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:
Sep. 11, 2012
Filed:
Aug. 26, 2009
Guido DE Sandre, Brugherio, IT;
Marco Pasotti, S. Martino Siccomario, IT;
Guido De Sandre, Brugherio, IT;
Marco Pasotti, S. Martino Siccomario, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A column decoder is for a phase-change memory device provided with an array of memory cells, a reading stage for reading data contained in the memory cells, and a programming stage for programming the data. The column decoder selects and enables biasing of a bitline of the array and generates a current path between the bitline and the reading stage or, alternatively, the programming stage, respectively during a reading or a programming operation of the contents of the memory cells. In the column decoder, a first decoder circuit generates a first current path between the bitline and the reading stage, and a second decoder circuit, distinct and separate from the first decoder circuit, generates a second current path, distinct from the first current path, between the bitline and the programming stage.