In a non-volatile memory, a block of NAND strings is divided into sub-blocks by etching the select gate layers between sub-blocks. This results in a subset of NAND strings (e.g., at the border of the sub-blocks) having select gates that are partially etched such that the partially etched select gates are partially shaped as compared to the select gates of NAND strings that have not been etched. Host data is programmed to non-volatile memory cells that are connected to an edge word line and are on NAND strings having a complete shaped select gate. Host data is also programmed to non-volatile memory cells that are connected to non-edge word lines. However, host data is not programmed to non-volatile memory cells that are connected to the edge word line and are on NAND strings having a partial shaped select gate.

The present disclosure provides a method of data protection for a three-dimensional NAND memory. The method includes programming a memory cell of the 3D NAND memory according to programming data; and backing up a portion of the programming data associated with the memory cell in response to a program loop count (PLC) that is larger than a threshold value, where the PLC tracks a repeated number of the programming of the memory cell. A previous PLC can be set as the threshold value, where the previous PLC was used by a previous programming operation and was collected after the memory cell was programmed successfully to a previous target logic state.

In certain aspects, a memory device includes a memory cell array having rows of memory cells, word lines respectively coupled to the rows of memory cells, and a peripheral circuit coupled to the memory cell array through the word lines. The peripheral circuit is configured to program a row of memory cells using a first program voltage and verify the programmed row of memory cells using a verify voltage and a sample voltage smaller than the verify voltage. The peripheral circuit is also configured to obtain a first number of memory cells of the programmed row of memory cells based on the sample voltage. The peripheral circuit is further configured to predict, based on the first number of memory cells and the sample voltage, a second number of memory cells of the programmed row of memory cells that fail to pass the verification.

A semiconductor storage device includes a bit line, a memory cell transistor electrically connected to the bit line, and a sense amplifier that reads data from the memory cell transistor via the bit line. During an operation of determining first data and second data, while continuously applying a first voltage to a gate of the memory cell transistor, the sense amplifier first determines the first data based upon a second voltage, and then determines the second data based upon a third voltage lower than the second voltage.

Apparatus might include an array of memory cells comprising a plurality of strings of series-connected memory cells and a controller for access of the array of memory cells, wherein the controller is configured to cause the apparatus to perform a sense operation on a selected memory cell of a string of series-connected memory cells, and to discharge access lines connected to the string of series-connected memory cells in a defined manner following the sense operation.

A temperature control method, a memory storage apparatus, and a memory control circuit unit are disclosed. The method includes: detecting a system parameter of the memory storage apparatus, and the system parameter reflects wear of a rewritable non-volatile memory module in the memory storage apparatus; determining a temperature control threshold value according to the system parameter; and performing a temperature reducing operation in response to a temperature of the memory storage apparatus reaching the temperature control threshold value to reduce the temperature of the memory storage apparatus.

A non-volatile memory and a programming method thereof are provided. The programming method of the non-volatile memory includes the following steps. A coarse programming procedure is performed for programing all of a plurality of memory cells at an erase state to 2.sup.∧N-1 or 2.sup.∧N program states. N is a positive integer. A fine programming procedure is performed for pushing all of memory cells into 2.sup.∧N-1 or 2.sup.∧N verify levels.

A semiconductor memory device includes a source layer, a channel structure, gate electrodes on the source layer and spaced apart on a sidewall of the channel structure, and a common source line. The gate electrodes include a first word line group including first and second gate electrodes and a second word line group including third and fourth gate electrodes. The semiconductor memory device, in response to a voltage of the common source line reaching a target voltage, causes an inhibition voltage to be applied to the second word line group and an erase voltage to be applied to the first word line group in a first erase operation interval, and causes the inhibition voltage to be applied to the first word line group and the erase voltage to be applied to the second word line group in a second erase operation interval.

According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a semiconductor memory and a controller. The memory system is capable of executing a first operation and a second operation. In the first operation, the controller issues a first command sequence, the semiconductor memory applies a first voltage to a first word line and applies a second voltage to a second word line to read data from the first memory, and the read data is transmitted to the controller from the semiconductor memory. In the second operation, the controller issues a second command sequence, the semiconductor memory applies a third voltage to the first word line and applies a fourth voltage to the second word line, and data held in the memory cell array is left untransmitted to the controller.

Memory devices might include a first latch to store a first data bit; a second latch to store a second data bit; a data line selectively connected to the first latch, the second latch, and a string of series-connected memory cells; and a controller configured to bias the data line during a programing operation of a selected memory cell. The controller may with the first data bit equal to 0 and the second data bit equal to 0, bias the data line to a first voltage level; with the first data bit equal to 1 and the second data bit equal to 0, bias the data line to a second voltage level; with the first data bit equal to 0 and the second data bit equal to 1, bias the data line to a third voltage level; and with the first data bit equal to 1 and the second data bit equal to 1, bias the data line to a fourth voltage level.