US 7508710 B2
A method for operating non-volatile memory having boost structures. The boost structures are provided for individual NAND strings and can be individually controlled to assist in programming, verifying and reading processes. The boost structures can be commonly boosted and individually discharged, in part, based on a target programming state or verify level. The boost structures assists in programming so that the programming and pass voltage on a word line can be reduced, thereby reducing side effects such as program disturb. During verifying, all storage elements on a word line can be verified concurrently. The boost structure can also assist during reading. In one approach, the NAND string has dual source-side select gates between which the boost structure contacts the substrate at a source/drain region, and a boost voltage is provided to the boost structure via a source-side of the NAND string.
1. A method for programming non-volatile storage, comprising:
configuring a NAND string to receive a boost voltage, the NAND string comprising a plurality of storage elements, the NAND string formed, at least in part, on a substrate, a boost structure extending along the NAND string; and
applying the boost voltage to a first end of the NAND string, the boost voltage reaches the boost structure via a location along the NAND string at which the boost structure contacts the substrate.
2. The method of
the boost voltage is applied to the first end of the NAND string via a source side select gate of the NAND string.
3. The method of
the boost structure contacts the substrate at a source/drain region along the NAND string.
4. The method of
the plurality of storage elements are arranged between: (a) inner and outer select gates at the first end of the NAND string and (b) a second end of the NAND string, and the boost structure contacts the substrate at a source/drain region along the NAND string which is between the inner and outer select gates.
5. The method of
the configuring comprises turning on the outer select gate and turning off the inner select gate.
6. The method of
applying an elevated voltage to word lines associated with the NAND string while the voltage of the boost structure is boosted.
7. The method of
turning off the inner and outer select gates while applying the elevated voltage.
8. The method of
discharging the boost structure, at least in part, during the applying of the elevated voltage.
9. The method of
10. The method of
the boost structure is discharged to a level which is based on a programming state to which at least one of the storage elements is to be programmed.
11. The method of
controlling a level to which the boost structure is discharged by controlling a level and/or duration of a voltage applied to a drain side of the NAND string.
12. The method of
applying a programming voltage to at least one of the storage elements while the boost structure is only partly discharged.
13. The method of
controlling a level to which the boost structure is discharged by controlling a level and/or duration of a voltage applied to a bit line at a drain side of the NAND string.
This application is related to co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/558,984, filed Nov. 13, 2006, titled “Non-Volatile Memory With Boost Structures”, and co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/558,986, filed Nov. 13, 2006, titled “Fabricating Non-Volatile Memory With Boost Structures”, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to non-volatile memory.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor memory has become increasingly popular for use in various electronic devices. For example, non-volatile semiconductor memory is used in cellular telephones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants, mobile computing devices, non-mobile computing devices and other devices. Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) and flash memory are among the most popular non-volatile semiconductor memories. With flash memory, also a type of EEPROM, the contents of the whole memory array, or of a portion of the memory, can be erased in one step, in contrast to the traditional, full-featured EEPROM.
Both the traditional EEPROM and the flash memory utilize a floating gate that is positioned above and insulated from a channel region in a semiconductor substrate. The floating gate is positioned between the source and drain regions. A control gate is provided over and insulated from the floating gate. The threshold voltage of the transistor thus formed is controlled by the amount of charge that is retained on the floating gate. That is, the minimum amount of voltage that must be applied to the control gate before the transistor is turned on to permit conduction between its source and drain is controlled by the level of charge on the floating gate.
Some EEPROM and flash memory devices have a floating gate that is used to store two ranges of charges and, therefore, the memory element can be programmed/erased between two states, e.g., an erased state and a programmed state. Such a flash memory device is sometimes referred to as a binary flash memory device because each memory element can store one bit of data.
A multi-state (also called multi-level) flash memory device is implemented by identifying multiple distinct allowed/valid programmed threshold voltage ranges. Each distinct threshold voltage range corresponds to a predetermined value for the set of data bits encoded in the memory device. For example, each memory element can store two bits of data when the element can be placed in one of four discrete charge bands corresponding to four distinct threshold voltage ranges.
