Patent ID: 7151692
Filing Date: 2006-12-19
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A method for programming a multi-level charge storage memory cell having a first terminal and a second terminal acting as a source and a drain in a substrate, a charge storage element, and a control gate, comprising: determining a data value from one of more than two data values to be stored in the memory cell; applying a gate voltage to the control gate relative to a reference voltage, a source voltage to the first terminal relative to the reference voltage, and a drain voltage to the second terminal relative to the reference voltage, in a program operation to induce charge transfer by hot electron injection to the charge storage element to establish a threshold voltage for the memory cell; and holding the gate voltage substantially constant at one of a predetermined set of gate voltages in response to the determined data value during a portion of the program operation in which the voltage threshold converges on a target threshold corresponding with the determined data value.