IP Library Granted Patent US 8,634,251
Granted Patent B2
US 8,634,251 · App. 13/096,733 · Granted Jan 21, 2014

Program method of semiconductor memory device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,634,251
App. No.
13/096,733
Granted
Jan 21, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A program method of a semiconductor memory device may include precharging first bit lines, coupled to first strings, to increase a potential level of the first strings to a first potential level; programming memory cells of a selected word line, wherein the memory cells are coupled to second bit lines; pre-discharging the first bit lines to decrease a potential level of the word lines to a second potential level, wherein the second potential level is lower than the first potential level; and discharging the first bit lines and the word lines to a ground voltage after the pre-discharging.

Claims (26)

1. A program method of a semiconductor memory device, comprising:

precharging unselected bit lines, coupled to unselected strings, to a first voltage level;

programming selected memory cells, included in selected strings, by applying a program voltage to a selected word line among word lines;

decreasing the program voltage and a voltage of remaining word lines to a second voltage level, wherein the second voltage level is higher than a level of a ground voltage; and

discharging the unselected bit lines to the ground voltage.

2. The program method of claim 1 , wherein the precharging of the unselected bit lines is performed by applying a program-inhibition voltage to the unselected bit lines.

3. The program method of claim 1 , wherein the second voltage level is set to form a channel in the unselected strings.

4. The program method of claim 1 , wherein the second voltage level is higher than a level of the ground voltage and equal to or lower than that of a pass voltage.

5. The program method of claim 1 , wherein the decreasing of the voltage of the word lines and the discharging of the unselected bit lines are performed at once or step by step, respectively.

6. The program method of claim 1 , wherein the discharging of the unselected bit lines is performed in a state in which drain selection transistors are turned on.

7. The program method of claim 1 , wherein the discharging of the unselected bit lines are performed using a bit line selection circuit of a page buffer coupled to the unselected bit lines, respectively.

8. The program method of claim 7 , wherein a virtual power voltage having the ground voltage is applied to the unselected bit lines through the bit line selection circuit when the discharging of the unselected bit lines is performed.

9. The program method of claim 1 , wherein the word lines are discharged during or after the discharging of the unselected bit lines.

10. The program method of claim 1 , wherein the ground voltage is applied to a common source line after the decreasing of the voltage of the word lines.

11. A program method of a semiconductor memory device, comprising:

precharging unselected bit lines and a common source line to a first voltage level, wherein the unselected bit lines are coupled to unselected strings;

programming selected memory cells, included in selected strings, by applying a program voltage to a selected word line;

decreasing a voltage of word lines including the selected word line to a second voltage level, wherein the second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level;

discharging the unselected bit lines and the common source line; and

discharging the word lines.

12. The program method of claim 11 , wherein the second voltage level is set to form a channel in the first strings.

13. The program method of claim 11 , wherein the second voltage level is higher than a level of the ground voltage, which is equal to or lower than a level of a pass voltage.

14. The program method of claim 11 , wherein the decreasing of a voltage of the word lines and the discharging of the unselected bit lines and the common source line are performed at once or step by step, respectively.

15. The program method of claim 11 , wherein the discharging of the unselected bit lines and the common source line is performed in a state in which source selection transistors are turned on.

16. The program method of claim 11 , wherein the precharging of the unselected bit lines is performed by applying a program-inhibition voltage to the unselected bit lines and a power supply voltage to the common source line.

17. The program method of claim 11 , wherein the levels of the common source line, the unselected bit lines, and the word lines are decreased to a level of the ground voltage in a state in which source selection transistors and drain selection transistors are turned on.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE IS HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC. NOT HYNIX-SEMICONDUCTOR INC. THERE IS NO HYPHEN IN THE NAME. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 67328 FRAME 814. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded May 14, 2024
From: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: SK HYNIX INC.
Reel/Frame 067412/0482 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 9, 2024
From: SK HYNIX INC.
To: MIMIRIP LLC
Reel/Frame 067369/0832 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 6, 2024
From: HYNIX-SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: SK HYNIX INC.
Reel/Frame 067328/0814 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2011
From: CHUNG, SUNG JAE
To: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
Reel/Frame 026196/0404 →