Typically, a program voltage VPGM applied to the control gate during a program operation is applied as a series of pulses that increase in magnitude over time. In one possible approach, the magnitude of the pulses is increased with each successive pulse by a predetermined step size, e.g., 0.2-0.4 V. VPGM can be applied to the control gates of flash memory elements. In the periods between the program pulses, verify operations are carried out. That is, the programming level of each element of a group of elements being programmed in parallel is read between successive programming pulses to determine whether it is equal to or greater than a verify level to which the element is being programmed. For arrays of multi-state flash memory elements, a verification step may be performed for each state of an element to determine whether the element has reached its data-associated verify level. For example, a multi-state memory element capable of storing data in four states may need to perform verify operations for three compare points.
Moreover, when programming an EEPROM or flash memory device, such as a NAND flash memory device in a NAND string, typically VPGM is applied to the control gate and the bit line is grounded, causing electrons from the channel of a cell or memory element, e.g., storage element, to be injected into the floating gate. When electrons accumulate in the floating gate, the floating gate becomes negatively charged and the threshold voltage of the memory element is raised so that the memory element is considered to be in a programmed state. More information about such programming can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,859,397, titled “Source Side Self Boosting Technique For Non-Volatile Memory,” and in U.S. Patent Application Pub. 2005/0024939, titled “Detecting Over Programmed Memory,” published Feb. 3, 2005; both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
However, during programming, various problems such as program disturb can occur due to the need to apply relatively high voltages to the word lines. Accordingly, there is a continuing need to further optimize programming operations as well as verify and read operations.
The present invention addresses the above and other issues by providing methods for operating a non-volatile memory with boost structures.
In one embodiment, a method for operating non-volatile storage includes configuring a NAND string to receive a boost voltage, where the NAND string includes a number of storage elements and is formed, at least in part, on a substrate, and a boost structure extends along the NAND string. The method further includes applying the boost voltage to the NAND string such that the boost voltage is coupled to the boost structure via a location at which the boost structure communicates with the substrate, such as a source/drain region of the substrate. For example, the storage elements can be arranged between inner and outer select gates at a first end of the NAND string and a select gate at a second end of the NAND string.
After the boost voltage is applied, the boost structure can be further boosted by applying an elevated voltage to word lines associated with the NAND string. Subsequently, the boost structure can be discharged, at least in part, to a level which is based on a programming state to which a storage element is to be programmed. The level to which the boost structure is discharged can be controlled by controlling a voltage applied to a drain side of the NAND string, e.g., via a bit line. After the discharging, programming can occur by applying a programming voltage to a storage element in the NAND string, e.g., via a selected word line. Advantageously, the boost structure assists in the programming process so that a lower programming voltage can be applied on the selected word line.
In a verify process, which can occur between programming pulses, the boost structure can be boosted again and discharged independently for each NAND string to a level which is based on a verify level. A voltage is then applied to a storage element in each NAND string to characterize a programming state of the storage element. With this approach, multiple storage elements along a word line in different NAND strings can be concurrently characterized based on different verify levels while a common word line voltage is used.
A read process can involve a number of read cycles, one for each read level. In each read cycle, the boost structures are commonly boosted and discharged to a common level which is based on a read level which differs in each read cycle.
In another embodiment, a method for operating non-volatile storage includes applying a common boost voltage which is coupled to a first boost structure extending along a first NAND string and a second boost structure extending along a second NAND string. The method further includes discharging the first boost structure to a first level and discharging the second boost structure to a different, second level.
In another embodiment, a method for operating non-volatile storage includes performing a number of successive read cycles for reading programming states of storage elements of respective NAND strings. Each read cycle includes applying a common boost voltage which is coupled to respective boost structures which extend along the respective NAND strings, discharging the respective boost structures to a common level based on a read level which differs in each read cycle, and applying a read voltage to at least one storage element in each NAND string for characterizing a programming state of the at least one storage element in each NAND string relative to the read level.
One example of a non-volatile memory system suitable for use with the present invention uses a NAND flash memory structure, in which multiple transistors are arranged in series between select gates in a NAND string.
In NAND string #1, for instance, a drain-side select gate (not shown) connects the NAND string to a bit line contact (not shown) on one end and the select gate 110 connects the NAND string to a source line contact 120 on the other end. Similarly, in NAND string #2, select gate 142 connects the NAND string to a bit line contact 150 on one end and the select gate 130 connects the NAND string to the source line contact 120 on the other end. The select gates are controlled by applying appropriate voltages via their control lines. In this approach, the NAND strings are arranged alternately source-side to source-side and drain-side to drain-side in a bit line direction. However, other approaches can also be used.
