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Preventing unintended permanent write-protection in nonvolatile memory

A non-volatile, memory technology used in the field of programmable non-volatile memory

Active Publication Date: 2011-09-14
MICROCHIP TECH INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This results in the device being permanently write protected and would require physical replacement of the device if program changes and / or corrections had to be made to the device

Method used

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  • Preventing unintended permanent write-protection in nonvolatile memory
  • Preventing unintended permanent write-protection in nonvolatile memory
  • Preventing unintended permanent write-protection in nonvolatile memory

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Embodiment Construction

[0016] Reference is now made to the drawings, which schematically illustrate details of specific example embodiments. In the drawings, the same elements will be represented by the same numerals, and similar elements will be represented by the same numerals with different lowercase letter suffixes.

[0017] refer to figure 1 , which depicts a schematic block diagram of an integrated circuit device with at least one external multifunction input-output connection on an integrated circuit package. Integrated circuit device 102 includes memory control and programming logic 104, non-volatile memory 106, and external connections, such as connections 114 and 120, among others. At least one of the external connections (eg, connection 120c) may be a multifunction input, output, or input-output connection. According to the teachings of the present invention, the at least one multifunctional connection may have primary and secondary functions, such as (by way of example but not limited ...

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Abstract

An input voltage range may be established between different voltage levels used for different programming functions of an integrated circuit device, thus implementing a protection zone ("safe zone") of non-operation to facilitate prevention of an unintended irreversible programming operation, e.g., permanent write protection of a nonvolatile programmable memory in the device.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to integrated circuit devices with programmable non-volatile memory, and more particularly to programmable non-volatile memory that enables temporary and permanent write protection. Background technique [0002] An integrated circuit device with non-volatile memory may store operating parameters, operating programs, and / or fixed data of the device in the non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be write-protected to prevent unauthorized and / or inadvertent changes to the contents therein. Several ways are available for write-protecting non-volatile memory and are collectively referred to herein as "write-protect fuses." Two types of write-protect fuses can be implemented for non-volatile memory: a) a temporary write-protect fuse that allows the user to clear the function (disable write protection), and b) permanently write-protect the non-volatile memory mode and the user cannot clear the permanent write-protect f...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): G11C16/22
CPCG11C16/22G11C16/225G11C16/10
Inventor 戴维·弗朗西斯·米图斯布鲁斯·爱德华·比彻姆塞缪尔·亚历山大埃扎那·H·阿贝拉
Owner MICROCHIP TECH INC