Integrated circuit having an EEPROM and flash EPROM

[0002] The present application claims benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/155,935, filed on Sep. 24, 1999, and incorporates herein by reference U.S. Application No. 09/503,982, filed on Apr. 12, 2000, and entitled “Non-Volatile Memory Cell Capable Of Being Programmed And Erased Through Substantially Separate Areas Of One Of Its Drain-Side And Source-Side Regions”, and further incorporates U.S. Application No. 09/433,245, filed on Nov. 13, 1999, and entitled “Flash Memory Architecture And Method Of Operation.”

[0003] The present invention relates to semiconductor memories, and in particular, to a semiconductor integrated circuit memory that includes both EEPROM and flash EPROM arrays.

[0004] Electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and flash erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) are two known types of non-volatile memory devices.

[0005] An EEPROM device typically includes arrays of EEPROM cells arranged in rows and columns. In an EEPROM device, each group of memory cells forming a data byte (e.g., eight memory cells) is individually accessible and thus can be programmed and erased independent of the other data bytes. A conventional EEPROM cell includes a tunnel oxide through which electrons tunnel (a process commonly referred to as Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunneling) during both programming and erase operations. Furthermore, in an EEPROM device, each memory cell has a dedicated select transistor.

[0006] A flash EPROM device typically includes arrays of flash EPROM cells arranged in rows and columns. In a flash EPROM device, erase operation is typically performed on a sector-by-sector basis, each sector including a block of cells, e.g., one or more rows or columns of cells. Therefore, all memory cells disposed in a sector are erased at once. Alternatively, if a flash EPROM array is not divided into sectors, all the flash EPROM cells disposed within the memory device are erased at once. A conventional flash EPROM cell uses hot electron injection for programming and FN tunneling for erase operations.

[0007] Flash EPROM and EEPROM devices are often used in different applications. Generally, because of its smaller size, a flash EPROM device is less expensive than an EEPROM device having the same storage capacity and is thus more widely used, for example, in mass data storage applications where reprogrammability occurs less frequently. However, where byte-by-byte reconfigurability and non-volatility is a requirement, EEPROM devices are typically used.

[0008] With the rapid growth of the battery operated portable electronic devices, there has been a parallel increase in demand for non-volatile memory devices such as EEPROMs and flash EPROMs within the same portable device. Cellular phones, for example, commonly include both types of memory devices, with the EEPROM typically storing the user reconfigurable information and the flash EPROM typically storing operating algorithms or other types of data.

[0009] The ever increasing market demands for more compact and low power electronic devices has made it desirable to combine these two types of memory arrays on the same integrated circuit housed within the same package. However, combining these two types of memories in the same integrated circuit in an efficient manner and such that each memory type maintains its flexibility (e.g., byte erasable EEPROM) has been difficult because of the divergent requirements of the flash EPROM and EEPROM cell technologies.

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, a non-volatile integrated circuit memory includes an EEPROM array comprising a plurality of memory cells and a flash EPROM array comprising a second plurality of memory cells, wherein the EEPROM array is capable of being erased byte-by-byte or word-by-word, and the flash EPROM array is capable of being erased sector-by-sector.

[0011] In one embodiment, both arrays are formed using the same memory cell which is programmed using hot-electron injection and is erased using Fowler-Nordheim tunneling.

[0012] In another embodiment, a pair of byte-select transitors couple each memory cell in the EEPROM array to a corresponding bitline. The pair of byte-select transistors respectively couple the memory cell to one of a signal line and a voltage supply line.

[0013] In another embodiment, the EEPROM and the flash EPROM arrays share the same high voltage circuitry and control logic.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a transistor schematic diagram of a section of an EEPROM array, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2 exemplifies, in a table format, voltage conditions that are applied to the EEPROM array of FIG. 1 during each of the programming, erase, and read operations.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows some of the circuit blocks that are included in an integrated circuit memory containing both an EEPROM array and a flash EPROM array, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a transistor schematic diagram of a section 10 of an EEPROM array, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. A multiplicity of programmable memory cells 12_iare arranged in two rows and sixteen columns in array section 10. The structure and operation of the programmable memory cell 12_iis described in detail in the above-referenced U.S. application Ser. No. 09/503,982. The sixteen columns are arranged in two groups of eight columns, one group being designated as byte 0 and the other as byte 1. Only two columns in each byte are shown for simplicity. Arranging the columns of cells in groups of eight (bytes) is illustrative only, and other arrangements such as groups of sixteen (words) are also possible. For example, depending on the I/O bit configuration of the memory device (e.g., by 4, or by 8, or by 16, or by 32), the columns of cells may be arranged in corresponding groups (e.g., 8 columns, or 16 columns, or 32 columns).

