Abstract: A power-voltage driver circuit includes a first MOS transistor configured to turn a second MOS transistor off when a high-voltage generator provides a high voltage output. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for discharging an erase voltage of a semiconductor memory device and discharge circuit for performing the method, the method including performing a first discharge on a common source line (CSL) of the semiconductor memory device, comparing the detected CSL voltage with a predetermined reference voltage, and performing a second discharge on the CSL when the detected CSL voltage is lower than a predetermined reference voltage.

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 memory cell array includes a NAND string formed of a plurality of memory cells coupled in series between a string selection transistor and a ground selection transistor. The string selection transistor controls an electrical connection between the NAND string and a bit line based on a string selection voltage in a read operation. A row selection circuit is coupled to the memory cell array through a string selection line, ground selection line and a plurality of word lines. The row selection circuit selects a word line which is coupled to the read memory cell among the plurality of word lines based on a row address signal and a read voltage in a read operation. A voltage generation circuit generates the string selection voltage and the read voltage.

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 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 memory device and method thereof are provided. The example memory device may include a first buffer receiving most significant bit (MSB) data and least significant bit (LSB) data to be stored within a memory cell, a second buffer loading stored LSB data stored from the memory cell and a data loader generating at least one load signal based upon logic levels of the received MSB data from the first buffer and the loaded LSB data from the memory cell, the at least one load signal controlling programming permissions for the memory cell. The example method may include receiving LSB data, storing the received LSB data within a memory cell, receiving MSB data, loading the LSB data from the programmed memory cell, generating at least one load signal based upon logic levels of the received MSB data and the loaded LSB data, the at least one load signal controlling programming permissions for the memory cell and storing the MSB data within the memory cell based on the at least one load signal.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device comprises a memory cell array having a plurality of non-volatile memory cells arranged in rows and columns. Selected memory cells are programmed by applying program voltages thereto. Next, data bits stored in the selected cells are read. Then, a first column scan operation is performed to determine whether any of the selected memory cells is inadequately programmed. Upon determining that at least one of the selected memory cells is inadequately programmed, a second column scan operation is performed to detect a total number of the selected memory cells that are inadequately programmed. Upon determining that the total number of the selected memory cells that are inadequately programmed is less than a number that can be corrected by an error correcting circuit, the program operation terminates with a program pass status.

Abstract: Methods of performing multi-block erasing operations on a memory device that includes a plurality of memory blocks are provided. Pursuant to these methods, the rate at which a first voltage that is applied to the memory blocks that are to be erased during the multi-block erasing operation rises is controlled based on the number of memory blocks that are to be erased. The memory device may be a flash memory device, and the first voltage may be an erasing voltage that is applied to a substrate of the flash memory device. The rate at which the first voltage rises may be set so that the substrate of the flash memory device reaches the erasing voltage level at approximately the same time regardless of the number of memory blocks that are to be erased.

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: 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: High voltage generator circuits and methods for operating non-volatile semiconductor memory devices are provided for use with non-volatile memory such as FLASH memory devices, to selectively generate different types of control voltages for various operating modes of non-volatile memory devices.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of driving a program operation in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is operable without discharging a bitline connected to a memory cell to be programmed between a program period and a verifying period. This remarkably improves programming speed and reduces current consumption.

Abstract: The disclosure is a NAND flash memory with the function of error checking and correction during a page copy operation. The NAND flash memory is able to prohibit transcription of erroneous bits to a duplicate page from a source page. Embodiments of the inventive flash memory include a correction circuit for correcting bit errors of source data stored in a page buffer, a circuit configured to provide the source data to the correction circuit and to provide correction data to the page buffer, and a copy circuit configured to copy the source data to the page buffer, and to store the correction data in the other page from the page buffer.

Abstract: A wordline decoder for a non-volatile memory device includes a first inverter to invert a block selection signal into a first inverted result on a first node, a second inverter to invert the signal on the first node into a second inverted result on a second node, a first and a second transistor, each coupled to a power supply, coupled in series between the second node and a third node, a third transistor coupled between the third node and a fourth node having a gate coupled to the third node, a fourth transistor coupled between a high voltage supply and a fifth node having a source coupled to the high voltage supply and a gate coupled to the third node, and a fifth transistor coupled between the fifth node and the third node having a gate coupled to the first node.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dual chip package that is connected to a host and includes a first memory chip and a second memory chip. Each of the first and second memory chips includes a flash memory; an option pad connected to either a first or second voltage; a register configured to store a flag signal indicating whether a memory chip is selected; a comparator circuit configured to compare a flag signal stored in the register with a logic value apparent at the option pad to generate a flash access signal. Each of the first and second memory chips also includes a memory controller unit configured to access the flash memory in response to the flash access signal, and an interrupt controller unit configured to provide an interrupt signal to the host in response to the flash access signal and a control signal provided from the host.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device capable of improving a read characteristic includes memory blocks, each memory block having a plurality of word lines. A common source line is arranged to be shared by the memory blocks. A first transistor is connected to the common source line, and a voltage higher than a power supply voltage is applied to a gate of the first transistor during a read operation. A second transistor connects the first transistor to a reference voltage during the read operation.

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: A row decoder preventing leakage current and a semiconductor memory device including the same are provided. The row decoder includes an address decoder and a selection signal generator. The address decoder decodes a predetermined address signal and activates an enable signal. The selection signal generator electrically connects a boosted voltage node to an output node to activate a block selection signal when the enable signal is activated and electrically breaks a path between the boosted voltage node and the output node and a path between the boosted voltage node and a ground voltage node when the enable signal is deactivated. The selection signal generator includes a feedback circuit, a switch, and a direct current (DC) path breaker. The feedback circuit is electrically connected to the output node to generate an output voltage that varies with a voltage level of the block selection signal. The switch transmits the output voltage of the feedback circuit to the output node.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide programming operations for reducing a program time for a nonvolatile memory device. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is programmed by receiving data to be programmed into memory cells from a host, programming the data into the memory cells, performing a verify read operation to determine whether the data has been successfully programmed into the memory cells, and performing a Y-scan operation while performing the verify read operation to sequentially scan and output data read from bit lines coupled to the memory cells.