Patent · US Active

Programming method for multi-level cell flash for minimizing inter-cell interference

US8228728B1 · kind B1 · utility

56Cited by
6References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 13, 2010
Grant dateJul 24, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 2, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2211/5648
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Systems, methods and computer program products for minimizing floating gate coupling interference and threshold voltage drift associated with flash memory cells are described. In some implementations, the memory cells can be programmed in a predetermined sequence that allows pages with the most-significant bit (MSB) and central significant bit (CSB) to be programmed first prior to programming pages with the least-significant bit (LSB). This sequence allows neighboring cells (e.g., cells neighboring a target cell) to be programmed first so as to reduce the floating gate coupling interference and threshold voltage drift on the target cell that is to be programmed in the subsequent stage. To accommodate the programming sequence (e.g., at the device level), additional buffer memories can be added.

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