Patents by Inventor Niles Yang
Niles Yang has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10347315Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for performing a group read refresh. An apparatus includes a plurality of memory groups. An apparatus includes an operation circuit that performs an operation on a selected memory group of a plurality of memory groups. An apparatus includes a remediation circuit that performs a countermeasure operation on an unselected memory group of a plurality of memory groups in response to an operation on a selected memory group.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Philip David Reusswig, Grishma Shah, Nian Niles Yang
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Patent number: 10339000Abstract: A storage system and method for reducing XOR recovery time are provided. In one embodiment, a storage system is provides comprising a memory and a controller. The controller is configured to generate a first exclusive-or (XOR) parity for pages of data written to the memory; after the first XOR parity has been generated, determine that there is at least one page of invalid data in the pages of data written to the memory; and generate a second XOR parity for the pages of data that excludes the at least one page of invalid data, wherein the second XOR parity is generated by performing an XOR operation using the first XOR parity and the at least one page of invalid data as inputs. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Nian Niles Yang, Grishma Shah, Philip Reusswig
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Patent number: 10297324Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to physical secure erase (PSE) of solid state drives (SSDs). One embodiment of a method of PSE of a SSD includes receiving a PSE command, erasing the memory cells of the blocks, programming the memory cells, and programming the select gates to a portion of the blocks. One embodiment of a SSD includes a controller and a plurality of blocks having a plurality of NAND strings. Each NAND string includes connected in series a select gate drain, memory cells, and a select gate source. The SSD includes a memory erasing instruction that cause the controller to erase the memory cells of the block, program the memory cells, and increase the threshold voltage to the select gate drain and/or the select gate source of some of the NAND strings from the blocks.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Zhenlei Z. Shen, Nian Niles Yang, Gautham Reddy
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Patent number: 10289323Abstract: A memory device including a controller for handling thermal shutdown of the memory device. The control system acquires temperatures of a plurality of non-volatile memory elements in the memory device from one or more temperature detectors at a first frequency. Upon determining that the temperature of one of the plurality of non-volatile memory elements is above a threshold, the controller activates thermal throttling for the plurality of non-volatile memory elements and flushes metadata from a volatile memory element in the memory device to the plurality of non-volatile memory elements for future recovery of the memory device.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Nian Niles Yang, Varuna Kamila
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Patent number: 10289341Abstract: Systems and methods are described for generating location-based read voltage offsets in a data storage device. Optimal read voltage thresholds vary across memory elements of a device. However, data storage devices are often limited in the number of read voltage thresholds that can be maintained in the device. Thus, it may not be possible to maintain optimal read voltage parameters for each memory element within a device. The systems and methods described herein provide for increased accuracy of read voltage thresholds when applied to memory elements within a specific location in a device, by enabling the use of location-based read voltage offsets, depending on a relative location of the memory element being read from. The read voltage offsets can be determined based on application of a neural network to data regarding optimal read voltage thresholds determined from at least a sample of memory elements in a device.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Roi Kirshenbaum, Karin Inbar, Idan Goldenberg, Nian Niles Yang, Rami Rom, Alexander Bazarsky, Ariel Navon, Philip David Reusswig
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Patent number: 10290347Abstract: Systems and methods are described for compacting operating parameter sets in a data storage device. Data storage device may be configured to maintain multiple operating parameter sets, each of which stores various parameters for interacting with different memory elements within the device. The data storage device may further be limited in the total number of operating parameter sets that can be maintained in the device at any given time. Thus, the data storage device may be required at various times to combine two or more operating parameter sets, to enable creation of a new operating parameter set. Because each operating parameter set can contain a number of parameters, identification of similar sets for combination can be computationally intensive. To identify similar sets in an efficient manner, a device as disclosed herein is enabled to reduce a dimensionality of each set, and locate similar sets under that reduced dimensionality.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Roi Kirshenbaum, Karin Inbar, Idan Goldenberg, Nian Niles Yang, Rami Rom, Alexander Bazarsky, Ariel Navon, Philip David Reusswig
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Publication number: 20190130982Abstract: Over a period of operation, non-volatile memory can develop a residual resistance that is impractical to remove. For example, in a NAND string of memory cells, trapped charge may build up in a region between the bit lines and drain side select gates, so that even when all the devices of a NAND string are in an “on” state, the NAND string will not conduct. This effect will skew both hard bit data determinations, indicating the data state of a selected memory cell, and soft bit data determinations which may correlate to the reliability of the hard bit data. Techniques are described to factor in such excessive residual resistance when determining the soft bit data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Philip David Reusswig, Nian Niles Yang, Anubhav Khandelwal
