Inventors:
Peter K. Hazen - Auburn CA
Michael J. Castillo - Provo UT
Assignee:
Intel Corporation - Santa Clara CA
International Classification:
G11C 1134
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for protecting data stored in a nonvolatile memory. First, a locking signal is initiated to indicate to the memory that write and erase operations are to be prevented. Next, in response to this locking signal, the supply voltage that supports write and erase operations in the memory is lowered below a threshold value. In doing so, protection circuitry that is contained within the memory prevents write and erase operations in the memory.