Patent Grant
7339831
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a non-volatile semiconductor memory device, and more particularly to a flash memory of which contents in a memory block can collectively be erased.
2. Description of the Background Art
Recently, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device, in particular a flash memory, has increasingly been mounted on a battery-driven, portable instrument, and a more efficient writing or erasing method has been demanded.
For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 11-191296 discloses a technique directed to a controlled method of writing hot electrons for a non-volatile memory cell, aiming at optimization of writing to a cell. In other words, particularly with regard to soft writing after programming and erasing, a cell substrate is biased to a negative voltage with respect to a source region, and a control gate region of the cell receives a ramp voltage having a selected, predetermined gradient satisfying a balance condition.
In order to realize a quick and smooth operation or a long-lasting operation of a portable terminal, a further efficient internal operation sequence in a flash memory such as a programming operation or an erasing operation should be attained.
An object of the present invention is to provide a non-volatile semiconductor memory device allowing efficient programming and erasing operation in a short period of time.
In summary, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device according to the present invention includes: a memory block including a plurality of memory cells storing data in a non-volatile manner; a power supply circuit generating a voltage to be applied to the plurality of memory cells; and a control portion controlling the power supply circuit so as to apply an erasing pulse collectively to the plurality of memory cells in the memory block. In repeated application of the erasing pulse, the control portion increases a voltage of the erasing pulse of a first fixed pulse width in accordance with the number of times of application until the voltage of the erasing pulse attains a maximum application voltage value, and when the voltage of the erasing pulse attains the maximum application voltage value, the control portion increases the pulse width of the erasing pulse in accordance with the number of times of application.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes: a memory block including a plurality of memory cells storing data in a non-volatile manner; a power supply circuit generating a voltage to be applied to the plurality of memory cells; and a decode circuit decoding an address signal in order to select a portion of the plurality of memory cells. The decode circuit performs a first operation to select the portion in accordance with the address signal and a second operation to select another region in addition to that portion in accordance with the address signal, by switching between the two operations in accordance with a control signal. The non-volatile semiconductor memory device further includes a control portion controlling the power supply circuit and the decode circuit so as to erase contents in the memory block. The control portion causes the decode circuit to perform the second operation by the control signal after the memory block enters a first erased state, so as to apply an overerase recovery pulse to the memory block.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes: a memory block including a plurality of memory transistors storing data in a non-volatile manner; a power supply circuit generating a gate voltage to be applied to a control gate of the plurality of transistors and a drain voltage to be applied to a drain thereof; a counter counting up a count value corresponding to a target voltage value of the gate voltage in response to a clock signal; and a control portion controlling the power supply circuit. The control portion instructs activation of the drain voltage to the power supply circuit, and thereafter sets an initial value for the count value in the counter, so as to control start and stop of a count-up operation of the counter.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device having a normal writing mode and an accelerated writing mode includes: a memory block including a plurality of memory cells storing data in a non-volatile manner; a buffer storage having write data initially set in writing and temporarily holding data; and a verify circuit outputting information for applying a writing pulse to the memory block upon receiving read data from the memory block and a value held in the buffer storage. The verify circuit performs a first operation to compare the value held in the buffer storage with the read data for update of the value held in the buffer storage so as to output the information and a second operation to output the value held in the buffer storage as it is as the information. The non-volatile semiconductor memory device further includes a control portion controlling the verify circuit. The control portion causes output of the information for a first writing pulse by causing the verify circuit to perform the first operation in the normal writing mode, and causes output of the information for the first writing pulse by causing the verify circuit to perform the second operation in the accelerated writing mode.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes: a memory block including a plurality of memory transistors storing data in a non-volatile manner; a power supply circuit generating a voltage to be applied to the plurality of memory transistors; a counter counting up a count value corresponding to a target voltage value of the voltage in response to a clock signal; and a control portion controlling the power supply circuit. When collective erasing of the contents in the memory block is instructed, the control portion sets an initial value for the count value in the counter so as to control start and stop of a count-up operation of the counter.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes: a normal memory cell array; a spare memory cell array; a normal decode circuit selecting a portion of the normal memory cell array in accordance with an address signal; a redundancy determination circuit performing redundancy determination upon receiving the address signal; a gate circuit forcibly activating an output from the redundancy determination circuit in response to a test signal; and a spare decode circuit selecting a portion of the spare memory cell array in accordance with an output from the gate circuit and the address signal. The spare decode circuit selects a specific portion of the spare memory cell array once in a plurality of times when the address signal is incremented at activation of the test signal.
According to the present invention, even after the pulse voltage attains the maximum voltage, change of the threshold voltage can be more linear.
Therefore, a time period for erasing the contents in a block (hereinafter, referred to as block erasing) can be shortened, and a non-volatile semiconductor memory device allowing an efficient operation, of which contents can be erased with high speed, can be provided.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the figures. It is noted that the same reference characters refer to the same or corresponding components in the figures.
Referring to
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device 1 further includes a power supply circuit 12 outputting voltage VDD and VPP, a power supply control circuit 10 controlling power supply circuit 12 in accordance with an instruction from CPU 6, and a decoder 14 distributing a negative voltage or a high voltage VPP generated in power supply circuit 12 in accordance with address signal ADR provided through power supply control circuit 10.
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device 1 further includes a page buffer 18, a verify circuit 16, and a memory cell array 20.
In erasing, verify circuit 16 reads data in the memory cell array after the erasing pulse is applied to the memory cell array, so as to confirm whether or not erasing has been completed. In writing, verify circuit 16 compares externally provided data signal DIN with a result of reading of the data held in the memory cell array, so as to determine whether or not a programming pulse should be applied.
Page buffer 18 serves as a buffer storage, and temporarily stores the data. In writing, write data is initially set in page buffer 18 through verify circuit 16, and thereafter, a result of comparison by verify circuit 16 is written in the same.
