A semiconductor storage device includes memory cells, select transistors, memory strings, first and second blocks, word lines, and select gate lines. In the memory string, the current paths of plural memory cells are connected in series. When data are written in a first block, after a select gate line connected to the gate of a select transistor of one of the memory strings in the first block is selected, the data are sequentially written in the memory cells in the memory string connected to the selected select gate line. When data are written in the second block, after a word line connected to the control gates of memory cells of different memory strings in the second block is selected, the data are sequentially written in the memory cells of the different memory strings in the second block which have their control gates connected to the selected word line.

Systems and methods presented herein provide for mitigating errors in a storage device. In one embodiment, a storage system includes a storage device comprising a plurality of storage areas operable to store data, and a controller operable to evaluate operating conditions of the storage device, to perform a background scan on a first of the storage areas to characterize a read retention of the first storage area, and to adjust a read signal of the first storage area based on the characterized read retention and the operating conditions of the storage device.

A method for detecting and isolating defective memory plane(s) of a non-volatile memory structure during a program verify operation, comprising: initiating, for each plane, a word line verify voltage level scan with a bit scan pass fail criterion and at a starting voltage located within an intended program threshold voltage distribution curve, incrementally decreasing the word line verify voltage by a predetermined offset until a specific condition of the scan is obtained, and storing the voltage at which the specific condition of the scan is obtained, wherein the stored voltage represents a voltage of an upper tail portion of an actual programmed threshold voltage distribution curve of the plane. The stored voltages of all of the memory planes of the structure are compared to determine which plane corresponds to the lowest stored voltage. A “fail” status is applied to the plane corresponding to the lowest stored voltage.

Processing logic in a memory device initiates a program operation on a memory array, the program operation comprising a program phase and a program verify phase. The processing logic further causes a negative voltage signal to be applied to a first selected word line of a block of the memory array during the program verify phase of the program operation, wherein the first selected word line is coupled to a corresponding first memory cell of a first plurality of memory cells in a string of memory cells in the block, wherein the first selected word line is associated with the program operation.

Methods, systems, and devices supporting an interface for refreshing non-volatile memory are described. In some examples, a host system may communicate with a memory system, where both the host system and the memory system may be included within a vehicle (e.g., an automotive system). The host system may receive an indication that the vehicle is powering down (e.g., shutting off an engine or lowering power output from a battery). The host system may switch from a first mode corresponding to a first power usage to a second mode corresponding to a second, lower power usage in response to the vehicle powering down, the second mode supporting initiation of a refresh operation at the memory device. The host system may transmit a refresh command to the memory system to refresh non-volatile memory while the vehicle is powered down if the host system is operating in the second mode of operation.

A flash memory cell includes a rectifying device and a transistor. The rectifying device has an input end coupled to a bit line. The transistor has a charge storage structure. The transistor has a first end coupled to an output end of the rectifying device, the transistor has a second end coupled to a source line, and a control end of the transistor is coupled to a word line.

A includes a memory device and a processing device, operatively coupled to the memory device. The processing device is to: initialize a block family associated with the memory device; initialize a timer at initialization of the block family; and aggregate temperature values received from sensor(s) of the memory device over time to generate an aggregate temperature. Responsive to programming a page residing on the memory device, the processing device associates the page with the block family. The processing device closes the block family in response to the aggregate temperature being greater than a first temperature value and the timer reaching a first time value. The processing device closes the block family in response to the aggregate temperature being less than or equal to the first temperature value and the timer reaching a second time value that is greater than the first time value.

For a non-volatile memory that uses hard bit and soft bit data in error correction operations, to reduce the amount of soft bit data that needs to be transferred from a memory to the controller and improve memory system performance, the soft bit data can be compressed before transfer. After the soft bit data is read and stored into the internal data latches associated with the sense amplifiers, it is compressed within these internal data latches. The compressed soft bit data can then be transferred to the transfer data latches of a cache buffer, where the compressed soft bit data can be consolidated and transferred out over an input-output interface. Within the input-output interface, the compressed data can be reshuffled to put into logical user data order if needed.

A memory apparatus and method of operation are provided. The apparatus includes memory cells connected to word lines and arranged in strings. The memory cells are configured to retain a threshold voltage corresponding to memory states. Each one of the strings has drain-side select gate transistors on a drain-side of the one of the strings including top drain-side select gate transistors connected to bit lines and coupled to the memory cells of the-one of the strings. A control means is coupled to the word lines and bit lines and is configured to apply an unselected top voltage to unselected ones of the top drain-side select gate transistors during a memory operation. The control means is also configured to simultaneously apply a selected top voltage to selected ones top drain-side select gate transistors during the memory operation. The unselected top voltage is intentionally different electrically than the selected top voltage.

A memory apparatus and method of operation are provided. The apparatus includes memory cells connected to one of a plurality of word lines including at least one edge word line and a plurality of other data word lines. The memory cells are arranged in strings and configured to retain a threshold voltage corresponding to one of a plurality of data states. The memory apparatus also includes a control means coupled to the plurality of word lines and the strings. The control means is configured to identify the at least one edge word line. The control means is also configured to periodically apply a program voltage to the at least one edge word line to reprogram the memory cells associated with the at least one edge word line without erasing the memory cells associated with the at least one edge word line.