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US5097449A
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Non-volatile memory structure
Assignee: NXP BV
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Filing: 1990-03-15
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Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2010-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A non-volatile memory circuit for use with an E2PROM includes redundant, parallel connected, floating node MOSFET memory cells for storing complementary information. The non-volatile memory cells are connected in parallel to a volatile memory circuit via a voltage level shifter circuit for writing operations, and via twin mixed PMOS and NMOS transistors for reading operations. With the combined complementary non-volatile memory cells and the twin mixed pairs of transistors, the stored information is retained in the event that one of the memory cells fails.
Inventors
- 👤 Yongbum P. Cuevas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:20
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C29/00; G11C29/70; G11C29/74; G11C11/00; G11C11/005; G11C14/00; G11C14/0054; G11C14/0063; G11C16/00; G11C16/02; G11C16/04; G11C16/0408; G11C16/0441
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A non-volatile semiconductor memory system comprising: a volatile memory circuit for storing binary information in static form; voltage level shifter means for elevating the logic level of the stored binary information, the voltage level shifter means being connected in parallel to the volatile memory circuit; a non-volatile storage means for storing said binary information, the information content of the non-volatile storage means being controlled by the elevated logic levels; and access means for providing access between said non-volatile storage means and said volatile memory circuit, wherein the content of said volatile memory circuit is alterable according to the contents of said non-volatile storage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A non-volatile semiconductor memory system comprising: a volatile memory circuit for storing binary information in static form; voltage level shifter means for elevating the logic level of the stored binary information, the voltage level shifter means being connected in parallel to the volatile memory circuit; a non-volatile storage means for storing said binary information, the information content of the non-volatile storage means being controlled by the elevated logic levels; and access means for providing access between said non-volatile storage means and said volatile memory circuit, wherein the content of said volatile memory circuit is alterable according to the contents of said non-volatile storage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A non-volatile semiconductor memory system according to claim 1, wherein: the non-volatile storage means includes two floating node MOSFET memory cells that are connected in parallel in reverse orientation for storing complimentary information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A non-volatile semiconductor memory system according to claim 2, wherein: said floating node MOSFET memory cells are single polysilicon layer devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A non-volatile semiconductor memory system according to claim 3, wherein: said single polysilicon memory cells include a floating polysilicon node, a tunnel node for supplying a tunnel current to and inducing a potential in said floating node, and a coupling node for inducing a potential on said floating node.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
A non-volatile semiconductor memory system comprising: volatile memory circuit for storing binary information in static form; voltage level shifter means for elevating the logic level of the stored binary information, the voltage level shifter means being connected in parallel with the volatile memory circuit; a non-volatile storage means, including two floating node MOSFET memory cells connected in parallel in reverse orientation for storing the binary information in complimentary states, the information content of two floating node MOSFET memory cells being controlled by the elevated logic levels; and access means, including twin mixed parallel coupled pairs of PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors, for providing the access between the non-volatile storage means and the volatile memory circuit so that the contents of the volatile memory circuit is alterable in accordance with the contents of the non-volatile storage means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
A non-volatile semiconductor memory system comprising: volatile memory circuit for storing binary information in static form; voltage level shifter means for elevating the logic level of the stored binary information, the voltage level shifter means being connected in parallel with the volatile memory circuit; a non-volatile storage means, including two floating node MOSFET memory cells connected in parallel in reverse orientation for storing the binary information in complimentary states, the information content of two floating node MOSFET memory cells being controlled by the elevated logic levels; and access means, including twin mixed parallel coupled pairs of PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors, for providing the access between the non-volatile storage means and the volatile memory circuit so that the contents of the volatile memory circuit is alterable in accordance with the contents of the non-volatile storage means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A non-volatile semiconductor memory system comprising: at least two non-volatile memory cells connected in parallel with opposing orientations, each cell having a node electrode; and two access transistors, one of the NMOS type and one of a PMOS type, the node of each of which is connected to the node electrode of one of the non-volatile memory cells such that each cell is connected to form parallel-connected transistors pairs of mixed transistor types.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A non-volatile semiconductor memory system comprising: at least two non-volatile memory cells connected in parallel with opposing orientations, each cell having a node electrode; and two access transistors, one of the NMOS type and one of a PMOS type, the node of each of which is connected to the node electrode of one of the non-volatile memory cells such that each cell is connected to form parallel-connected transistors pairs of mixed transistor types.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
A non-volatile semiconductor memory system comprising: at least two non-volatile memory cells connected in parallel, each cell having a node electrode and each cell having an orientation similar to the other cell; and two access transistors, one of the NMOS type and one of a PMOS type, the node of each of which is connected to the node electrode of one of the nonvolatile memory cells such that each cell is connected to a mixed pair of transistors to form parallel connected transistor pairs of the same transistor type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
A non-volatile semiconductor memory system comprising: at least two non-volatile memory cells connected in parallel, each cell having a node electrode and each cell having an orientation similar to the other cell; and two access transistors, one of the NMOS type and one of a PMOS type, the node of each of which is connected to the node electrode of one of the nonvolatile memory cells such that each cell is connected to a mixed pair of transistors to form parallel connected transistor pairs of the same transistor type.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A non-volatile memory system according to claim 7 further comprising: voltage level shifter means connected in parallel to the non-volatile memory cells for electrically writing information into said cells.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A non-volatile memory system according to claim 6, further comprising: a voltage level shifter means connected in parallel to the non-volatile memory cells for electrically writing information into said cells.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-17 | 1995-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-09-16 | 2000-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-09-16 | 2004-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |