Non-volatile memory with high performance read

Abstract

When performing a read process, a non-volatile memory first performs a pre-read sensing of the condition of memory cells connected to neighbor word lines. While applying a first word line voltage associated with a first programmed data state to the selected word line, the memory system performs two sensing operations for the first programmed data state on selected memory cells that have neighbor memory cells on the neighbor word lines in a first condition and perform two sensing operations for the first programmed data state on selected memory cells that have neighbor memory cells on the neighbor word lines in a second condition. Based on that sensing, the data being stored in the set of selected memory cells is determined. In some embodiments, at least one of the two sensing operations for each condition includes sensing soft bit information that improves the data decoding process.