IP Library Granted Patent US 12,354,663
Granted Patent B2
US 12,354,663 · App. 17/668,884 · Granted Jul 8, 2025

Embedded flash memory and write operation method thereof

Inventors: Youngchul Seo (Gwangmyeong-si, KR); Weon-Hwa Jeong (Seoul, KR); Yonghwan Kim (Cheongju-si, KR); Chulgeun Lim (Gunsan-si, KR); Hoon Jin (Cheongju-si, KR); Sungbum Park (Seongnam-si, KR); Keesik Ahn (Hwaseong-si, KR)
Assignee: SK keyfoundry Inc.
G11C16/10G11C16/0433G11C16/26G11C16/30G11C16/32H10B41/30G11C16/14
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,354,663
App. No.
17/668,884
Granted
Jul 8, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An embedded flash memory and an operation method thereof is provided. The embedded flash memory includes a memory cell array comprising a plurality of memory cells, an automatic verification controller comprising: a TRIM calibration configured to provide a write voltage, and a time controller configured to control a write time, and a high voltage generator configured to provide the write voltage to the memory cell array, an input buffer configured to store input data, a sense amplifier configured to generate read data from the memory cell array, and a data comparator configured to compare the read data with the input data.

Claims (34)

1. An embedded flash memory, comprising:

a memory cell array comprising a plurality of memory cells;

an automatic verification controller comprising:

a TRIM calibration configured to provide a write voltage; and

a time controller configured to control a write time and a maximum write cycle, and

a high voltage generator configured to receive the write voltage from the TRIM calibration, and provide the write voltage to the memory cell array,

an input buffer configured to store input data;

a sense amplifier configured to read data from the memory cell array; and

a data comparator configured to compare the read data with the input data,

wherein in response to the read data not matching the input data, and in response to the maximum write cycle not being reached, a same write voltage is provided to the memory cell array for a same write time, and

in response to the maximum write cycle being reached, another same write voltage is provided to the memory cell array for the same write time for another maximum write cycle.

2. The embedded flash memory of claim 1 ,

wherein the write voltage comprises a minimum write voltage, a maximum write voltage and a write voltage interval.

3. The embedded flash memory of claim 1 ,

wherein the automatic verification controller is configured to provide a TRIM information to the high voltage generator, and

wherein the TRIM information comprises the write voltage.

4. The embedded flash memory of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of memory cells comprises:

a source region and a drain region which are disposed in a substrate;

a channel region disposed between the source region and the drain region;

a tunneling gate dielectric layer formed on the channel region;

a floating gate disposed on the tunneling gate dielectric layer; and

a control gate dielectric layer and a control gate disposed on the floating gate.

5. An embedded flash memory, comprising:

a memory cell array;

an automatic verification controller, configured to control a write voltage for a write operation, and configured to control a write time and a maximum write cycle for the write operation;

a high voltage generator configured to receive the write voltage, and provide one or more of a program voltage, erase voltage, read voltage to memory cells of the memory cell array;

a sense amplifier configured to read data from the memory cell array;

an input buffer configured to receive input data, and

a comparator configured to compare the read data and the input data, generate a verification signal based on the comparing, and provide the verification signal to the automatic verification controller,

wherein subsequent write operations are performed based on the verification signal with a same write time and a same write voltage up to the maximum write cycle, and

after the maximum write cycle, performed based on another same write voltage and the same write time up to another maximum write cycle.

6. The embedded flash memory of claim 5 , wherein the write operation comprises one or more of a data erase operation and a data programming operation.

7. The embedded flash memory of claim 5 , wherein the verification signal comprises a “pass” signal, which indicates that the input data and the read data are the same, and a “fail” signal, which indicates that the input data and the read data are not the same.

8. The embedded flash memory of claim 7 , wherein the write operation is terminated when the “pass” signal is generated.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 12, 2024
From: KEY FOUNDRY CO., LTD.
To: SK KEYFOUNDRY INC.
Reel/Frame 066794/0290 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2022
From: SEO, YOUNGCHUL; JEONG, WEON-HWA; KIM, YONGHWAN; LIM, CHULGEUN; JIN, HOON; PARK, SUNGBUM; AHN, KEESIK
To: KEY FOUNDRY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 058974/0897 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2021-0120871 · Sep 10, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230082379A1 · Mar 16, 2023
References Cited (8)
US 5357462A · Tanaka · 1994 [cited by examiner]
US 5751637A · Chen · 1998 [cited by examiner]
US 7889592B2 · Kim · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 9666291B2 · Park · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20060039207A1 · Combe · 2006 [cited by examiner]
KR 1020090066680A · 2009 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020200051926A · 2020 [cited by applicant]
Korean Office Action issued on May 22, 2023, in counterpart Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0120871 (7 pages in Korean). [cited by applicant]