Abstract: A method of operating a nonvolatile memory device includes performing a reset operation for setting a level of a program voltage to a first level, performing a program operation and a verification operation on memory cells included in a first page of a first memory block while raising the program voltage from the first level, storing a level of the program voltage, supplied to the first page when memory cells programmed to have threshold voltages with at least a verification voltage are detected during the verification operation, as a second level, while raising the program voltage from the second level, performing the program operation and the verification operation on each of second to last pages of the first memory block, and after completing the program operation for the first memory block, performing the reset operation for setting the level of the program voltage to the first level.

Abstract: A page buffer includes a first ground voltage supply unit for applying a ground voltage to first and second registers according to a level of a sense node, and a second ground voltage supply unit for applying the ground voltage to the first and second registers irrespective of a level of the sense node. A method of programming a non-volatile memory device includes storing a high-level data in a first node of a first register of a plurality of page buffers, precharging a sense node with a high level, resetting the data stored in the first node of the first register according to a voltage level of the sense node, precharging the sense node with a high level, storing external data in the first node according to a voltage level of the sense node, and performing a program operation according to the data stored in the first node.

Abstract: A page buffer includes a first latch coupled between a sensing node and a data input/output node for storing data to be programmed. The sensing node is coupled to a bit line corresponding to an MLC selected for programming. The data input/output node receives/outputs data. A second latch is coupled to the sensing node for performing a program, verifying or read operation. A first switching means is coupled between the first latch and the sensing node for transmitting data stored in the first latch to the bit line through the sensing node when the program operation is performed. A second switching means is coupled to a first node of the second latch and the sensing node for verifying a first program operation. A third switching means is coupled between a second node of the second latch and the sensing node for verifying a second program operation.

Abstract: In a method of operating a non-volatile memory device subdivided verifications are performed by increasing verify voltages. Accordingly, threshold voltage distributions of memory cells can be narrowed and, therefore, the program performance of a flash memory device can be improved.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a comparison unit configured to compare a reference voltage and a voltage of each of a plurality of nodes of a sample memory cell string, a state storage unit configured to store state information of each of memory cells depending on the corresponding comparison result of the comparison unit, and a high voltage generation unit configured to change a program start voltage depending on data stored in the state storage unit.

Abstract: An erase method of a memory cell array which includes at least one block having MLC is disclosed. The erase method includes shifting every threshold voltage distribution into a threshold voltage distribution having a highest level by pre-programming every cell in a block selected for erase, performing an erase operation on the pre-programmed memory block, performing a soft program and a verifying operation on the memory block, dividing the memory block into a first group and a second group when the memory block is passed, performing a verifying operation on the first group and performing a soft program and a verifying operation on the first group when the first group is not passed, and performing a verifying operation on the second group when the first group is passed and performing a soft program and a verifying operation on the second group when the second group is not passed.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a page buffer circuit. The page buffer circuit includes a memory cell area, a first bit line select unit, and a second bit line select unit. A plurality of memory cells of the memory cell area is connected by bit lines and word lines. The first bit line select unit i s connected to one or more bit lines of the memory cell area and is configured to precharge or discharge a selected bit line in response to a control signal. The second bit line select unit is connected to the same bit line as the first bit line select unit and is configured to precharge or discharge the selected bit line simultaneously with the first bit line select unit.

Abstract: A method of programming a flash memory device includes programming a first memory cell coupled to an even bit line by applying a first program voltage to a word line, and verifying whether the first memory cell is programmed through a first verifying voltage. The first program voltage that is repeatedly increased by a step voltage when the first memory cell is not programmed. A second memory cell coupled to an odd bit line is programmed by applying the first program voltage to the word line. Whether the second memory cell is programmed is verified using a second verifying voltage that is higher than the first verifying voltage. The second memory cell is programmed using a program voltage that is repeatedly increased by the step voltage when the second memory cell is not programmed.

Abstract: A method of programming in a flash memory device is disclosed. The method includes programming a first memory cell coupled to an even bit line by applying a first program voltage to a word line, verifying whether or not the first memory cell is programmed through a first verifying voltage, and programming the first memory cell using a program voltage increased in sequence by a step voltage than the first program voltage in case that the first memory cell is not programmed programming a second memory cell coupled to an odd bit line by applying the first program voltage to the word line, and verifying whether or not the second memory cell is programmed through a second verifying voltage higher than the first verifying voltage, and programming the second memory cell using a program voltage increased in sequence by the step voltage than the first program voltage in case that the second memory cell is not programmed.

