(19)

(11)

EP 1 086 466 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 28.03.2001 Bulletin 2001/13 (21) Application number: 00917817.9 (22) Date of filing: 09.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G11C 16/22, G11C 29/00, G06F 1/22 (86) International application number: PCT/US0006/165 (87) International publication number: WO 0054/282 (14.09.2000 Gazette 2000/37)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 09.03.1999 US 264707 (71) Applicant: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC. Chandler, AZ 85224-6199 (US)	(72) Inventors: WOJEWODA, Igor Tempe, AZ 85283 (US) TRIECE, Joseph, W. Phoenix, AZ 85048 (US) (74) Representative: Patry, Didier Marcel Pierre  Baker Botts45 Ludgate Hill London EC4M 7JU London EC4M 7JU (GB)