Patent ID: 7760574
Filing Date: 2010-07-20
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A Flash memory controller comprising: a host interface to connect a host device; a Flash memory interface to connect a flash memory device; controller logic coupled between the host interface and the Flash memory interface to determine a switch configuration to generate a voltage level compatible for operation of the flash memory device from a voltage level supplied by operation of the host device; a plurality of power source interface pads coupled to the host device and the flash memory device; a voltage comparator coupled to at least one of the plurality of power source interface pads to determine the voltage level of the host device; and a programmable voltage regulator coupled to at least one of the plurality of power source interface pads to adjust the voltage level responsive to the determination of the controller logic, wherein, the programmable voltage regulator responds by any of a plurality of responses of increases the voltage level responsive to the controller logic determining that the host device operates at a lower voltage level and the flash memory device operates at a higher voltage level, decreases the voltage level responsive to a determination that that the host device operate at a higher voltage level and the flash memory device operates at a lower voltage level, or maintains the voltage level responsive to a determination that the host device and flash memory device operate at a similar voltage level, each of the plurality of responses dependent on the controller logic determining on-demand if the flash memory operates at either a high voltage or at multiple voltages.