Flash mirror bit architecture using single program and erase entity as logical cell
AssigneeSpansion LLC
InventorAllan Parker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Flash memory systems and methods are provided for facilitating a single logical cell erasure in a flash memory device. Logical cell mapping is changed from using a single physical cell to using pair physical cells, thereby creating a single program and erase entity as a single logical cell. By mapping two adjacent physical cells as a single logical cell, the flash memory device can be programmed and erased on a single bit or variable bit length basis with conventional technologies. Various operations can be performed on a flash device on a basis of the single program and erase entity.
Claims20
A method of operating a flash device (100), comprising;
- programming a portion of or an entire of the flash device on a basis of a single program and erase entity (402), the single program and erase entity comprising two adjacent dual bit physical memory cells (404, 406) of the flash device as a single logical cell;
- and
- erasing the portion of or the entire of the flash device on the basis of the single program and erase entity.
A method of operating a flash device (100) comprising a plurality of dual bit memory cells (404, 406), comprising;
- mapping two adjacent dual bit memory cells as a single program and erase entity (402);
- programming a portion of or an entire of the flash device on a basis of the single program and erase entity;
- and
- erasing a portion of or an entire of the flash device on the basis of the single program and erase entity.
A system for operating a flash device (100) comprising a plurality of dual bit memory cells (404, 406), comprising;
- a plurality of single program and erase entities (402) comprising two adjacent dual bit physical memory cells;
- and
- one or more decoders that select one or more single program and erase entities for programming and erasing the flash device on a basis of the single program and erase entity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.