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US 8,264,878 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for increasing memory programming efficiency through dynamic switching of bit lines
AssigneeMacronix International Co., Ltd.
InventorTsung Yi Chou
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of efficiently programming charge-trapping memory cells includes sense amplifiers being dynamically connected to cells to be programmed, by switching bit lines. The method increases a number of cells that can be programmed simultaneously, such that an optimal use of sense amplifier resources is obtained.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- providing an array of charge-trapping memory cells (CTMCs) and a plurality of sense amplifiers configured to facilitate programming of the array;
- receiving data to be programmed into the array;
- selecting a level to which a first plurality of the memory cells is to be programmed according to the data;
- and
- programming a second plurality of the memory cells to the selected level utilizing as many as possible of the plurality of sense amplifiers when the number of the second plurality of the memory cells is greater than the number of the plurality of sense amplifiers.
2 more elements
A memory device comprising:
- an array of charge-trapping memory cells (CTMCs);
- a plurality of sense amplifiers coupled to facilitate programming of the array;
- a plurality of bit lines arranged to connect the plurality of sense amplifiers to a plurality of the memory cells;
- and
- a switching matrix configured to switch bit line connections to utilize all of the plurality of sense amplifiers in programming when a number of memory cells to be programmed is greater than the size of all of the plurality of sense amplifiers.
2 more elements
A method, comprising:
- receiving multi-level data to be programmed into an array of CTMCs, the array comprising a plurality of bit lines adapted to address memory cells in the array, a plurality of sense amplifiers adapted to facilitate programming of memory cells, and a switching matrix adapted to connect the plurality of sense amplifiers to a plurality of memory cells;
- selecting a programming level;
- counting a number of cells to be programmed to the selected programming level;
- and
- programming cells to the selected programming level according to a size of the plurality of sense amplifiers.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.