Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A P-channel memory cell comprising: a P+ source and a P+ drain formed in an N-well; a channel extending between said source and said drain; a floating gate overlying said channel; a first P-type diffusion region formed in said N-well and underlying a first portion of said floating gate, said first P-type diffusion region serving as a control gate of said cell; a second P-type diffusion region formed in said N-well and underlying a second portion of said floating gate, said second P-type diffusion region serving as an erase gate of said cell; and a third P-type diffusion region formed in said N-well and underlying a third portion of said floating gate, said third P-type diffusion region serving as an additional erase gate of said cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A P-channel memory cell comprising: a P+ source and a P+ drain formed in an N-well; a channel extending between said source and said drain; a floating gate overlying said channel; a first P-type diffusion region formed in said N-well and underlying a first portion of said floating gate, said first P-type diffusion region serving as a control gate of said cell; a second P-type diffusion region formed in said N-well and underlying a second portion of said floating gate, said second P-type diffusion region serving as an erase gate of said cell; and a third P-type diffusion region formed in said N-well and underlying a third portion of said floating gate, said third P-type diffusion region serving as an additional erase gate of said cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cell of claim 1, wherein said control gate and said erase gate are separated by an oxide region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cell of claim 1, wherein said cell is programmed by the injection of hot electrons from a portion of said channel proximate said drain to said floating gate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cell of claim 1, wherein said cell is erased by the tunneling of electrons from said floating gate into said additional erase gate and portions of said erase gate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cell of claim 1, wherein said erase gate and said additional erase gate are adjacent to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The cell of claim 3, wherein said cell is programmed by applying between approximately 5 and 8 volts to said source, to said N-well, and to said erase gate, applying approximately 0 volts to said drain, and ramping said control gate from approximately 0 volts to approximately 12 volts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The cell of claim 4, wherein said cell is erased by applying approximately 0 volts to said source and said drain, applying between approximately 3 and 13 volts to said N-well and to said erase gate, and applying between approximately -3 and -13 volts to said control gate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The cell of claim 1, wherein said cell is read by applying a supply voltage to said source and to said N-well, applying a voltage between 0 volts and said supply voltage to said control gate, either floating or applying approximately 0 volts to said erase gate, and applying a voltage less than said supply voltage to said drain.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cell of claim 3, wherein said cell is programmed by applying approximately 7 volts to said source, to said N-well, and to said erase gate, applying approximately 0 volts to said drain, and ramping said control gate from approximately 0 volts to approximately 12 volts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cell of claim 4, wherein said cell is erased by applying approximately 0 volts to said source and said drain, applying approximately 8 volts to said N-well and to said erase gate, and applying approximately -8 volts to said control gate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The cell of claim 1, wherein said cell is read by applying a supply voltage to said source and to said N-well and applying approximately 2 volts less than said supply voltage to said control gate and to said drain.