Nonvolatile Memory Multi-Read Command Architecture

Solution Overview

Problem

Current nonvolatile memory devices require multiple read commands for accessing multiple target pages, leading to increased processing time and power consumption due to repeated voltage setting and command transmission.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a multi-read operation that allows a single multi-read command to access multiple target pages by sequentially applying a read voltage of a first level to target word lines, eliminating the need for repeated voltage setting and command transmission, and using a pass voltage for adjacent word lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple read commands are used to access multiple target pages, then data can be retrieved from multiple pages, but processing time and power consumption increase due to repeated voltage setting and command transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval speedVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple read operations into a single multi-read command that can access multiple target pages simultaneously. The decoder is configured to sequentially apply read voltage to multiple target word lines in parallel, and the read circuit senses bit lines for all target pages concurrently, merging what would traditionally require multiple sequential read commands into one unified operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary voltage setting once for the multi-read command, and then maintains this voltage state while sequentially applying it to multiple target word lines. This preliminary action of setting the read voltage once eliminates the need for repeated voltage setting across multiple read commands, reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple read commands are used to access multiple target pages, then data can be retrieved from multiple pages, but power consumption increases due to repeated voltage setting and command transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple read operations into a single multi-read command that can access multiple target pages simultaneously. The decoder is configured to sequentially apply read voltage to multiple target word lines in parallel, and the read circuit senses bit lines for all target pages concurrently, merging what would traditionally require multiple sequential read commands into one unified operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary voltage setting once for the multi-read command, and then maintains this voltage state while sequentially applying it to multiple target word lines. This preliminary action of setting the read voltage once eliminates the need for repeated voltage setting across multiple read commands, reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If a single multi-read command is used to access multiple target pages, then processing time and power consumption are reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for sequential voltage application and sensing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoiddecoder and read circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the word lines into target word lines and non-target word lines, and segments the sensing process into sequential steps where read voltage is applied to one target word line at a time while the read circuit senses the corresponding bit line. This segmentation allows the complex multi-read operation to be broken down into manageable sequential steps that the decoder and read circuit can execute systematically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary voltage setting once for the multi-read command, and then maintains this voltage state while sequentially applying it to multiple target word lines. This preliminary action of setting the read voltage once eliminates the need for repeated voltage setting across multiple read commands, reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10643716B2Nonvolatile memory device and memory system including the nonvolatile memory device

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of memory cells coupled to a single bit line, wherein each of the plurality of memory cells is coupled to a different word line from a plurality of word lines. The nonvolatile memory device includes a decoder configured to sequentially apply a read voltage of a first level to target word lines among the word lines, based on a multi-read command. The nonvolatile memory device includes a read circuit configured to obtain first sensing values of target memory cells coupled to the target word lines, by sensing the bit line each time the read voltage of the first level is applied to each of the target word lines.