Further, in NAND string #1, each of the transistors 100, 102, 104 and 106 has a control gate and a floating gate. Specifically, referring to
In one possible implementation, F denotes the width of the word line, control gate and the floating gate of each memory element, as well as the spacing between memory elements. The source and drain select gates may also have a width of F. The spacing between the source-side select gates can be F or multiples of F, for instance. The use of dual source-side select gates is useful in preventing current leakage at the source side of the NAND through the select gates as well as in controlling a boost structure.
In particular, a boost structure such as a conductive plate or line can be provided for each NAND string, in one approach. NAND string #1 includes a boost structure 115 which extends along the NAND string and its storage elements and contacts the NAND string at a source/drain region between the source-side select gates 108 and 110 via a contact to substrate 118, in one approach. The boost structure 115 is thus in communication with the substrate. As described further below in detail, the boost structure can assist in programming, verify and/or read operations to optimize these processes for individual NAND strings. Similarly, NAND string #2 includes a boost structure 145 which extends along the NAND string and its storage elements and contacts the NAND string at a source/drain region between the source-side select gates 130 and 132 via a contact to substrate 148, in one approach. Other boost structure configurations can also be provided, such as a boost structure which is shared by one or more adjacent NAND strings in a word line direction and/or bit line direction. For example, the boost structure may extend over adjacent NAND strings which are programmed at different times using odd-even programming. Such a boost structure may contact source/drain regions in the adjacent NAND strings. In another approach, multiple boost structures are associated with one NAND string. Further, other boost structures need not contact a source/drain region of the substrate but can be controlled via other means. Also, other boost structures can contact the substrate at locations other than between two or more source-side select gates. A boost structure can similarly be used with a NAND string having a single source-side or drain-side select gate.
In another variation, a boost structure can contact a NAND string on a drain side, e.g., near or adjacent to the drain-side select gate or between two or more drain-side select gates which are provided by analogy to the two source-side select gates of
For example, NAND string 520 includes drain-side select gate 522, storage elements 523-526, source-side select gates 527 and 528, and boost structure 530 with a contact to substrate 531. NAND string 540 includes drain-side select gate 542, storage elements 543-546, source-side select gates 547 and 548, and boost structure 550 with a contact to substrate 551. NAND string 560 includes drain-side select gate 562, storage elements 563-566, source-side select gates 567 and 568, and boost structure 570 with a contact to substrate 571. Each NAND string is connected to the source line by a select gate. Selection lines or control lines SGS1 and SGS2 are used to control the source-side select gates. The various NAND strings 520, 540 and 560 are connected to respective bit lines 521, 541 and 561 by select transistors in the select gates 522, 542, 562, etc. These select transistors are controlled by a drain select line or control line SGD. In other embodiments, the select lines do not necessarily need to be in common among the NAND strings; that is, different select lines can be provided for different NAND strings. Word line WL3 is connected to the control gates for storage elements 523, 543 and 563. Word line WL2 is connected to the control gates for storage elements 524, 544 and 564. Word line WL1 is connected to the control gates for storage elements 525, 545 and 565. Word line WL0 is connected to the control gates for storage elements 526, 546 and 566. As can be seen, each bit line and the respective NAND string comprise the columns of the array or set of storage elements. The word lines (WL3, WL2, WL1 and WL0) comprise the rows of the array or set. Each word line connects the control gates of each storage element in the row. Or, the control gates may be provided by the word lines themselves. For example, word line WL2 provides the control gates for storage elements 524, 544 and 564. In practice, there can be thousands of storage elements on a word line.
In one embodiment, data is programmed to storage elements along a common word line. Thus, prior to applying the program pulses, one of the word lines is selected for programming. This word line is referred to as the selected word line. The remaining word lines of a block are referred to as the unselected word lines. The selected word line may have one or two neighboring word lines. If the selected word line has two neighboring word lines, then the neighboring word line on the drain side is referred to as the drain-side neighboring word line and the neighboring word line on the source side is referred to as the source-side neighboring word line. For example, if WL2 is the selected word line, then WL1 is the source-side neighboring word line and WL3 is the drain-side neighboring word line.
