Patent ID: 8891309

Claim:
A method for reducing read failure in a memory device having a memory array with a drain side and a source side, the method comprising: determining if a selected word line is closer to the drain side or the source side; and biasing unselected word lines with a first voltage if the selected word line is closer to the drain side, with a second voltage if the selected word line is closer to the source side, and with a third voltage if the selected word line is closer to a middle of the array between the source side and the drain side; wherein biasing unselected word lines with the third voltage comprises biasing an unselected word line on a drain side of the selected word line and an unselected word line on a source side of the selected word line with the third voltage; wherein the first voltage is greater than the second voltage; and wherein the drain side is at a higher potential than the source side.