Pre-erasure of memory in storage devices

Abstract

Storage devices include a memory array comprised of a plurality of memory devices. These memory devices are programmed to store data and erased when data is invalidated. Traditional storage devices waited to erase memory devices until new data was ready to write to them in order to avoid baking in the erase state. However, the act of erasing adds time to the overall program cycle and is getting larger as storage device capacity and complexity increases. Because of newer configurations, the threat of baking in erase states is decreased, allowing memory devices within a memory array to be pre-erased prior to writing. This reduces write times and be dynamically implemented in response to one or more changing conditions. Pre-erasing can be accomplished by utilizing a pre-erase list that can indicate pre-erased memory devices and provide them in response to a write command prior to the use of non-erased memory devices.