Nonvolatile memory erasure techniques

A system comprising:

• a non-volatile memory device;
• a host device configured to issue a request to erase at least a portion of the nonvolatile memory device;
• and
• a memory controller coupled with the non-volatile memory device and configured to:
• in response to receiving the request to erase the portion of the non-volatile memory device, determine whether the portion of the non-volatile memory device is partially programmed;
• pre-program the portion of the non-volatile memory device if the portion of the non-volatile memory device is determined to be partially programmed;
• and
• erase the pre-programmed portion of the non-volatile memory device.

A method for erasing information in a non-volatile memory device, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a memory controller, a request to erase information in a portion of the nonvolatile memory device, the portion including a plurality of storage units;
• in response to the request, determining, by the memory controller, whether one or more storage units of the plurality of storage units included in the non-volatile memory device are programmed;
• pre-programming, by the memory controller, the portion of the non-volatile memory device if the one or more storage units of the plurality of storage units are determined to be programmed, wherein a number of programmed storage units does not exceed a determined value;
• and
• erasing, by the memory controller, the pre-programmed portion of the non-volatile memory device.