Patent ID: 8305811
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A method of reading data from a flash memory device, the method comprising: performing a test read operation directed to test data stored in a memory cell array of the flash memory device by iteratively applying a sequence of test read retry operations, wherein each successive test read retry operation uses a respectively higher test read voltage level than a preceding test read retry operation, until one test read retry operation in the sequence of test read retry operations successfully reads the test data using a minimum test read retry voltage associated with the one test read retry operation; setting an initial read voltage for the flash memory device equal to the minimum test read retry voltage; and thereafter performing a normal read operation directed to user data stored in the memory cell array by iteratively applying a sequence of read retry operations, wherein an initial read retry operation in the sequence of read retry operations uses the initial read voltage.