Memory Programming Mode Skipping Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data programming techniques for memory devices, such as NAND memory, require extensive verification and calibration processes, resulting in lower error rates but higher power consumption and longer programming times, which can be inefficient for in-system-programming and streaming applications.

Innovation Solution

A second programming mode that skips voltage calibration and verification procedures, using a higher programming voltage pulse for a longer duration to program data, reducing power usage and programming time while accepting a higher error rate, suitable for controlled environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If verification and calibration processes are performed during data programming, then error rate is reduced, but power consumption increases and programming time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror rateVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the programming mode based on data characteristics and operational context. It transitions between a first programming mode (with verification and calibration for low error rates) and a second programming mode (without verification and calibration for low power consumption), optimizing the balance between reliability and energy efficiency in real-time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes key programming parameters including voltage levels, pulse durations, and verification requirements based on the selected programming mode. The second mode uses higher voltage pulses for longer durations without verification steps, fundamentally altering the programming parameters to reduce power consumption while accepting higher error rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If verification and calibration processes are performed during data programming, then error rate is reduced, but programming time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror rateVSAvoidprogramming time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between programming modes based on operational requirements. The second programming mode eliminates verification and calibration steps entirely, reducing programming time significantly while accepting higher error rates suitable for certain applications like in-system programming and streaming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The second programming mode performs only the essential data writing action without partial verification steps. It uses excessive voltage pulses for longer durations to ensure data is programmed, omitting the calibration and verification procedures that would extend programming time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If a higher programming voltage pulse for longer duration is used, then power consumption is reduced, but error rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiderror rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention fundamentally changes programming parameters in the second mode: using higher voltage pulses applied for longer durations without verification. This parameter transformation reduces power consumption by eliminating calibration and verification steps, while the system accepts and manages the resulting higher error rates through application-specific tolerance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces costs and improves programming efficiency by decreasing programming time and power consumption, making it suitable for in-system-programming and streaming applications, with acceptable error rates in controlled conditions.

Implementation Method 1

uses a second pulse having a second voltage level higher than the first voltage level and a second duration longer than the first duration to program data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage pulse programming:

Data Source

PatentUS11682469B2Techniques for data programming

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for data programming are described for programming data to a memory system using a second programming mode associated with a higher error rate than a first programming mode. The second programming mode may include skipping one or more voltage calibration procedures included in the first programming mode, as well as performing one or more data verification procedures once a larger set of the data is programmed. The second programming mode may also include using a higher programming voltage pulse to program data and the programming pulse may last for a longer period of time than a programming pulse for the first programming mode. A memory system may receive data, determine to write the data to a memory device using the second programming mode, write the data using the second programming mode, and verify whether the data satisfies an error threshold.