Each block of storage elements includes a set of bit lines forming columns and a set of word lines forming rows. In one embodiment, the bit lines are divided into odd bit lines and even bit lines. As discussed also in connection with
Further, each storage element can store data. For example, when storing one bit of digital data, the range of possible threshold voltages (VTH) of the storage element is divided into two ranges which are assigned logical data “1” and “0.” In one example of a NAND type flash memory, the VTH is negative after the storage element is erased, and defined as logic “1.” The VTH after a program operation is positive and defined as logic “0.” When the VTH is negative and a read is attempted, the storage element will turn on to indicate logic “1” is being stored. When the VTH is positive and a read operation is attempted, the storage element will not turn on, which indicates that logic “0” is stored. A storage element can also store multiple levels of information, for example, multiple bits of digital data. In this case, the range of VTH value is divided into the number of levels of data. For example, if four levels of information are stored, there will be four VTH ranges assigned to the data values “11”, “10”, “01”, and “00.” In one example of a NAND type memory, the VTH after an erase operation is negative and defined as “11”. Positive VTH values are used for the states of “10”, “01”, and “00.” The specific relationship between the data programmed into the storage element and the threshold voltage ranges of the element depends upon the data encoding scheme adopted for the storage elements. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,222,762 and U.S. Patent Application Pub. 2004/0255090, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, describe various data encoding schemes for multi-state flash storage elements.
Relevant examples of NAND type flash memories and their operation are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,386,422, 5,522,580, 5,570,315, 5,774,397, 6,046,935, 6,456,528 and 6,522,580, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
When programming a flash storage element, a program voltage is applied to the control gate of the storage element and the bit line associated with the storage element is grounded. Electrons from the channel are injected into the floating gate. When electrons accumulate in the floating gate, the floating gate becomes negatively charged and the VTH of the storage element is raised. To apply the program voltage to the control gate of the storage element being programmed, that program voltage is applied on the appropriate word line. As discussed above, one storage element in each of the NAND strings share the same word line. For example, when programming storage element 524 of
However, shifts in the charged stored in a storage element can occur when programming and reading a given storage element and other storage elements which have some degree of coupling with the given storage element, such as those sharing the same word line or bit line. Specifically, shifts in the stored charge levels occur because of field coupling between storage elements. The problem is exacerbated as the spaces between storage elements are being decreased due to improvements in integrated circuit manufacturing techniques. The problem occurs most markedly between two groups of adjacent storage elements that have been programmed at different times. One group of storage elements is programmed to add a level of charge that corresponds to one set of data. After a second group of storage elements is programmed with a second set of data, the charge levels read from the first group of storage elements often appear to be different than what was programmed due to capacitive coupling of the charges of the second group of storage elements to the first group of storage elements. Thus, the effects of coupling depend on the order in which the storage elements are programmed and, therefore, the order in which the word lines are traversed during programming. A NAND string is typically, but not always, programmed from the source side to the drain side, starting at the source-side word line and proceeding, one word line at a time, to the drain-side word line.
Capacitive coupling effects on a given storage element can be caused by other storage elements in the same word line and in the same NAND string, for instance. For example, storage element 544 may be part of a first group of storage elements, which includes other alternating storage elements along word line WL2, which store a page of data. Storage elements 524 and 564 may be part of a second group of storage elements which store another page of data. When the second group of storage elements is programmed after storage element 544, there will be a capacitive coupling to storage element 544. The coupling is strongest from the direct neighboring storage elements on the word line, which are storage elements 524 and 564.
Similarly, storage element 544 can be affected by programming of storage elements which are on the same NAND string 540 if they are programmed after storage element 544. For storage element 544, the coupling is strongest from the direct neighboring storage elements on the NAND string, which are storage elements 543 and/or 545. For example, if storage elements in the NAND string 540 are programmed in the order: 546, 545, 544, 543, storage element 544 can be affected by coupling from storage element 543. Generally, storage elements which are arranged diagonally with respect to storage element 544, namely storage elements 523, 563, 525 and 565, can provide about 20% of the coupling for storage element 544, whereas the direct neighboring storage elements 524 and 564, and 543 and 545 on the same word line or NAND string provide about 80% of the coupling. The coupling may be enough to shift the VTH of a storage element by about 0.5 V in some cases, which is sufficient to cause a read error and to widen the VTH distribution of a group of storage elements.