[0018] In the following, different instances of similar components are identified by similar reference numerals having different indices which appear as subscripts to the identifying reference numerals. For example, the eight shown instances of programmable memory cells are labeled as 12₀, 12₇, 12₈, 12₁₅, 12₁₆, 12₂₃, 12₂₄and 12₃₁. Each bitline in FIG. 1 is identified by letters BL each having a two-digit index appearing as a subscript thereto. The first digit of the index indicate the byte number in which the bitline is disposed, and the second digit of the index indicates the bit position within the byte in which the bitline is disposed. For example, bitline BL₀₀refers to bitline 0 in byte number 0, and bitline BL₁₇, refers to bitline 7 in byte number 1. As shown, memory cells 12₀and 12₇respectively form bits 0 and 7 of byte 0 in the top row, memory cells 12₁₆and 12₂₃respectively form bits 0 and 7 of byte 0 in the bottom row, memory cells 12₈and 12₁₅respectively form bits 0 and 7 of byte 1 in the top row, and memory cells 12₂₄and 12₃₁respectively form bits 0 and 7 of byte 1 in the bottom row.

[0019] Each programmable memory cell 12_ihas a dedicated NMOS select transistor 14_ifor coupling cell 12_ito the cell's associated bit line BL_ij. For example, cell 12₀is coupled to bitline BL₀₀via select transistor 14₀; cell 12₁₅is coupled to bitline BL₁₇via select transistor 14₁₅. As shown, the gate, drain, and source terminals of each select transistor 14_iare respectively coupled to a wordline, a bitline and to the select transistor's associated cell 12_i. For example, the gate, drain, and source terminals of transistor 14₀are respectively coupled to wordline ROW0, bitline BL₀₀, and to the drain terminal of cell 12₀.

[0020] The source terminals of all cells 12_idisposed in each pair of adjacent rows are coupled together and to the same supply voltage line VVSS. Therefore, all memory cells along the two adjacent rows shown in FIG. 1 have their source terminals connected together and to the same VVSS line.

[0021] Associated with each group of cells in a data byte is a pair of PMOS byte-select transistors for coupling the gate terminals of the cells in the data byte to either a signal line Gwli or a voltage supply line VSS. Eight such byte-select transistors 16₁to 16₈are shown in FIG. 1. Byte-select transistors 16₁and 16₂respectively couple the gate terminals of the cells in byte 0 of the to row to signal line Gwl0 and supply line VSS. Byte-select transistors 16₃and 16₄respectively couple the gate terminals of the cells in byte 0 of the bottom row to Gwl1 and VSS lines. Byte-select transistors 16₅and 16₆respectively couple the gate terminals of the cells in byte 1 of the top row to Gwl0 and VSS lines. Byte-select transistors 16₇and 16₈respectively couple the gate terminals of the cells in byte 1 of the bottom row to Gwl1 and VSS lines.

[0022] The gate terminals of all byte-select transistors which couple their respective cells in a given data byte to Gwl0 and Gwl1 lines receive the same select signal Seli. For example, byte-select transistors 16₁and 16₄which couple the gate terminals of their respective cells in byte 0 to Gwl0 and Gwl1 lines receive the same select signal Sel0 at their gate terminals. Similarly, byte-select transistors 16₅and 16₈which couple the gate terminals of their respective cells in byte 1 to Gwl0 and Gwl1 lines receive the same select signal Sell at their gate terminals.

[0023] The gate terminals of all byte-select transistors which couple their respective cells in a given data byte to VSS line receive the same complement select signal {overscore (Seli)}. For example, byte-select transistors 16₂and 16₃which couple the gate terminals of their respective cells in byte 0 to VSS line receive the same complement select signal {overscore (Sel0)} at their gate terminals. Similarly, byte-select transistors 16₆and 16₇which couple the gate terminals of their respective cells in byte 1 to VSS line receive the same complement select signal {overscore (Sel1)} at their gate terminals.

