Abstract:
A non-volatile memory device has a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells. The array can operate in either a multilevel cell or single level cell mode and each cell has a lower page and an upper page of data. The memory device has a data latch for storing flag data and a cache latch coupled to the data latch. A read method comprises initiating a lower page read of a memory cell and reading, from the data latch, flag data that indicates whether a lower page read operation is necessary.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/417,573, titled “A METHOD FOR READING A MULTILEVEL CELL IN A NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DEVICE,” filed May 4, 2006 (allowed), which application is commonly assigned and incorporated entirely herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to memory devices and in particular the present invention relates to non-volatile memory devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Memory devices are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory including random-access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), and flash memory. 
         [0004]    Flash memory devices have developed into a popular source of non-volatile memory for a wide range of electronic applications. Flash memory devices typically use a one-transistor memory cell that allows for high memory densities, high reliability, and low power consumption. Common uses for flash memory include personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, and cellular telephones. Program code and system data such as a basic input/output system (BIOS) are typically stored in flash memory devices for use in personal computer systems. 
         [0005]    As the performance and complexity of electronic systems increase, the requirement for additional memory in a system also increases. However, in order to continue to reduce the costs of the system, the parts count must be kept to a minimum. This can be accomplished by increasing the memory density of an integrated circuit. 
         [0006]    Memory density can be increased by using multiple level cells (MLC) instead of single level cells (SLC). MLC memory can increase the amount of data stored in an integrated circuit without adding additional cells and/or increasing the size of the die. The MLC method stores two or more data bits in each memory cell. 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a typical prior art SLC NAND memory cell array. This figure shows a 16 k bit line and 32 word line memory array as used in a typical 2 kilobyte (kB) memory block. As can be seen, the array is comprised of word lines WL 0 -WL 31  and bit lines BL 0 -BL 16383 . Select gate drain (SGD) transistors  101 ,  102  and select gate source (SGS) transistors  104 ,  105  are used on each end of each bit line to enable selective access to the array. A source line  100  is coupled to the source end of the serial bit lines. 
         [0008]    Each word line of the SLC array is considered to be a page of data. For example, WL 0  can be considered to be page 0 with 2 kB of data. WL 1  is then page 1. This continues up to WL 31  that is labeled page 31. 
         [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a typical prior art MLC NAND memory cell array. This figure shows basically the same architecture as the SLC array including bit lines BL 0 -BL 16383 , WL 0 -WL 31 , the SGD transistors  201 ,  202 , SGS transistors  204 ,  205 , and the source line  200 . However, the MLC memory array is comprised of 63 pages of data since is has two bits for each memory cell. 
         [0010]    Each word line WL 0 -WL 31  of the MLC array is comprised of two pages of data. For example, WL 0  is page 0 and page 1 that is equal to 4 kB of data. This continues up to WL 31  that is comprised of page 62 and page 63. In other words, the lower pages are even pages page 0, page 2, . . . page 62. The upper page data are the odd pages page 1, page 3, . . . page 63. During a programming operation, the memory controller typically first sends the lower page data for programming then the upper page data is programmed. 
         [0011]    A multilevel cell has multiple threshold voltage (V t ) windows that each indicates a different state.  FIG. 3  illustrates a typical MLC V t  distribution for lower page and upper page data. Multilevel cells take advantage of the analog nature of a traditional flash cell by assigning a bit pattern to a specific voltage range stored on the cell. This technology permits the storage of two or more bits per cell, depending on the quantity of voltage ranges assigned to the cell. 
         [0012]      FIG. 3  shows that the lower page of data V t  is comprised of one of two states only (i.e., “11” or “10”) where the right-most bit is considered to be the lower page of data. In such a distribution, there is no need for a tight “10” state since there is enough of a V t  difference between the “11” state and the “10” state. The “11” state is typically referred to as the erased state. 
         [0013]    The rLP voltage indicated along the V t  axis is the lower page read bias that is applied to the selected word line. An unselected word line voltage is approximately 5.5V to bypass the even upper cell states. The rLP voltage is typically around 0.5V. 
