Memory Controller Open Block Read Failure Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In memory systems, read failures occur due to the application of read voltage to open blocks, which are not optimized for such operations, leading to reduced reliability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where the memory system identifies open blocks with unprogrammed pages and performs a restoration operation based on operation temperature information and read count, converting them into closed blocks to prevent read failures by optimizing the read retry operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If read voltage is applied to open blocks without restoration, then read operation speed is maintained, but read failures occur and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments blocks into open blocks (containing unprogrammed pages) and closed blocks (fully programmed), and applies different read operations to each type. This segmentation allows the system to restore open blocks before reading while using standard read operations for closed blocks, thereby improving reliability without unnecessarily complicating the overall read management process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs restoration operations on open blocks before applying read voltage. This preliminary action ensures that open blocks are converted to a readable state (by programming their unprogrammed pages or marking them as invalid) before the read operation, preventing read failures and improving reliability.
2Reliability
If restoration operation is performed on all blocks before read, then read reliability is improved, but operation time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and segments only open blocks (those containing unprogrammed pages) for restoration operations, while closed blocks undergo standard read operations. This selective approach ensures that restoration time and energy are incurred only when necessary, minimizing the impact on overall read operation performance while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different read operations to different block types: restoration operations are applied locally to open blocks, while standard read operations are used for closed blocks. This local differentiation optimizes the balance between reliability improvement and operation time/energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary restoration operations on already-readable closed blocks.
3Productivity
If read retry operation is performed without block type identification, then read failures may be recovered, but unnecessary operations increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments blocks into open and closed types and applies different read strategies to each. Closed blocks undergo standard read operations with retry if needed, while open blocks undergo restoration followed by read. This segmentation improves overall efficiency by avoiding unnecessary restoration operations on closed blocks while ensuring proper handling of open blocks to maintain reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different read operations to different block types: standard read with retry for closed blocks, and restoration followed by read for open blocks. This local differentiation optimizes efficiency by avoiding unnecessary restoration operations on closed blocks while ensuring proper reliability handling for open blocks.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system includes: a memory device including a plurality of blocks each block including a plurality of pages, suitable for performing an operation in response to a command and an address; and a controller suitable for determining whether a block in which a read fail has occurred is an open block including an unprogrammed page, performing a restoration operation for the unprogrammed page of the open block based on at least one of operation temperature information and a read count, when it is determined that the block in which the read fail has occurred is the open block, and generating the command for performing a read retry operation.