Memory Read Threshold Offsets for Wordline Group Error Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Memory devices experience increasing bit error rates due to slow charge loss and non-uniform threshold voltage distribution shifts across wordline groups, making it difficult to predict an optimal threshold voltage offset for error correction without compromising performance.

Innovation Solution

Assign each wordline group of a block to a corresponding block family, applying a threshold voltage offset specific to the group to account for variations in threshold voltage distribution shifts, and update these offsets during read operations to improve error handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single threshold voltage offset is used for error correction, then the error correction mechanism is simple, but it cannot account for non-uniform threshold voltage distribution shifts across different wordline groups, leading to increased read errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveread error rateVSAvoidthreshold voltage offset management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the memory device into multiple wordline groups, each assigned to a specific block family. Each wordline group receives a dedicated threshold voltage offset tailored to its specific charge loss characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to address non-uniform threshold voltage distribution shifts across different regions of the memory device, thereby reducing read errors while maintaining manageable complexity through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by assigning unique threshold voltage offsets to different block families based on their specific charge loss patterns. Instead of using a uniform offset for the entire memory device, each wordline group receives customized offset values that account for local variations in threshold voltage distribution. This approach optimizes error correction performance for each specific region while acknowledging the increased complexity in managing multiple localized parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If threshold voltage offsets are updated during read operations, then error handling performance improves, but the time required for read operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror handling performanceVSAvoidread operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-storing optimal threshold voltage offsets for each block family before actual read operations occur. These offsets are determined based on charge loss characteristics and temperature conditions, allowing the system to retrieve and apply the correct offset immediately during read operations without performing time-consuming calculations in real-time. This significantly reduces read operation time while maintaining high error handling performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system monitors read error rates and adjusts threshold voltage offsets accordingly. When read errors are detected, the system uses this feedback information to refine and update the offset values for subsequent operations. This continuous feedback loop improves error handling performance over time while the system works to minimize the time impact by using cached offset values and incremental updates rather than complete re-calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If adaptive block family error avoidance is implemented, then reliability in varying charge loss and temperature conditions improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance in varying conditionsVSAvoiderror avoidance mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by creating a flexible error avoidance mechanism that adapts to varying charge loss conditions and temperature changes. The system dynamically selects appropriate threshold voltage offsets based on real-time detection of charge loss patterns and temperature information. This dynamic adaptation allows the memory device to maintain optimal performance across different operating conditions while managing complexity through structured decision-making frameworks and pre-established offset mappings for various condition scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250342898A1Adaptive block family error avoidance in a memory sub-system
Publication Date: 2025.11.06 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC
  • US20250342898A1 patent drawing
  • US20250342898A1 patent drawing
  • US20250342898A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system includes a memory device and a processing device operatively coupled with the memory device to perform operations including receiving a read command specifying a logical address; translating the logical address into a physical address referencing a physical block stored on the memory device; identifying a wordline group associated with the physical address; identifying, based on block family metadata associated with the memory device, a block family associated with the physical block and the wordline group; determining a first threshold voltage offset associated with the block family; and reading, using the first threshold voltage offset, data from the physical block.