Apparatus and methods for programming memory cells responsive to an indication of age of the memory cells

A method of configuring a memory, comprising:

• characterizing a read window budget for a programming operation of the memory as a function of a programming step voltage for a plurality of memory cell ages;
• determining a respective programming step voltage for each memory cell age of the plurality of memory cell ages in response to a desired read window budget;
• and
• storing data to the memory indicative of the determined respective programming step voltage for each memory cell age of the plurality of memory cell ages.

A memory, comprising:

• an array of memory cells;
• a trim register storing data indicative of a respective programming step voltage for a programming operation for each memory cell age of a plurality of memory cell ages;
• and
• a controller configured to access the array of memory cells;
• wherein the controller is further configured to:
• determine a memory cell age of a plurality of memory cells of the array of memory cells;
• determine a particular respective programming step voltage for the programming operation corresponding to the determined memory cell age using the stored data indicative of the respective programming step voltage for the programming operation for each memory cell age of the plurality of memory cell ages;
• and
• perform the programming operation on the plurality of memory cells using the particular respective programming step voltage corresponding to the determined memory cell age.