Patent · US Active

Read conditions for a non-volatile memory (NVM)

US8310877B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
12References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 6, 2011
Grant dateNov 13, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 15, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C16/3418
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and memory are provided for determining a read reference level for a plurality of non-volatile memory cells. The method includes: performing a program operation of the plurality of non-volatile memory cells; determining a program level of a least programmed memory cell of the plurality of memory cells; performing an erase operation of the plurality of non-volatile memory cells; determining an erase level of a least erased memory cell of the plurality of memory cells; determining an operating window between the program level and the erase level; and setting the read reference level to be a predetermined offset from the erase level if the operating window is determined to compare favorably to a predetermined value. The memory includes registers for storing the program level and the erase level.

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