Patent ID: 8416625

Claim:
A method of operating a non-volatile memory array, the method comprising: writing the memory array comprising applying a write voltage to a supply node of a high-voltage driver coupled to a bit-line of the non-volatile memory array; activating the high-voltage driver in a write mode, the activating in the write mode comprising applying a first supply voltage to a first supply node of a pre-driver device and a second supply voltage to a second node of the pre-driver device, the first supply voltage comprising a first set voltage corresponding to an on-voltage of the high-voltage driver and the second supply voltage comprising a second set voltage corresponding to an off-voltage of the high-voltage driver, applying an activating voltage to the pre-driver device, wherein the pre-driver device delivers the first set-voltage to the high-voltage driver via a coupling device directly connected to the high-voltage driver in response to the activating voltage, and wherein the high voltage driver is rated to withstand higher electric fields than the coupling device; and reading the memory array comprising activating a medium or high-voltage transfer gate and a low-voltage multiplexor and sense amplifier; and precharging the bit line with the sense amplifier.