For example, a partial NAND string 605 includes source-side select gates 620 and 622 which are connected to, or provided as part of, control lines SGS2 and SGS1, respectively, for the associated NAND string. A full NAND string 610 includes source-side select gates 626 and 628 which are connected to, or provided as part of, control lines SGS2 and SGS1, respectively, for the associated NAND string. Also provided are storage elements 630, 632, 634 and 636 and drain-side select gate 638. A partial NAND string 615 includes a drain-side select gate 642 which is connected to, or provided as part of, a control lines SGD for the associated NAND string. Each of the NAND strings 605, 610 and 615 may be located in different blocks of a memory array which are programmed or read at different times, in one approach. Furthermore, source/drain diffusion regions are provided between the storage elements and select gates, including source/drain diffusion regions 650, 652, 654, 656, 658, 660, 662, 664 and 666.
A source line 624 is a control line for providing a voltage to the source-side select gates 622 and 626, while a bit line 640 is a control line for providing a voltage to the drain-side select gates 638 and 642.
One benefit of the boost structure is that it can provide shielding between storage elements to reduce coupling effects since the boost structure can wrap around the control gates and floating gates, extending close to the substrate between the floating gates of adjacent storage elements (
The array of storage elements is divided into a large number of blocks of storage elements. As is common for flash EEPROM systems, the block is the unit of erase. That is, each block contains the minimum number of storage elements that are erased together. Each block is typically divided into a number of pages. A page is a unit of programming. In one embodiment, the individual pages may be divided into segments and the segments may contain the fewest number of storage elements that are written at one time as a basic programming operation. One or more pages of data are typically stored in one row of storage elements. A page can store one or more sectors. A sector includes user data and overhead data. Overhead data typically includes an Error Correction Code (ECC) that has been calculated from the user data of the sector. A portion of the controller (described below) calculates the ECC when data is being programmed into the array, and also checks it when data is being read from the array. Alternatively, the ECCs and/or other overhead data are stored in different pages, or even different blocks, than the user data to which they pertain.
A sector of user data is typically 512 bytes, corresponding to the size of a sector in magnetic disk drives. Overhead data is typically an additional 16-20 bytes. A large number of pages form a block, anywhere from 8 pages, for example, up to 32, 64, 128 or more pages. In some embodiments, a row of NAND strings comprises a block.
Memory storage elements are erased in one embodiment by raising the p-well to an erase voltage (e.g., 20 V) for a sufficient period of time and grounding the word lines of a selected block while the source and bit lines are floating. Due to capacitive coupling, the unselected word lines, bit lines, select lines, and c-source are also raised to a significant fraction of the erase voltage. A strong electric field is thus applied to the tunnel oxide layers of selected storage elements and the data of the selected storage elements are erased as electrons of the floating gates are emitted to the substrate side, typically by Fowler-Nordheim tunneling mechanism. As electrons are transferred from the floating gate to the p-well region, the threshold voltage of a selected storage element is lowered. Erasing can be performed on the entire memory array, separate blocks, or another unit of storage elements.
The control circuitry 1610 cooperates with the read/write circuits 1665 to perform memory operations on the memory array 1500. The control circuitry 1610 includes a state machine 1612, an on-chip address decoder 1614 and a power control module 1619. The state machine 1612 provides chip-level control of memory operations. The on-chip address decoder 1614 provides an address interface between that used by the host or a memory controller to the hardware address used by the decoders 1630 and 1660. The power control module 1616 controls the power and voltages supplied to the word lines and bit lines during memory operations.
In some implementations, some of the components can be combined. In various designs, one or more of the components of (alone or in combination), other than storage element array 1500, can be thought of as a managing circuit. For example, one or more managing circuits may include any one of or a combination of control circuitry 1610, state machine 1612, decoders 1614, 1630 and 1660, power control 1616, sense blocks 1600, read/write circuits 1665, controller 1650, etc.