Memory cell array 20 includes a plurality of memory blocks. CPU 6 controls power supply circuit 12 by sending a control signal to power supply control circuit 10, in response to a command by software recorded in ROM 8. More specifically, power supply control circuit 10 sets a target voltage value for a not-shown charge pump circuit provided within power supply circuit 12, and the charge pump circuit generates a voltage in accordance with the target voltage value. Finally, the voltage generated in such a manner is applied to the whole memory blocks in the memory cell array, so as to cause FN (Fowler-Nordheim) tunneling phenomenon. Such voltage application is referred to as application of the erasing pulse.
Referring to
Referring to
A variable A represents a pulse width, and is set to a value such as 2 (ms), for example. A variable B represents a pulse width, and is set to a value such as 3 (ms), for example. A variable K represents the number of times of continuous pulse application, and is set to a value such as 2 (times), for example. A variable Δt represents an increment value for the pulse width, and a sequence such as 1, 1, 1 . . . (ms) is set, for example. By allowing reading of a variety of parameters as variables as described above, even when memory transistors have characteristics different from one another, the variables should only be modified.
Referring again to
When determination as pass is made as a result of erase verify in step S3, the block erasing operation is completed.
Referring to
If variable X is set to 13, the pulse width is fixed to A (2 ms, for example) until the number of times of pulse application n reaches 12, and the pulse voltage is increased each time. For example, increase in the pulse voltage is determined in accordance with a sequence held as variable Δ1, as shown in
Referring again to
If it is determined that the number of times of pulse application n is not smaller than X in step S11, the process proceeds to step S14, in which whether or not pulse voltage V has attained maximum voltage Vmax is determined. If pulse voltage V has not yet attained maximum voltage Vmax, the process proceeds to step S15, in which the pulse of a fixed pulse width (B) and pulse voltage V is applied. Then, the process proceeds to step S116, in which pulse voltage V is increased by 1 step. When step S16 is completed, the process proceeds to step S20, in which the number of times of pulse application n is incremented.
A process through steps S15 and S16 corresponds to a latter-half pulse application in
Referring again to
On the other hand, if it is determined that K times of application with the current pulse width have been performed in step S17, the process proceeds to step S19, in which the pulse width is increased by 1 step. Then, pulse voltage Vmax is applied. When step S119 is completed, the process proceeds to step S20, in which the number of times of pulse application n is incremented.
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In such a state, when a potential Vcg of a control electrode (also referred to as a control gate) is set to approximately 2V, for example, a large amount of drain current Id flows in the memory cell transistor having a small threshold voltage, whereas drain current Id hardly flows in the transistor having a relatively high threshold voltage. If a voltage is applied simultaneously to a plurality of memory cell transistors, change of the threshold voltage is selectively caused in the memory cell transistor having a low threshold voltage. In this manner, increase in the threshold voltage by feeding the drain current so as to generate channel hot electrons advantageously enables accurate control for each bit. On the other hand, as the drain current is large, collective writing to the block using such channel hot electrons as above cannot be performed.
Meanwhile, when the erasing pulse is applied, an FN tunneling current is fed from the substrate to the floating gate so as to change the threshold voltage. As the value of the FN tunneling current is not sufficiently large, collective erasing from or collective writing in the memory block is possible, although accuracy in writing is not sufficient. If a current is applied by a unit smaller than a block for achieving accurate writing, wells forming the memory cell should be separated from each other for each unit of application target. Therefore, a layout area of the memory cell array becomes large, which is not realistic.
Referring to
As shown in
Furthermore, in Embodiment 2, for saving time for erasing, the pulse is simultaneously applied to a plurality of bits in the OER operation. Though it is difficult in terms of current supply capability to feed the drain current collectively to a whole block, it is possible to feed the same to several bits.
Referring to
Referring to
Memory cell array 20 includes select transistors 22, 24, 26, and 28. Select transistors 22, 24, 26, and 28 select bit lines BL0 to BL3 in accordance with select gate lines SG0 to SG3, respectively.
Memory cell array 20 further includes memory transistors 30, 31, 32, and 33 having each source connected to a source line SL, having each drain connected to bit line BL0, and having the gates connected to word lines WL0, WL1, WL2, and WL3 respectively. The memory transistor is implemented as a two-layer gate MOS transistor sandwiching a floating gate between the control gate and a substrate.
Memory cell array 20 further includes memory transistors 36, 37, 38, and 39 having each source connected to source line SL, having each drain connected to bit line BL0, and having the gates connected to word lines WL252, WL253, WL254, and WL255 respectively.
Memory cell array 20 further includes memory transistors 40, 41, 42, and 43 having each source connected to source line SL, having each drain connected to bit line BL1, and having the gates connected to word lines WL0, WL1, WL2, and WL3 respectively.
Memory cell array 20 further includes memory transistors 46, 47, 48, and 49 having each source connected to source line SL, having each drain connected to bit line BL1, and having the gates connected to word lines WL252, WL253, WL254, and WL255 respectively.
Memory cell array 20 further includes memory transistors 50, 51, 52, and 53 having each source connected to source line SL, having each drain connected to bit line BL2, and having the gates connected to word lines WL0, WL1, WL2, and WL3 respectively.
Memory cell array 20 further includes memory transistors 56, 57, 58, and 59 having each source connected to source line SL, having each drain connected to bit line BL2, and having the gates connected to word lines WL252, WL253, WL254, and WL255 respectively.
Memory cell array 20 further includes memory transistors 60, 61, 62, and 63 having each source connected to source line SL, having each drain connected to bit line BL3, and having the gates connected to word lines WL0, WL1, WL2, and WL3 respectively.
Memory cell array 20 further includes memory transistors 66, 67, 68, and 69 having each source connected to source line SL, having each drain connected to bit line BL3, and having the gates connected to word lines WL252, WL253, WL254, and WL255 respectively.
Referring to
Bit line decode circuit 82 includes a gate circuit 86 capable of collectively activating select gate lines SG0 to SG3 by masking a signal predecoded by a not-shown predecode circuit using control signal MM1.
Gate circuit 86 includes an OR circuit 90 activating select gate line SG0 upon receiving predecode signals /A5•/A7 and control signal MM1, an OR circuit 91 activating select gate line SG1 upon receiving predecode signals A5•/A7 and control signal MM1, an OR circuit 92 activating select gate line SG2 upon receiving predecode signals /A5•A7 and control signal MM1, and an OR circuit 93 activating select gate line SG3 upon receiving predecode signals A5•A7 and control signal MM1.
