Abstract: Phosphorescent materials and devices with improved device manufacturing, fabrication, stability, efficiency, and/or color.

Abstract: Manners for transferring information within a flash memory device across a memory array are described. A controller retrieves information from a storage unit and then a decoder decodes the information. The information is set across a series of bitlines through a pass gate to a second controller. The bitlines are both associated with the storage unit as well as bitlines associated with other storage units. A series of transistors is associated with each bitline. Different transistors are active based on if the bitlines are associated with the currently used storage unit.

Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor for use as a charge pump with flash memory, comprising: (a) concurrently forming polysilicon gates on a semiconductor body in a core region and a polysilicon middle capacitor plate in a peripheral region, (b) forming a first dielectric layer over the polysilicon gates and the middle capacitor plate, (c) planarizing the first dielectric layer to expose a top portion of the polysilicon gates and a top portion of the middle capacitor plate, (d) forming a second dielectric layer over the top portion of the middle capacitor layer, (e) concurrently forming patterning a second polysilicon layer in the core region and a third capacitor plate in the periphery region and (f) connecting the third capacitor plate to the source/drain well.

Abstract: A voltage regulator comprises resistor elements that mitigate variations in a program voltage (VPROG). In particular, the resistors allow copies of the voltage regulator to be fabricated more consistently across a semiconductor substrate. As such, variations in respective program voltages applied to different bitlines of a memory arrangement are mitigated. This mitigates yield loss as more devices perform as desired, thus necessitating fewer discards.

Abstract: Manners for transferring information within a flash memory device across a memory array are described. A controller retrieves information from a storage unit and then a decoder decodes the information. The information is set across a series of bitlines through a pass gate to a second controller. The bitlines are both associated with the storage unit as well as bitlines associated with other storage units. A series of transistors is associated with each bitline. Different transistors are active based on if the bitlines are associated with the currently used storage unit.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device (104) selectably connectable to an external high voltage power supply (122) is provided. The semiconductor memory device (104) includes a switch (314), a detector (316) and a timing device (318). The switch (314) is connected to external voltage supply signals and selectably couples the external voltage supply signals to memory cells (305) of the semiconductor memory device (104) for memory operations thereof. The external voltage supply signals including a high voltage signal (412) provided from the external high voltage power supply (122) and an operational voltage signal Vcc (402). The detector (316) is connected to the external voltage supply signals for generating a timer activation signal (404) in response to detecting an operational voltage power-on period.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for accessing a memory cell. In this method, at least one bit of the memory cell is erased. After erasing the at least one bit, a soft program operation is performed to bias the memory cell thereby improving the reliability of data stored in the memory cell. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A voltage regulator comprises resistor elements that mitigate variations in a program voltage (VPROG). In particular, the resistors allow copies of the voltage regulator to be fabricated more consistently across a semiconductor substrate. As such, variations in respective program voltages applied to different bitlines of a memory arrangement are mitigated. This mitigates yield loss as more devices perform as desired, thus necessitating fewer discards.

