Non-volatile Memory Backup via Word Line Offset Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor memory systems face errors due to physical defects, where data corruption occurs during programming and reading, especially affecting neighboring word lines, leading to loss of data.
Innovation Solution
A memory system that includes a control circuit to program original data into a primary block and backup copies across multiple blocks with a word line offset, allowing data recovery from combination of blocks if errors occur, and rotating blocks for continued use after successful programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is stored in a single block of memory cells, then memory capacity is maximized, but data reliability deteriorates due to physical defects causing corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system divides data into multiple segments by storing the original data in a first block and backup copies in second and third blocks. This segmentation allows the system to isolate corruption to specific blocks while preserving intact data in other blocks, thereby improving data reliability without requiring complete redundancy of the entire memory capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating backup copies only for specific portions of data in specific blocks, rather than uniformly duplicating all data across all blocks. The control circuit selectively programs backup copies in second and third blocks based on the actual data storage needs, optimizing the balance between reliability improvement and capacity preservation.
2Reliability
If backup copies of data are programmed across multiple blocks, then data reliability is improved through redundancy, but device complexity increases due to additional blocks and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The memory structure is segmented into multiple blocks (first block for original data, second and third blocks for backup copies), with each block handling specific portions of data. This segmentation enables independent error containment and recovery operations, improving data integrity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular block architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit is configured to automatically program backup copies across multiple blocks as a preliminary action during the data storage process. By pre-establishing backup copies before data corruption can occur, the system simplifies error recovery operations and reduces the need for complex real-time error detection and correction mechanisms.
3Reliability
If backup copies are stored across multiple blocks with word line offset, then data recovery capability is improved, but programming time increases due to additional programming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs the backup copying operation as a preliminary action immediately after programming the original data into the first block. By completing the backup programming in advance before any data recovery operations are needed, the system minimizes the time penalty during normal operation while maintaining robust data recovery capability when errors occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a copying mechanism to create backup copies of data blocks in second and third blocks with word line offsets. This copying approach allows efficient duplication of data structures while maintaining the ability to recover from corruption, balancing the time required for backup creation with the reliability benefits of having redundant copies available.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system comprises a plurality of non-volatile memory cells grouped into blocks of memory cells and a control circuit in communication with the memory cells. The control circuit is configured to program original data to a first block of memory cells and backup the original data by programming a copy of the original data across multiple blocks of memory cells at a word line offset. After being used to store backups of original data, blocks are rotated to be used for storing original data.