Multi-Level Cell Read Operation Control Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of bits stored in a semiconductor device increases, the complexity of program and read operations, particularly in multi-level cells, leads to longer read operation times due to the need to determine whether a selected page has undergone an LSB or MSB program operation, complicating the read process.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a control circuit and peripheral circuit that determines whether a read operation is a beginning read or not, performing an LSB read operation during the beginning read and potentially a second sub-read operation based on stored program state data, thereby simplifying the read process and reducing operation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multi-level cell is used to increase storage capacity, then storage density is improved, but read operation time increases due to complex program state determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of whether a read operation is a beginning read before executing the full read sequence. By checking if this is the first read operation on a selected page, the system can take optimized paths: performing only LSB read operations for beginning reads, or using stored program state data for subsequent reads, thereby reducing overall read time while maintaining multi-level cell storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the read operation into distinct types: beginning read operations and subsequent read operations. Each segment is handled differently - beginning reads perform LSB read operations to determine program state, while subsequent reads utilize previously stored program state data. This segmentation allows the system to avoid redundant operations and reduce read time for multi-level cell data
2Measurement precision
If program state determination is performed for each read operation, then data accuracy is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs program state determination in advance during beginning read operations and stores the results. For subsequent read operations on the same page, the stored program state data is reused, eliminating the need to repeat the complex determination process while maintaining accurate program state information for data interpretation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates and stores a copy of the program state data during the first read operation. This copied state information is then referenced for subsequent reads of the same page, avoiding repeated complex determination operations while ensuring accurate program state knowledge is available for data interpretation without increasing operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device and a method of operating the same are provided. The method includes determining whether a read operation on a selected page is a beginning read operation on the selected page; performing a least significant bit (LSB) read operation on the selected page when the read operation is the beginning read operation on the selected page according to a determination result, and performing a first sub-read operation on the selected page according to a result of the LSB read operation; and performing a second sub-read operation including the LSB read operation or a most significant bit (MSB) read operation on the selected page according to stored program state data when the read operation is not the beginning read operation on the selected page according to the determination result.