Abstract: A flash memory device including memory cells, each memory cell configured to store bits, a sensing circuit configured to sequentially sense, for each memory cell, sets of the bits of the memory cell, a data rearrangement unit configured to receive words of data and to rearrange bits of the words to be stored in the memory cells, and an output circuit configured to output a group of the words using the sets of bits from one sensing, at least as early as during a subsequent sensing of sets of bits.

Abstract: In one aspect, a program method is provided for a flash memory device including a plurality of memory cells each being programmed in one of a plurality of data states. The program method of this aspect includes programming selected memory cells in a first data state, verifying a result of the programming, successively programming selected memory cells in at least two or more data states corresponding to threshold voltages which are lower than a threshold voltage corresponding to the first data state, and verifying results of the successive programming.

Abstract: Nonvolatile memory devices support programming and verify operations that improve threshold-voltage distribution within programmed memory cells. This improvement is achieved by reducing a magnitude of the programming voltage steps and increasing a duration of the verify operations once at least one of the plurality of memory cells undergoing programming has been verified as a “passed” memory cell. The nonvolatile memory device includes an array of nonvolatile memory cells and a control circuit, which is electrically coupled to the array of nonvolatile memory cells. The control circuit is configured to perform a plurality of memory programming operations (P) by driving a selected word line in the array with a first stair step sequence of program voltages having first step height (e.g.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a command decoder configured to generate a read/write flag signal in response to a read/write command and to generate a reprogram flag signal in response to a reprogram command, and a read/write circuit configured to control reading and writing operations in a memory cell array. The device further includes a read/write controller configured to cause the read/write circuit to perform a reading/writing operation in response to the read/write flag signal provided from the command decoder, and a reprogram controller configured to cause the read/write controller to perform a reprogramming operation in response to the reprogram flag signal. Methods of reprogramming a memory device include determining whether the memory device is in a busy state, delaying a reprogramming operation if the memory device is in a busy state, and executing the reprogramming operation when the memory device has turned to a standby state from the busy state.

Abstract: A flash memory device and a related method of write protecting data are disclosed. The flash memory device includes a protection controller having a latch circuit storing temporary protected/accessible data, a cell array storing persistent protected/accessible data, a write controller altering the persistent protected/accessible data, and a latch controller altering the temporary protected/accessible data.

Abstract: A memory management method and apparatus based on an access time in a multi-core system. In the memory management method of the multi-core system, it is easy to estimate the execution time of a task to be performed by a processing core and it is possible to secure the same memory access time when a task is migrated between processing cores by setting a memory allocation order according to distances from the processing cores to the memories in correspondence with the processing cores, translating a logical address to be processed by one of the processing cores according to the set memory allocation order into a physical address of one of the memories, and allocating a memory corresponding to the translated physical address to the processing core.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a command decoder configured to generate a read/write flag signal in response to a read/write command and to generate a reprogram flag signal in response to a reprogram command, and a read/write circuit configured to control reading and writing operations in a memory cell array. The device further includes a read/write controller configured to cause the read/write circuit to perform a reading/writing operation in response to the read/write flag signal provided from the command decoder, and a reprogram controller configured to cause the read/write controller to perform a reprogramming operation in response to the reprogram flag signal. Methods of reprogramming a memory device include determining whether the memory device is in a busy state, delaying a reprogramming operation if the memory device is in a busy state, and executing the reprogramming operation when the memory device has turned to a standby state from the busy state.

Abstract: A method for programming a flash memory device is provided, where the flash memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, and where a threshold voltage of each of the memory cells is programmable in any one of plural corresponding data states. The method includes programming selected memory cells in a first data state, verifying a result of the programming, successively programming selected memory cells in at least two or more data states corresponding to threshold voltages which are lower than a corresponding threshold voltage of the first data state, and verifying results of the successive programming.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor memory device for simultaneously programming a plurality of banks. The semiconductor memory device includes: a memory cell array comprising a plurality of banks; a plurality of data buffers storing a plurality of pieces of program data to be programmed in the corresponding banks; and a plurality of scan latches configured to scan the plurality of program data transmitted from the corresponding data buffers, and configured to generate 1st through n?1th sub program data, n being a natural number greater than 2.

