Patent Abstract:
A memory module includes multiple memory devices mounted to a substrate and one or more discrete heating elements disposed in thermal contact with the memory devices. Each of the memory devices includes charge-storing memory cells subject to operation-induced defects that degrade ability of the memory cells to store data. The discrete heating elements, or single discrete heating element, heats the memory devices to a temperature that anneals the defects.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/676,594, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,193,573 which is a United States National Stage Application filed under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2008/075261 filed on Sep. 4, 2008, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/970,223 filed on Sep. 5, 2007, the disclosures of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosed embodiments relate generally to repairing semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to annealing packaged nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices to improve memory endurance or other characteristics that change with usage. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices such as flash memory can only perform a limited number of write and erase cycles before memory cells lose the ability to store data properly. Specifically, device operation generates defects, such as defects in the tunneling insulator, that trap charge, thereby degrading the ability of memory cells to store data. For example, a flash memory device may be limited to 10,000 write cycles or fewer. The time needed to program or erase a memory cell may also degrade with usage and the device is specified for the worst case characteristics. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are cross-sectional views of a semiconductor package in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor package containing multiple semiconductor devices and a heating element in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 1D  is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor package containing multiple semiconductor devices and multiple heating elements in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an electronic system that includes a semiconductor package in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are cross-sectional views of a module in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3C  is a plan view of a module in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an electronic system that includes a module in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of repairing a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings. For visual clarity and ease of description, cross-hatching has been omitted for various elements in the cross-sectional views. 
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In some embodiments, a method of repairing a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes monitoring an event indicator associated with the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device. An event is then detected with the event indicator. Finally, in response to detecting the event, the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is annealed. 
     In some embodiments, a semiconductor apparatus is self-annealing, wherein annealing is performed in a normal operating environment of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device; a heating element thermally coupled to the memory device, to anneal the device; a first set of electrical contacts electrically coupled to the memory device, to provide signals to the memory device; and a second set of electrical contacts electrically coupled to the heating element, to provide power to the heating element. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure herein. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. 
     The term semiconductor package, or simply package, as used herein, refers to a component, to be mounted on a substrate (such as a printed circuit board), containing one or more semiconductor die and providing electrical connections between the die and the substrate. The term memory module, or simply module, as used herein, refers to a substrate (i.e. printed circuit board), on which are mounted packages containing semiconductor memory devices (i.e., semiconductor memory die), configured to be electrically coupled to (e.g., plugged into) another substrate such as a motherboard. 
     Operation of nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices, such as flash memory, induces defects that trap charge or provide leakage paths for stored charge and thereby shift the threshold voltages of transistors in corresponding memory cells. This degrades the ability of the memory cells to receive and store data written to the cells. Over time, the voltage margin in the cells degrades to the point where ones written to the cells cannot be distinguished from zeros written to the cells, thereby resulting in memory errors when cells are read, i.e., their stored values do not match the values previously written to the cells. 
     The term flash memory as used herein includes flash memory semiconductor devices with floating gates and/or charge-trapping memory semiconductor devices such as SONOS (semiconductor-oxide-nitride-oxide semiconductor), TANOS (Ta/Al2O3/SiN/SiO2/Si), nanocrystal memory device, and related technologies such as NAND, NOR, synchronous versions of both, EEPROMS, etc. 
     To improve the endurance and lifetime of flash memory semiconductor devices, the devices may be repaired through an annealing process to passivate and/or eliminate defects induced by device operation. The term annealing as used herein refers to heating a device to a sufficient junction temperature for a sufficient period of time to reduce or eliminate defects. For example, this period of time may be from seconds up to minutes, but in less than an hour. The term junction temperature as used herein refers to the temperature of the device at the active layers of the device, such as in the memory cells of a flash memory semiconductor device. The term self-annealing, as used herein, refers to an apparatus configured to be annealed in situ in its normal operating environment between periods of operation. 
     In some embodiments, a flash memory semiconductor device that has been packaged, assembled in a system, and used in operation, may be annealed using a heating element that is thermally coupled to the device. For example, the heating element may be a component within the semiconductor package containing the device or may be externally mounted to the package such that heat conducts from the heating element to the package, and thereby to the device, when power is supplied to the heating element. 
