Patent ID: 6111791
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A circuit device for programming non-volatile memory cells having a single voltage supply, wherein each cell includes a floating gate transistor having source and drain terminals and a control gate terminal, the device comprising: means for supplying a constant drain current to the drain terminal of the memory cell; a sampling element coupled to the supplying means and structured to sample the drain current drawn through the cell; and voltage feedback drive means, coupled to the supplying means, for driving the control gate terminal of the cell according to the sampled drain current, wherein the supplying means includes a decoupling transistor connected between a voltage reference and the drain terminal of the cell, and a feedback block connected between the drain terminal of the cell and a control terminal of the decoupling transistor, the decoupling transistor and feedback block being effective to regulate a voltage at the drain terminal of the cell.