Hynix Semiconductor Inc.

Ju In Kim

Min Kyu Lee

Seok Jin Joo

Hyung Seok Kim

Kyung Pil Hwang

Keum Hwan Noh

Sook Kyung Kim

Ju Yeab Lee

A program method of a flash memory device includes inputting a first data and a second data to a page buffer coupled to memory cells including an even page and an odd page, pre-programming a first memory cell of the odd page using the first data, programming a second memory cell of the even page using the second data, and programming the pre-programmed first memory cell using the first data.

Program method of flash memory device

A method of erasing and programming a flash memory device including multi-level cells (MLCs). MLCs of a word line are selected and some of the MLCs are pre-programmed based on whether their individual threshold voltages are included in a first voltage range. The selected MLCs are pre-programmed with a pre-program (first) voltage; and the remaining MLCs are prohibited from pre-programming; then the remaining MLCs connected to the selected word line are programmed by applying a program (second) voltage that gradually rises from the pre-program voltage at a ratio of a step voltage n for the selected line.

Erase and program methods of a flash memory device including MLCs for increasing the program speed. In the erase method, MLCs are pre-programmed so that a voltage range in which threshold voltages of MLCs are distributed can be reduced. Therefore, a fail occurrence ratio can be reduced when erasing MLCs, the threshold voltage distribution of MLCs can be improved and an overall program time can be shortened in a subsequent program operation.

Erase method of flash memory device

A flash memory device may include a memory cell array, a page buffer unit, and a switching element. The page buffer unit may include first and second latches and is configured to program data into the memory cell array and read data from the memory cell array. The switching element enables the first latch during a verify operation of a first program based on a first verify voltage, and enables or disables the first latch in order to execute a verify operation of a second program based on a second verify voltage lower than the first verify voltage depending on whether data to be programmed has been stored in the second latch.

Flash memory device and method of programming the same

A duel program verify operation is performed using first and second verify voltages. In order to reduce the width of a threshold voltage distribution during an incremental step pulse program implementation, data of a corresponding memory cell are verified twice using the first verify voltage and the second verify voltage. During a second verify operation using the second verify voltage, a sensing current is adjusted by controlling voltages applied as a bit line select signal and an evaluation time period. Therefore, the threshold voltage of the memory cell can be measured higher or lower than its actual value and the width of a threshold voltage distribution is reduced.

Program verifying method and programming method of flash memory device

Erase and program methods of a flash memory device including MLCs for increasing the program speed are described. In the erase method, MLCs are pre-programmed so that a voltage range in which threshold voltages of MLCs are distributed can be reduced. Therefore, a fail occurrence ratio can be reduced when erasing MLCs, the threshold voltage distribution of MLCs can be improved and an overall program time can be shortened in a subsequent program operation.

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Incheon-si, South Korea

Ju In Kim