Data storage system having multi-bit memory device and on-chip buffer program method thereof

A data storage device comprising:

• a multi-bit memory device including a memory cell array, the memory cell array including a first memory region and a second memory region;
• and
• a memory controller including a buffer memory and configured to control the multi-bit memory device,
• wherein the memory controller is configured to control the multi-bit memory device to execute a buffer program operation in which data stored in the buffer memory is stored in the first memory region,
• wherein the memory controller is further configured to control the multi-bit memory device to execute a main program operation in which the data stored in the first memory region is stored in the second memory region,
• wherein the memory controller is further configured to generate parity data based upon the data stored to the first memory region, and to store the parity data in the first memory region, the parity data being copied from the first memory region to the second memory region via the main program operation, and
• wherein the main program operation includes a course program operation, a fine program operation, a single-bit read operation of reading data from the first memory region and a multi-bit program operation of storing data read from the first memory region in the second memory region, the single-bit read operation being repeated according to the main program operation.

An on-chip buffer program method of a data storage device which includes a multi-bit memory device having a memory cell array, and a memory controller having a buffer memory and configured to control the multi-bit memory device, the on-chip buffer program method comprising:

• executing a buffer program operation when data corresponding to a minimum program unit of a first region of the memory cell array is stored in the buffer memory;
• and
• executing a main program operation when data corresponding to a minimum program unit of a second region of the memory cell array is stored in the first region,
• wherein the buffer program operation includes generating parity data based upon data transferred to the first region and storing the parity data in the first region, and the main program operation includes copying the parity data from the first region to the second region.