Word line decode circuit 84 includes a word line driver 98 selecting word lines WL0 to WL3 in response to select signals SL0 to SL3 respectively by drivers 130 to 133 when a global word line GWL0 is selected, and a gate circuit 96 outputting select signals SL0 to SL3 in response to address signals A6, A8 and control signals MM2, MM3.
Gate circuit 96 includes an OR circuit 100 receiving an address signal /A6 and control signal MM2, an OR circuit 101 receiving address signal A6 and control signal MM2, an OR circuit 102 receiving address signal /A6 and control signal M and an OR circuit 103 receiving address signal A6 and control signal MM2.
Gate circuit 96 further includes an OR circuit 110 receiving an address signal /A8 and control signal MM3, an OR circuit 111 receiving address signal /A8 and control signal MM3, an OR circuit 112 receiving address signal A8 and control signal MM3 and an OR circuit 113 receiving address signal A8 and control signal MM3.
Gate circuit 96 further includes an AND circuit 120 outputting select signal SL0 upon receiving an output from OR circuit 100 and an output from OR circuit 110, an AND circuit 121 outputting select signal SL1 upon receiving an output from OR circuit 101 and an output from OR circuit 111, an AND circuit 122 outputting select signal SL2 upon receiving an output from OR circuit 102 and an output from OR circuit 112), and an AND circuit 123 outputting select signal SL3 upon receiving an output from OR circuit 103 and an output from OR circuit 113.
As can be seen from
In addition, when control signal MM2 is at H level and control signal MM3 is at L level, word lines WL2 and WL3 are simultaneously selected if address signal A8 is at H level regardless of address signal A6. When address signal /A8 is at H level, word lines WL0 and WL1 are simultaneously selected.
When control signals MM2 and MM3 are both at H level and selected, select signals SL0 to SL3 are all activated to H level. When global word line GWL0 is selected, word lines WL0 to WL3 are all selected. In this manner, by controlling control signals MM1 to MM3, the number of memory cells selected in OER can be varied. Depending on a balance between a current characteristic of the memory cell and power supply current feeding capability of the power supply circuit, the number of cells that can be selected at one time is varied. In order to adapt to such variation, the number of memory transistors selected in a multiple number can freely be modified by an instruction from the CPU.
The setting of the number of transistors to be selected can be varied by modifying control signals MM1 to MM3 in the following manner, when an output is of 16 bits, that is, there are 16 data output terminals.
First, when control signals MM1 to MM3 are all at L level, the OER operation is performed on one word, that is, on one memory transistor per one output terminal. Such an operation is the same as in normal OER, and is time-consuming. On the other hand, as the current supply capability of the power supply circuit is sufficient, shift of the threshold voltage can be ensured.
Then, when control signal MM1 is set to H level and control signals MM2 and MM3 are set to L level, multiple selection of 4 words is possible. Here, address signal bits A<14:8>, A<6> and A<4:0> should sequentially be incremented as address increment in the OER operation.
When control signals MM1 and MM2 are set to H level and control signal MM3 is set to L level, multiple selection of 8 words is possible. Here, address signal bits A<14:8> and A<4:0> should sequentially be incremented as address increment.
When control signals MM1 to MM3 are all set to H level, multiple selection of 16 words is possible. Here, address signal bits A<14:9> and A<4:0> should sequentially be incremented. These address increment methods are controlled by reading by CPU 6 of software codes stored in ROM 8.
Referring to
When determination as pass is made as a result of erase verify in step S30, the process proceeds to step S32, in which an operation for initial setting is performed. In the initial setting operation, the maximum number MAX of times of OER pulse application is set, and setting of control signals MM1 to MM3 is carried out, for example.
In step S33, whether or not the number of times of OER pulse application n matches with MAX corresponding to the target time period is determined. If the number of times of OER pulse application has not yet attained MAX, the process proceeds to step S34, and as shown with P1 in
In this manner, steps S33 to S35 are repeated until the target time period in
On the other hand, when determination as pass is made as a result of overerase verify in step S36, the process proceeds to step S37, in which whether or not the address of the bit subjected to OER process is final is determined. If the address is not final, the process proceeds to step S38, in which the address is incremented. Here, a bit to be incremented is different, depending on the setting of control signals MM1 to MM3. When the address is incremented, the process proceeds to step S32, in which the OER pulse is again applied.
If it is determined that the address is final in step S37, the process proceeds to step S39, in which erase verify is performed. If determination as pass is made as a result of erase verify, the process ends. If determination as failure is made, the process ends with fail end.
Here, a soft flash programming operation may be performed between steps S30 and S32, in order to slightly increase the threshold voltage of the overerased bit as a whole block.
In the normal OER operation, initially, overerase verify is performed with respect to all addresses, and then the OER pulse is applied solely to the bits requiring the OER pulse. Accordingly, as all addresses are verified, the normal OER operation is time-consuming. In addition, as the OER pulse is applied to the bits that have been determined as failure as a result of verify, a time period for pulse application for each 1 bit is increased as the number of failed bits increases, resulting in longer time for block erasing as a whole. In the worst case, a chip may fail due to time out of erasing time.
In contrast, in the OER operation described in Embodiment 2, a plurality of bits can be selected for application of the overerase recovery pulse. Accordingly, the time period for block erasing can be shortened by applying the OER pulse at one time to a plurality of bits selected out of all memory cells, without overerase verify after determination as pass is made as a result of erase verify in step S30 in
In addition, the number of memory cells that can be selected at one time can be varied in accordance with control signals MM1 to MM3, and the target time period can also be modified by varying variable MAX at the initial setting. Therefore, the present embodiment can adapt to flash memories having different characteristics solely by varying the variable.
Particularly, it is basically assumed that control signal MM1 attains H and SG0 to SG3 are all selected. Then, if the number to be selected is increased, a method of selecting a plurality of main bit lines so as to further select a memory column and a method of selecting a plurality of word lines so as to select a memory row are possible. The method of selecting a plurality of main bit lines, however, is disadvantageous because of excessively large sum of the currents fed to the memory cell. Therefore, if the number to be selected is increased, multiple word lines are selected by control signals MM2 and MM3, without additionally selecting the memory column.
