US 8,751,903 B2 · Methods and systems for monitoring write operations of non-volatile memory

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring the time it takes to perform a write operation, and based on the time it takes, a determination is made whether to retire a block that is a recipient of the write operation. The time duration of the write operation for a page or a combination of pages may indicate whether any block or blocks containing the page or combination of pages is experiencing a physical failure. That is, if the time duration of the write operation for a particular page exceeds time threshold, this may indicate that this page requires a larger number of program cycles than other pages. The longer programming cycle can be an indication of cell leakage or a failing block.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method for selectively retiring a block in a non-volatile Nand flash memory, the method comprising:

writing data into at least one page of a block;
determining a time period, Tprogram, it takes for data to be programmed into each of the at least one page;
determining if the Tprogram time period falls within a lower bound and an upper bound of a Tprogram threshold;
and
in response to determining that the Tprogram time period falls within the lower and upper bounds of the Tprogram threshold, determining whether to retire the block containing the at least one page based on at least one characteristic associated with the at least one page.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

12/843,463Filed 26 Jul 2010

Published

US 2012/0023365 A126 Jan 2012

Granted

10 Jun 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

G06F 11/2094
Where persistent mass storage functionality or persistent mass storage control functionality is redundant: redundant storage or storage space
G06F 11/073
The processing taking place on a specific hardware platform or in a specific software environment: in a memory management context, e.g. virtual…
G06F 11/0757
By exceeding limits: by exceeding a time limit, i.e. time-out, e.g. watchdogs
G06F 11/076
By exceeding limits: by exceeding a count or rate limit, e.g. word- or bit count limit

Methods and systems for monitoring write operations of non-volatile memory

Life of this patent

Methods and systems for monitoring write operations of non-volatile memory

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10