Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory core and a fail detection circuit. The memory core includes a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells. The fail detection circuit compares read data with test data to generate a comparison signal representing whether each of the memory cells is failed or not, and accumulates and stores fail information of the memory cells corresponding to a plurality of addresses to output accumulated fail information. The read data are read out from the memory cells in which the test data are written.

Abstract: Methods and devices for programming control information perform a lower-speed programming of a given cell type in a first area of memory array, confirm a result of the lower-speed programming of the given cell type in the first area of memory array, and perform a higher-speed programming of the given cell type in a second area of memory array after confirming the result of the lower-speed programming. An initial programming voltage of the higher-speed programming may be different from that of the lower-speed programming. The first programming may be a lower-speed operation, such as the writing of data, and the second programming may be a higher-speed operation, such as the writing of control information.

Abstract: Nonvolatile memory devices include a memory cell array having memory cells arranged in rows and columns, and an address storing unit that is configured to store therein an indicator of an initial column address and an indicator of an end column address, to identify a subset of the columns that extends from the initial column address to the end column address. A program circuit is configured to verify a programming operation for a selected row at the subset of the columns that extends from the initial column address to the end column address. Analogous methods of programming a nonvolatile memory device also may be provided.

Abstract: Provided are a circuit and method for generating a program voltage, and a non-volatile memory device using the same. The circuit, which generates a program voltage for programming a memory cell of a semiconductor memory device, includes a program voltage controller and a voltage generating unit. The program voltage controller generates a program voltage control signal according to program/erase operations information. The voltage controller generates a program voltage in response to the program voltage control signal.

Abstract: A reference voltage generating circuit provides a stabilized reference voltage and includes; a clock generator providing a clock signal, a high voltage generator providing a pumping voltage in response to the clock signal, a ripple eradicator providing a static voltage by removing voltage ripple from the pumping voltage, and a reference voltage generator providing the reference voltage.

Abstract: An erase voltage generation circuit providing a uniform erase execution time and a non-volatile semiconductor memory device having the same, in which the erase voltage generation circuit includes a high voltage generation unit, a voltage level detection unit, an execution time checking unit and a discharging unit. The high voltage generation unit generates an erase voltage. The voltage level detection unit detects the erase voltage and generates a level detection signal. The level detection signal is activated when the erase voltage reaches a target voltage. The execution time checking unit generates an execution end signal that is activated in response to the lapse of an erase execution time from the activation of the level detection signal. The discharging unit discharges the erase voltage as a discharge voltage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a flash memory device with a unified oscillation circuit, and a method of operating the device. The unified oscillation circuit produces alternative internal clock signals for corresponding alternative operating modes of the flash memory device. At least a portion of the unified oscillation circuit is used to generate all of the alternative internal clock signals. Compared to conventional memory devices and methods that use multiple oscillators, embodiments of the invention improve circuit density and reduce the incidence of timing glitches caused by switching between multiple oscillators.

Abstract: A flash memory device is disclosed and includes a memory cell array comprising memory cells arranged in rows and columns, a page buffer circuit having a single latch structure and configured to read data from a selected page in the memory cell array, and a controller controlling the page buffer circuit to detect memory cells having an improper voltage distribution causes by charge leakage within the selected page.

Abstract: A method is provided for verifying a programming operation of a flash memory device. The flash memory device includes at least one memory string in which a string selection transistor, multiple memory cells and a ground selection transistor are connected in series, and the programming operation is performed with respect to a selected memory cell in the memory string. The method includes applying a voltage, obtained by adding a threshold voltage of the string selection transistor to a power supply voltage, to a string selection line connected to the string selection transistor; applying a ground voltage to wordlines connected to each of the memory cells and a ground selection line connected to the ground selection transistor; precharging a bitline connected to the memory string to the power supply voltage; and determining whether a programming operation of the selected memory cell is complete.