Abstract: Methods for performing a fail test, block management, erase operations and program operations are used in a nonvolatile memory device having a block switch devoid of a fuse and a PMOS transistor. A method for performing a fail test in a nonvolatile memory device includes performing a fail test for a memory cell block; storing good block information in a block information store associated with the corresponding block when the memory cell block is a good block; and repeating the performing and storing steps for all memory cell blocks.

Abstract: A page buffer includes a first ground voltage supply unit for applying a ground voltage to first and second registers according to a level of a sense node, and a second ground voltage supply unit for applying the ground voltage to the first and second registers irrespective of a level of the sense node. A method of programming a non-volatile memory device includes storing a high-level data in a first node of a first register of a plurality of page buffers, precharging a sense node with a high level, resetting the data stored in the first node of the first register according to a voltage level of the sense node, precharging the sense node with a high level, storing external data in the first node according to a voltage level of the sense node, and performing a program operation according to the data stored in the first node.

Abstract: A page buffer includes a first register, a second register and a data I/O unit. The first register temporarily stores data to be programmed into cells included in a first memory cell block group, or reads and stores data of a corresponding memory cell. The second register temporarily stores data to be programmed into cells included in a second memory cell block group, or reads and stores data of a corresponding memory cell. The data I/O unit inputs specific data to the first register and the second register, or outputs data stored in the first register and the second register.

Abstract: In a method of operating a non-volatile memory device subdivided verifications are performed by increasing verify voltages. Accordingly, threshold voltage distributions of memory cells can be narrowed and, therefore, the program performance of a flash memory device can be improved.

Abstract: A page buffer includes a first latch coupled between a sensing node and a data input/output node for storing data to be programmed. The sensing node is coupled to a bit line corresponding to an MLC selected for programming. The data input/output node receives/outputs data. A second latch is coupled to the sensing node for performing a program, verifying or read operation. A first switching means is coupled between the first latch and the sensing node for transmitting data stored in the first latch to the bit line through the sensing node when the program operation is performed. A second switching means is coupled to a first node of the second latch and the sensing node for verifying a first program operation. A third switching means is coupled between a second node of the second latch and the sensing node for verifying a second program operation.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device of the present invention includes a page buffer having a bit line selecting circuit, a first register, a second register, a data comparing circuit, a first bit line voltage controller, and a second bit line voltage controller. The bit line selecting circuit couples selectively a certain bit line to a sensing node. The first register and the second register store given data. The data comparing circuit compares the data stored in the first register with the data stored in the second register, and transmits the comparison result to the sensing node. The first bit line voltage controller applies a voltage of low level to the bit line in accordance with a voltage level of the data stored in the first register. The second bit line voltage controller applies a selected first voltage of high level to the bit line in accordance with the data stored in the second register.

Abstract: An erase method having a memory cell array which includes at least one blocks having MLC is disclosed. The erase method includes shifting every threshold voltage distribution into a threshold voltage distribution having highest level by pre-programming every cell in a block selected for erase, performing an erase operation on the pre-programmed memory block, performing a soft program and a verifying operation on the memory block, dividing the memory block into a first group and a second group in case that the memory block is passed, performing a verifying operation on the first group, and performing a soft program and a verifying operation on the first group in case that the first group is not passed, and performing a verifying operation on the second group in case that the first group is passed, and performing a soft program and a verifying operation on the second group in case that the second group is not passed.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device of the present invention includes a page buffer having a bit line selecting circuit, a first register, a second register, a data comparing circuit, a first bit line voltage controller, and a second bit line voltage controller. The bit line selecting circuit couples selectively a certain bit line to a sensing node. The first register and the second register store given data. The data comparing circuit compares the data stored in the first register with the data stored in the second register, and transmits the comparison result to the sensing node. The first bit line voltage controller applies a voltage of low level to the bit line in accordance with a voltage level of the data stored in the first register. The second bit line voltage controller applies a selected first voltage of high level to the bit line in accordance with the data stored in the second register.