IP Library Granted Patent US 10,114,584
Granted Patent B2
US 10,114,584 · App. 14/977,187 · Granted Oct 30, 2018

Removing read disturb signatures for memory analytics

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,114,584
App. No.
14/977,187
Granted
Oct 30, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A memory system or flash card may include a mechanism for memory cell measurement and analysis that independently measures/predicts memory wear/endurance, data retention (DR), read disturb, and/or remaining margin. These effects may be independently quantified by analyzing the state distributions of the individual voltage levels of the cells. In particular, a histogram of cell voltage distributions of the memory cells can be analyzed to identify signatures for certain effects (e.g. wear, DR, read disturb, margin, etc.). Those measurements may be used for block cycling, data loss prediction, or adjustments to memory parameters. Pre-emptive action at the appropriate time based on the measurements may lead to improved memory management and data management. That action may include calculating the remaining useful life of data stored in memory, cycling blocks, predicting data loss, trade-off or dynamic adjustments of memory parameters.

Claims (42)

1. A method comprising:

calculating errors for a particular block in a memory comprising a plurality of blocks, wherein the calculating errors further comprises:

periodically determining a bit error rate of cells; and

measuring changes in the bit error rate from the periodic determinations;

determining a read disturb signature based on the measured changes in the bit error rate; and

adjusting an operation of the memory device based on the read disturb signature.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the adjusting is further comprising:

modifying usage of the blocks to account for the bit error rate of each of the blocks in order to extend an end of retention point for all of the blocks; and

modifying retention triggering operations based on the end of retention point.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the adjusting is further comprising:

removing the read disturb signature.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the changes to the errors is a slope of the bit error rate.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the read disturb signature influences the slope of the bit error rate.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

calculating, periodically, a read disturb for each block in at least a portion of the memory system.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

dynamically adjusting trim parameters based on the calculated read disturb.

8. A method comprising:

periodically determining a bit error rate of cells in a memory device;

measuring changes in the bit error rate from the periodic determinations;

determining a read disturb signature based on the measured changes; and

dynamically adjusting trim parameters of the memory device based on the read disturb signature.

9. A method comprising:

performing, with a controller on a memory system, the following:

calculating a read disturb for each block in at least a portion of the memory system, wherein the calculating the read disturb comprises:

periodically determining a bit error rate of cells; and

measuring changes in the bit error rate from the periodic determinations; and

dynamically adjusting trim parameters based on the calculated read disturb, wherein the trim parameters comprise at least one parameter related to read operation of the memory system.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the calculating the read disturb further comprises:

measuring, periodically, a distribution of an error state for cells in the blocks;

calculating a width of the error state over a certain number of measurements; and

quantizing the read disturb based on changes to the width of the error state.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the trim parameters comprise at least one of a program rate, a program voltage level, a step-up voltage or step size, a program pulse width, a sensing time, a sense amplifier delay, or a sense reference voltage.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the dynamic adjusting comprises individual adjustments for each block that are performed during run time.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the dynamic adjusting further comprises:

adjusting the trim parameters to improve performance with reduced endurance.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the adjusting to improve performance is for the blocks with a calculated read disturb that is low.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the dynamic adjusting further comprises:

adjusting the trim parameters to improve endurance with reduced performance.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the adjusting to improve endurance is for the blocks with a calculated read disturb that is high.

17. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

utilizing a host interface with the calculated read disturb that receives instructions from the host for the adjusting.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2017
From: GOROBETS, SERGEY ANATOLIEVICH; DARRAGH, NEIL RICHARD; PARKER, LIAM MICHAEL
To: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 041147/0058 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 25, 2016
From: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES INC
To: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 038812/0954 →