In other words, additional multiple selection is performed not using the bit line but using the word line. This is because reduction in an overall current is achieved by selecting multiple word lines more advantageously than by further selecting multiple bit lines, considering voltage lowering at select gates 22 to 28, as the current has originally been suppressed by the size of select gates 22 to 28.
Embodiment 3 is directed to stable control by changing a manner of voltage application in a non-volatile semiconductor memory device storing information by controlling the threshold value of the memory transistor by storing electrons in a floating gate with the channel hot electron writing method.
One example of a threshold voltage control operation in a non-volatile semiconductor memory device is a channel hot electron injection method.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In other words, when the select transistor is configured differently, in particular when a channel width is narrowed, an on-resistance is increased and the voltage supply capability is lowered. In such a case, when drain current Id exceeds a certain level, voltage MTrVd cannot sufficiently be supplied.
It is possible to extend a time for control of the threshold voltage, and to suppress the current flowing between the source and the drain of the memory transistor, so as to gradually vary the threshold value. On the other hand, as the time for control is determined so as to be within a prescribed time period in accordance with the specifications of a product, blindly extending the time is not permitted. Therefore, in order not to cause lowering in the drain voltage, it is necessary to modify the control method so that the control operation is completed within the control time of the same length as in the conventional product while suppressing the drain current flowing between the source and the drain of the memory transistor.
Referring to
Power supply circuit 12 includes a power supply circuit 142 generating potential Vcg for the control gate, and a power supply circuit 144 outputting a source voltage Vs, a drain voltage Vd and a substrate voltage Vsub. Power supply circuit 142 includes a detector 146 and a charge pump 148. Detector 146 converts a digital value of VNUMBER sent from power supply control circuit 10 by an internal D/A converter circuit 150 to an analog voltage, and a comparator circuit 152 compares the analog voltage with potential Vcg output from charge pump 148. Thus, an enable signal ENABLE controlling the charge pump is generated.
Power supply circuit 144 controls activation/inactivation of potentials Vd, Vs and Vsub based on a timing instructed by power supply control circuit 10.
Referring to
In succession, in step S43, counting by the Vcg counter is started. When CPU 6 activates enable signal C-ENABLE from L level to H level, counter 140 sequentially increments count value CNUMBER based on a not-shown clock signal. In step S44, whether or not the count value of counter 140 has attained the target value is determined. If the target value is attained, the process proceeds to step S45, and increment of the count value is further continued. If it is determined that the count value has attained the target value in step S44, the process proceeds to step S46, in which Vcg counter 140 stops counting. In this manner, as can be seen from the time around 1 μs to the time before 3 μs in
Around time 4.75 μs in
Referring to
In succession, an initial value is set in Vcg counter 140 in step S53. Then, control gate potential Vcg is pulled up at time 1 μs, and drain current Id flows in such an amount as not exceeding a prescribed maximum current Idmax. Here, even if control gate potential Vcg is the same, the value for drain current Id at the time of start of the control operation becomes larger, as the temperature becomes lower in qualitative sense and as the initial threshold voltage is lower. In the example illustrated in
After the initial value is set in step S53, the process proceeds to step S54, in which counting by Vcg counter starts. Counting is started by activation of enable signal C-ENABLE by CPU 6. Here, CPU 6 modifies a control signal DV indicating an increment value per 1 clock of the counter, so as to vary the gradient of potential Vcg from the example shown in
In
After counting by the counter is started, whether or not the count value of the counter has attained the target value is determined in step S55. If the target value has not been attained, the count value is increased in step S56. If the count value has attained the target value in step S55, the process proceeds to step S57, in which counting by the counter is stopped. In step S58, application of potentials Vcg, Vsub, Vd, and Vs is stopped.
Even with the same method of controlling the threshold voltage (hot electron injection in this example), if a plurality of memory transistors are to be controlled, there is a difference in change of the threshold voltage within a range of variation. Even after the same voltage is applied for the same period of time, if there are a plurality of memory transistors, variation is caused depending on the number of the memory transistors, in such an element as storage of electrons in the floating gate, the floating gate potential, the threshold value of the memory transistor, and the like.
For example, when potential Vcg as high as Vcg for other memory transistors is applied to the memory transistor having relatively small storage of electrons in the floating gate (lower threshold voltage), the drain current flows more than necessary. Therefore, efficiency in generating channel hot electrons is lowered, and the threshold value is not raised as efficiently as in other memory transistors.
In
Between
In
In contrast, in
As shown above, the value shown in
In this manner, as a ramp waveform can be applied in Embodiment 3, efficiency in writing can be improved. That is, the gradient of control gate potential Vcg is made gentler so as to effectively suppress variation in change of the threshold voltage, resulting in more stable operation for controlling the threshold voltage.
In addition, in Embodiment 3, initially, the voltage is set in the substrate, the drain and the source, and thereafter, the voltage is applied to the control gate. In this manner, the electrons can be generated in advance in the drain of the channel region, and efficient hot electron injection can effectively be performed.
As described above, in Embodiment 3, variation in change of the threshold value among a plurality of memory transistors is suppressed, thereby achieving specifications for a product with a stable writing time. In addition, it is essential to narrow a distribution range of the threshold value in multi-level programming, and the present embodiment is effective therefor.
In Embodiment 4, a method of programming a lock bit will be described.
The lock bit refers to a bit present in the memory array for determining whether or not an internal operation may be performed on each memory block. In
Referring to
On the other hand, if two cells are simultaneously programmed, the drain current flowing from the lock bit line to the source is doubled as compared with programming a normal memory transistor arranged in the normal region. Therefore, in programming with a trapezoidal wave as described in connection with
Therefore, in Embodiment 4, when a command to program the lock bit is input, CPU 6 determines whether or not a lock bit is to be programmed, and a rate of increase in the potential of the trapezoidal wave is reduced to half.
Referring to
If it is determined that the designated bit is a normal bit in step S61, initially, writing verify is performed in step S62. Then in step S63, whether application of the writing pulse has been performed for the first time or later is determined. If application is performed for the first time, the process proceeds to step S64, in which a trapezoidal wave 1 as described in Embodiment 3 is applied.
