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:
Nov. 07, 2006
Filed:
Nov. 22, 2004
Stephane Ricard, Marseilles, FR;
Marc Merandat, Venelles, FR;
Jerome Pratlong, Aix en Provence, FR;
Sylvie B. Vergnes, Trets, FR;
Laureline Bour, Pourrieres, FR;
Stephane Ricard, Marseilles, FR;
Marc Merandat, Venelles, FR;
Jerome Pratlong, Aix en Provence, FR;
Sylvie B. Vergnes, Trets, FR;
Laureline Bour, Pourrieres, FR;
Atmel Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A semiconductor oscillator circuit for an EEPROM high voltage charge pump utilizes a current generating means to charge a first and a second capacitor alternatively. The charging current produced by the current generating means is inversely proportional to the ambient temperature. The charging current is proportional to the supply voltage and consequently, the oscillator frequency output remains constant over a variable voltage supply. Such a constant frequency characteristic makes a low voltage operation possible, but slows down the oscillator frequency as temperature increases. The slowing of oscillator frequency limits the charge pump output voltage and enhances the lifespan of the EEPROM cells.