trapping regions coupled to one or more of the bit lines. Similarly, the memory control circuit writes a word to the EEPROM array by sequentially programming all of the charge trapping regions coupled to one or more of the bit lines.