Handling of unaligned writes

A method of operating a memory system, the method comprising:

• identifying a plurality of unaligned write commands in a command queue of a memory controller;
• transferring unaligned data for the plurality of unaligned write commands to a data buffer of the memory controller;
• consolidating sensing of pad data from memory cells on a memory die for one of the unaligned write commands with transferring pad data previously sensed from memory cells on the memory die to the data buffer for another of the unaligned write commands, wherein transferring the unaligned data and transferring the pad data previously sensed forms a complete fragment in the data buffer for each unaligned write command;
• transferring a complete fragment of data for each of the unaligned write commands from the data buffer to the memory die;
• and
• programming the complete fragments of data that were transferred to the memory die into a group of memory cells on the memory die.

A non-volatile memory system comprising:

• a memory die having memory cells;
• a data buffer;
• unaligned write command identification means for identifying a plurality of unaligned write commands in a command queue of a memory controller;
• first data transfer means for transferring unaligned data for the plurality of unaligned write commands to a data buffer of the memory controller;
• consolidating means for consolidating sensing of pad data from memory cells on a memory die for one of the unaligned write commands with transferring pad data previously sensed from memory cells on the memory die to the data buffer for another of the unaligned write commands;
• second data means for transferring a complete fragment of data for each of the unaligned write commands from the data buffer to the memory die;
• and
• programming means for programming the complete fragment of data that was transferred to the memory die into a group of memory cells on the memory die.