         [0014]    The lower distribution of  FIG. 3  is the upper page cell V t  distribution. The upper page data is written to the cells already programmed with the lower page of data. The arrows from the lower page V t  distribution to the upper page V t  distribution shows the possible changes in state. For example, the erase state, “11”, can become a logical “11”  301  after a logical “1” is programmed into the upper page of data or it can become a logical “01”  302  after the upper page of data is programmed as a logical “0”. The lower page programmed state of “10” can either become a logical “00”  305  after the upper page of data is programmed as a logical “0” state or it can become a “10”  306  after the upper page is programmed as a logical “1”. 
         [0015]    Since there are now four states in the lower distribution of  FIG. 3 , a tighter cell V t  distribution is required. The voltage r00 is illustrated along the V t  axis. The r00 voltage is the voltage used to bias the word lines in order to read the lower data when the upper data has been written. Typically, r00 is 1.3V. 
         [0016]    For the lower page reading of an MLC state, the upper page data is written for the selected word line. For the lower page reading of an SLC state, the upper page data is not written for the selected word line. Therefore, it is necessary to have information available to determine whether the selected word line has had the upper page cell data written. 
         [0017]    MLC flash memory devices typically use flag data stored in a flag data cell to indicate to the internal controller inside the flash memory whether the upper page is written or not for the selected word line. For the lower page reading case, the flag data is used by the internal controller inside the flash memory to decide the internal read algorithm. If the flag data shows the upper page is not written, only the lower page is written so that the lower page read needs to be executed further to read correct data. If the flag data shows the upper page data is not written, the already read data is the correct data. Therefore, there is no need for a further read operation. Reading the flag data can cause a data cache busy indicator to indicate, during worst case conditions, that the cache is busy during a time when a lower page read voltage needs to be generated in an MLC device. This can cause a conflict during lower page access in an MLC device. 
         [0018]    For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below that will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for an improved data cache read performance in a multilevel cell memory device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a typical prior art single level cell memory array architecture. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a typical prior art multiple level cell memory array architecture. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a typical prior art threshold voltage distribution. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the structures of the flash memory array, flag memory array, and page buffers. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a simplified block diagram of a page buffer function. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a flow chart of a typical prior art lower page read operation. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows one embodiment of lower page read process of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows a block diagram of one embodiment of a memory system of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a block diagram of one embodiment of a memory module of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a memory device including the flash memory array, flag memory cell array, and page buffers. This figure shows the main memory array  400  coupled to a flag memory cell array  403 . The flag memory cell array stores the flag data that provides the indication as to whether each main memory array  400  cell is an MLC memory or an SLC memory. 
         [0030]    The array blocks  400 ,  403  are coupled to a page buffer cache block  405  through a wired multiplexer  404 . The page buffer cache  405  temporarily stores data that is being written to or read from the arrays  400 ,  403  in order to increase the read and write speeds of the memory device. The page buffer  405  includes a sense amplifier circuit, a data latch, and a cache latch for memory operation. 
         [0031]    For a memory operation where the upper page data is written for the selected word line, the r00 voltage is internally processed to read the lower page of data. For a memory operation where the upper page data is not written for the selected word line, the rLP voltage is internally processed to read the lower page of data. Thus, the flag memory cell array  403  provides a record of how a memory cell has been programmed. When the upper page data is programmed, the flag memory cell associated with that page is also programmed. When lower page data is read, the associated flag memory cell is also read. This flag cell information is used to determine how to proceed during a lower page read algorithm. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates a simplified block diagram of one embodiment of a page buffer function. The MLC page buffer  405  includes a sensing circuit  501  and a data latch  502  that stores sensed data during a read operation. 
         [0033]    Data to be programmed during a programming operation is also stored in the data latch  502 . Then the cache latch  505  stores the data that is read before being output to the output multiplexer of the memory device during a read operation. Additional latches  506  are coupled to a verify-path wired NOR line. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart of a typical prior art method for a lower page read operation. The procedure is comprised of sensing the memory cell and storing the sensed data in the data latch  601 . The read voltage r00 is used during the read operation. 