Abstract: A method of driving a non-volatile memory device includes programming a plurality of memory cells based on a first data copied from a program data buffer to a verification data buffer, verifying the memory cells by overwriting a result of the verification of the programmed memory cells to a verification data buffer, and re-verifying the memory cells by repeating the programming and verifying operations at least once with respect to the memory cells that were successfully verified, based on the verification result written to the verification data buffer.

Abstract: A flash memory device includes a flash memory cell array having flash memory cells arranged with word and bit lines, a word line driver circuit configured to drive the word lines at a selected step increment during a programming operation, a bulk-voltage supply circuit configured to supply a bulk voltage into a bulk of the flash memory cell array and a writing circuit configured to drive the bit lines selected by conditions during a programming operation. A control logic block is configured to control the writing circuit and the bulk-voltage supply circuit during the programming operation. The control logic block is configured to cause the writing circuit and/or the bulk-voltage supply circuit to change at least one of the conditions of the writing circuit and/or the bulk voltage responsive to the selected step increment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonvolatile memory device and programming method of a nonvolatile memory device. The programming method of the nonvolatile memory device includes conducting a first programming operation for a memory cell, retrieving original data from the memory cell after the first programming operation, and conducting a second programming operation with reference to the original data and a second verifying voltage higher than a first verifying voltage of the first programming operation.

Abstract: Disclosed are a non-volatile memory device and a method of programming the same. The method comprises applying a wordline voltage, a bitline voltage, and a bulk voltage to a memory cell during a plurality of program loops. In cases where the bitline voltage falls below a first predetermined detection voltage during a current program loop, or the bulk voltage becomes higher than a second predetermined detection voltage, the same wordline voltage is used in the current programming loop and a next program loop following the current program loop. Otherwise, the wordline voltage is incremented by a predetermined amount before the next programming loop.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-volatile memory device and a method of erasing the non-volatile memory device. An erase voltage is simultaneously applied to a plurality of sectors contained in the non-volatile memory device. Then, erase validation is sequentially performed for each of the plurality sectors and results of the erase validation are stored in a plurality of pass information registers. According to the results stored in the pass information registers, sectors which were not successfully erased are simultaneously re-erased and then sequentially re-validated until no such “failed sectors” remain in the non-volatile memory device. Upon eliminating the “failed sectors” from the non-volatile memory device, a post-program operation is sequentially performed on each of the plurality of sectors.

Abstract: A method of programming a selected cell in a multi-level flash memory device comprises determining whether to program an upper bit or a lower bit of a selected memory cell, detecting a current logic state of two bits of data stored in the selected memory cell, determining a target logic state for the upper or lower bit, generating a program voltage and a verify voltage for programming the upper or lower bit to the target logic state, and applying the program voltage and the verify voltage to a word line connected to the selected memory cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-volatile memory device and a method of programming the same. The non-volatile memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells that are programmed by supplying first and second program voltages thereto. In cases where the second program voltage rises above a predetermined detection voltage, the first program voltage is prevented from being supplied to the memory cell until the second program voltage falls below the detection voltage.

Abstract: In a method of driving a nonvolatile memory device a first data state is determined from among the plurality of data states. The number of simultaneously programmed bits is set according to the determined first data state and a scanning operation is performed on data input from an external device to search data bits to be programmed. The searched data bits are programmed in response to the number of simultaneously programmed bits. The number of simultaneously programmed bits corresponding to the first data state is different from a number of simultaneously programmed bits corresponding to at least a second of the plurality of data states.

Abstract: A flash memory device and a related method of write protecting data are disclosed. The flash memory device includes a protection controller having a latch circuit storing temporary protected/accessible data, a cell array storing persistent protected/accessible data, a write controller altering the persistent protected/accessible data, and a latch controller altering the temporary protected/accessible data.

Abstract: A flash memory device includes a program data buffer configured to buffer program data to be programmed in a memory cell array, and a verify data buffer configured to compare verify data to confirm whether the program data is accurately programmed in the memory cell array, wherein at least a portion of the verify data buffer is selectively enabled as a verify data buffer or a program data buffer responsive to a buffer control signal.

Abstract: A method of driving a non-volatile memory device includes programming a plurality of memory cells based on a first data copied from a program data buffer to a verification data buffer, verifying the memory cells by overwriting a result of the verification of the programmed memory cells to a verification data buffer, and re-verifying the memory cells by repeating the programming and verifying operations at least once with respect to the memory cells that were successfully verified, based on the verification result written to the verification data buffer.