Patent ID: 11894062
Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Field: Computer technology (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 7:
8. A controller in communication with a memory apparatus including memory cells connected to one of a plurality of word lines including at least one dummy word line and a plurality of data word lines and arranged in one or more strings and configured to retain a threshold voltage corresponding to one of a plurality of memory states, the controller configured to:
instruct the memory apparatus to identify ones of the memory cells connected to the at least one dummy word line having the threshold voltage being below a predetermined detection voltage threshold following an erase operation; and
reduce threshold voltage down shifting of a semi-circle drain side select gate by instructing the memory apparatus to selectively apply at least one programming pulse of a maintenance program voltage to the at least one dummy word line to program the ones of the memory cells connected to the at least one dummy word line having the threshold voltage being below the predetermined detection voltage threshold.