         [0035]    The data is then transferred from the data latch to the cache latch  603 . The flag cell is then checked  605  from the output of the cache latch of the flag page buffer. If the flag has been set, upper page data of MLC data has been read and the data is ready to be read from the cache latch  610 . If the flag is not set, the rLP voltage is applied to the selected word line  607  in order to read the lower page of data. The data is then transferred from the data latch to the cache latch  609 . The data is then read out from the cache latch  610 . 
         [0036]    With this operation, a user can attempt to read cache latch data (i.e., previous read data) at any time. If the user tries to read the cache data during the period A indicated in  FIG. 6 , the data is latched in the data latch and cannot be transferred to the cache latch. Therefore, the lower page reading algorithm stops at point B indicated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0037]    The reading is resumed after the user access to the cache latch has been completed. The prior art method does not allow background reading to occur since the flag data cell check is coming from the cache latch data. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  illustrates a flow chart of one embodiment of the method of the present invention for performing a lower page read operation. The method of  FIG. 7  should be read in conjunction with the block diagram of  FIG. 5  that illustrates the data and cache latches. The selected memory cell is biased at a read voltage r00 and the resulting read data is sensed  701 . The data is stored in the data latch  701 . 
         [0039]    The flag data is checked for the read data  703 . In one embodiment, the flag is either a logical “1” state or a logical “0” state to provide an indication. The flag cell is written from the data latch of the flag page buffer. If the flag is indicating that lower page data been read, the data is transferred from the data latch to the cache latch  707 . The data is then read out of the cache latch  709 . 
         [0040]    If the flag indicates that the upper page data is not written  703 , the selected word line is biased at the rLP voltage  705  (e.g., 0V to 0.8V) in order to read the lower page of data. This can be accomplished by turning on a voltage pump to generate the appropriate voltage. The data is then transferred from the data latch to the cache latch  707 . The data is now ready to be read out from the cache latch  709 . 
         [0041]    By performing the flag cell data check through the verify path from the data latch instead of the cache latch, the lower page read procedure of the present invention greatly improves read data throughput. This is accomplished without affecting the cache data, that is being accessed by the user, from a previous read of the latched data. 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  illustrates a functional block diagram of a memory device  800  that can incorporate the flash memory array and programming method embodiments of the present invention. The memory device  800  is coupled to a processor  810 . The processor  810  may be a microprocessor or some other type of controlling circuitry. The memory device  800  and the processor  810  form part of a memory system  820 . The memory device  800  has been simplified to focus on features of the memory that are helpful in understanding the present invention. 
         [0043]    The memory device includes an array of flash memory cells  830  as described above with reference to  FIG. 8 . The memory array  830  is arranged in banks of rows and columns. The control gates of each row of memory cells is coupled with a word line while the drain and source connections of the memory cells are coupled to bitlines. As is well known in the art, the connections of the cells to the bitlines determines whether the array is a NAND architecture, an AND architecture, or a NOR architecture. 
         [0044]    An address buffer circuit  840  is provided to latch address signals provided on address input connections A 0 -Ax  842 . Address signals are received and decoded by a row decoder  844  and a column decoder  846  to access the memory array  830 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, with the benefit of the present description, that the number of address input connections depends on the density and architecture of the memory array  830 . That is, the number of addresses increases with both increased memory cell counts and increased bank and block counts. 
         [0045]    The memory device  800  reads data in the memory array  830  by sensing voltage or current changes in the memory array columns using sense/buffer circuitry  850 . The sense/buffer circuitry, in one embodiment, is coupled to read and latch a row of data from the memory array  830 . Data input and output buffer circuitry  860  is included for bi-directional data communication over a plurality of data connections  862  with the controller  810 . Write circuitry  855  is provided to write data to the memory array. 
