Patent ID: 6636937
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: F16H,G11C

Abstract:
A system for safe high-temperature operation of a flash memory comprising at least one data set and being programmed prior to use at high temperatures such that each of said sets of data in said flash memory is saved redundant, said system comprising:a temperature sensor delivering temperature signals and sensing a temperature characterizing a temperature of said flash memory, and a control unit connected to said temperature sensor and said flash memory, said control unit comprising a timer and being configured such that it receives said temperature signals from said temperature sensor and is able to establish an accumulated heat load value of said flash memory by integrating said determined temperature values versus time and then when said accumulated heat load value exceeds a predefined heat load limit and said temperature characterizing an actual temperature of said flash memory drops below a predefined temperature limit selected such that a safe clearing/programming of said flash memory is possible, checks said sets of data for consistency, said control unit then when it has established consistency of one data set, being able to carry out a refresh of storage locations of said flash memory which are associated with said data set and then, when it has established that one of said redundantly memorized sets of data is not consistent with one or more corresponding sets of data matching therewith, is able to repair said flash memory on the basis of a correct data set by reprogramming said incorrect data set such that it is consistent with said correct data set.