Programming techniques that utilize analog bitscan in a memory device

A memory device, comprising:

• a memory block including a plurality of memory cells that are arranged in a plurality of word lines;
• circuitry that is configured to program at least some of the plurality of memory cells of a selected word line of the plurality of word lines to at least three bits of data per memory cell in at least one program loop of a programming operation, the at least three bits of data per memory cell being associated with a plurality of data states that are associated with respective threshold voltage ranges, during the at least one program loop, the circuitry being configured to;
• apply a programming pulse to the selected word line, perform a verify operation, and perform an analog bitscan operation,
• determine an output of the analog bitscan operation, the output being one of at least three options,
• determine that programming has completed for a second-to-last data state of the plurality of data states;
• and
• determine a maximum number of additional program loops to perform before ending the programming operation for the selected word line based on the output of the analog bitscan operation.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a memory block including a plurality of memory cells that are arranged in a plurality of word lines;
• a programming means for programming at least some of the plurality of memory cells of a selected word line of the plurality of word lines to at least three bits of data per memory cell in at least one program loop of a programming operation, the at least three bits of data per memory cell being associated with a plurality of data states that are associated with respective threshold voltage ranges, during the at least one program loop, the programming means being configured to;
• apply a programming pulse to the selected word line, perform a verify operation, and perform an analog bitscan operation,
• determine an output of the analog bitscan operation, the output being one of at least three options,
• determine that programming has completed for a second-to-last data state of the plurality of data states, and
• determine a maximum number of additional program loops to perform before ending the programming operation for the selected word line based on the output of the analog bitscan operation.