On the other hand, if it is determined that application of the writing pulse is the second time or later in step S63, a square wave of voltage V is applied in step S65. When step S64 or step S65 is completed, the setting value for the voltage is increased by incrementing counter 140 in
As shown in
Referring again to
In
The trapezoidal wave is repeatedly applied because it is assumed that, if the threshold voltage of the lock bit did not reach a program region with the first trapezoidal wave, the threshold voltage may not be shifted by the square wave employed for second application or later as in a normal example. This is because, if the drain current excessively flows, a sufficient voltage is not applied to the drain of the memory transistor.
Therefore, in Embodiment 4, the same trapezoidal wave is also used for the lock bit pulse for second application or later, so as to ensure shift of the threshold voltage. In Embodiment 4, a manner of application of the writing pulse is modified depending on whether the designated bit is the lock bit or not. Accordingly, efficient writing to the lock bit using a plurality of memory transistors can be performed.
In Embodiment 5, an ACC (accelerated) mode programming will be described. The ACC mode refers to a mode in which high-speed writing is performed on the premise that data in the memory cell array of the non-volatile semiconductor memory device has completely been erased. For example, the ACC mode is used when a manufacturer that has purchased a non-volatile semiconductor memory device successively writes a program for mass production in a large number of devices using a writing apparatus.
Referring to
Thereafter, verify circuit 16 compares an output PD[15:0] from page buffer 18 with data RD[15:0] read from memory cell array 20. Verify circuit 16 outputs a signal CD_ALL indicating completion of writing to CPU 6 when determination as pass is made as a result of verify. If determination as failure is made as a result of verify, verify circuit 16 sets a bit requiring application of the writing pulse to “0”, sets a bit not requiring application of the writing pulse to “1”, and outputs a signal CD[15:0]. In accordance with this result, the writing pulse is applied to memory cell array 20. This value is simultaneously held in page buffer 18, and serves as an expected value PD[15:0] for next comparison in verify circuit 16.
In the normal writing operation as above, as the verify operation is initially performed, the time period for writing is long. If it is known that the data in memory cell array 20 has been erased, however, the first verify operation can be omitted. Here, it is necessary to transmit the write data externally input and held as it is in the page buffer directly to the memory cell array. In order to achieve this, initially, signal PD[15:0] should be reflected on signal CD[15:0] output by verify circuit 16.
Accordingly, verify circuit 16 differently operates, for each operation mode, in accordance with various control signals output from CPU 6 such as VCS1, VCS2, EN1, EN2, RESET, and SACC.
Referring to
Verify circuit 16 further includes a gate circuit 168 processing an output from latch circuit 162 and an output from latch circuit 166 in response to signals VCS1 and VCS2.
Gate circuit 168 includes an NAND circuit 170 receiving the output from latch circuit 166 and control signal VCS1, an NAND circuit 172 receiving the output from latch circuit 162 and control signals VCS2 and VCS1, an OR circuit 174 receiving the output from latch circuit 166 and control signal VCS1, and a gate 176 receiving the output from latch circuit 162 and control signals VCS1 and VCS2. Gate 176 outputs L level only when the output from latch circuit 162 and control signal VCS2 attain H level and control signal VCS1 attains L level, and otherwise gate 176 outputs H level.
Verify circuit 16 further includes a 4-input NAND circuit 178 outputting data WD[15:0] upon receiving an output from NAND circuit 170, an output from NAND circuit 172, an output from OR circuit 174, and an output from gate 176; a selector 179 selecting either one of data WD[15:0] or write data SD[15:0] externally input along with a write command in accordance with a control signal SETUP from command user interface portion 2 and outputting signal CD[15:0]; and an AND circuit 180 performing an operation of all logical multiplication of 16-bit signal CD [15:0] output from selector 179 and outputting signal CD_ALL.
When the write command is input, command user interface portion 2 once activates control signal SETUP, so that write data SD[15:0] is output as CD[15:0], which is in turn held in page buffer 18. Thereafter, command user interface portion 2 inactivates control signal SETUP, and from that time, data WD[15:0] reflecting a result of comparison is written as CD[15:0] in page buffer 18.
Verify circuit 16 is used commonly in each mode such as OEV, PV, VLC, EV, Flash to PB, or the like. Therefore, an operation of verify circuit 16 is switched by control signals VCS1 and VCS2.
An OEV (Over Erase Verify) mode refers to a mode in which overerase verify is performed. A PV (Program Verify) mode refers to a mode in which writing verify is performed. A VLC (Vth Lower Check) mode refers to a mode in which lower limit verify is performed after writing to an overerased bit. An EV (Erase Verify) mode refers to a mode in which erase verify is performed. A Flash to PB mode refers to a mode causing verify circuit 16 to operate without performing comparison in order to write the contents in the memory cell into the page buffer utilizing a verify path.
By modifying control signals VCS1 and VCS2, an operation adapted to each mode is performed. In the OEV mode, signals VCS1 and VCS2 are both set to L level. In the PV mode and the VLC mode, signal VCS1 is set to L level while signal VCS2 is set to H level. In the EV mode and the Flash to PB mode, signal VCS1 is set to H level while signal VCS2 is set to L level.
In the ACC mode described in Embodiment 5, control in the PV mode is carried out. Here, the outputs from NAND circuits 170 and 172 are both fixed to H level, and verify determination is made based on a combination of logics of OR circuit 174 and gate 176.
As described previously, in the ACC mode, the first verify is not performed for saving time, and OR circuit 164 is provided for this purpose. In normal programming, latch circuit 162 outputs an expected value externally input at the time of first verify, that is, a write value to be programmed. This output is transmitted through gate 176 to NAND circuit 178. On the other hand, data RD[15:0] read from the memory cell is transmitted through the output of latch circuit 166 and OR circuit 174 to NAND circuit 178.
