Patent ID: 6052309
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: G11C,H03K

Abstract:
A method of configuring a programmable memory element comprising:placing a VEE voltage at a tunnel dielectric source, wherein the tunnel dielectric source is coupled through a tunnel dielectric to a shared floating gate of a programmable memory program cell and a programmable memory read cell;placing a voltage of about VSS or less on a control gate of the programmable memory program cell;placing a voltage of about VSS or less on a control gate of the programmable memory read cell;grounding a drain of the programmable memory read cell;passing about VSS through a pull-down device to a source of the programmable memory read cell; andtransferring electrons from the shared floating gate of the programmable memory read cell through the tunnel dielectric to the tunnel dielectric source, thereby adjusting a threshold voltage of the programmable memory read cell so that a reasonable voltage on the control gate of the programmable memory read cell will turn on the programmable memory read cell.