Charge packet metering for coarse/fine programming of non-volatile memory
AssigneeSanDisk Corporation
InventorsDaniel C. Guterman, Nima Mokhlesi, Yupin Fong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A non-volatile memory device is programmed by first performing a coarse programming process and subsequently performing a fine programming process. The coarse/fine programming methodology is enhanced by using an efficient verification scheme that allows some non-volatile memory cells to be verified for the coarse programming process while other non-volatile memory cells are verified for the fine programming process. The fine programming process can be accomplished using current sinking, charge packet metering or other suitable means.
Claims19
A method for programming, comprising:
- performing a coarse programming phase for a non-volatile storage element until said non-volatile storage element reaches a first condition;
- and
- performing a fine programming phase for said non-volatile storage element by metering charge to said non-volatile storage element, said metering charge to said non-volatile storage element comprises charging a charge storage element, applying a program signal to said non-volatile storage element, and discharging said charge storage element through said non-volatile storage element.
A method for programming, comprising:
- performing a coarse programming phase for a non-volatile storage element until said non-volatile storage element reaches a first condition;
- and
- performing a fine programming phase for said non-volatile storage element by metering charge to said non-volatile storage element, said metering charge to said non-volatile storage element comprises switching capacitors in a charge metering system.
A method for programming, comprising:
- performing a coarse programming phase for a non-volatile storage element until said non-volatile storage element reaches a first condition;
- and
- performing a fine programming phase for said non-volatile storage element by metering charge to said non-volatile storage element, said metering charge to said non-volatile storage element comprises switching a variable power supply in a charge metering system.
A method for programming, comprising:
- performing a coarse programming process on a non-volatile storage element;
- determining that said non-volatile storage element should switch to a fine programming process;
- and
- performing said fine programming process in response to determining that said non-volatile storage element should switch to said fine programming process, said fine programming process comprises:
- pre-charging a control line for said non-volatile storage element, and
- discharging said control line via said non-volatile storage element in order to program said non-volatile storage element.
A method for programming, comprising:
- performing a coarse programming phase for a non-volatile storage element until said non-volatile storage element reaches a first condition;
- and
- performing a fine programming phase for said non-volatile storage element by metering charge to said non-volatile storage element, said metering charge to said non-volatile storage element comprises switching charge storage devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.