If the first verify operation is not performed in the ACC mode, data RD[15:0] of the memory cell is not input from the memory cell array, and therefore, latch circuit 166 is in a reset state holding “0”. Accordingly, as 16 bits output by OR circuit 174 are all set to “0”, 16 bits of signal WD[15:0] output by NAND circuit 179 are all set to “1”, and bits of CD[15:0] are also all set to “1”.
If the bits of CD[15:0] are all set to “0”, the writing pulse is applied to the memory cell. On the other hand, if these bits are set to “1”, it is determined that programming has been completed and the pulse is no longer applied. Accordingly, in the ACC mode, signal SACC is activated to H level. By setting the output from OR circuit 174 to H level in this manner, pulse application in accordance with the output from latch circuit 162 can necessarily be performed without first verify.
Referring to
On the other hand, if the mode is set to the ACC mode, ACC writing is performed in step S73.
Referring to
The first pulse application operation is performed in steps S83 and S84.
Referring to
When the first pulse application is completed in steps S83 and S84, the process proceeds to step S86, in which writing verify is performed. If determination as failure is made as a result of writing verify, second pulse application is performed.
As to pulse application for the second time or later, initially, application of the program voltage is started in step S87, and successively, suspend/abort determination is made in step S88. If suspend or abort is determined in step S88, the process proceeds to step S89, in which a suspend/abort process is performed. On the other hand, if suspend or abort is not determined in step S88, the process returns to step S86, in which writing verify is performed.
If determination as pass is made as a result of writing verify in step S86, the process proceeds to step S90.
In step S90, lower 4 bits of a write address are incremented, and in step S91, suspend/abort determination is made. If suspend or abort is determined in step S91, the process proceeds to step S92, in which the suspend/abort process is performed. On the other hand, if determination as suspend and abort is not made in step S91, the process proceeds to step S93, in which whether or not a carry took place as a result of increment of 4-bit address is determined. If the carry indicates “1”, the process proceeds to step S94, in which higher 4 bits of the address are incremented. On the other hand, if the carry does not indicate “1” in step S93, the process returns to step S81 in order to perform writing with respect to a next address.
After the higher 4 bits of the address are incremented in step S94, the process proceeds to step S95, in which whether or not a carry took place as a result of increment is determined. If the carry took place, that is, if the carry indicates “1”, writing ends. If the carry did not take place, the process returns to step S81 in order to perform writing with respect to a next address.
Referring to
In the normal writing, a point for suspending an operation even during the internal operation is provided on the program in preparation for an external interrupt request. In order to ensure a process in case of reception of an interrupt request, a margin is provided for a standard value for an interval accepting an external interrupt request. If the standard value for an interval is, for example, 15 μs, an interrupt processing routine is embedded in software stored in an ROM approximately every 10 μs.
The process in
If the abort determination routine embedded together with a suspend request determination routine is simultaneously eliminated, however, a problem will arise.
If a memory cell transistor has a poor characteristic and programming operation is not completed within a standard time period, the process should be aborted 10, due to time out. In the normal writing described in connection with
When ACC writing is started, the CPU sets control signal SACC to H level in step S101. When the write command is input to command user interface portion 2, control signal SETUP is activated and the write data is transferred to page buffer 18. When control signal SETUP is inactivated later, the write data passes through verify circuit 16 and is transmitted to the memory cell array as CD[15:0]. Then, first pulse application is performed without performing a verify operation. At the time of first pulse application, abort determination is made in step S102, and voltage determination is made in step S104.
Referring to
More specifically, as the abort routine has at most 10 codes, the voltage is raised solely by approximately 2V during that period. Therefore, if voltage application is started from 3V, the voltage is merely raised to approximately 5V while the abort routine is being processed. Therefore, it is impossible that the target value (approximately 9V) of the voltage to be attained is exceeded, even without voltage determination by CPU 6 referring to the count value. Though such a waveform in
Referring again to
If determination as abort is not made in step S102, the process proceeds to step S104, in which voltage determination is made and the voltage is raised until the target value is attained. When the voltage attains the target value in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105.
In step S105, CPU 6 inactivates signal SACC to L level. Then, verify circuit 16 is set so as to perform normal verify. Thereafter, writing verify is performed in step S106. If determination as failure is made as a result of writing verify, second pulse application or later is performed in steps S107 and S108. In step S107, application of the program voltage is started, and in step S108, abort determination is made.
If determination as abort is made in step S108, the process proceeds to step S109, in which the abort process is performed. On the other hand, if determination as abort is not made in step S108, the process returns to step S105.
If determination as pass is made as a result of writing verify in step S106, writing with respect to a next address is performed.
In page programming, programming of 128 words is performed. Accordingly, an address increment routine is required. As CPU 6 in a flash memory herein is a 4-bit microcomputer capable of processing a 4-bit-width data in response to one command, 16 times of processes at the maximum can be performed like a 4-bit-width counter. In other words, in order to increment an address using the software in the CPU, if lower 4 bits are full, another routine should be used to perform another 3-bit counter operation.
If determination as pass is made in step S106, the process first proceeds to step S110, and lower 4 bits of the write address are incremented.
Then, in step S111, whether or not a carry took place as a result of increment is determined. If it is determined that the carry took place, the process proceeds to step S112, and higher 4 bits of the address are incremented. On the other hand, if it is determined that the carry did not take place, the process returns to step S101, and the writing process with respect to the next address is performed.
If the higher 4 bits of the address are incremented in step S112, successively, abort determination is made in step S113.
An operation of the higher 3 bits is performed only 7 times out of 128 times. Even if the 10-code abort determination routine is added to such an operation routine, the total sum is 10.times.70 ns=700 ns. Dividing this value by 128 times, the result is merely 5.5 ns per one word, which is negligible.
If determination as abort is made in step S113, the process proceeds to step S114, and the abort process is performed.
On the other hand, if determination as abort is not made in step S113, the process proceeds to step S115, and whether or not a carry took place as a result of increment in step S112 is determined. If the carry did not take place, the process returns to step S101, and the writing process with respect to the address after increment is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the carry took place in step S115, the writing process ends.
In Embodiment 5, the ACC mode is provided and writing verify is not performed before application of the first pulse. In addition, the abort determination routine is inserted immediately after the increment process for the higher 3 bits in the process of the address increment. In this manner, extension of the time is avoided, and a write control sequence allowing abort is achieved. In other words, a user-friendly, non-volatile semiconductor memory device with the accelerated writing mode attaining a reduced time period can be implemented.
