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. 24, 2009
Filed:
Feb. 01, 2008
Robert M. Salter, Iii, Saratoga, CA (US);
Kyung Joon Han, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Sung-rae Kim, San Jose, CA (US);
Nigel Chan, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Robert M. Salter, III, Saratoga, CA (US);
Kyung Joon Han, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Sung-Rae Kim, San Jose, CA (US);
Nigel Chan, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Actel Corporation, Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
A method for programming a flash memory cell comprises providing input data to the flash cell and providing a segmented programming pulse to the flash memory cell. The segmented programming pulse includes programming segments, each successive programming segment including a programming potential higher than the programming potential used in a previous programming segment, each programming segment followed by a zero-potential compare segment. The output of the flash memory cell is compared with the input data during the compare segment after each programming segment. The segmented programming pulse is terminated if the output of the flash memory cell matches the input data. The programming potential in each programming segment is increased during the programming segment. The programming potential in successive segments is either is increased or stepped up to the final value of the previous programming segment.