Methods for operating a memory array
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorsFerdinando Bedeschi, Claudio Resta, Marco Ferraro
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Abstract
Methods of operating memory arrays are described. In various embodiments, a method includes determining a pattern to be written to a memory array, the pattern comprising both data bits having sensitive information to be stored and data bits having a state that is unimportant to the sensitive information to be stored, and writing the pattern to the memory array. Other methods of operation are also described.
Claims21
A method of operating a memory array, the method comprising:
- determining a pattern to be written to the memory array, the determined pattern comprising both data bits having sensitive information to be stored and data bits having a state that is unimportant to the sensitive information to be stored;
- writing the determined pattern to the memory array;
- providing a write password;
- and
- erasing the determined pattern from the memory array if the write password is incorrect.
A method of operating a memory array, the method comprising:
- executing a set sequence on the memory array prior to performing the read of the memory array, the set sequence comprising an all-zero pattern target for the memory array, the pattern being a non-all-zero pattern;
- performing a read of the memory array to obtain a pattern derived from executing the set sequence, and obtain an additional pattern comprising both real data hits having sensitive information to he stored and data bits having a state that is unimportant to the sensitive information to be stored;
- and
- adjusting an internal read reference to maintain a margin for obtaining the additional pattern.
A tangible computer-readable medium having no transitory signals and containing instructions that, when executed by one or more hardware-based processors of a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:
- determining a pattern to be written to the memory array, the determined pattern comprising both data bits having sensitive information to be stored and data hits having a state that is unimportant to the sensitive information to be stored;
- writing the determined pattern to the memory array;
- providing a write password;
- and
- erasing the determined pattern from the memory array if the write password is incorrect.
A tangible computer-readable medium having no transitory signals and containing instructions that, when executed by one or more hardware-based processors of a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:
- executing a set sequence on the memory array prior to performing the read of the memory array, the set sequence comprising an all-zero pattern target for the memory array, the pattern being a non-all-zero pattern;
- performing a read of the memory array to obtain a pattern derived from executing the set sequence, the pattern comprising both real data bits having sensitive information to be stored and data hits having a state that is unimportant to the sensitive information to he stored;
- and
- adjusting an internal read reference to maintain a margin for obtaining the pattern.
A method of operating a memory array, the method comprising:
- executing a set sequence on the memory array prior to performing the read of the memory array, the set sequence comprising a first pattern target for the memory array, the pattern being a second pattern different from the first pattern;
- performing a read of the memory array to obtain a pattern derived from executing the set sequence and obtain an additional pattern comprising both real data bits having sensitive information to be stored and data bits having a state that is unimportant to the sensitive information to be stored;
- and
- adjusting an internal read reference to maintain a margin for obtaining the additional pattern.
A tangible computer-readable medium having no transitory signals and containing instructions that, when executed by one or more hardware-based processors of a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:
- executing a set sequence on the memory array prior to performing the read of the memory array, the set sequence comprising a first pattern target for the memory array, the pattern being a second pattern different from the first pattern;
- performing a read of the memory array to obtain a pattern derived from executing the set sequence and obtain an additional pattern comprising both real data bits having sensitive information to be stored and data bits having a state that is unimportant to the sensitive information to be stored;
- and
- adjusting an internal read reference to maintain a margin for obtaining the additional pattern.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.