Patent ID: 7764541
Filing Date: 2010-07-27
Classification: G11C,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for programming a one time programmable memory, comprising the steps of: obtaining an array of transistors; programming at least one of said transistors using a hot carrier transistor aging technique to alter a characteristic of said at least one of said transistor, wherein the hot carrier aging technique comprises injection of carriers into a gate oxide, wherein the injection of carriers causes at least one of the creation of traps and the filling of traps, and wherein said altered characteristic is a change in a threshold voltage of said at least one of said transistors; and detecting said programmed at least one of said transistors by sensing said change in said threshold voltage of said at least one of said transistors; wherein said detecting step comprises the steps of (i) a source terminal for each of said array of transistors to a positive potential, (ii) raising a gate terminal for all transistors along a selected row to a positive potential and (iii) detecting whether a drain voltage changes from a precharge voltage level to approximately a cell transistor threshold voltage below said positive gate terminal potential.