     In some embodiments, to anneal a device, the heating element is heated to an annealing temperature corresponding to a junction temperature of between 200° C.-300° C. In other embodiments, the heating element is heated to an annealing temperature corresponding to a junction temperature of between 200° C.-250° C. In still further embodiments, the heating element is heated to an annealing temperature corresponding to a junction temperature of between 250° C.-300° C. Finally, even lower temperatures, such as 150° C.-200° C., have been shown to be useful for in-situ annealing. 
     In some embodiments, the maximum annealing temperature of the heating element is limited by characteristics of the semiconductor package containing the device or of the printed circuit board to which the package is coupled. For example, the temperature is limited by the reflow temperature of solder used as a packaging material or by substrate glass transition temperatures. 
       FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor package  100  in accordance with some embodiments. The package  100  contains a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device  102 , such as a flash memory die. In some embodiments, the device  102  is a die containing SONOS memory. The device  102  is electrically coupled to a substrate  110  through wirebonds  112 . Vias  116  and electrical traces  118  in the substrate  110  provide electrical pathways between wirebonds  112  and respective solder balls  120 - 1 . The solder balls  120 - 1  serve as electrical contacts to provide power and ground connections, as well as signals to the device  102 . 
     The device  102  is mounted on a heating element  106  with a thermally conductive adhesive layer  104 . For example, the adhesive layer  104  may be thermally conductive tape or film, such as tape or film with a thermal conductivity at a minimum of about 1 W/mK. Alternatively, the adhesive layer  104  is a thermal paste or adhesive. In some embodiments, a spacer (e.g., a silicon spacer with a thickness of approximately 25 to 50 um) is included between the device  102  and the heating element  106 . 
     In some embodiments, the heating element  106  is a thin-film heater. Exemplary materials from which the thin-film heater is manufactured include polyimide, silicone rubber, or a ceramic material such as mica. Examples of suitable thin-film heaters include a number of heaters manufactured by MINCO (www.minco.com), like its HTK04 All-Polyimide (AP) Heaters, or its HTK05 Polyimide Thermofoil Heaters (where these heaters have to be customer designed to fit the package profile). An alternative heating element is a thick-film heater like that manufactured by CHROMALOX and WATLOW. 
     The heating element  106  is mounted on the laminate substrate  110  with an adhesive layer (e.g., tape or film)  108 , which in some embodiments is not thermally conductive. For example, non-conductive tape or film  108  may have a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.2 W/mK. The heating element is electrically coupled to solder balls  120 - 2  through electrical connections (e.g., wires with wire bonding on slightly larger heating element  106 )  114  and through vias  117  and/or traces  119  in the substrate  110 . The solder balls  120 - 2  serve as electrical contacts to provide power to the heating element. In some embodiments, the electrical connections  114  include a power connection and a ground connection. 
     The solder balls  120  thus include two sets of contacts: a first set of contacts (i.e., solder balls  120 - 1 ) to provide signals to the device  102  and a second set of contacts (i.e., solder balls  120 - 2 ) to provide power to the heating element  106 . It should be noted that the contacts may be electrical connections other than solder balls. 
     In some embodiments, the package  100  includes a temperature sensor to monitor the annealing temperature. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is electrically accessible from outside of the package. For example, the temperature sensor provides feedback to a controller that regulates power provided to the heating element  106 , to maintain the annealing temperature at a predefined temperature or within a predefined range. Alternatively, the temperature sensor writes temperature readings to a memory accessible by a controller. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is integrated into the device  102  and is electrically coupled to the controller or memory through one or more wirebonds  112  (or metal balls or bumps  132 , as shown in  FIG. 1B ), vias  116 , traces  118 , and solder balls  120 - 1 . In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is integrated into the heating element  106  and is electrically coupled to the controller or memory through one or more electrical connections  114 , vias  117 , traces  119 , and solder balls  120 - 2 . In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is a discrete component of the package  100 . 
