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:
Sep. 20, 2011

Filed:

Jul. 12, 2010
Applicants:

Layne Bunker, Boise, ID (US);

Ebrahim Hargan, Boise, ID (US);

Inventors:

Layne Bunker, Boise, ID (US);

Ebrahim Hargan, Boise, ID (US);

Assignee:

Micron Technology, Inc., Boise, ID (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C 7/00 (2006.01); G11C 29/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

A memory malfunction prediction system and method, such as those that sequentially stress each row of memory cells in an array by decreasing the refresh rate of the row. Prior to doing so, the data stored in the row can be copied to a holding row, and a CRC value for the data can be generated and stored. After the test, the data stored in the row being tested can be read, and a CRC value for the data can then be generated. This after test CRC value can be compared to the stored pre-test CRC value. In the event of a match, the row can be considered to be functioning properly, and the next row can then be tested. If the CRC values do not match, a predicted malfunction of the row can be considered to exist, and corrective action can be taken, such as by repairing the row by substituting a redundant row of memory cells.


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