Patent ID: 6212100
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: G11C,H01L

Abstract:
A method of programming a nonvolatile memory cell, the nonvolatile memory cell having a control gate, a floating gate, a program/select gate, a drain, a source, and a channel region between the drain and the source, the method comprising:applying a first voltage to the control gate, applying a second voltage to the program/select gate, applying a third voltage to the drain, and applying a fourth voltage to the source, for varying an amount of charges in the floating gate so that the channel region is turned-off at an initial stage of programming a threshold voltage level and thereafter, turned-on as the amount of charges in the floating gate changes; andmonitoring a conductivity of the channel region during the programming for forcing application of at least one of the first and second voltages to the control gate and the program/select gate respectively to stop when the monitored conductivity is measured to be a predetermined reference value.