A memory performs a sequence of ECS operations to read a codeword, detect and correct any errors, and write the corrected codeword back to the memory array. An ECS circuit counts errors which are detected, and sets a value of one or more ECS registers in a mode register if the count exceeds a threshold filter at the end of the ECS cycle. The memory also includes a forced ECS readout circuit, which responsive to a command, for example from a controller, sets the value(s) in the ECS register(s).

A method of operating a memory device is provided. The method includes: receiving a first command from a controller; activating a page of a memory cell array based on the first command; reading data of the activated page; detecting an error from the read data; correcting the detected error to generate error correction data; writing back the error correction data to the activated page in based on the detected error being a single-bit error; and blocking write-back of the error correction data to the activated page based on the detected error being a multi-bit error.

A memory system configured to dynamically adjust the amount of redundant information stored in memory cells of a wordline on an integrated circuit die based on a bit error rate. For example, in response to a determination that a bit error rate of the wordline is above a threshold, the memory system can store first data items as independent first codewords of an error correction code technique into a first portion of the memory cells of the wordline, generate second data items as redundant information from the first codewords, and store the second data items in a second portion of the memory cells of the wordline. If the bit error rate is below the threshold, third data items can be stored as independent second codewords of the same length as the first codewords in the memory cells of the wordline.

A method for operating a memory includes: receiving a first write command and a first write address; receiving first write data a portion of which is masked; reading first read data and a first read error correction code from a region selected based on the first write address in a cell array; detecting and correcting an error in the first read data based on the first read error correction code to produce error-corrected first read data; generating first new write data by replacing the masked portion of the first write data with a portion of the error-corrected first read data; generating a first write error correction code based on the first new write data; and writing the first new write data and the first write error correction code into the region selected based on the first write address in response to the detecting of the error.

A method for operating a memory includes: receiving a first write command and a first write address; receiving first write data a portion of which is masked; reading first read data and a first read error correction code from a region selected based on the first write address in a cell array; detecting and correcting an error in the first read data based on the first read error correction code to produce error-corrected first read data; generating first new write data by replacing the masked portion of the first write data with a portion of the error-corrected first read data; generating a first write error correction code based on the first new write data; and writing the first new write data and the first write error correction code into the region selected based on the first write address in response to the detecting of the error.

A data processing system includes a memory configured to receive memory access requests. Each memory access request having a corresponding access address and having a corresponding parity bit for an address value of the corresponding access address. The corresponding access address is received over a plurality of address lines and the parity bit is received over a parity line. The memory includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows, each row having a corresponding word line of a plurality of word lines, and a row decoder coupled to the plurality of address lines, the parity line, and the plurality of word lines. The row decoder is configured to selectively activate a selected word line of the plurality of word lines based on the corresponding access address and the corresponding parity bit of a received memory access request. The concept can also be used with parity bits on columns of the memory cells and a column decoder that selects bit lines associated with column address lines.

A data processing system includes a memory configured to receive memory access requests. Each memory access request having a corresponding access address and having a corresponding parity bit for an address value of the corresponding access address. The corresponding access address is received over a plurality of address lines and the parity bit is received over a parity line. The memory includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows, each row having a corresponding word line of a plurality of word lines, and a row decoder coupled to the plurality of address lines, the parity line, and the plurality of word lines. The row decoder is configured to selectively activate a selected word line of the plurality of word lines based on the corresponding access address and the corresponding parity bit of a received memory access request. The concept can also be used with parity bits on columns of the memory cells and a column decoder that selects bit lines associated with column address lines.

A test method and a test system are provided. The method includes that: first initial data is written into the storage module; ECC module encodes and generates first check data corresponding to first initial data based on first initial data, and writes first check data into the storage module; second initial data is written into a same address of the storage module; second initial data and first check data in the storage module are read. ECC module encodes and generates second check data corresponding to second initial data based on second initial data, and checks and corrects second initial data based on the first check data and the second check data; first read data of the memory is read, and whether a function of ECC module is abnormal is determined based on the first read data, the first read data is checked and corrected second initial data.

According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a semiconductor memory device and a controller. The device includes a plurality of memory cells capable of storing at least first to third data and a word line coupled to the plurality of memory cells. The first data is determined by a first read operation including a first read level. The second data is determined by a second read operation including a second read level. The third data is determined by a third read operation including a third read level. The controller controls the semiconductor memory device to perform a forth read operation including the first and second read levels in a search operation for first to third read voltages corresponding to the first to third read levels, respectively.

A method includes: retrieving a first word comprising a plurality of data bits and a plurality of parity bits that correspond to the first word, wherein the plurality of data bits form N−1 groups and the plurality of parity bits form a first group different from the N−1 groups, and N is a positive integer greater than 2; receiving a request to update respective data bits of a first one of the N−1 groups; and providing a second word comprising updated data bits that form a second one of the N−1 groups and a plurality of updated parity bits that correspond to the second word, wherein the plurality of updated parity bits form a second group that has a same group index as the first one of the N−1 groups.