Patent · US Active

System solution for first read issue using time dependent read voltages

US9711231B1 · kind B1 · utility

16Cited by
8References
20Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateJun 24, 2016
Grant dateJul 18, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 24, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C16/0483
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Techniques are provided for improving the accuracy of read operations of memory cells, where the threshold voltage of a memory cell can shift depending on when the read operation occurs. In one aspect, read voltages are set and optimized based on a time period since a last sensing operation. A timing device such as an n-bit digital counter may be provided for each block of memory cells to track the time. The counter is set to all 1's when the device is powered on. When a sensing operation occurs, the counter is periodically incremented based on a clock. When a next read operation occurs, the value of the counter is cross-referenced to an optimal set of read voltage shifts. Each block of cells may have its own counter, where the counters are incremented using a local or global clock.

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