[0024] FIG. 2 exemplifies, in a table format, voltage conditions that are applied to the array section 10 of FIG. 1 during each of the programming, erase, and read operations. The indicated voltage levels are illustrative only and may vary depending on, for example, the process technology, the cell technology, the array configuration, and the like. The row corresponding to “Program” shows the requisite biasing to program one or more of the eight cells of the data byte in byte 0 of the top row in FIG. 1. The row corresponding to “Erase” shows the requisite biasing to erase one or more of the eight cells of the data byte in byte 0 of the top row in FIG. 1. The row corresponding to “Read” shows the requisite biasing to read out the eight cells of the data byte in byte 0 of the top row in FIG. 1. Each of the programming, erase, and read operations is described next using the exemplary biasing conditions shown in table of FIG. 2.

[0025] Each cell 12_iis programmed using hot electron injection and erased using Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunneling as described in the above-referenced U.S. application Ser. No. 09/503,982. In accordance with the biasing example shown in FIG. 2, to program a cell 12_i, 10 volts is applied to the cell's gate terminal and 5 volts is applied to the cell's drain terminal, and the cell's source terminal is grounded. Assuming, for example, that the cells in byte 0 of the top row are initially in an erased state, and that it is desired to program bit 0 (i.e., cell 12₀) of this data byte. The voltages applied to the selected wordline ROW0 and bitline BL₀₀are 10 volts and 5 volts respectively. All the unselected wordlines, e.g., ROW1, receive 0 volts. Similarly, the selected line Gwl0 is set to 10 volts while the unselected supply voltage line Gwl1 is set to 0 volts. The voltage applied to each of supply lines VSS and VVSS is 0 volts. The voltages applied to select signals Sel0 and Sel1 are respectively 0 and 10 volts, and thus the complement select signals Sel0 and Sel1 are at 10 and 0 volts, respectively.

[0026] With the above biasing, since the gate and drain terminals of NMOS transistor 14₀respectively receive 10 and 5 volts, the drain terminal of cell 12₀receives the 5 volts applied to BL₀₀. With 0 and 10 volts respectively applied to the gate and source terminals of PMOS byte-select transistor 16₁, the gate terminal of cell 12₀receives 10 volt. Thus, the voltages applied to the gate, drain, and source terminals of cell 12₀are respectively 10, 5 and 0 volts, which cause cell 12₀to be programmed.

[0027] If only bit 0 of byte 0 of the top row (i.e., cell 12₀) is desired to be programmed, the other bitlines BL₀₁to BL₀₇in byte 0 of the top row are biased to 0 volts, and therefore, cells 12₁to 12₇maintain their previous states. If other cells in the same data byte are desired to be programmed, their corresponding bitlines need to be biased to 5 volts. The gate terminals of the cells in byte 0 of the bottom row are coupled to Gwl1 line which receives 0 volts. Accordingly, all cells 12₁₆to 12₂₃forming the 8 bits of byte 0 in bottom row maintain their previous states. Because Sel1 and {overscore (Sel1)} lines are respectively biased to 10 volts and 0 volts, the gate terminals of all cells forming byte 1 in each of the top and bottom rows are coupled to VSS line through their respective byte-select transistors 16₆and 16₇, and thus all these cells also maintain their previous states. each of the top and bottom rows are coupled to VSS line through their respective byte-select transistors 16₆and 16₇, and thus all these cells also maintain their previous states.

[0028] In accordance with the biasing example shown in FIG. 2, to erase a cell 12_i, its source terminal is caused to float, while −10 volts and 5 volts are respectively applied to the cell's gate and drain terminals. Assuming that the eight cells in byte 0 of the top row are in programmed state, and it is desired to erase only these eight cells, the voltage applied to the selected wordline ROW0 is set to 10 volts while that applied to the unselected wordlines e.g., ROW1, is set to 0 volts. The voltages applied to the selected Gwl0 line and the unselected Gwl1 line are respectively set to −10 and 0 volts. Supply line VSS receives 0 volts while supply line VVSS is caused to float through a device not shown in FIG. 2. Select signals Sel0 and Sel1 are respectively set to −10 and 0 volts thereby causing signals Sel0 and Sel1 to be at 0 and −10, respectively. Since it is desired to erase all eight cells in byte 0 of the top row, the voltage of all bitlines BL₀₀to BL₀₇are set to 5 volts while that of all the other bitlines in the array are set to 0 volts. If fewer than the eight bits in the data byte are desired to be erased, the bitlines corresponding to the cells not to be erased are set to 0 volts.

[0029] With the above erase biasing conditions, the drain and gate terminals of the eight cells selected for erase receive 5 and −10 volts respectively, while the source terminals of the eight cells float. This causes all eight cells to be erased simultaneously. Except for the selected eight cells in byte 0 of the top row, none of the other cells in the array experience the voltage conditions required for the erase operation and therefore maintain their previous states.

