Abstract:
A phase change memory includes a temperature sensor having a resistance variable with temperature with the same law as a phase-change storage element. The temperature sensor is formed by a resistor (20) of chalcogenic material furnishing an electrical quantity (V(T), I(T)) that reproduces the relationship between the resistance of a phase change memory cell and temperature; the electrical quantity is processed (21) so as to generate reference quantities as necessary for writing and reading the memory cells. The chalcogenic resistor (20) has the same structure as a memory cell and is programmed with precision, preferably in the reset state.
Abstract:
A nonvolatile memory device (10'; 10") is described comprising a memory array (11), a row decoder (12) and a column selector (13) for addressing the memory cells (16) of the memory array (11), and a biasing stage (22; 36, 28) for biasing the array access device terminal of the addressed memory cell (16). The biasing stage (22; 36 28) is arranged between the column selector (13) and the memory array (11) and comprises a biasing transistor (22; 36) having a drain terminal connected to the column selector (13), a source terminal connected to the array access device terminal of the addressed memory cell (16), and a gate terminal receiving a logic driving signal, the logic levels of which are defined by precise and stable voltages and are generated by a logic block (31) and an output buffer (32) cascaded together. The output buffer (32) may be supplied with either a read voltage (VREAD) or a program voltage (VPROG) supplied by a multiplexer (33). The biasing transistor (22; 36) may be either included as part of the column selector (13) and formed by the selection transistor (22) which is closest to the addressed memory cell (16) or distinct from the selection transistors (20, 21, 22) of the column selector (13).
Abstract:
Described herein is a method for programming a nonvolatile memory cell (1), which envisages applying in succession, to the gate terminal (2) of the memory cell (1), at least a first and a second programming pulse trains (F1, F2) with pulse amplitude increasing in staircase fashion, in which the amplitude increment between one pulse and the next in the first programming pulse train (F1) is greater than the amplitude increment between one pulse and the next in the second programming pulse train (F2). Advantageously, the programming method envisages applying, to the gate terminal (2) of the memory cell (1) and before the first programming pulse train (F1), also a third programming pulse train (F0; F3) with pulse amplitude increasing in staircase fashion, in which the amplitude increment between one pulse and the next may be less than the amplitude increment in the first programming pulse train (F1) and substantially equal to the amplitude increment in the second programming pulse train (F2), or else may be greater than the amplitude increment in the first programming pulse train (F1).