Patent ID: 8369140

Claim:
A method for programming a memory cell, comprising: providing a circuit unit performing steps, including: selecting a hole injection-type memory cell having a source and drain, wherein the source is operable to allow current to flow between the source and a substrate and is operable to store bits, and wherein the drain is operable to allow current to flow between the drain and the substrate and is operable to store bits; selecting a charge state from a plurality of charge states for programming the selected memory cell; applying a programming voltage to the selected memory cell; providing an amplifier unit coupled to the hole injection-type memory cell and configured to amplify a sense current, wherein the sense current is generated by current flow from the substrate to one of the source and the drain of coupled to the hole injection-type memory cell, wherein the current flow is between the substrate and only the one of the source and the drain of the hole injection-type memory cell; and checking the amplified sense current for the selected memory cell and comparing the amplified sense current to a threshold to verify that the selected hole injection-type memory cell has as been programmed to the selected charge state.