[0030] In accordance with the biasing example shown in FIG. 2, to read a cell 12_i, 3 volts is applied to the cell's gate terminal, and 1 volts is applied to cell's drain terminal, and the cell's source terminal is grounded. Assuming, for example, data byte 0 in the top row is to be read, wordlines ROW0 and ROW1 are respectively set to 3 and 0 volts, both Gwl0 and Gwl1 are set to 3 volts, and supply lines VSS and VVSS are both set to 0 volts. elect signals Sel0 and Sel1 are respectively set to 0 and 3 volts thereby causing signals {overscore (Sel0)} and {overscore (Sel1)} to be at 3 and 0 volts, respectively. Accordingly, the gate terminals of all ells 12₀to 12₇in byte 0 of the top row receive 3 volts, while those in all other data bytes receive 0 volts. Bitlines BL₀₀to BL₀₇in byte 0 of the top row receive 1 volts, and because select transistors 14₀and 14₇are on, the drain terminals of cells 12₀to 12₇in byte 0 receive 1 volts. With the gate, drain, and source terminals of cells 12₀to 12₇biased to 3 volts, 1 volts, and 0 volts respectively, the states of these cells are read. To the extent that none of the cells except for those in byte 0 of the top row receive the read biasing voltages, they are not read.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a simplified block diagram of an integrated circuit memory device 20, which includes both an EEPROM array 30 and a flash EPROM array 40, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Cell 12_iis advantageously used to form both the EEPROM array 30 (as shown in FIG. 1 and described above) and the flash EPROM array 40 (as described in the above-referenced U.S. application Ser. No. 09/503,982). Because both the EEPROM and flash EPROM arrays are formed using cells 12_i, the voltages applied to both arrays during program, erase, and read are substantially the same.

[0032] In FIG. 3, externally provided address signals are transferred to row decoders 32 and 42 and column decoders (not shown) of the respective arrays 30 and 40 via an address bus 24. Row decoders 32 and 42 and column decoders not shown respectively decode the addressed location within arrays 30 and 40. A high voltage blocks 28 supplies high voltage signals to both arrays 30 and 40 as well as other logic circuits for programming and erase operations (and read operation if voltages greater than the externally provided supply voltage are needed during read). A control logic block 26 provides control signals to both arrays 30 and 40 during programming, read, and erase operations. A program/erase column block 44, sense amplifier block 46, and interface block 48 are provided for interface with array 40. Similarly, a programlerase column block 34, sense amplifier block 36, and interface block 38 are provided for interface with array 30. Data IO bus 22 is coupled to both interface blocks 38 and 48 to enable transfer of data to and from the two memory arrays.

[0033] Integrated circuit memory 20 can be designed to operate in a number of ways. For example, by providing each of the two memory arrays 30 and 40 its dedicated address and data bus, and duplicating some of the internal circuitry, the two memory arrays 30 and 40 can be accessed simultaneously. This allows the flash EPROM array to be accessed, for example, to carry out a read operation at the same time that the EEPROM array is accessed to carry out, for example, a programming operation. As can be seen, such flexible design enables the two memory arrays to be accessed simultaneously to carry out any combination of read, programming, and erase operations. Alternatively, memory IC 20 can be designed so that only one of the two memory arrays 30 and 40 can be accessed at any one time. This helps reduce the total die size by allowing circuit blocks to be shared between the two arrays. This design may be suited for applications where lower device cost is of greater importance while the functional flexibility is not as critical.

[0034] Thus, the memory cell and the corresponding flash EPROM array described in the above-referenced U.S. application Ser. No. 09/503,982, along with the EEPROM array architecture of FIG. 2 allow combining flash EPROM functionality along with EEPROM functionality on the same IC such that each of the flash EPROM and the EEPROM portions of the IC are capable of functioning in accordance with conventional standards (e.g., the EEPROM can be erased byte-by-byte, while the flash EPROM can be erased sector-by-sector).

[0035] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrative and not limiting. The invention is not limited by the number of rows and columns of memory cells 12_iforming the memory array. The invention is not limited by the type of select transistor or byte-select transistor that is disposed in array section 10. The invention is not limited to the number of bits that are included in each group of data columns. For example, each data group may include 16 or 32 cells to thereby form a memory which is 16-bits or 32-bits wide. Nor is the invention limited by the level of voltages that are applied to a memory array during each of the program/erase/read operations. Other variations of the invention are obvious in light of this disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.