Patent ID: 6661708
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
In a non-volatile memory comprising an array of memory cells, each memory cell having a source, a drain, a charge storage and a control gate, said charge storage receptive to variable amount of charges being stored therein for designating one of a plurality of memory states, a method of sensing a group of memory cells in parallel, comprising:applying predetermined voltages respectively to the source, the drain and the control gate of individual memory cells of said group in parallel, thereby producing a source-drain current relative to the amount of charges stored in the charge storage of each memory cell in the group, said source-drain current having an inherent noise fluctuation component; and obtaining an average value of said source-drain current over a predetermined period of sensing time sufficient for the noise fluctuation component therein to cancel to a predetermined level; and determining whether said average value of said source drain current is higher or lower than a predetermined value for each memory cell of the group.