IP Library Granted Patent US 7,272,060
Granted Patent B1
US 7,272,060 · App. 11/001,940 · Granted Sep 18, 2007

Method, system, and circuit for performing a memory related operation

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,272,060
App. No.
11/001,940
Granted
Sep 18, 2007
Kind
B1
Abstract

A method, system, and circuit for performing a memory related operation are disclosed. An operating voltage is applied to a bitline and a neighboring bitline is precharged. The precharge voltage has a magnitude less than the operating voltage. Both voltages ramp up at like or different rates. The precharge voltage can reach its effective magnitude prior to or with the operating voltage reaching its effective value.

Claims (33)

1. A method for performing an operation relating to a memory, comprising:

applying an operating voltage to a first bitline of said memory; and

precharging a second bitline of said memory, wherein said second bitline is proximate to said first bitline and said precharging comprises applying a precharge voltage to said second bitline wherein said precharge voltage has a magnitude less than said operating voltage, wherein said operating voltage and said precharge voltage ramp up.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said operation comprises programming.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said operation comprises reading.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said memory comprises a flash memory.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said operating voltage and said precharge voltage ramp up at like rates.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said operating voltage and said precharge voltage ramp up at different rates.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said precharge voltage reaches its effective magnitude at effectively the same time as when said operating voltage reaches its effective value.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said second bitline is adjacent to said first bitline.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising precharging a third bitline of said memory, wherein said third bitline is proximate to said first bitline.

10. A circuit for performing an operation relating to a memory, comprising:

a decoder for addressing a first bitline and a second bitline, wherein said second bitline is proximate to said first bitline; and

a voltage generator coupled to said decoder for generating an operating voltage for a first bitline and a precharging voltage for said second bitline, wherein said precharge voltage has a magnitude less than said operating voltage and wherein said operating voltage and said precharge voltage ramp up at like rates.

11. A circuit for performing an operation relating to a memory, comprising:

a decoder for addressing a first bitline and a second bitline, wherein said second bitline is proximate to said first bitline; and

a voltage generator coupled to said decoder for generating an operating voltage for a first bitline and a precharging voltage for said second bitline, wherein said precharge voltage has a magnitude less than said operating voltage and wherein said operating voltage and said precharge voltage ramp up at different rates.

12. A circuit for performing an operation relating to a memory, comprising:

a decoder for addressing a first bitline and a second bitline, wherein said second bitline is proximate to said first bitline; and

a voltage generator coupled to said decoder for generating an operating voltage for a first bitline and a precharging voltage for said second bitline, wherein said precharge voltage has a magnitude less than said operating voltage and said precharge voltage reaches its effective magnitude at approximately the same time as when said operating voltage reaches its effective value.

13. A system for performing an operation relating to a memory, comprising:

a decoder for addressing a first bitline and a second bitline, wherein said second bitline is proximate to said first bitline;

a first circuit coupled to said decoder and for sensing a voltage on said first and said second bitlines and developing a corresponding voltage sensing signal;

a second circuit coupled to said first circuit and for, responsive to said voltage sensing signal, developing a voltage controlling signal;

a third circuit coupled to said second circuit and to said decoder and for, responsive to said voltage control signal and an operations control, generating an operating voltage for a first bitline and a precharging voltage for said second bitline, wherein said precharge voltage has a magnitude less than said operating voltage and wherein said precharge voltage ramp up, and

an operations controller coupled to said third circuit and to said decoder and for directing said addressing and generating said operations control.

14. The system as recited in claim 13 wherein said operations control comprises:

selecting said operation;

setting said operating voltage and said precharge voltage according to said selecting;

setting a ramp up rate for said operating voltage and said precharge voltage; and

said directing said addressing.

15. The circuit as recited in claim 14 wherein said operating voltage and said precharge voltage ramp up, selectively, at like rates and at different rates.

16. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein said precharge voltage reaches its effective magnitude at approximately the same time as when said operating voltage reaches its effective value.

Assignments (11)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 15, 2022
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
To: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 059721/0467 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2022
From: MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
Reel/Frame 059410/0438 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE 8647899 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 035240 FRAME 0429. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTERST. Recorded Nov 3, 2020
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 058002/0470 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Oct 28, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 050896/0366 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2015
From: SPANSION, LLC
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 036036/0738 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 21, 2015
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 035240/0429 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2015
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: SPANSION LLC; SPANSION INC.; SPANSION TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 035201/0159 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 4, 2010
From: SPANSION LLC; SPANSION INC.; SPANSION TECHNOLOGY INC.; SPANSION TECHNOLOGY LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
Reel/Frame 024522/0338 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2007
From: SPANSION INC.
To: SPANSION LLC
Reel/Frame 019065/0945 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2007
From: ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES, INC.
To: SPANSION INC.
Reel/Frame 019030/0331 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2004
From: LU, QIANG; FASTOW, RICHARD; WANG, ZHIGANG
To: ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 016053/0666 →