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: 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: An accelerated bit scanning nonvolatile memory device and method. A nonvolatile memory device including a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell corresponding to program data, a data scanning unit to detect the program data having a first value, and a programming unit to program the memory cells corresponding to the detected portions of the program data responsive to the scanning.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory sectors arranged in different memory banks having different bulk regions. The memory cells can be erased using a first mode erase operation, which determines different erase pass voltages for the respective memory sectors by successively increasing a bank voltage applied to each sector until the number of failed cells in each sector falls below a first failed cell threshold value, and a second mode erase operation, which applies the different erase pass voltages to the respective memory sectors for successively increasing periods of time until the number of failed cells in each sector falls below a second failed cell threshold value.

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: 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 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: 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.

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: 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 non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory sectors arranged in different memory banks having different bulk regions. The memory cells can be erased using a first mode erase operation, which determines different erase pass voltages for the respective memory sectors by successively increasing a bank voltage applied to each sector until the number of failed cells in each sector falls below a first failed cell threshold value, and a second mode erase operation, which applies the different erase pass voltages to the respective memory sectors for successively increasing periods of time until the number of failed cells in each sector falls below a second failed cell threshold value.

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: 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: Data verification methods and/or nonvolatile memory devices are provided that concurrently detect data for a selected memory cell of the nonvolatile memory device and verify a programmed or erase state of previously detected data of a different memory cell of the nonvolatile memory device. Concurrently detecting data and verifying a programmed or erase state may be provided by a sense amplifier configured to sense data from a memory cell of the nonvolatile memory device, a latch configured to store the data sensed by the sense amplifier, an I/O buffer configured to store the data stored in the latch and a program/erase verifier circuit configured to control the sense amplifier, latch and I/O buffer to provided previously sensed data for a first memory cell to the program erase/verifier circuit for verification while the sense amplifier is sensing data for a second memory cell.

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 nonvolatile memory device and method of programming the device are disclosed. The nonvolatile memory device is adapted to interrupt or resume a programming operation for a memory cell of the device in response to variation in a programming voltage being supplied to the memory cell. The programming operation is typically interrupted or resumed in response to signals generated by a program controller and/or a detector monitoring the programming voltage.

Abstract: A method of programming a non-volatile memory device includes activating a first pump to generate a bitline voltage, and after the bulk voltage reaches a target voltage, detecting whether the bitline voltage is less than a detection voltage. When the bitline voltage is less than the detection voltage, a second pump becomes active.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-volatile memory device and a method of programming the same. The non-volatile memory device is programmed by applying a wordline voltage, a bitline voltage, and a bulk voltage to memory cells within the device. During a programming operation for the device, the bulk voltage is generated by a first pump. However, where the bulk voltage exceeds a predetermined detection voltage, a second pump is further activated in order to lower the bulk voltage.

Abstract: Memory cells in a memory cell array are erased using an erase operation followed by a post-program operation. In the erase operation, an erase voltage is applied to a plurality of memory cells of the memory cell array. In the post program operation, a program voltage is simultaneously applied to at least two word lines coupled to ones of the plurality of erased memory cells of the memory cell array. Related devices are also discussed.