     The device  102 , heating element  106 , and wirebonds  112  are encased in molding compound  122 . In some embodiments, the molding compound  122  has a sufficiently high glass transition temperature to ensure that annealing does not compromise the integrity of the casing formed by the molding compound  122 . 
     Having the heating element  106  in the package  100  allows the package to be self-annealing: the device  102  may be annealed in situ in the package  106  in its normal operating environment, after a period of operation, to reduce or eliminate defects. For example, the device  102  may be annealed after the package  100  has been mounted on a printed circuit board and operated for a period of time in an electronic system. 
       FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor package  130  in accordance with some embodiments. In the package  130 , the device  102  is coupled to the substrate  110  using flip-chip bonding: metal balls or bumps  132  provide electrical connections between the device  102  and the substrate  110 . Vias  116  and traces  118  in the substrate  110  provide electrical pathways between the metal balls or bumps  132  and respective solder balls  120 - 1 . The heating element  106  is mounted on the device  102  with a thermally conductive adhesive layer  104  and is electrically coupled to solder balls  120 - 2  through electrical connections  114  and through vias  117  and traces  119  in the substrate  110 . The device  102 , heating element  106 , and electrical connections  114  are encased in molding compound  122 . In some embodiments, underfill material fills the space surrounding the metal balls or bumps  132  between the device  102  and the substrate  110 . 
     Packages  100  and  130 , which are shown as ball-grid array (BGA) packages with solder balls  120 , are merely exemplary packages in which a heating element is thermally coupled to a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device. In some embodiments, instead of a BGA, the package may include a pin-grid array (PGA), a land-grid array (LGA), or metal leads. In some embodiments, instead of a laminate substrate, the device and/or heating element may be mounted on some other suitable substrate or on the paddle of a leadframe. In some embodiments, instead of being encased in molding compound, the device and heating element may be contained in some other suitable housing, such as a ceramic casing or a metal cover attached to the heating element  106  with thermally insulating film or tape. 
     In some embodiments, in addition to a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and a heating element, a package may contain one or more additional semiconductor devices. The additional semiconductor devices may include additional nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices (e.g., additional flash memory devices) and may include other types of semiconductor devices, such as volatile memory devices (e.g., DRAM or SRAM). In some embodiments, the semiconductor devices are stacked in the package. For example, a heating element may be stacked between a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and an additional device. The package also may contain additional heating elements to anneal the additional devices. In some embodiments, the additional heating elements are interleaved with the semiconductor devices in a stack. 
       FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor package  140  containing two semiconductor devices  102  and a heating element  106  in accordance with some embodiments. The devices  102  are configured in a stack, with the heating element  106  interleaved between the devices. Thermally conductive adhesive layers  104  conduct heat from the heating element  106  to the devices  102 . 
     The devices  102  are electrically coupled to solder balls  120 - 1  through wirebonds  112  or metal balls or bumps  132 , and through vias  116  and traces  118 . While  FIG. 1C  shows a flip-chip device  102 - 1  and a wirebonded device  102 - 2 , in some embodiments both devices  102 - 1  and  102 - 2  are wirebonded. The heating element  106  is electrically coupled to solder balls  120 - 2  through electrical connections  114  and through vias  117  and/or traces. 
       FIG. 1D  is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor package  150  containing multiple semiconductor devices  102  and multiple heating elements  106  in accordance with some embodiments. The devices  102  and heating elements  106  are interleaved in a stack. A respective device  102  is mounted on a heating element  106  below the respective device  102  with a thermally conductive adhesive layer  104 . A respective heating element  106  is mounted on a device  102  below the respective heating element  106 , or on the substrate  110 , with die attach tape or film  108 . 
     The devices  102  are electrically coupled to solder balls  120  through wirebonds  112  and through vias  116  and traces  118 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C . Furthermore, in some embodiments wirebonds  124  electrically couple two devices  102 . For example, wirebonds  124  may serially connect successive devices  102 . The heating elements  106  are electrically coupled to solder balls  120 - 2  through electrical connections  114  and through vias  117  and traces  119 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an electronic system  200  that includes a self-annealing semiconductor package  202  in accordance with some embodiments. Examples of self-annealing semiconductor packages  202  include packages  100 ,  130 ,  140 , and  150  ( FIGS. 1A-1D ). The system  200  may be any system that uses nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory. In some embodiments, the system  200  is a mobile application, such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or music player. 