In Embodiment 6, a method of controlling a charge pump in a power supply circuit in block erasing will be described.
Referring to
Referring to
A power supply control circuit 10A outputs a stop signal C-STOP to CPU 6A when the output from counter 210 attains a prescribed value in accordance with an operation mode sent from CPU 6A and a tuning signal set in a tuning fuse circuit 192. Decode circuits 196, 198, . . . , 200 detect a voltage value corresponding to a variety of conditions. A select signal generation circuit 194 selects one of outputs from decode circuits 196 to 200 based on the operation mode and the tuning signal, using AND circuits 202 to 206 and an OR circuit 208.
When the erasing pulse is applied for block erasing, the triangular wave is not particularly required, and instead, application of a pulse of a constant voltage is necessary. In the configuration shown in
For example, when a voltage of 8V is necessary and Vcg is raised from 0 to 8V in a step of 0.1V/70 ns, a set-up time of 80 times.times.70 ns=5.6 μs is necessary. If such a process is performed for each set of voltages, it is considerably time-consuming. In addition, as it is also necessary to notify CPU 6A that the voltage is attained, decode circuits 196, 198, . . . , 200 generating a control signal for determining if a voltage has been attained for each voltage setting in the erasing operation are necessary, resulting in necessity for a large area.
Referring to
If determination as failure is made as a result of erase verify in step S121, the process proceeds to step S122, and the CPU starts counting from “0” after the counter is reset. Then, in step S123, whether or not the count value has attained the target value is determined. If the counter has not attained the target value, the count value is increased in step S124, and whether or not the count value has attained the target value is determined again in step S123.
If it is determined that the count value has attained the target value in step S123, a counter stop signal is sent from power supply control circuit 10A to CPU 6A, and therefore, counter 210 stops the counting operation (step S125). In step S126, a pulse is applied for a prescribed time period, and in step S127, erase verify is performed.
If determination as failure is made as a result of erase verify in step S127; the count value is increased in step S128. In other words, counter 210 starts its operation in response to the enable signal from CPU 6A, and CPU 6A stops counter 210 in response to stop signal C-STOP sent from power supply control circuit 10A. Then, in step S129, a pulse is applied for a prescribed time period. After the pulse is applied in step S129, erase verify is again performed in step S127.
If determination as pass is made as a result of erase verify in step S1127, the block erasing ends.
Referring to
Referring to
Holding circuit 221 includes a latch circuit 232 reset in response to reset signal RESET and taking in an input value in response to a clock signal P2, a selector 234 switching between an output from latch circuit 232 and initial setting value DSET in response to load signal LOAD for output, and a latch circuit 236 taking in an output from selector 234 in response to a clock signal P1. Latch circuit 236 is reset in response to reset signal RESET.
Holding circuit 221 further includes a selector 238 switching between an output from latch circuit 236 and a corresponding bit among 6-bit outputs from adder 228 in response to signal C-ENABLE. An output from selector 238 is provided to an input of latch circuit 232.
Adder 228 adds increment value DV to the 6-bit outputs from holding circuits 221 to 226 and outputs results of addition to holding circuits 221 to 226 respectively. When the increment value is set to +1, for example, counter 212 increases the count value by 1 for 1 clock. In addition, when the increment value is set to +2, counter 212 increases the count value by 2 for 1 clock. In this manner, the gradient of the ramp waveform can be varied.
Referring to
On the other hand, if determination as failure is made as a result of erase verify, CPU 6 sets a target voltage value in counter 212 in step S132. In this manner, the voltage is raised with a rate in accordance with the current supply capability of the charge pump, and pulse application can be performed for a set-up time period reduced in step S1133.
Then, erase verify is performed in step S1134. If determination as failure is made as a result of erase verify, the voltage is raised by increasing the count value in step S135. Then, pulse application is performed in step S1136, and erase verify is again performed in step S134. If determination as pass is made as a result of erase verify in step S134, block erasing is completed.
As described above, in Embodiment 6, modification such that the initial value can be set in the counter counting up the voltage value is made. Therefore, the voltage can quickly be applied with a rate in accordance with the capability of the charge pump in the power supply circuit. For example, when 8V is necessary as a voltage to be applied, the set-up time that has conventionally been 5.6 μs is reduced to 1.5 μs. In addition, though a plurality of decode circuits 196 to 200 have been necessary in
In Embodiment 7, a writing operation to a spare memory cell in a flash memory will be described.
Conventionally, when a defect is found in a normal memory cell array, the defect has been replaced before a writing operation into a spare memory cell array is checked, and the writing and reading operation into/from the spare memory cell used for replacement has been checked later. In order to further improve product yield, however, it is more desirable to carry out replacement after an operation of a spare memory cell array portion is checked, that is, after it is confirmed that the spare memory cell array portion is not defective.
On the other hand, in a flash memory, it takes time particularly for a writing operation, and accordingly, the time for writing is further extended if conventional writing and reading into/from the normal cell array is performed together with a similar process for the spare memory cell array. Therefore, multi-writing, that is, simultaneous writing to the normal memory cell array as well as to the spare memory cell array is performed in order to reduce time for writing.
Referring to
Meanwhile, in order to check writing into spare memory cell array 266 in advance, a test signal TEST is activated in a TEST circuit 254 so as to cause TEST circuit 254 to perform a testing operation with respect to spare decoder 262. In a test operation, spare decoder 262 selects spare memory cell array 266 in response to address signal ADDRESS. Spare decoder 262 selects a portion of the spare memory cell array in response to address signal ADDRESS in the testing operation, in order to solve a problem of a probability of selection.
The problem of the probability of selection is as follows. As described later, the normal decoder selects a portion of the normal memory cell array with a probability of 1/32 in accordance with the address. On the other hand, if the hit signal alone is forcibly activated and the spare decoder makes one-to-one selection in the testing operation, the writing pulse is applied to the spare memory cell array with a frequency 32 times higher than that for the normal cell array. Accordingly, the spare memory cell array is susceptible to deterioration.
