摘要 |
A flash memory programming process incorporates two charge pumps per byte of bit cells. Placing a data "one" value in each bit cell erases an entire memory device. Before programming each cell, a prospective data content is scrutinized. If a data "zero" is to be applied to the bit cell, a charge pump engages to bias the cell and activate a hot electron injection process to affect the programming. If a data "one" is to be applied to the bit cell, no programming activity is undertaken and the process increments to the next bit cell in the data structure. Therefore, total programming time is reduced proportionally to the number of data "one" bits to be programmed. Where more than one charge pump is engaged in parallel to a data structure, total programming time is further reduced when two data "one" values are to be programmed in parallel.
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