Abstract:
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory according to an example of the present invention comprises a memory cell array composed of a plurality of memory cells, an internal circuit which writes into the plurality of memory cells by use of one of a first mode in which a first threshold distribution can be obtained and a second mode in which a second threshold distribution different from the first threshold distribution can be obtained, and a threshold distribution control circuit which controls switchover between the first mode and the second mode.
Abstract:
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device with a function of executing a verify operation for write data that is input from outside includes a memory cell array including memory cells arranged in a matrix, and a password storage area for storing password data, an input buffer that receives data input from outside, a first retaining circuit that retains input password data or write data, which is input to the input buffer, a verify sense amplifier that detects, at a time of the verify operation, the password data that is read out of the password storage area or data that is read out of the memory cell array, and a coincidence determination circuit that determines whether the input password data coincides with the read-out password data, or determines whether the write data coincides with the read-out data.
Abstract:
A multi-level non-volatile memory cell programming/lockout method and system are provided. The programming/lockout method and system advantageously prevent memory cells that charge faster than other memory cells from being over-programmed.
Abstract:
For a verify operation using potential Vbi′, the data of a memory cell is preliminarily read by using potential Vai+1 and the state of the memory cell is stored in a latch circuit. Then, a verify/read operation is conducted by using potential Vbi′. If the state of the cell is higher than Ai+1, the outcome of the verify/read operation is forcibly brought down to a low level. Thus, only two latch circuits are required for storing an n-bit data, including one for storing the data to be written and one for preliminarily reading if the state of the cell is higher than Ai+1 or not and storing the outcome of the preliminary reading.
Abstract:
The non-volatile memory device includes a current detection circuit for comparing, in data retrieve operation, storage information written in a non-volatile manner in a memory cell row with retrieval information in order to determine whether or not the storage information matches the retrieval information. The current detection circuit compares a data read current flowing through each bit line corresponding to each memory cell of a memory cell row storing the storage information with a data read current flowing through each bit line corresponding to each retrieval memory cell storing the retrieval information.
Abstract:
In a capacitor of a semiconductor device, a semiconductor memory device including the capacitor, and a method of operating the semiconductor memory device, the capacitor includes a lower electrode, a dielectric layer stacked on the lower electrode, the dielectric layer including a phase-transition layer capable of exhibiting two different resistance characteristics depending on whether an insulating property thereof has been changed, and an upper electrode stacked on the dielectric layer.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process of forming a phase-change memory. A lower electrode is disposed in a first dielectric film. The lower electrode comprises an upper section and a lower section. The upper section extends beyond the first dielectric film. Resistivity in the upper section is higher than in the lower section. A second dielectric film is disposed over the first dielectric film and has an upper surface that is coplanar with the upper section at an upper surface.
Abstract:
A channel erase flash memory including a redundancy word line group constituted of a plurality of redundancy word lines separately from a normal memory space of a memory cell array, and including a function of replacing the normal word line group including a defective memory cell with the redundancy word line group. In the memory, at the time of an erase operation, a first voltage is applied to a well region in which the memory cell array is formed, a second voltage of 0 V or less is applied to a normal word line, and a third voltage is applied to all the word lines included in the normal word line group including the defective memory cell or the redundancy word line group. A potential difference between the first and third voltages is set to be smaller than that between the first and second voltages.
Abstract:
In a semiconductor integrated circuit, an internal circuit is capable of executing a first operation and a second operation concurrently, and an output circuit outputs to the outside of the semiconductor integrated circuit information indicating whether or not the first operation is being executed and information indicating whether or not the second operation is executable.
Abstract:
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device capable of performing page programming at high speeds is provided. This nonvolatile memory device includes a cell array with a matrix of rows and columns of electrically writable and erasable nonvolatile memory cells, and a write control circuit which writes or “programs” one-page data into this cell array at a plurality of addresses within one page. The write control circuit is operable to iteratively perform iteration of a write operation for the plurality of addresses corresponding to one page and iteration of a verify-read operation of the plurality of addresses after writing until verify-read check is passed with respect to every address involved. Regarding an address or addresses with no cells to be written any more, the write control circuit skips the write operation and the after-write verify-read operation.