Abstract:
A latch circuit (1) that is intentionally imbalanced, so that a first output (6) reaches ground voltage and a second output (7) reaches a supply voltage; and a fully static low-consumption fuse circuit the particularity whereof resides in that it comprises the intentionally unbalanced latch circuit (1) and a reversing branch that comprises the fuse to be programmed (6) and is adapted to reverse the operation of the latch circuit, so that in the virgin state the fuse (9) connects the second output (7) of the latch circuit (1) to the ground voltage and connects the first output (6) to the supply voltage.
Abstract:
According to the multilevel programming method, each memory location (10a, 10b) can be programmed at a non-binary number of levels. An integer number of bits, for example 5, is stored in two adjacent memory locations (10a, 10b). To this end, the bits to be stored in the two locations are divided into two sets, wherein the first set defines a binary number of levels higher than the non-binary number of levels. During programming, if the first set of bits to be written corresponds to a number smaller than the non-binary number of levels, the first set of bits is written in the first location and the second set of bits is written in the second location (33, 34); if, instead, it is greater than the non-binary number of levels, the first set of bits is written in the second location and the second set of bits is written in the first location (35, 36). The bits of the first set written in the second location (10b) are stored in different levels with respect to the bits of the second set. Consequently, during reading, first it is verified(42) whether the levels reserved to the first set have been written, and the bits read in the two locations are appropriately associated to the two sets of bits.
Abstract:
Described herein is an asynchronous serial dichotomic sense amplifier (10) comprising a first comparator stage (12) having a first input receiving the cell current (I CELL ) flowing in the multilevel memory cell (18), the content of which is to be read, a second input receiving a first reference current (I REF2 ), and an output supplying the first of the bits stored in the multilevel memory cell (18); a multiplexer stage (16) having a selection input (16c) connected to the output of the first comparator stage (12), a first signal input (16a) receiving a second reference current (I REF1 ), a second signal input (16b) receiving a third reference current (I REF3 ), and a signal output (16d) selectively connectable to the first or the second signal input (16a, 16b) depending on the logic level present on the selection input (16c); and a second comparator stage (14) having a first input receiving the cell current (I CELL ), a second input connected to the signal output (16d) of the multiplexer stage (16), and an output supplying the second of the bits stored in the multilevel memory cell (18).
Abstract:
A non-volatile memory element with dual programmable cells and associated read circuit, which comprises a circuit (LATCH) of the bistable type connected between the two memory cells, to which it is coupled through first and second switching circuit elements (SW1, SW2). Such switching elements enable a single initial write step by one of the two memory cells only, and thereafter, enable connection of the clear cell and the programmed cell to the bistable circuit.