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:
Dec. 15, 2009
Filed:
Aug. 08, 2007
Vijay P. Adusumilli, San Jose, CA (US);
Nicola Telecco, Mountain View, CA (US);
Vijay P. Adusumilli, San Jose, CA (US);
Nicola Telecco, Mountain View, CA (US);
Atmel Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
Column redundancy is provided outside of a FLASH memory chip using a separate companion controller chip. The companion chip initially receives and stores fuse address information from the FLASH memory chip for defective memory cells in the FLASH memory. In a read mode of operation, the companion control chip detects receipt of a defective address from the FLASH memory and stores in a redundant shift register redundant data that is downloaded from the FLASH memory chip. The redundant data is used to provide correct FLASH memory data to an external user that interfaces with the companion control chip. In a program mode of operation, the companion control chip provides redundant bits that are stored in redundant columns in the FLASH memory chip. The companion control chip provides flexibility by readily providing a number of different redundancy schemes for bits, nibbles, or bytes without requiring additional logic circuits in the FLASH memory chip itself. Data is transferred between the FLASH memory chip and the companion control chip a byte at a time.