     The package  202  includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device  102  and a heating element  106 . In some embodiments, the package  202  includes a temperature sensor  204 . The temperature sensor  204  may be integrated into the device  102 . Alternatively, the temperature sensor may be integrated into the heating element  106 . The device  102  also may include error correction coding (ECC) circuitry to detect memory errors. 
     The package  202  is coupled to a controller  208  (e.g., a microprocessor or microcontroller) via signal lines  224 . The controller  208  is configured to determine when to anneal the device  102  and to initiate the annealing process. For example, the controller  208  instructs a power supply  222  to provide power to the heating element  106  via electrical connections  226 , thereby heating the heating element. 
     In some embodiments, the controller  208  includes a memory endurance monitor  210  that monitors a memory endurance indicator for the device  102  to determine when to anneal the device. The monitor  210  determines whether the indicator exceeds a predefined limit and, in response to determining that the indicator exceeds the limit, initiates the annealing process. 
     In some embodiments, the memory endurance monitor  210  includes an erase cycle counter  212  to record a count of erase cycles performed by the device  102 . The monitor  210  compares the recorded count against a predefined count to determine whether to anneal the device  102 . The predefined count is determined, for example, by characterizing the nonvolatile memory cells of the type (i.e., of the cell design and process technology) used in the device  102  to determine a maximum number of erase cycles that the device  102  reliably can perform. In some embodiments, after the device  102  has been annealed, the recorded count is reset to zero. The erase cycle counter  212  then records a count of subsequent erase cycles performed by the device  102 . The monitor  210  compares the count of subsequent erase cycles against the predefined count, to determine whether to anneal the device  102  again. Alternately, instead of resetting the recorded count to zero, the erase cycle counter  212  continues to increment the recorded count, and the monitor  210  determines that the device is to be annealed again when the recorded count reaches an integer multiple of the predefined count. 
     In some embodiments, the memory endurance monitor  210  includes a programming step counter  214  to record a number of programming steps performed to program the device  102 . The monitor  210  compares the recorded number of programming steps against a predefined number to determine whether to anneal the device  102 . The predefined number may be defined as a predetermined percentage or number of steps above a baseline number of steps. 
     In some embodiments, the memory endurance monitor  210  includes error detection circuitry  216  to record a count of errors detected for the device  102 . The monitor  210  compares the recorded count of errors against a predefined number to determine whether to anneal the device  102 . Alternatively, ECC circuitry  206  in the device  102  records a count of errors and reports the recorded count to the controller  208  or signals the controller  208  when the count exceeds a predefined number. In some embodiments, after the device  102  has been annealed, the recorded count of errors is reset to zero. The error detection circuitry  216  then records a subsequent count of errors and the monitor  210  compares the subsequent count of errors against the predefined number, to determine whether to anneal the device  102  again. 
     In some embodiments, the memory endurance monitor  210  includes a use monitor  218  to record a period of use for the device  102 . The use monitor  218  may include a clock  219 , or may be coupled to a clock external to the use monitor  218 . The monitor  210  compares the recorded period of use against a predefined length of time to determine whether to anneal the device  102 . In some embodiments, after the device  102  has been annealed, the recorded period of use is reset to zero. The use monitor  218  then records a subsequent period of use and the monitor  210  compares the subsequent period of use against the predefined length of time, to determine whether to anneal the device  102  again. Alternately, instead of resetting the period of use to zero, the user monitor  218  continues to record the period of use and the monitor  210  determines that the device is to be annealed again when the recorded period of use reaches an integer multiple of the predefined length of time. 
     In some embodiments, the device  102  can only be annealed a specified number of times. The controller  208  records the number of times that the device has been annealed and will not initiate the annealing process if the recorded number of times equals or exceeds the specified number of times. 
