Semiconductor Device State Code Resume for Erase Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices face increased operating time and potential over-erasing issues due to the need to restart erase operations from the beginning when paused, leading to widened threshold voltage distributions and prolonged resume times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the semiconductor device divides operations into periods, assigns state codes to each period, and stores these codes when paused, allowing for resumed operations to restart from the specific paused sub-operation, thereby reducing overall operating time and preventing over-erasure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the erase operation is restarted from the beginning after pausing, then the operation can be completed, but the operating time is increased and over-erasing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing the state code that indicates the paused operation's progress before resumption. When a pause command is received during an erase operation, the current operation state (e.g., which memory block is being processed, completion percentage) is captured and stored. Upon receiving a resumption command, the operation continues from the stored state rather than restarting, thereby preventing time loss while ensuring reliable completion.
2Reliability
If the erase operation is restarted from the beginning after pausing, then the operation can be completed, but over-erasing occurs causing threshold voltage distributions to widen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures the precise operation state before pausing and uses it to resume accurately. The state code stores information about which memory blocks have been erased and which are pending. This prevents over-erasing by ensuring that already-erased blocks are not processed again, thereby maintaining narrow threshold voltage distributions and preventing degradation of manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If the erase operation is restarted from the beginning after pausing, then the operation can be completed, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a state code that copies the essential information about the paused operation's progress. Instead of maintaining complex state information, the system creates a simplified representation (state code) that captures the necessary resume point. This copying approach reduces control complexity while ensuring reliable resumption, as the state code can be easily stored and retrieved without requiring complex control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a semiconductor device includes dividing an operation of the semiconductor device into a plurality of periods, and determining a plurality of state codes respectively corresponding to the periods; performing the operation according to a received command; when a pause command is received, pausing the operation and storing a state code of the plurality of state codes corresponding to a paused period among the plurality of periods; and performing the operation starting from a period determined according to the stored state code when a resumption command is received.