Sandisk Technologies Inc.

Yen-Lung Li

Tai-Yuan Tseng

Qui V Nguyen

Jong Hak Yuh

Yingda Dong

Deepanshu Dutta

Raul-Adrian Cernea

Seungpil Lee

Hong-Yan Chen

Raul Adrian Cernea

Hua-Ling Cynthia Hsu

Jonathan Huynh

Kwang-Ho Kim

Cynthia Hsu

Jixin Yu

Kenneth Louie

Anirudh Amarnath

Min Peng

Manabu Sakai

Alexander Chu

Zhuojie Li

Dike Zhou

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are presented for column replacement. An input register, which includes a set of input divisions, may receive write data for a memory array. An output register, which includes a set of normal output divisions and a set of replacement output divisions, may output write data to an array. A column replacement circuit may selectively couple input divisions to output divisions. A column replacement circuit may couple normal output divisions for functional columns of an array to corresponding input divisions. A column replacement circuit may couple replacement output divisions for functional columns of an array to input divisions selected by the column replacement circuit, which may be corresponding input divisions or other input divisions.

Column replacement with non-dedicated replacement columns

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for skip inconsistency correction. A skip circuit is configured to skip memory units for read operations and write operations of a memory array, based on a record of memory units identified as faulty. A skip inconsistency detection circuit is configured to detect a skip inconsistency in read data from a memory array. A correction circuit is configured to correct a skip inconsistency and output corrected read data.

Column skip inconsistency correction

This disclosure provides techniques for reducing leakage current in a non-volatile memory that does not include a local interconnect. In one example, a low-voltage pulse can be applied to all of the word-lines in all of the blocks of the non-volatile memory. The low-voltage pulse can be applied during a period in which the row decoder is typically idle in order to reduce the total amount of time required to program the non-volatile memory. After the conclusion low-voltage pulse, a global control line voltage can be applied at about the same level as the low-voltage pulse to keep the word-lines floating when the pulse is no longer applied.

Word-line pre-charging in power-on read operation to reduce programming voltage leakage

A memory device and associated techniques for programming a select gate transistor. The programming of the select gate transistors in a NAND string is performed under similar biasing as is seen during the programming of a memory cell, when the select gate transistors are required to be in the conductive or non-conductive state for selected and unselected NAND strings, respectively. Program-verify tests for the select gate transistors use a current which flows from the source end to the drain end of the NAND string, and can be performed separately for odd- and even-numbered NAND strings, to avoid the effects of bit line-to-bit line coupling. The tests account for uneven doping in the channel of the select gate transistor. Program-verify tests for the memory cells use a current which flows from the drain end to the source end and can be performed concurrently.

Program-verify of select gate transistor with doped channel in NAND string

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for three-dimensional non-volatile memory. A stack of word line layers includes word lines for a three-dimensional non-volatile memory array. A stack of word line layers may include a plurality of tiers. Word line switch transistors transfer word line bias voltages to the word lines. Word line contact regions couple word line switch transistors to word lines. A word line contact region includes a stepped structure for a tier of word line layers. A level region separates a word line contact region for a first tier from a word line contact region for a second tier.

Word line contact regions for three-dimensional non-volatile memory

Methods and systems for verifying two or more programming states at the same time are described. During a program verify operation, two or more memory cell threshold voltage levels may be concurrently verified by applying a word line voltage to a plurality of memory cells, applying two or more different bit line voltages to the plurality of memory cells, and sensing the plurality of memory cells while the two or more different bit line voltages are applied to the plurality of memory cells. The bit line voltages applied during the program verify operation may allow a first set of the plurality of memory cells to be sensed at a first voltage level while a second set of the plurality of memory cells are sensed at a second voltage level different from the first voltage level.

Multi-VT sensing method by varying bit line voltage

Systems and methods for reducing sensing time for sensing data states stored within a plurality of memory cells are described. In some cases, the ramping of a word line connected to the plurality of memory cells may be delayed until a threshold current corresponding with a particular number of erased memory cells of the plurality of memory cells has been met or exceeded. The threshold current may be compared with a summation of a first set of detection currents corresponding with a first set of memory cells of the plurality of memory cells that have been sensed to be in a conducting state while the word line is set to a voltage level for sensing erased memory cells. The threshold current may be set based on a chip temperature and/or a particular number of bit errors that occurred during a prior sensing operation.

Fast scan to detect bit line discharge time

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for accessing non-volatile memory. A bit line is coupled to storage cells for a non-volatile memory element. A sense amplifier is coupled to a bit line. A sense amplifier includes a sense circuit and a bias circuit. A sense circuit senses an electrical property of a bit line for reading data from one or more storage cells, and a bias circuit applies a bias voltage to the bit line for writing data to one or more storage cells. A bias circuit and a sense circuit comprise separate parallel electrical paths within a sense amplifier.

Sense amplifier with program biasing and fast sensing

A method is provided for programming a non-volatile memory. The method includes programming memory cells for even bit lines by programming the memory cells into a plurality of intermediate data states from an erased state, and for each of the intermediate data states, concurrently programming the memory cells to a plurality of target data states. The method also includes programming memory cells for odd bit lines by programming the memory cells into the plurality of intermediate data states from an erased state, and for each of the intermediate data states, concurrently programming the memory cells to the plurality of target data states.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Yen-Lung Li