Abstract: A fast reference circuit having active feedback includes a bias supply circuit and a variable divider circuit connected by an active feedback path to the bias supply circuit, and a comparator circuit connected to the variable divider circuit, the bias supply circuit, and a reference node of the variable divider circuit. In one embodiment, a start-up circuit initially discharges a potential at the bias supply and comparator circuits, then initializes a reference voltage at the reference node at about zero volts to improve repeatability. In one embodiment, the variable voltage divider comprises an impendence that is trimmed based on a sheet resistance of a process used to fabricate the fast reference circuit, and further comprises a variable reference current circuit coupled to the impedance and configured to generate a current having a value based on a desired reference voltage and to conduct the current through the impedance, thereby generating the reference voltage associated therewith.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for high performance, high voltage memory operations on selected memory cells (200) of a semiconductor memory device (100). A high voltage generator (106) during program or erase operations provides a continuous high voltage level (702) on selected word lines (502) and maintains a continuous high voltage level supply to a bit line decoder (120) which sequentially provides the high voltage level (706) to a first portion of bit lines (504) and discharges (708) those bit lines (504) before providing the high voltage level to a second portion (710).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for versatile high voltage level detection. A semiconductor device (100) is provided which includes a high voltage generating circuit (202) for generating a high voltage supply signal having a high voltage level and a voltage level detector (204) coupled to the output of the high voltage generating circuit (202) and including a current source (402) for generating a current to increase the voltage margin of the voltage level detector (204), the voltage level detector (204) generating a voltage control signal in response to the current and the high voltage level detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for improved noise reduction from switching on and off drain pumps (202) in a high voltage generator. The drain pumps (202) are divided into groups (204) and activation of the groups (204) of drain pumps (202) is staggered (304, 310). In addition, when drain pumps are switched on and off for power conservation or to maintain a steady state high voltage level, the groups (204) of drain pumps (202) are switched on and off in response to various predetermined high voltage levels (410, 412, 414, 416), with different voltage levels for different groups (204) of drain pumps (202).

Abstract: A voltage regulator may include an operational-amplifier section, a capacitor connected to an output of the operational-amplifier section, and a switch configured to connect the capacitor to a voltage supply. The switch is configured to charge the capacitor before activating the operational-amplifier section. The capacitor is configured to store charge to supplement current being supplied from the operational-amplifier section. The voltage regulator may be used to supply power to non-volatile memory cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for high performance, high voltage memory operations on selected memory cells (200) of a semiconductor memory device (100). A high voltage generator (106) during program or erase operations provides a continuous high voltage level (702) on selected word lines (502) and maintains a continuous high voltage level supply to a bit line decoder (120) which sequentially provides the high voltage level (706) to a first portion of bit lines (504) and discharges (708) those bit lines (504) before providing the high voltage level to a second portion (710).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for high performance, high voltage memory operations on selected memory cells (200) of a semiconductor memory device (100). A high voltage generator (106) during program or erase operations provides a continuous high voltage level (702) on selected word lines (502) and maintains a continuous high voltage level supply to a bit line decoder (120) which sequentially provides the high voltage level (706) to a first portion of bit lines (504) and discharges (708) those bit lines (504) before providing the high voltage level to a second portion (710).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for improved power conservation in a semiconductor device (100) which includes a high voltage generating circuit (200) such as a drain pump. The operation frequency of the drain pump (200) is controlled in response to the high voltage level detected at the output thereof. In addition, highly efficient operation of the drain pump (200) can be achieved by enabling and disabling the drain pump (200) in response to the high voltage level to provide an output signal at a relatively constant high voltage level. The drain pump (200) is enabled in response to a high voltage detector (202, 402, 502) detecting a high voltage level lower than a first predetermined voltage level and is disabled in response to detecting a voltage level higher than a second predetermined voltage level, the second predetermined voltage level being higher than the first predetermined voltage level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for improved noise reduction from switching on and off drain pumps (202) in a high voltage generator. The drain pumps (202) are divided into groups (204) and activation of the groups (204) of drain pumps (202) is staggered (304, 310). In addition, when drain pumps are switched on and off for power conservation or to maintain a steady state high voltage level, the groups (204) of drain pumps (202) are switched on and off in response to various predetermined high voltage levels (410, 412, 414, 416), with different voltage levels for different groups (204) of drain pumps (202).

Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell array, such as a Flash NOR array, is programmed by applying voltages to bit lines that connect to memory cells in the memory cell array. A first bit line corresponding to a first memory cell in the memory array may be turned on to perform a first programming operation for the first memory cell and second bit line corresponding to a second memory cell in the memory array may be turned on to perform a second programming operation that is configured to complete after the first programming operation. The turning on/off of the first and second bit lines may be overlapped to share charge between the first and second bit lines. This overlapping can reduce wasted power and decrease programming pulse overshoot problems.