         [0046]    Control circuitry  870  decodes signals provided on control connections  872  from the processor  810 . These signals are used to control the operations on the memory array  830 , including data read, data write (program), and erase operations. The control circuitry  870  may be a state machine, a sequencer, or some other type of controller. In one embodiment, the control circuitry  870  executes the embodiments of the lower page read method of the present invention. 
         [0047]    The flash memory device illustrated in  FIG. 8  has been simplified to facilitate a basic understanding of the features of the memory. A more detailed understanding of internal circuitry and functions of flash memories are known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0048]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of an exemplary memory module  900 . Memory module  900  is illustrated as a memory card, although the concepts discussed with reference to memory module  900  are applicable to other types of removable or portable memory, e.g., USB flash drives, and are intended to be within the scope of “memory module” as used herein. In addition, although one example form factor is depicted in  FIG. 9 , these concepts are applicable to other form factors as well. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, memory module  900  will include a housing  905  (as depicted) to enclose one or more memory devices  910 , though such a housing is not essential to all devices or device applications. At least one memory device  910  is a non-volatile memory [including or adapted to perform elements of the invention]. Where present, the housing  905  includes one or more contacts  915  for communication with a host device. Examples of host devices include digital cameras, digital recording and playback devices, PDAs, personal computers, memory card readers, interface hubs and the like. For some embodiments, the contacts  915  are in the form of a standardized interface. For example, with a USB flash drive, the contacts  915  might be in the form of a USB Type-A male connector. For some embodiments, the contacts  915  are in the form of a semi-proprietary interface, such as might be found on COMPACTFLASH memory cards licensed by SANDISK Corporation, MEMORYSTICK memory cards licensed by SONY Corporation, SD SECURE DIGITAL memory cards licensed by TOSHIBA Corporation and the like. In general, however, contacts  915  provide an interface for passing control, address and/or data signals between the memory module  900  and a host having compatible receptors for the contacts  915 . 
         [0050]    The memory module  900  may optionally include additional circuitry  920  which may be one or more integrated circuits and/or discrete components. For some embodiments, the additional circuitry  920  may include a memory controller for controlling access across multiple memory devices  910  and/or for providing a translation layer between an external host and a memory device  910 . For example, there may not be a one-to-one correspondence between the number of contacts  915  and a number of I/O connections to the one or more memory devices  910 . Thus, a memory controller could selectively couple an I/O connection (not shown in  FIG. 9 ) of a memory device  910  to receive the appropriate signal at the appropriate I/O connection at the appropriate time or to provide the appropriate signal at the appropriate contact  915  at the appropriate time. Similarly, the communication protocol between a host and the memory module  900  may be different than what is required for access of a memory device  910 . A memory controller could then translate the command sequences received from a host into the appropriate command sequences to achieve the desired access to the memory device  910 . Such translation may further include changes in signal voltage levels in addition to command sequences. 
         [0051]    The additional circuitry  920  may further include functionality unrelated to control of a memory device  910  such as logic functions as might be performed by an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). Also, the additional circuitry  920  may include circuitry to restrict read or write access to the memory module  900 , such as password protection, biometrics or the like. The additional circuitry  920  may include circuitry to indicate a status of the memory module  900 . For example, the additional circuitry  920  may include functionality to determine whether power is being supplied to the memory module  900  and whether the memory module  900  is currently being accessed, and to display an indication of its status, such as a solid light while powered and a flashing light while being accessed. The additional circuitry  920  may further include passive devices, such as decoupling capacitors to help regulate power requirements within the memory module  900 . 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0052]    In summary, the embodiments of the present invention provides an improved cache read time in comparison to the prior art cache read. This is accomplished by reading the lower page read indication (i.e., flag data) out from the primary data cache (i.e., data latch) instead of the secondary data cache (i.e., cache latch) in order to determine whether a lower page read is necessary. A separate flag data connection for the flag data from the page buffers is used so that the flag page buffer data can be read out more quickly than the prior art. 
         [0053]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. Many adaptations of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the invention. It is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.