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Publication number: 20190130989Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for performing read mode tuning. An apparatus includes an error rate storage circuit that determines error rate information. An apparatus includes a mode selection circuit that determines a read mode of a plurality of read modes for reading a set of memory cells based on error rate information. The plurality of read modes may include a fast read mode and a normal read mode. An apparatus includes a read circuit that performs a read on a set of memory cells based on a read mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nian Niles Yang, Grishma Shah, Philip David Reusswig, Zhenlei Shen
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Publication number: 20190130964Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for performing a group read refresh. An apparatus includes a plurality of memory groups. An apparatus includes an operation circuit that performs an operation on a selected memory group of a plurality of memory groups. An apparatus includes a remediation circuit that performs a countermeasure operation on an unselected memory group of a plurality of memory groups in response to an operation on a selected memory group.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Philip David Reusswig, Grishma Shah, Nian Niles Yang
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Publication number: 20190121725Abstract: Blocks of memory cells may be selected for use based on one or more measured performance characteristics that may include, but are not limited to, programming time or fail bit count. Blocks may be placed into a single level cell (SLC) block pool and one or more multi-level cell (MLC) block pools based on measured performance characteristic(s). For example, blocks that have a better SLC performance may be placed into the SLC block pool. Blocks may be targeted for garbage collection based on one or more measured performance characteristics. For example, blocks within an SLC block pool may be targeted for garbage collection based on a performance ranking of the SLC blocks, blocks within an MLC block pool may be targeted for garbage collection based on a performance ranking of the MLC blocks. Thus, the better performing blocks may be used more frequently, thereby improving performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Sehgal, Nian Niles Yang
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Publication number: 20190122741Abstract: Adaptively changing a fail bit count for an erase operation is disclosed. A memory system may detect an erase stuck bit condition in a group of memory cells. An erase stuck bit condition refers to a situation in which the threshold voltage of at least one memory cell on string tends to stick, such that the string cannot be erased. The memory system performs an action in response to detecting an erase stuck bit condition, in one embodiment. One possible action is to increase a fail bit count for erase operations for other groups of memory cells, which could also potentially suffer from erase bit stuck conditions. This can help reduce erase stress on groups of memory cells. It can also reduce the number of groups of memory cells that need to be retired for failing an erase operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Chao-Han Cheng, Nian Niles Yang, Anubhav Khandelwal, Chung-Yao Pai
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Publication number: 20190108090Abstract: A non-volatile storage apparatus includes a set of non-volatile memory cells and one or more control circuits in communication with the set of non-volatile memory cells. The one or more control circuits are configured to identify a most recently written portion of the set of non-volatile memory cells and to compare an error rate of data stored in the most recently written portion with a reference error rate from a reference portion of the set of non-volatile memory cells to determine whether the most recently written portion is fully written or partially written.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Zhenlei Shen, Nian Niles Yang, Chao-Han Cheng
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Patent number: 10255000Abstract: A memory device and associated techniques avoid reading memory cells immediately after programming when uncorrectable errors may be present. In one aspect, data is copied from one block to another block and a timer is started after the copying is completed. If a read command is received before the timer has expired, the read operation proceeds by reading the one block. If the read command is received after the timer has expired, the read operation proceeds by reading the another block. This approach is particular suitable when data is copied from single-level cell (SLC) blocks to multi-level cell (MLC) blocks in a folding operation. The duration of the timer can be increased at lower temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Sahil Sharma, Philip Reusswig, Nian Niles Yang, Rohit Sehgal, Gautham Reddy
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Patent number: 10248499Abstract: A first phase of a programming process is performed to program data into a set of non-volatile memory cells using a set of verify references and allowing for a first number of programming errors. After completing the first phase of programming, an acknowledgement is provided to the host that the programming was successful. The memory system reads the data from the set of non-volatile memory cells and uses an error correction process to identify and correct error bits in the data read. When the memory system is idle and after the acknowledgement is provided to the host, the memory system performs a second phase of the programming process to program the corrected error bits into the set of the non-volatile memory cells using the same set of verify references and allowing for a second number of programming errors.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Rohit Sehgal, Nian Niles Yang
