Continuous Memory Programming Resumption via Status Register

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory programming operations are inefficient due to suspensions caused by higher-priority memory access operations, leading to increased programming duration as they require restarting from a lower voltage level after resumption, resulting in prolonged memory sub-system operation times.

Innovation Solution

Implementing continuous memory programming operations that automatically resume upon initiating higher-priority memory access operations without waiting for completion, achieved by decoupling I/O buffers using an additional memory element to store programming data, allowing immediate resumption without repeating programming pulses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If memory programming operations are suspended for higher-priority memory access operations, then memory access flexibility is improved, but programming duration increases due to restarting from lower voltage level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory access flexibilityVSAvoidprogramming duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by saving the programming status (including voltage level and pulse sequence position) before suspension occurs. This allows the programming operation to resume from the saved state rather than restarting from the beginning, thereby reducing programming duration while maintaining the ability to handle higher-priority memory access operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the programming status in a status register before suspension. This copied status information is later retrieved to restore the programming operation to its previous state, enabling efficient resumption without re-executing entire programming sequences and thus decreasing overall programming time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If programming operation is resumed after suspension, then memory programming continuity is improved, but repeated programming pulses increase operation time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming efficiencyVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By preliminarily saving the programming status (voltage level, pulse sequence position) before suspension, the system avoids the need to re-apply previous programming pulses. The programming operation resumes exactly where it left off, eliminating redundant pulse applications and reducing the time lost during resumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent discards the suspension interruption by recovering the saved programming status from the status register. This recovery process allows the system to discard the time-wasting repetition of programming pulses and continue directly from the saved state, thereby improving productivity and reducing operation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Device complexity

If I/O buffers are shared between programming and memory access operations, then device complexity is reduced, but programming operation interruption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuffer structure complexityVSAvoidprogramming operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the buffer resources by introducing a dedicated status register for storing programming operation status, separate from the I/O buffers used for memory access operations. This segmentation allows programming operations to maintain their state independently while I/O buffers handle memory access, preventing interruptions and maintaining programming continuity without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The status register acts as an intermediary structure that stores programming operation status independently of the shared I/O buffers. This intermediary enables the programming operation to preserve its state even when I/O buffers are occupied by higher-priority memory access operations, thereby maintaining programming continuity while allowing buffer sharing to reduce device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240428872A1Continuous memory programming operations

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Described are systems and methods for implementing continuous memory programming operations. An example memory device comprises: a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells electrically coupled to a plurality of conductive lines; and a controller coupled to the memory array. The controller performs operations comprising: performing a memory programming operation with respect to a set of memory cells of the memory array, wherein the memory programming operation comprises a sequence of programming pulses applied to one or more conductive lines electrically coupled to the set of memory cells; responsive to receiving a command to perform a memory access operation, suspending the memory programming operation after performing a current programming pulse of the sequence of programming pulses, wherein the current programming pulse is performed at a first voltage level; initiating the memory access operation; and resuming the memory programming operation by performing a next programming pulse at a second voltage level that exceeds the first voltage level.