     In some embodiments in which the system  200  is a mobile application or other type of battery-powered application, the controller  208  will delay annealing until the system  200  is plugged into a power supply to charge the battery. The controller  208  thus assures that sufficient power is available for annealing. 
     In some embodiments in which the system  200  is a mobile application or other type of battery-powered application, the controller  208  will anneal the system whenever  200  is plugged into a power supply to charge the battery. This opportunistic annealing does not rely upon memory endurance monitors. Rather it only senses when power is available for annealing. 
     In some embodiments, during annealing, the controller  208  monitors an annealing temperature as reported by the temperature sensor  204 . The controller adjusts the power supplied to the heating element  106  to maintain the annealing temperature within a predetermined temperature range corresponding to a predetermined range of junction temperatures for the device  102 . For example, based on feedback from the temperature sensor  204 , the controller  208  instructs the power supply  222  to adjust the level of power supplied to the heating element  106 , to maintain the annealing temperature within the predetermined range. In other embodiments, instead of adjusting the level of power based on feedback, a predefined level of power is supplied to the heating element  106 . 
     The annealing process may corrupt data stored in the device  102 . Therefore, in some embodiments, the controller  208  copies the data stored in the device  102  into another memory  220  prior to annealing, and copies the data back into the device  102  upon completion of the annealing. The memory  220  may be any suitable memory device within or coupled to the system  200 . For example, the memory  220  may include one or more semiconductor memory devices or magnetic or optical disk storage devices within the system  200 . The memory  220  may include a memory stick or memory card inserted into the system  200 . The memory  220  may include memory in another system to which the system  200  is coupled, either directly or through a network (e.g., through the internet). For example, the data may be transferred to a computer to which the system  200  is coupled to charge or synchronize the system  200 . In another example, the data may be uploaded to a server and then downloaded to the device  102  upon completion of annealing. 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the above-identified functions performed by the controller  208  are implemented in software, and thus may correspond to sets of instructions for performing these functions. These sets of instructions, which may be stored in the device  102  or other memory  220 , need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus subsets of these sets of instructions may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. 
       FIGS. 1A-1D  and  FIG. 2  describe embodiments in which a heating element is housed within a package containing a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device to be annealed. However, in some embodiments, the heating element is external to the package. For example, an external heating element is thermally coupled to the exterior of a package (or several packages) mounted on a printed circuit board. In some embodiments, the printed circuit board is a motherboard or a circuit board coupled to a motherboard, such as a module (e.g., a single- or dual-inline memory module (SIMM or DIMM)) or daughtercard. In some embodiments, the printed circuit board includes a rigid substrate; in other embodiments, the substrate is flexible. In some embodiments, the heating element is a thin-film heater, as described with respect to heating element  106 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of a module  300  in accordance with some embodiments. The module  300  is shown as a module (e.g., a DIMM) that includes packaged nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices  306  mounted on a laminate substrate  302 . A respective packaged device  306  includes a die containing nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory. In some embodiments, the respective device  306  includes a die containing SONOS memory. In some embodiments, the respective device  306  includes multiple die. The multiple die may include multiple die of nonvolatile semiconductor memory and may include other types of semiconductor devices, such as volatile semiconductor memory. 
     In the example of  FIG. 3A , the packaged devices  306  are BGA-type packages, with solder balls  304  providing electrical and mechanical connections between the devices  306  and the substrate  302 . In some other embodiments, a packaged device may be a PGA- or LGA-type device or may include metal leads to provide electrical and mechanical connections between the device and the substrate. 
     Heating elements  310  are mounted on respective devices  306 . Thermal interface material  308 , such as thermally conductive tape, film, paste, or adhesive, conducts heat from a heating element  310  to a respective device  306 . Electrical connections (e.g., wires)  316  couple the heating elements  310  to the substrate  302 , thus providing power and ground connections to the heating elements  310 . (For clarity,  FIG. 3A  shows only a single electrical connection  316  for a corresponding heating element  310 .) The heating elements  310  allow the module  300  to be self-annealing: the devices  306  may be annealed on the module  300  after a period of operation, to reduce or eliminate defects. 