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Patent number: 10228990Abstract: Systems, methods and/or devices are used to adjust error metrics for a memory portion of non-volatile memory in a storage device. In one aspect, a first write and a first read are performed on the memory portion. In accordance with results of the first read, a first error metric value for the memory portion is determined. In accordance with a determination that the first error metric value exceeds a first threshold value, an entry for the memory portion is added to a table. After the first write, when a second write to the memory portion is performed, it is determined whether the entry for the memory portion is present in the table. In accordance with a determination that the entry for the memory portion is present in the table, the second write uses a first error adjustment characteristic that is determined in accordance with the first error metric value.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Yiwei Song, Nian Niles Yang, James Fitzpatrick
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Patent number: 10218789Abstract: In an illustrative example, a data storage device includes a non-volatile memory and a controller coupled to the non-volatile memory. The controller includes an erasure correcting code engine configured to generate first erasure recovery data and temporary erasure recovery data in a volatile memory at least partially based on first data to be written to the non-volatile memory. The first erasure recovery data is configured to enable a first type of data recovery of the first data, and the temporary erasure recovery data is configured to enable a second type of data recovery of the first data. The controller is further configured to store the first erasure recovery data and the temporary erasure recovery data in the volatile memory and, after verifying that the first data is stored in the non-volatile memory, to discard or modify the temporary erasure recovery data.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nian Niles Yang, Steven T. Sprouse, Philip David Reusswig, Tienchien Kuo, Xinmiao Zhang
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Publication number: 20190050153Abstract: Embodiments of a SSD include a controller coupled to one or more flash dies, one or more temperature sensors proximate to the one or more flash dies, and data storing instructions. The one or more flash dies includes a plurality of TLC (triple level cell) blocks. The controller when executing the data storing instructions cause the controller to periodically fetch a temperature reading from the one or more temperature sensors and limit operations to the one or more flash dies when the temperature reading is above a start throttling threshold. In certain embodiments, TLC blocks are written to in a SLC mode when the temperature reading is above the start throttling threshold. In other embodiments, one or more spare SLC blocks are written to with non-system data during throttling.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2017Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Nian Niles YANG, Varuna KAMILA
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Publication number: 20190035457Abstract: A storage device with a memory may include improved endurance and programming speed by modifying the programming states of the memory blocks. For example, the blocks may be three bit memory blocks, but a dynamic reassignment of verify levels and read margins can result in the block acting like a two bit memory block. Memory blocks may be designed for a certain number of bits per cell (i.e. number of states) and the programming is based on that number. However, single level cell (SLC) programming is still possible in addition to programming according to the number of bits per cell that the memory is designed for. Multiple SLC programming steps can be used to modify the number of states for certain memory cells by the memory controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Nian Niles Yang, Abhijeet Manohar
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Publication number: 20190006003Abstract: Systems and methods are described for compacting operating parameter sets in a data storage device. Data storage device may be configured to maintain multiple operating parameter sets, each of which stores various parameters for interacting with different memory elements within the device. The data storage device may further be limited in the total number of operating parameter sets that can be maintained in the device at any given time. Thus, the data storage device may be required at various times to combine two or more operating parameter sets, to enable creation of a new operating parameter set. Because each operating parameter set can contain a number of parameters, identification of similar sets for combination can be computationally intensive. To identify similar sets in an efficient manner, a device as disclosed herein is enabled to reduce a dimensionality of each set, and locate similar sets under that reduced dimensionality.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Roi Kirshenbaum, Karin Inbar, Idan Goldenberg, Nian Niles Yang, Rami Rom, Alexander Bazarsky, Ariel Navon, Philip David Reusswig
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Publication number: 20190004734Abstract: Systems and methods are described for generating location-based read voltage offsets in a data storage device. Optimal read voltage thresholds vary across memory elements of a device. However, data storage devices are often limited in the number of read voltage thresholds that can be maintained in the device. Thus, it may not be possible to maintain optimal read voltage parameters for each memory element within a device. The systems and methods described herein provide for increased accuracy of read voltage thresholds when applied to memory elements within a specific location in a device, by enabling the use of location-based read voltage offsets, depending on a relative location of the memory element being read from. The read voltage offsets can be determined based on application of a neural network to data regarding optimal read voltage thresholds determined from at least a sample of memory elements in a device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Roi Kirshenbaum, Karin Inbar, Idan Goldenberg, Nian Niles Yang, Rami Rom, Alexander Bazarsky, Ariel Navon, Philip David Reusswig