G11C29/04

TESTING METHOD, TESTING SYSTEM, AND TESTING APPARATUS FOR SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP
20220399068 · 2022-12-15 ·

The present invention relates to a testing method, a testing system, and a testing apparatus for a semiconductor chip. The method includes: acquiring a target chip; obtaining an abnormal chip after a test of read and write functions is performed separately on a preset number of memory cells in an edge region of the target chip; recording location information of individual memory cells with abnormal read and write functions on the abnormal chip; judging whether an abnormality of read and write functions of the abnormal chip is a block abnormality based on the location information; wherein the abnormal chip refers to the target chip including the memory cell with abnormal read and write functions.

Semiconductor device and memory abnormality determination system
11527297 · 2022-12-13 · ·

Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device including a non-volatile memory unit. The non-volatile memory unit has a subject current path disposed in a semiconductor integrated circuit and a fuse element inserted in series on the subject current path, and changes output data according to a voltage between both ends of the fuse element when supply of a subject current to the subject current path is intended. A current supply part that switches the subject current between a plurality of stages is disposed in the non-volatile memory unit.

NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DEVICE, CONTROLLER FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, STORAGE DEVICE HAVING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME
20220392516 · 2022-12-08 ·

A method of operating a controller includes randomly transmitting a first command to a non-volatile memory device upon a read request from a host; receiving first read data corresponding to the first command from the non-volatile memory device; determining whether the number of first error bits of the first read data is greater than a first reference value; determining whether the number of first error bits is greater than a second reference value, when the number of first error bits is not greater than the first reference value; storing a target wordline in a health buffer, when the number of first error bits is greater than the second reference value; periodically transmitting a second command to the non-volatile memory device; and receiving second read data corresponding to the second command from the non-volatile memory device.

Testing read-only memory using memory built-in self-test controller

A system includes a volatile storage device, a read-only memory (ROM), a memory built-in self-test (BIST) controller and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU, upon occurrence of a reset event, executes a first instruction from the ROM to cause the CPU to copy a plurality of instructions from a range of addresses in the ROM to the volatile storage device. The CPU also executes a second instruction from the ROM to change a program counter. The CPU further executes the plurality of instructions from the volatile storage device using the program counter. The CPU, when executing the plurality of instructions from the volatile storage device, causes the ROM to enter a test mode and the memory BIST controller to be configured to test the ROM.

Testing read-only memory using memory built-in self-test controller

A system includes a volatile storage device, a read-only memory (ROM), a memory built-in self-test (BIST) controller and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU, upon occurrence of a reset event, executes a first instruction from the ROM to cause the CPU to copy a plurality of instructions from a range of addresses in the ROM to the volatile storage device. The CPU also executes a second instruction from the ROM to change a program counter. The CPU further executes the plurality of instructions from the volatile storage device using the program counter. The CPU, when executing the plurality of instructions from the volatile storage device, causes the ROM to enter a test mode and the memory BIST controller to be configured to test the ROM.

Memory device and operating method of the same
11520652 · 2022-12-06 · ·

A memory device includes a memory cell array including memory cells connected to word lines and bit lines. Each of the memory cells includes a switch element and a memory element, and has a first state or a second state in which a threshold voltage is within a first voltage range or a second voltage range, lower than the first voltage range. A memory controller is configured to execute a first read operation for the memory cells using a first read voltage, higher than a median value of the first voltage range, program first defect memory cells turned off during the first read operation to the first state, execute a second read operation for the memory cells using a second read voltage, lower than a median value of the second voltage range, and execute a repair operation for second defect memory cells turned on during the second read operation.

System and method for using a directory to recover a coherent system from an uncorrectable error
11513892 · 2022-11-29 · ·

A system, and corresponding method, is described for correcting an uncorrectable error in a coherent system. The uncorrectable error is detecting using an error detecting code, such as parity or SECDED. The cache controller or agent calculates a set of possible addresses. The directory is queried to determine which one of the set of possible addresses is the correct address. The agent and/or cache controller is updated with the correct address or way. The invention can be implemented in any chip, system, method, or HDL code that perform protection schemes and require ECC calculation, of any kind. Embodiments of the invention enable IPs that use different protections schemes to reduce power consumption and reduce bandwidth access to more efficiently correct errors and avoid a system restart when an uncorrectable error occurs.

Charge leakage detection for memory system reliability

Methods, systems, and devices for charge leakage detection for memory system reliability are described. In accordance with examples as disclosed herein, a memory system may employ memory management techniques configured to identify precursors of charge leakage in a memory device, and take preventative action based on such identified precursors. For example, a memory system may be configured to perform a leakage detection evaluation for a memory array, which may include various biasing and evaluation operations to identify whether a leakage condition of the memory array may affect operational reliability. Based on such an evaluation, the memory device, or a host device in communication with the memory device, may take various preventative measures to avoid operational failures of the memory device or host device that may result from ongoing operation of a memory array associated with charge leakage, thereby improving reliability of the memory system.

Method of operating storage device for improving reliability, storage device performing the same and method of operating storage using the same
11593242 · 2023-02-28 · ·

A method of operating a storage device includes sensing a standby current flowing through the storage device, determining based on the sensed standby current and at least one reference value whether a product abnormality has occurred within the storage device, and when it is determined the product abnormality has occurred, performing a step-wise control operation in which two or more control processes associated with an operation of the storage device are sequentially executed.

Method of operating storage device for improving reliability, storage device performing the same and method of operating storage using the same
11593242 · 2023-02-28 · ·

A method of operating a storage device includes sensing a standby current flowing through the storage device, determining based on the sensed standby current and at least one reference value whether a product abnormality has occurred within the storage device, and when it is determined the product abnormality has occurred, performing a step-wise control operation in which two or more control processes associated with an operation of the storage device are sequentially executed.