Patent ID: 7254053

Claim:
A system that programs a memory cell comprising: a memory cell to be programmed comprising; a first electrode that forms a base for the memory cell; a functional layer formed over the first electrode to facilitate charge migration in the memory cell, an impedance state(s) of the functional layer changes based on a migration of electrons or holes when subject to an external electric field or light radiation, the impedance state(s) indicative of more than two programming states of the memory cell; and a second electrode formed over the functional layer and operative with the first electrode to activate a memory portion in the memory cell, a control component that applies an external stimulus to the memory cell, to affect at least one of an electrical and optical property associated with the memory cell, the control component comprising a comparator that compares a value of the at least one of an electrical and optical property with a threshold value, to determine a program state of the memory cell; a ballast resistor operatively connected to the memory cell; and a registering device for monitoring circuit conditions during programming of the memory cell.