Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a memory structure including non-volatile memory cells, a first processor and a second processor. The first processor is configured to provide a plurality of sets of commands to a second processor to perform memory operations on the non-volatile memory cells. The second processor is configured to execute the sets of commands and provide a control signal to the first processor. The first processor is further configured to provide the sets of commands to the second processor based on a status of the control signal. The second processor is further configured to control the status of the control signal so that the second processor executes sets of commands with no idle time between consecutive sets of commands.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a memory structure including non-volatile memory cells, a first processor and a second processor. The first processor is configured to provide a plurality of sets of commands to a second processor to perform memory operations on the non-volatile memory cells. The second processor is configured to execute the sets of commands and provide a control signal to the first processor. The first processor is further configured to provide the sets of commands to the second processor based on a status of the control signal. The second processor is further configured to control the status of the control signal so that the second processor executes sets of commands with no idle time between consecutive sets of commands.

Abstract: A memory system having a dynamic supply voltage to sense amplifiers. The supply voltage has a higher magnitude when charging inhibited bit lines during a program operation and a lower magnitude when verifying/sensing memory cells. Reducing the magnitude of the supply voltage saves power and/or current. However, if the lower magnitude were used when the inhibited bit lines are charged during the program operations, some of the memory cells that should be inhibited from programming might experience at least some programming. Using the higher magnitude supply voltage during bit line charging of the program operation assures that the inhibited bit lines are charged to a sufficient voltage to keep drain side select gates of NAND strings off so that the NAND channel will boost properly to inhibit programming of such memory cells.

Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are described for reducing the number of latches used in sense circuits for a memory device. The number of internal user data latches in a sense circuit is reduced by using an external data transfer latch to store a bit of user data, in place of an internal user data latch. The user data in the data transfer latches identifies a subset of the data states which are not prohibited from having a verify test. The subset is shifted as the program operation proceeds, at specified program loops, to encompass higher data states. The completion of programming by a memory cell is indicated by the user data latches and another internal latch of the sense circuit in place of the external data transfer latch.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a control circuit configured to connect to a bit line that is connected to one or more non-volatile memory cells. The control circuit includes a first plurality of data latches connected to a first local data bus to store first program-verify pass/fail bits and a second plurality of data latches connected to a second local data bus to store second program-verify pass/fail bits for second non-volatile memory cells. The non-volatile memory device further includes a shared isolation latch and one or more interface circuits connected to the first local data bus and the second local data bus. The one or more interface circuits are configured to selectively block the first program-verify pass/fail bits from the first plurality of latches and the second program-verify pass/fail bits from the second plurality of latches according to an indicator bit stored in the shared isolation latch.

Abstract: A local data bus of a sense amplifier associated with one bit line is used to perform logical operations for a sensing operation performed by another sense amplifier associated with a different bit line. Each sense amplifier circuit includes a sensing node that is pre-charged, then discharged through a selected memory cell and a local data bus with a number of data latches connected. Target program data can be stored in the latches and combined in logical combinations with the sensed value of the memory cell to determine whether it has verified. By including a transfer circuit between the local data buses of a pair of sense amplifiers, the logical operations of a first sense amplifier can be performed using the local data bus of the paired sense amplifier, freeing the first sense amplifier's sense node to be concurrently pre-charged for a subsequent sensing operation, thereby improving performance.

Abstract: A memory device with one or more planes having sub-blocks is disclosed. The memory device may further include a voltage switch transistor for each of sub-blocks. Additionally, the memory device may further include a row decoder for each of sub-blocks. As a result, an operation to two sub-blocks can be performed at different times. For example, using a row decoder and voltage switch transistor, a sub-block can be initially read, followed by a subsequent read of another sub-block using a separate row decoder and voltage switch transistor. By staggering the read operations through a time delay, the peak current Icc associated with the supply voltage can be reduced.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a control circuit configured to connect to a bit line that is connected to one or more non-volatile memory cells. The control circuit includes a first plurality of data latches connected to a first local data bus to store first program-verify pass/fail bits and a second plurality of data latches connected to a second local data bus to store second program-verify pass/fail bits for second non-volatile memory cells. The non-volatile memory device further includes a shared isolation latch and one or more interface circuits connected to the first local data bus and the second local data bus. The one or more interface circuits are configured to selectively block the first program-verify pass/fail bits from the first plurality of latches and the second program-verify pass/fail bits from the second plurality of latches according to an indicator bit stored in the shared isolation latch.

Abstract: Read and write circuitry, described herein, comprises data latches, each data latch connected to a bit line and arranged in a same column as the bit line; and transfer latches, each transfer latch connected to a data latch and arranged in a same column as the data latch. Further, circuitry described herein is configured to: transfer a word to and from the transfer latches of a first column and the subset of transfer latches of a second column; transfer a first portion of the word between the transfer latches of the first column and data latches of the first column that are connected to the transfer latches of the first column; and transfer a second portion of the word between the subset of transfer latches and data latches of the second column that are connected to the subset of transfer latches.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed herein for a memory system having a dynamic supply voltage to sense amplifiers. In an aspect, the supply voltage has a higher magnitude when charging inhibited bit lines during a program operation and a lower magnitude when verifying/sensing memory cells. Reducing the magnitude of the supply voltage saves power and/or current. However, if the lower magnitude were used when the inhibited bit lines are charged during the program operations, some of the memory cells that should be inhibited from programming might experience at least some programming. Using the higher magnitude supply voltage during bit line charging of the program operation assures that the inhibited bit lines are charged to a sufficient voltage to keep drain side select gates of NAND strings off so that the NAND channel will boost properly to inhibit programming of such memory cells.

