Patent · US Active

Programming multilevel cell memory arrays

US7738294B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
7References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 10, 2009
Grant dateJun 15, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 10, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2211/5621
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus, such as those for programming of multilevel cell NAND memory arrays to facilitate a reduction of program disturb, are disclosed. In one such method, memory cells are shifted from a first Vt distribution to a second Vt distribution higher than the first Vt distribution during a first portion of a programming operation if a second or a fourth data state is desired, while memory cells remain in the first Vt distribution if the first or a third data state is desired. During a second portion of the programming operating, if the third data state is desired, those memory cells are shifted from the first Vt distribution to a third Vt distribution higher than the second Vt distribution and, if the fourth data state is desired, those memory cells are shifted from the second Vt distribution to a fourth Vt distribution higher than the third Vt distribution.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.