     Optional cover  314  is attached to the heating elements  310  through thermally insulating layers  312 . The layers  312  may include tape, film, paste, or adhesive. In some embodiments, the cover  314  is thermally insulating (e.g., plastic). Use of a thermally insulating cover helps to retain heat generated by the heating elements  310 , thereby reducing the power needed to reach the annealing temperature range and thus improving the efficiency of the heating elements  310 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 3A , separate heating elements  310  are mounted on and, thereby, thermally coupled to respective packaged devices  306 . In some embodiments, however, a single heating element is thermally coupled to multiple packaged devices. Using a single heating element for multiple packaged devices reduces the number of components and simplifies assembly of the module. 
     For example,  FIG. 3B  shows a module  330  in which a single heating element  334  covers multiple packaged devices  306  on a respective side of the substrate  302 , in accordance with some embodiments. Thermal interface material  332  conducts heat from the heating element  334  to the devices  306 . Electrical connections  338  couple the heating element  334  to the substrate  302 . In some embodiments, the electrical connections  338  couple the heating element  334  to the external system, like a motherboard in PC system. The cover  314  is attached to the heating element  334  with a thermally insulating adhesive layer  336 . 
       FIG. 3C  is a plan view of the module  330  in accordance with some embodiments. The heating element  334  and packaged devices  306  are shown with dashed outlines to indicate that they are beneath the cover  314 . The module  330  includes electrical contacts (i.e., edge fingers)  340 . In some embodiments, the electrical contacts  340  are compatible with a female socket on a motherboard, such that the module  330  can be plugged into the socket. The contacts  340  include a first set of contacts to provide signals to the packaged devices  306  and a second set of contacts to provide power to the heating element  334 . Traces and vias (not shown) in the substrate  302  route signals from the first set of contacts  340  to the solder balls  304  of respective packaged devices  306  and route power from the second set of contacts  340  to the electrical connections  338  of the heating element  334 . 
     For the modules  300  and  330  described above, the devices  306  to be annealed are mounted on both sides of the substrate. In some other embodiments, the devices to be annealed are mounted on a single side of a substrate. The heating element(s) may be mounted on either the same side or the opposite side of the substrate as the devices. In embodiments in which a heating element is mounted on the opposite side of the substrate as the device, the heating element is thermally coupled to the device through the substrate. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an electronic system  400  that includes a self-annealing module  402  in accordance with some embodiments. The module  402  includes a heating element  404  thermally coupled to a package  406 . The package  406  includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device  102 . In some embodiments, the module  402  corresponds to the module  300  or  330  of  FIGS. 3A-3C  and the heating element  404  corresponds to heating element  310  or  334 . The system  400  may be any system that uses nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory. In some embodiments, the system  400  is a mobile application, such as a cell phone, PDA, or music player. In some embodiments, the system  400  is a computer system, such as a notebook or desktop PC or a server. 
     The system  400  includes a controller  208 , memory  220 , and power supply  222 , which function as described for the system  200  ( FIG. 2 ). In some embodiments, the controller  208 , memory  220 , and/or power supply  222  are located on the module  402  along with the package  406  and heating element  404 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  500  of annealing a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device in accordance with some embodiments. 
     An event (such as a memory endurance threshold) indicator is monitored ( 502 ) for a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device contained in a semiconductor package. In some embodiments the device corresponds to device  102  contained in package  202  ( FIG. 2 ) or in package  406  ( FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, the event indicator is monitored by a controller (e.g., controller  208 ). 
     In some embodiments, monitoring the event indicator includes recording ( 504 ) a count of erase cycles performed by the device. For example, the erase cycle counter  212  in the controller  208  records a count of erase cycles performed by the device  102 . 
     In some embodiments, monitoring the event indicator includes recording ( 506 ) a count of errors detected for the device. For example, error detection circuitry  216  in the controller  208  records an error count for the device  102 . 
     In some embodiments, monitoring the event indicator includes recording ( 508 ) a number of programming steps performed to program the device. For example, the programming step counter  214  in the controller  208  records the number of programming steps performed to program the device  102 . 
