Memory Block Pre-Programming for Half-Good Deck Disturb Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory devices with multiple decks face challenges in handling half good blocks, where one deck is defective, leading to program disturb effects and data loss, especially when using top-down programming algorithms, resulting in functional blocks being marked as bad and removed from accessible memory.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a half good block handling technique that pre-programs a voltage pattern to the defective deck during manufacturing or memory access operations to minimize voltage shift effects on adjacent non-defective decks, using a voltage distribution monitor to adjust the pattern as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If top-down programming algorithm is used to program memory devices with multiple decks, then programming speed is improved, but program disturb effects occur on adjacent non-defective decks causing data loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming speedVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-programming the defective deck with a specific voltage pattern before performing the main programming operation on the non-defective deck. This preliminary programming of the defective deck prevents program disturb effects from propagating to adjacent non-defective decks during subsequent programming operations, thus maintaining data integrity while preserving programming speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If half good blocks are marked as bad and removed from accessible memory, then reliability is improved by preventing data loss, but storage capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by treating only the defective deck locally with a specific voltage pattern while leaving the non-defective decks unchanged and fully functional. This localized approach allows the system to maintain high reliability by preventing program disturb effects in the defective region while preserving the functionality and capacity of the non-defective regions, thus avoiding the need to mark entire blocks as bad.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If defective decks are not pre-programmed with voltage pattern, then device complexity is reduced, but program disturb effects cause data loss on adjacent decks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming process complexityVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the voltage pattern parameters in the defective deck before main programming operations. By changing the voltage state of the defective deck to a specific pre-programmed pattern, the system prevents program disturb effects from affecting adjacent non-defective decks, thus protecting data integrity without requiring complex additional hardware or control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12537068B2Half good block handling with defective deck pre-programing in a memory sub-system

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A defective portion of a block of a memory device is identified. The defective portion of the block is programmed with a pre-programming voltage pattern. The pre-programming voltage pattern is programmed to the defective portion of the block before a programming operation is performed on a non-defective portion of the block. A verification operation is caused to be performed on the defective portion of the block.