In addition, though a power supply circuit 258 supplies a high voltage VPY to normal decoder 260 and spare decoder 262, the current supply capability of power HIT is forcibly activated. For example, when 16 bits of the normal memory cell are simultaneously written in the normal operation in addition to simultaneous writing into 8-bit spare cells in the testing operation, capability of the charge pump in power supply circuit 258 should be 1.5 times larger. On the other hand, if only an extra 1 bit of the spare memory cell array is written simultaneously with writing to 16 bits, the capability of the charge pump does not need to be enhanced to a large extent.
Referring to
Normal decoder 260 further includes a selector 282 selecting one of 32 main bit lines in accordance with address signals A0 to A4 and transmitting signal BDO[0], a selector 284 selecting one of 32 main bit lines in accordance with address signals A0 to A4 and transmitting signal BDO[1], a selector 286 selecting one of 32 main bit lines in accordance with address signals A0 to A4 and transmitting signal BDO[2], and a selector 288 selecting one of 32 main bit lines in accordance with address signals A0 to A4 and transmitting signal BDO[15].
Main bit lines MBL[31:0] corresponding to each selector 282, 284, 286, and 288 are provided in normal memory cell array 264, in which memory cell transistors are arranged in matrix.
OR circuit 256 includes an OR circuit 292 receiving signal HIT[0] and signal TEST, an OR circuit 294 receiving signal HIT[1] and signal TEST, an OR circuit 296 receiving signal HIT[2] and signal TEST, and an OR circuit 298 receiving signal HIT[7] and signal TEST.
Spare decoder 262 includes an AND circuit 302 receiving signal DSP[0], an output from OR circuit 292, and predecode signals /A4•/A3•/A2•/A1•/A0, an AND circuit 304 receiving signal DSP[1], an output from OR circuit 294, and predecode signals /A4•/A3•A2/•A1•A0, an AND circuit 306 receiving signal DSP[2], an output from OR circuit 296, and predecode signals /A4•/A3•/A2•A1•/A0, and an AND circuit 308 receiving signal DSP[7], an output from OR circuit 298, and predecode signals /A4•/A3•A2•A1•A0.
Spare decoder 262 further includes buffer circuits 312, 314, 316, and 318 receiving inputs from AND circuits 302, 304, 306, and 308 respectively. Buffer circuits 312, 314, 316, and 318 receive high voltage VPY as a power supply voltage, and output signals BDOSP[0], BDOSP[1], BDOSP[2], and BDOSP[7] respectively.
Spare decoder 262 further includes N-channel MOS transistors 322, 324, 326, and 328 for transmitting signals BDOSP[0], BDOSP[1], BDOSP[2], and BDOSP[7] to spare bit lines MBLSP[0], MBLSP[1], MBLSP[2], and MBLSP[7] upon receiving a signal CAU0 at the gates, respectively
Referring to
Selector 282 further includes an N-channel MOS transistor 346 connected between node N1 and bit line MBL[0] and receiving predecode signals /A4•/A3•/A2•/A1•/A0 at the gate, an N-channel MOS transistor 348 connected between node N1 and main bit line MBL[1] and receiving predecode signals /A4•/A3•/A2•/.cn-dot.A1•A0 at the gate, and an N-channel MOS transistor 350 connected between node N1 and bit line MBL[31] and receiving predecode signals A4•A3•A2•A1•A0 at the gate.
Referring again to
When a signal A[4:0] is set to “00000” in
Referring to
A spare decoder 262A includes an AND circuit 366 receiving data signal DSP[0], an output from OR circuit 362, and predecode signals /A4•/A3•/A2, an AND circuit 370 receiving data signal DSP[1], an output from OR circuit 364, and predecode signals /A4•/A3•A2, a buffer circuit 368 receiving high voltage VPY as a power supply voltage, receiving an output from AND circuit 366 at its input, and outputting signal BDOSP[0], a buffer circuit 372 receiving high voltage VPY as a power supply voltage, receiving an output from AND circuit 370 at its input, and outputting signal BDOSP[1], a ¼ selection circuit 374 selecting one of bit lines MBLSP[0] to MBLSP[3] in accordance with address signals A0 and A1 and providing signal BDOSP[0] to the selected bit line, and a ¼ selection circuit 376 selecting one of bit lines MBLSP[4] to MBLSP[7] in accordance with address signals A0 and A1 and providing signal BDOSP[1] to the selected bit line.
Referring to
In addition, ¼ selection circuit 374 includes an N-channel MOS transistor 386 connected between node N2 and bit line MBLSP[0] and receiving predecode signals /A1•/A0 at its gate, an N-channel MOS transistor 388 connected between node N2 and main bit line MBLSP[1] and receiving predecode signals /A1•A0 at its gate, and an N-channel MOS transistor 390 provided between node N1 and bit line MBLSP[3] and receiving predecode signals A1•A0 at its gate.
In the variation shown in
In Embodiment 7, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device attaining improved reliability of the spare memory cell and capable of simultaneous writing to the normal memory cell and the spare memory cell without significant enhancement of the capability of the power supply circuit can be provided.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-322643 | Sep 2003 | JP | national |
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/940,812, filed on Sep. 15, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,230,852, issued Jun. 12, 2007, which claims priority of Japanese Application No. 2003-322643, filed Sep. 16, 2003, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5579270 | Yamazaki | Nov 1996 | A |
| 5914896 | Lee et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
| 5986930 | Yoshikawa et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5991201 | Kuo et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 6118704 | Hirata | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6330192 | Ohba et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
| 6438036 | Seki et al. | Aug 2002 | B2 |
| 6442075 | Hirano | Aug 2002 | B2 |
| 6657896 | Hosono et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6711060 | Sakakibara | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6724662 | Manea | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6781882 | Shimizu et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6819596 | Ikehashi et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
| 6831864 | Mizoguchi et al. | Dec 2004 | B2 |
| 6914827 | Choi | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 6934187 | Cheung | Aug 2005 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 11-191296 | Jul 1999 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20070285987 A1 | Dec 2007 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10940812 | Sep 2004 | US |
| Child | 11802314 | US |
