Micron Technology Incorporated

Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Jonathan Pabustan

Vishal Sarin

Frankie F Roohparvar

Jung-Sheng Hoei

Dzung Huu Nguyen

Ben Y Sheen

William Henry Radke

Jung Sheng Hoei

Geeng-Chuan Chern

William Saiki

Der-Tsyr Fan

Prateep Tuntasood

Yaw Wen Hu

Jason Guo

Chih-Chieh Wang

Methods for sensing, method for programming, memory devices, and memory systems are disclosed. In one such method for sensing, a counting circuit generates a count output and a translated count output. The count output is converted into a time varying voltage that biases a word line coupled to memory cells being sensed. Target data for each memory cell is stored in a data cache associated with that particular memory cell. When it is detected that a memory cell has turned on, the translated count output associated with the count output that is indicative of the voltage level that turned on the memory cell is compared to the target data. The comparison determines the state of the memory cell.

Sensing operations in a memory device

Programming operations in a memory device

Methods of programming memory cells are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, programming is accomplished by applying a first set of programming pulses to program to an initial threshold voltage, and applying a second set of programming pulses to program to a final threshold voltage.

Soft landing for desired program threshold voltage

A memory controller has a digital signal processor. The digital signal processor is configured to output a digital data signal of M+N bits of program data intended for programming a memory cell of a memory device. The digital signal processor is configured to receive a digital data signal of M+L bits read from the memory cell of the memory device and to retrieve from the received digital data signal M bits of data that were stored in the memory cell.

Memory controllers to output data signals of a number of bits and to receive data signals of a different number of bits

In one or more embodiments, a memory device has an adjustable programming window with a plurality of programmable levels. The programming window is moved to compensate for changes in reliable program and erase thresholds achievable as the memory device experiences factors such as erase/program cycles that change the program window. The initial programming window is determined prior to an initial erase/program cycle. The programming levels are then moved as the programming window changes, such that the plurality of programmable levels still remain within the program window and are tracked with the program window changes.

Memory device program window adjustment

A memory has a memory array with a memory cell. The memory is adapted to program a first number of bits into the memory cell. The memory is adapted to sense a second number of bits, different from the first number of bits, from the memory cell.

Memory adapted to program a number of bits to a memory cell and read a different number of bits from the memory cell

In one or more embodiments, a memory device is disclosed as having an adjustable programming window having a plurality of programmable levels. The programming window is moved to compensate for changes in reliable program and erase thresholds achievable as the memory device experiences factors such as erase/program cycles that change the program window. The initial programming window is determined prior to an initial erase/program cycle. The programming levels are then moved as the programming window changes, such that the plurality of programmable levels still remain within the program window and are tracked with the program window changes.

Methods for mitigating runaway programming in a memory device, methods for program verifying a memory device, a memory device, and a memory system are provided. In one such method, a ramp voltage signal is generated by a digital count signal. A memory cell being program verified is turned on by a particular verify voltage of the ramp voltage signal in response to a digital count of the digital count signal. The memory cell turning on generates a bit line indication that causes the digital count to be compared to a representation of the target data to be programmed in the memory cell. The comparator circuit generates an indication when the digital count is greater than or equal to the target data.

Mitigation of runaway programming of a memory device

Methods of operating memories facilitate compensating for memory cell signal line propagation delays, such as to increase the overall threshold voltage range and non-volatile memory cell states available. Methods include selecting a memory cell signal line of a memory and characterizing the memory cell signal line by determining an RC time constant of the memory cell signal line.

Methods of operating memories including characterizing memory cell signal lines

Methods and apparatus are disclosed, such as those involving a flash memory device that includes a memory block. The memory block includes a plurality of data lines extending substantially parallel to one another, and a plurality of memory cells. One such method includes erasing the memory cells; and performing erase verification on the memory cells. The erase verification includes determining one memory cell by one memory cell whether the individual memory cells coupled to one of the data lines have been erased. The method can also include performing a re-erase operation that selectively re-erases unerased memory cells based at least partly on the result of the erase verification.

Methods of erase verification for a flash memory device

A memory device and programming and/or reading process is described that compensates for memory cell signal line propagation delays, such as to increase the overall threshold voltage range and non-volatile memory cell states available. Memory cell signal line propagation delay compensation can be accomplished by characterizing the memory cell signal line propagation delay, such as determining an amount of error due to the delay, and pre-compensating the programmed threshold voltage of the memory cells based on the amount of error induced by the memory cell signal line propagation delay and cell location on the selected memory cell signal line. Alternatively, memory cell signal line propagation delay can be post-compensated for, or the pre-compensation fine tuned, after sensing the threshold voltages of the selected memory cells based on the amount of error induced by the memory cell signal line propagation delay and cell location on the selected memory cell signal line. Other methods, devices, etc., are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

San Lorenzo, CA, United States of America

Jonathan Pabustan