Apparatus and method for programming data in a non-volatile memory device

Abstract

A memory device includes a cell group and a control circuit. The cell group includes plural non-volatile memory cells capable of storing data. The control circuit performs a program operation for programming data in the plural non-volatile memory cells through a plurality of program loops, each program loop including a unit program operation for applying a program pulse to the plural non-volatile memory cells and a verification operation for verifying a result of the unit program operation. The control circuit uses a current detection circuit for detecting whether a threshold voltage distribution of the plural non-volatile memory cells satisfies a reference in a specific program loop of the plurality of program loops. The control circuit terminates the program operation after applying a preset program pulse to the plural non-volatile memory cells in a next program loop following the specific program loop.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.