Non-volatile memory device controlled by a micro-controller

Abstract

A system and a method for operating a non-volatile memory (NVM) device including a micro-controller adapted to control peripheral circuitry associated with an NVM array. The method includes providing at least one operation command to the micro-controller of the NVM device and applying operating signals to peripheral circuitry of the NVM device to operate the NVM array based on at least one operation command. The system includes: ( 1 ) a NVM device with a NVM array adapted to store data and commands, peripheral circuitry adapted to operate the NVM array and a micro-controller adapted to control the peripheral circuitry; and ( 2 ) an external device to provide at least one command to the micro-controller of the NVM device.

1 . A non-volatile memory (NVM) device comprising a reconfigurable micro-controller.  
   
   
       2 . The NVM device according to  claim 1  wherein the NVM array and said micro-controller reside on the same die.  
   
   
       3 . The NVM device according to  claim 1  wherein the NVM array is composed of charge trapping memory cells.  
   
   
       4 . The NVM device according to  claim 3  wherein said charge trapping memory cells are NROM cells.  
   
   
       5 . The NVM device according to  claim 3  wherein said charge trapping memory cells have more than one charge storage areas.  
   
   
       6 . The NVM device according to  claim 1  adapted to control peripheral circuitry associated with an NVM array.  
   
   
       7 . The NVM device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a user command interface to receive at least one command and insert said command to said micro-controller.  
   
   
       8 . The NVM device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second NVM array configured to store at least one command to be executed by said micro-controller.  
   
   
       9 . The NVM device according to  claim 8 , wherein said second NVM array is a program file read only memory (PFROM).  
   
   
       10 . The NVM device according to  claim 8 , wherein execution said at least one command configures said NVM device.  
   
   
       11 . The NVM device according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one command is executed during a power-up process.  
   
   
       12 . The NVM device according to  claim 8 , wherein execution of said at least one command validates that said NVM device is in a predetermined threshold voltage level.  
   
   
       13 . The NVM device according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one command is executed during a power-up process.  
   
   
       14 . The NVM device according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one command, when executed during a power-up process, replaces a defected area of said NVM array with an unused area of said NVM array.  
   
   
       15 . The NVM device according to  claim 8 , wherein said micro-controller is adapted to execute commands by polling said second NVM array.  
   
   
       16 . The NVM device according to  claim 2 , wherein said micro-controller is adapted to receive a second command while said peripheral circuitry operate a first command, interrupt the execution of said first command, and control said peripheral circuitry to operate said second command.  
   
   
       17 . The NVM device according to  claim 3 , wherein said micro-controller is adapted to receive said at least one command from an external device.  
   
   
       18 . The NVM device according to  claim 17 , wherein said external device is selected from the group consisting of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device, a programmable logic device (PLD), a memory card, and a multimedia card.  
   
   
       19 . The NVM device according to  claim 2 , wherein said micro-controller is adapted to control operation of at least a second NVM device.  
   
   
       20 . A system comprising: 
 a non-volatile memory (“NVM”) device including a NVM array adapted to store data and commands, a reconfigurable micro-controller, and an external device to provide at least one command to said micro-controller.    
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 20 , further comprising peripheral circuitry adapted to operate said NVM array, and wherein said controller is adapted to control said peripheral circuitry.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said NVM device includes a user command interface to receive at least one command and provide said at least one command to said micro-controller.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said external device is selected from the group consisting of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device, a programmable logic device (PLD), a memory card, and a multimedia card.  
   
   
       24 . A method for operating a non-volatile memory (NVM) device, comprising: providing at least one operation command to a reconfigurable micro-controller of said NVM device.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising applying operating signals to peripheral circuitry of said NVM device to operate a NVM array based on said at least one operation command.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said providing at least one operating command is performed during development of said NVM device.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said providing at least one operating command is performed during manufacturing of said NVM device.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said providing at least one operating command is performed during production of said NVM device.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said providing at least one operating command is performed during testing of said NVM device.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said providing at least one operating command is performed during power-up of said NVM device.