Abstract: A local data bus of a sense amplifier associated with one bit line is used to perform logical operations for a sensing operation performed by another sense amplifier associated with a different bit line. Each sense amplifier circuit includes a sensing node that is pre-charged, then discharged through a selected memory cell and a local data bus with a number of data latches connected. Target program data can be stored in the latches and combined in logical combinations with the sensed value of the memory cell to determine whether it has verified. By including a transfer circuit between the local data buses of a pair of sense amplifiers, the logical operations of a first sense amplifier can be performed using the local data bus of the paired sense amplifier, freeing the first sense amplifier's sense node to be concurrently pre-charged for a subsequent sensing operation, thereby improving performance.

Abstract: A memory device with one or more planes having sub-blocks is disclosed. The memory device may further include a voltage switch transistor for each of sub-blocks. Additionally, the memory device may further include a row decoder for each of sub-blocks. As a result, an operation to two sub-blocks can be performed at different times. For example, using a row decoder and voltage switch transistor, a sub-block can be initially read, followed by a subsequent read of another sub-block using a separate row decoder and voltage switch transistor. By staggering the read operations through a time delay, the peak current Icc associated with the supply voltage can be reduced.

Abstract: Read and write circuitry, described herein, comprises data latches, each data latch connected to a bit line and arranged in a same column as the bit line; and transfer latches, each transfer latch connected to a data latch and arranged in a same column as the data latch. Further, circuitry described herein is configured to: transfer a word to and from the transfer latches of a first column and the subset of transfer latches of a second column; transfer a first portion of the word between the transfer latches of the first column and data latches of the first column that are connected to the transfer latches of the first column; and transfer a second portion of the word between the subset of transfer latches and data latches of the second column that are connected to the subset of transfer latches.

Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are described for reducing the number of latches used in sense circuits for a memory device. The number of internal user data latches in a sense circuit is reduced by using an external data transfer latch to store a bit of user data, in place of an internal user data latch. The user data in the data transfer latches identifies a subset of the data states which are not prohibited from having a verify test. The subset is shifted as the program operation proceeds, at specified program loops, to encompass higher data states. The completion of programming by a memory cell is indicated by the user data latches and another internal latch of the sense circuit in place of the external data transfer latch.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory system comprises a memory structure and a control circuit connected to the memory structure. The control circuit includes a programmable and reprogrammable microcontroller. The microcontroller has a first processor that executes instructions to coordinate sequences of voltages applied to the memory structure by a first circuit in order to perform memory operations. The microcontroller has a second processor that executes second instructions to control a second circuit to test conditions of the non-volatile memory cells in response to the voltages applied to the memory structure. The microcontroller may have a third processor that controls the flow of the memory operation and directs the first and second processors to execute the instructions. The instructions of the various processors may be updated, which provides for flexible flow, core operation control, and condition testing.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory system comprises a memory structure and a control circuit connected to the memory structure. The control circuit includes a programmable and reprogrammable microcontroller. The microcontroller has a first processor that executes instructions to coordinate sequences of voltages applied to the memory structure by a first circuit in order to perform memory operations. The microcontroller has a second processor that executes second instructions to control a second circuit to test conditions of the non-volatile memory cells in response to the voltages applied to the memory structure. The microcontroller may have a third processor that controls the flow of the memory operation and directs the first and second processors to execute the instructions. The instructions of the various processors may be updated, which provides for flexible flow, core operation control, and condition testing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a programming circuit configured to supply a program pulse to increase a threshold voltage of a memory cell. The apparatus also includes a sensing circuit configured to determine that the threshold voltage of the memory cell satisfies a trigger threshold voltage in response to the program pulse. The apparatus further includes a damping circuit configured to increase a voltage of a bit line connected to the memory cell after initiation of and during a second program pulse in response to the threshold voltage of the memory cell satisfying the trigger threshold voltage, the second program pulse being sent by the programming circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first processor that generates first control signals to control a first circuit to perform memory operations on memory cells. A first number of first physical signal lines delivers the first control signals to a conversion circuit. A second number of second physical signal lines delivers converted control signals to the first circuit. The conversion circuit is coupled by the first number of first physical signal lines to the first processor and by the second number of second physical signal lines to the first circuit. The conversion circuit converts the first control signals to the converted control signals, and outputs the converted control signals to the first circuit. The first number of first physical signal lines is less than the second number of second physical signal lines to reduce the first number of first physical signal lines coupled between the first processor and the first circuit.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory system comprises a memory structure and a control circuit connected to the memory structure. The control circuit includes a programmable and reprogrammable microcontroller. The microcontroller has a first processor that executes instructions to coordinate sequences of voltages applied to the memory structure by a first circuit in order to perform memory operations. The microcontroller has a second processor that executes second instructions to control a second circuit to test conditions of the non-volatile memory cells in response to the voltages applied to the memory structure. The microcontroller may have a third processor that controls the flow of the memory operation and directs the first and second processors to execute the instructions. The instructions of the various processors may be updated, which provides for flexible flow, core operation control, and condition testing.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory system comprises a memory structure and a control circuit connected to the memory structure. The control circuit includes a programmable and reprogrammable microcontroller. The microcontroller has a first processor that executes instructions to coordinate sequences of voltages applied to the memory structure by a first circuit in order to perform memory operations. The microcontroller has a second processor that executes second instructions to control a second circuit to test conditions of the non-volatile memory cells in response to the voltages applied to the memory structure. The microcontroller may have a third processor that controls the flow of the memory operation and directs the first and second processors to execute the instructions. The instructions of the various processors may be updated, which provides for flexible flow, core operation control, and condition testing.