Abstract: A flash memory device includes a memory cell array having a first region and a second region that include memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows and columns; an address storage circuit adapted to store address information for defining the second region; a row decoder circuit adapted to select one of the first and second regions in response to an external address; a voltage generating circuit adapted to generate a read voltage to be provided to a row of the selected region by the row decoder circuit during a read operation; a detecting circuit adapted to detect whether the selected region is included in the second region on the basis of address information and external address information that are stored in the address storage circuit; and a control logic adapted to control the voltage generating circuit in response to an output of the detecting circuit during the read operation.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a cell core storing data, a plurality of peripheral circuit components, collectively driving data to/from the cell core and providing a default state at an output signal state during an initialization process upon power-up, and an initialization circuit detecting a standby mode of operation for the semiconductor memory device, and upon detecting the standby mode controlling operation of the plurality of peripheral circuit components to provide the default state as the signal state during standby mode.

Abstract: In one aspect, a word line enable method in a flash memory device includes driving a signal line corresponding to a selected word line with a word line voltage, and stepwise increasing a gate voltage of a switch transistor connected between the selected word line and the signal line during a program execute period.

Abstract: A flash memory device includes a memory block including word lines arranged between a first selection line and a second selection line, the word lines being divided into a first group and a second group, a control logic configured to determine an activation order of the first and second selection lines and determine first and second read voltages to be supplied to unselected word lines, the control logic determining the activation order according to whether a selected word line belongs to the first group or the second group, and a row selection circuit configured to, during a read operation, drive the unselected word lines with the first and second read voltages, and activate the first and second selection lines, according to the control logic.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device comprises a memory cell array comprising memory cells arranged in rows and first columns and flag cells arranged in the rows and second columns. The device further comprises a page buffer configured to read flag data bits from flag cells in a selected row via the second columns, and a judgment unit configured to judge whether memory cells in the selected row are programmed with MSB data based on the flag data bits read by the page buffer.

Abstract: A flash memory includes memory cell array having memory cells divided into sectors, a page buffer block having groups of page buffers corresponding to the sectors, and a page buffer controller configured to control the groups of page buffers individually. In some embodiments, multiple groups of page buffers may be activated simultaneously to access multiple sectors, while page buffer groups for unselected sectors are deactivated.

Abstract: A memory device and method thereof are provided. The memory device may comprise a first buffer for receiving most significant bit (MSB) data and least significant bit (LSB) data to be stored within a memory cell; a second buffer for loading LSB data stored in the memory cell; and a data loader for generating at least one load signal based upon logic levels of the received MSB data in the first buffer and the loaded LSB data in the second buffer, the at least one load signal being configured to control programming permissions for the memory cell.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of fuses, and a plurality of latch circuits respectively electrically connected to the plurality of fuses. The plurality of latch circuits are configured to store respective fuse-cut information from the plurality of fuses, and to then sequentially transmit the fuse-cut information through the latch circuits to output sequential data indicative of a fuse-cut state of the plurality of fuses.

Abstract: Provided is a method of improving the read disturb characteristics of a flash memory array. According to the method, in a flash memory array having at least one cell string in which a string selection transistor, a plurality of memory cells, and a ground selection transistor are connected in series, first read voltage is applied to a string selection line connected to a gate of the string selection transistor and a ground selection line connected to a gate of the ground selection transistor. Ground voltage is applied to a word line of a memory cell selected from among the memory cells. Second read voltage is applied to word lines of memory cells, from among the memory cells that are not selected, which are adjacent to the string selection transistor and the ground selection transistor. Then, the first read voltage is applied to the other memory cells that are not selected. The second read voltage is lower than the first read voltage.

Abstract: A method of programming a flash memory device includes charging selection lines with a first voltage while applying program data to bit lines to during a bit line setup interval, then activating a block word line to electrically connect the selection lines to corresponding word lines, and then applying a second voltage, greater than the first voltage, to a selected one of the selection lines. Related devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a program method for a flash memory device which includes; storing data in a buffer memory and generating a high voltage as a word line voltage. When transmission of data to the buffer memory is complete, the program method simultaneously transfers data in the buffer memory to a page buffer circuit, and programs data in the page buffer circuit in a memory cell array according to the word line voltage.