The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Mar. 11, 2003

Filed:

Jan. 27, 2000
Applicant:
Inventors:

Sau Ching Wong, Hillsborough, CA (US);

Hock Chuen So, Redwood City, CA (US);

Assignee:

Multi Level Memory Technology, San Jose, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C 2/900 ; G01R 3/128 ; G06F 1/204 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C 2/900 ; G01R 3/128 ; G06F 1/204 ;
Abstract

A multi-bit-per-cell memory reduces the effect of defects and data errors by scrambling data bits before writing data. The scrambling prevents storage of consecutive bits in the same memory cell. When a memory cell is defective or produces an error, the bits read from the memory cell do not create consecutive bit errors that would be noticeable or uncorrectable. An error or a defect in a multi-bit memory cell causes at most scattered bit errors. Scramblers in multi-bit-per-cell memories can include 1) hardwired lines crossing between an input port and an output port, 2) programmable wiring options, 3) a linear buffer where reads from the buffer use addresses with swapped bits, or 4) a buffer array that switches between incrementing a row address first and incrementing a column address first when accessing memory cells in the buffer array.


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