     In some embodiments, monitoring the event indicator includes recording ( 510 ) a period of use of the device. For example, the use monitor  218  in the controller  208  records a period of use of the device  102 . Different definitions of the period of use are possible. For example, the period of use may be defined as a period of time for which the device has performed read and write operations, a period of time in which a system (e.g.,  200  or  400 ) containing the device has been active, or a period of time since the system containing the device left the factory or was first activated. 
     In some embodiments, monitoring the event indicator includes determining whether the semiconductor device is receiving sufficient power for annealing to occur. For example, in mobile consumer electronics, such as MP3 players or cellular-telephones, the controller  208  or power supply  222  determines whether power is being received from an external charger plugged into a wall-outlet. 
     An event is then detected ( 512 ) (e.g., by the controller  208 ). For example, it is determined that the event indicator (e.g., memory endurance indicator) exceeds ( 512 ) a predefined limit or threshold. In some embodiments, it is ascertained that the recorded count of erase cycles exceeds ( 514 ) a predefined count. In some embodiments, it is ascertained that the recorded count of errors detected for the device exceeds ( 518 ) a predefined number. In some embodiments, it is ascertained that the recorded number of programming steps exceeds ( 518 ) a predefined number. In some embodiments, it is ascertained that the recorded period of use exceeds ( 520 ) a predefined length of time. 
     In response to detecting the event, the device is annealed ( 522 ). For example, it is determining that the memory endurance indicator exceeds the predefined limit. Annealing occurs, for example, by the controller  208  instructing the power supply  222  to supply power to the heating element  106  ( FIG. 2 ) or  404  ( FIG. 4 ), which is thermally coupled to the device. 
     In some embodiments, the annealing only occurs when an appropriate external physical event occurs. For example, if the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is contained in a mobile consumer device, such as a MP3 player or cellular-telephone, and it is determined that annealing should occur, then annealing only occurs the next time that the device is coupled to an external power source, such as a charger plugged into a wall-outlet. This opportunistic annealing is useful given the limited power capability of some mobile consumer devices. Alternatively, annealing occurs even when the memory endurance monitor would not normally require annealing to occur, e.g., at predetermined intervals. 
     In some embodiments, an annealing temperature corresponding to a junction temperature of the device is monitored ( 524 ) (e.g., by a temperature sensor  204 ). In some embodiments, power provided to a heating element (e.g.,  106  or  404 ) that is thermally coupled to the device is regulated ( 526 ) to maintain the annealing temperature within a predetermined range. For example, the controller  208  provides instructions to the power supply  222  to regulate power supplied to the heating element, based on feedback from the temperature sensor  204 . In some embodiments, the predefined range of annealing temperatures corresponds to a range of junction temperatures of 200° C. to 300° C., or 200° C. to 250° C., 250° C. to 300° C., or even in some instances as low as 150° C.-200° C. 
     In some embodiments, the device is annealed for a predetermined period of time. For example, the nonvolatile memory cells of the type (i.e., of the cell design and process technology) used in the device  102  are characterized to determine a period of time sufficient to anneal out defects at a given junction temperature or range of junction temperatures. The controller  208  is programmed to anneal the device for the determined period of time at the corresponding annealing temperature or range of temperatures. In some embodiments, the period of time is 60-70 seconds. In some embodiments, the period of time is as short as 5-10 seconds, while in other embodiments the period of time is as long as tens of minutes. The period of time may be based on empirical data for the particular device(s), package, etc. 
     It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the annealing temperature and duration of the annealing process is determined empirically for each new semiconductor device, package, or system design. For example, a prototype semiconductor device is first benchmarked by measuring operational characteristics such as the number of program/erase operations that can be performed within a certain time period, or how long it takes to program/erase a memory cell. Then the device is operated for an extended period of time until defects occur. Again, defects are measured against the benchmarked operational characteristics. The device is then annealed at a particular temperature and for a particular duration. The operational characteristics are again measured for improvement. The process may then be repeated for different annealing temperatures and/or durations using the same or similar devices to determine the optimum annealing temperature and duration for that particular device design. The same process may be used to determine the optimum annealing temperature and duration for semiconductor packages or systems. 
     The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7