G11C29/12

DATA STORAGE WITH MULTI-LEVEL READ DESTRUCTIVE MEMORY

A data storage system can employ a read destructive memory configured with multiple levels. A non-volatile memory unit can be programmed with a first logical state in response to a first write voltage of a first hysteresis loop by a write controller prior to being programmed to a second logical state in response to a second write voltage of the first hysteresis loop, as directed by the write controller. The first and second logical states may be present concurrently in the non-volatile memory unit and subsequently read concurrently as the first logical state and the second logical state.

READ DESTRUCTIVE MEMORY WEAR LEVELING SYSTEM

A data storage system can utilize one or more data storage devices that employ a solid-state non-volatile read destructive memory consisting of ferroelectric memory cells. A leveling strategy can be generated by a wear module connected to the memory with the leveling strategy prescribing a plurality of memory cell operating parameters associated with different amounts of cell wear. The wear module may monitor activity of a memory cell and detect an amount of wear in the memory cell as a result of the monitored activity, which can prompt changing a default set of operating parameters for the memory cell to a first stage of operating parameters, as prescribed by the leveling strategy, in response to the detected amount of wear.

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.

ADJUSTABLE PROGRAMMING PULSES FOR A MULTI-LEVEL CELL

Methods, systems, and devices for adjustable programming pulses for a multi-level cell are described. A memory device may modify a characteristic of a programming pulse for an intermediate logic state based on a metric of reliability of associated memory cells. The modified characteristic may increase a read window and reverse a movement of a shifted threshold voltage distribution (e.g., by moving the threshold voltage distribution farther from one or more other voltage distributions). The metric of reliability may be determined by performing test writes may be a quantity of cycles of use for the memory cells, a bit error rate, and/or a quantity of reads of the first state. The information associated with the modified second pulse may be stored in fuses or memory cells, or may be implemented by a memory device controller or circuitry of the memory device.

MEMORY SYSTEM INCLUDING A SUB-CONTROLLER AND OPERATING METHOD OF THE SUB-CONTROLLER
20220392559 · 2022-12-08 ·

There are provided a memory system and an operating method of the memory system. The memory system includes: a main controller for transmitting main data having N bits through a main channel, where N is a positive integer; memory devices for storing sub-data constituting the main data, and transmitting the sub-data through sub-channels; and a sub-controller for communicating with the main controller through the main channel, and communicating with the memory devices through the sub-channels. The sub-controller generates the sub-data each having n bits where n is a positive integer less than N, by dividing the main data, generates sub-data strobe clocks by decreasing a frequency of a main data strobe clock synchronized with the main data, and transmits/receives the sub-data to/from the memory devices in synchronization with the sub-data strobe clocks.

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.

Non-volatile memory on chip

A system-on-chip is provided that includes functional circuitry that performs a function. Control circuitry controls the function based one or more configuration parameters. Non-volatile storage circuitry includes a plurality of non-volatile storage cells each being adapted to write at least a bit of the one or more configuration parameters in a rewritable, persistent manner a plurality of times. Read circuitry locally accesses the non-volatile storage circuitry, obtains the one or more configuration parameters from the non-volatile storage circuitry and provides the one or more configuration parameters to the control circuitry. Write circuitry obtains the one or more configuration parameters and provides the one or more configuration parameters to the non-volatile storage circuitry by locally accessing the non-volatile storage circuitry.

Non-volatile memory on chip

A system-on-chip is provided that includes functional circuitry that performs a function. Control circuitry controls the function based one or more configuration parameters. Non-volatile storage circuitry includes a plurality of non-volatile storage cells each being adapted to write at least a bit of the one or more configuration parameters in a rewritable, persistent manner a plurality of times. Read circuitry locally accesses the non-volatile storage circuitry, obtains the one or more configuration parameters from the non-volatile storage circuitry and provides the one or more configuration parameters to the control circuitry. Write circuitry obtains the one or more configuration parameters and provides the one or more configuration parameters to the non-volatile storage circuitry by locally accessing the non-volatile storage circuitry.