Interleaving charge pumps for programmable memories
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorMichael J. Cornwell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods, including computer software for performing operations enable interleaving of charging operations in a charging pump. A first charge pump is charged to a predetermined level, and a first operation is performed using a charge stored in the first charge pump after it reaches the predetermined level. A second charge pump is charged during a time that overlaps with performing the first operation. A second operation is performed using a charge stored in the second charge pump as a result of charging the second charge pump.
Claims21
A method, comprising:
- selecting a first policy from a plurality of policies, wherein the first policy includes instructions that determine a first interleaving pattern to be used to control switching between each of a plurality of charge pumps to program respective portions of a non-volatile memory;
- using the instructions of the selected first policy to control switching between each of the plurality of charge pumps to program the respective portions of the non-volatile memory according to the first interleaving pattern;
- selecting a second policy from the plurality of policies in response to an event, wherein the second policy includes instructions that determine a second interleaving pattern, different from the first interleaving pattern;
- and
- using the instructions of the selected second policy to control switching between each of the plurality of charge pumps to program other respective portions of the non-volatile memory according to the second interleaving pattern.
An article comprising a machine-readable, non-transitory medium storing instructions for causing data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:
- Selecting a first policy from a plurality of policies, wherein the first policy includes instructions that determine a first interleaving pattern to be used to control switching between each of a plurality of charge pumps to program respective portions of a non-volatile memory;
- and
- using the instructions of the selected first policy to control switching between each of the plurality of charge pumps to program the respective portions of the non-volatile memory according to the first interleaving pattern;
- selecting a second policy from the plurality of policies in response to an event, wherein the second policy includes instructions that determine a second interleaving pattern, different from the first interleaving pattern
- using the instructions of the selected second policy to control switching between each of the plurality of charge pumps to program other respective portions of the non-volatile memory according to the second interleaving pattern.
A non-volatile memory device, including:
- a non-volatile memory array for storing data;
- a plurality of charge pumps connected to the non-volatile memory array;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- select a first policy from a plurality of policies, wherein the first policy includes instructions that determine a first interleaving pattern for switching between each of the plurality of charge pumps to program respective portions of the non-volatile memory array;
- use the instructions of the selected first policy to control switching between each of the plurality of charge pumps to program the respective portions of the non-volatile memory according to the first interleaving pattern;
- select a second policy from the plurality of policies in response to an event, wherein the second policy includes instructions that determine a second interleaving pattern, different from the first interleaving pattern;
- and
- use the instructions of the selected second policy to control switching between each of the plurality of charge pumps to program other respective portions of the non-volatile memory according to the second interleaving pattern.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.