Read Voltage Optimization in Non-Volatile Memory

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for adjusting read voltage sets in rewritable non-volatile memory modules are resource-intensive and inefficient, requiring extensive computing resources and storage space, and often result in higher error bits and failure rates due to the need for verified data and limited adjustment sets.

Innovation Solution

A decoding method and storage controller that optimize read voltages by using Gray code summation sets and voltage differences to determine optimized read voltages without requiring verified data, allowing for efficient and accurate read operations in rewritable non-volatile memory modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional read voltage adjustment processes are used to obtain optimal read voltage sets, then accurate data reading can be achieved, but computing resources and storage space are excessively consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveread voltage accuracyVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary information (Gray code counts) from the read data without requiring full verified data storage. By taking out only the essential counting information needed for voltage optimization, the method avoids the excessive storage and computing resource consumption of conventional processes while maintaining read voltage accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the conventional approach of adjusting voltages and verifying data to find optimal read voltages, the patent inverts the process by using Gray code count analysis to directly determine optimized read voltage sets without requiring data verification. This inversion eliminates the need for extensive computing resources and storage space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If limited adjustment read voltage sets are used in hardware specification, then the process is more efficient, but the accuracy and success rate of finding optimal read voltages decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage optimization efficiencyVSAvoidread voltage accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the read voltage set dynamic by allowing the storage controller to freely adjust voltage values based on Gray code count analysis results. Unlike fixed hardware-based adjustment sets, the method dynamically determines optimized voltage sets that adapt to current threshold voltage conditions, achieving both high efficiency and high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If extensive verified data is stored and processed to optimize read voltages, then accurate optimization can be achieved, but storage space and computational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptimization accuracyVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential Gray code count information from read data, discarding the need to store and process extensive verified data. This extraction approach maintains optimization accuracy by focusing on the critical counting information while dramatically reducing storage space requirements and computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If multiple read voltage adjustments are performed to ensure optimal reading, then reading accuracy improves, but the time and resources required increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reading accuracyVSAvoidoptimization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary Gray code count analysis during the read operation itself, before final data processing. By counting Gray codes during the read process and using these counts to determine optimized voltage sets, the method eliminates the need for multiple subsequent voltage adjustments and verification steps, reducing optimization time while maintaining reading accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10482978B2Read voltage optimization method, memory storage device and memory control circuit unit
Publication Date: 2019.11.19 SHENZHEN EPOSTAR ELECTRONICS LTD
  • US10482978B2 patent drawing
  • US10482978B2 patent drawing
  • US10482978B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A decoding method is provided. The method includes selecting a target word line among a plurality of word lines; respectively reading a plurality of target memory cells of the target word-line by using different X read voltage sets to obtain corresponding X Gray code summation sets; calculating a Gray code count summation difference of the Gray code count summations at the same sequence position respectively in N−1 Gray code count summations between every pair of adjacent Gray code summation sets of the X Gray code summation sets, so as to obtain X−1 Gray code count summation difference sets corresponding to all pairs of the Gray code summation sets; and deciding N−1 optimized read voltages from X*(N−1) read voltages belonging to the X read voltage sets according to the X−1 Gray code count summation difference sets.