IP Library Granted Patent US 7,742,337
Granted Patent B2
US 7,742,337 · App. 12/266,421 · Granted Jun 22, 2010

Semiconductor memory

Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,742,337
App. No.
12/266,421
Granted
Jun 22, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor memory is achieved which allows a reduction in the area of a memory array block without reducing the gate widths of floating gates. A plurality of select gates extend in straight lines in the X direction. Between the upper- and lower-side select gates, two rows' worth of floating gates are arranged. The plurality of floating gates are placed in a staggered arrangement (in other words, in a zigzag pattern). That is, looking at one floating gate in a specific column and another floating gate in a column adjacent to that specific column, those floating gates deviate from each other in the Y direction.

Claims (10)

1. A semiconductor memory comprising:

a select gate;

a plurality of floating gates coupled with said select gate, wherein said plurality of floating gates include:

a first floating gate arranged to have its gate width defined along a first direction; and

a second floating gate arranged to be adjacent to said first floating gate and to have its gate defined along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

a plurality of memory cells sharing said select gate and each having one of said plurality of floating gates;

a plurality of transistors connected respectively to outputs of said plurality of memory cells; and

a control circuit controlling said plurality of transistors,

wherein, in writing data to a first one of said plurality of transistors connected to a first one of said plurality of memory cells, said control circuit is configured to turn on, among said plurality of transistors, said first transistor connected to said first memory cell and a second one of said plurality of transistors connected to a second one of said plurality of memory cells to which current flows from said first memory cell.

2. The semiconductor memory according to claim 1 , wherein said select gate is formed in a meandering pattern.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Aug 27, 2010
From: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
To: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024892/0877 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 27, 2010
From: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024944/0437 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2004-113752 · Apr 8, 2004 · national
Continuity (3)
Continuation 1188287800 · Aug 6, 2007
Division 1109853300 · Apr 5, 2005
Related Publication 20090059665A1 · Mar 5, 2009