Sense module 1680 comprises sense circuitry 1670 that determines whether a conduction current in a connected bit line is above or below a predetermined threshold level. Sense module 1680 also includes a bit line latch 1682 that is used to set a voltage condition on the connected bit line. For example, a predetermined state latched in bit line latch 1682 will result in the connected bit line being pulled to a state designating program inhibit (e.g., VDD).
Common portion 1690 comprises a processor 1692, a set of data latches 1694 and an I/O Interface 1696 coupled between the set of data latches 1694 and data bus 1620. Processor 1692 performs computations. For example, one of its functions is to determine the data stored in the sensed storage element and store the determined data in the set of data latches. The set of data latches 1694 is used to store data bits determined by processor 1692 during a read operation. It is also used to store data bits imported from the data bus 1620 during a program operation. The imported data bits represent write data meant to be programmed into the memory. I/O interface 1696 provides an interface between data latches 1694 and the data bus 1620.
During read or sensing, the operation of the system is under the control of state machine 1612 that controls the supply of different control gate voltages to the addressed storage element. As it steps through the various predefined control gate voltages corresponding to the various memory states supported by the memory, the sense module 1680 may trip at one of these voltages and an output will be provided from sense module 1680 to processor 1692 via bus 1672. At that point, processor 1692 determines the resultant memory state by consideration of the tripping event(s) of the sense module and the information about the applied control gate voltage from the state machine via input lines 1693. It then computes a binary encoding for the memory state and stores the resultant data bits into data latches 1694. In another embodiment of the core portion, bit line latch 1682 serves double duty, both as a latch for latching the output of the sense module 1680 and also as a bit line latch as described above.
It is anticipated that some implementations will include multiple processors 1692. In one embodiment, each processor 1692 will include an output line (not depicted in
During program or verify, the data to be programmed is stored in the set of data latches 1694 from the data bus 1620. The program operation, under the control of the state machine, comprises a series of programming voltage pulses applied to the control gates of the addressed storage elements. Each programming pulse is followed by a read back (verify) to determine if the storage element has been programmed to the desired memory state. Processor 1692 monitors the read back memory state relative to the desired memory state. When the two are in agreement, the processor 1692 sets the bit line latch 1682 so as to cause the bit line to be pulled to a state designating program inhibit. This inhibits the storage element coupled to the bit line from further programming even if programming pulses appear on its control gate. In other embodiments the processor initially loads the bit line latch 1682 and the sense circuitry sets it to an inhibit value during the verify process.
Data latch stack 1694 contains a stack of data latches corresponding to the sense module. In one embodiment, there are three data latches per sense module 1680. In some implementations (but not required), the data latches are implemented as a shift register so that the parallel data stored therein is converted to serial data for data bus 1620, and vice versa. In the preferred embodiment, all the data latches corresponding to the read/write block of m storage elements can be linked together to form a block shift register so that a block of data can be input or output by serial transfer. In particular, the bank of r read/write modules is adapted so that each of its set of data latches will shift data in to or out of the data bus in sequence as if they are part of a shift register for the entire read/write block.
Additional information about the structure and/or operations of various embodiments of non-volatile storage devices can be found in: (1) U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2004/0057287, “Non-Volatile Memory And Method With Reduced Source Line Bias Errors,” published on Mar. 25, 2004; (2) U.S. Patent Application Pub No. 2004/0109357, “Non-Volatile Memory And Method with Improved Sensing,” published on Jun. 10, 2004; (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/015,199 titled “Improved Memory Sensing Circuit And Method For Low Voltage Operation,” filed on Dec. 16, 2004; (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/099,133, titled “Compensating for Coupling During Read Operations of Non-Volatile Memory,” filed on Apr. 5, 2005; and (5) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/321,953, titled “Reference Sense Amplifier For Non-Volatile Memory, filed on Dec. 28, 2005. All five of the immediately above-listed patent documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
In the example provided, four storage elements are connected in series to form a NAND string. Although four storage elements are shown to be included in each NAND string, more or less than four can be used (e.g., 16, 32, 64 or another number). One terminal of the NAND string is connected to a corresponding bit line via a drain select gate, and another terminal is connected to c-source via a source-side select gate.
In another embodiment, referred to as an odd-even architecture (architecture 1900), the bit lines are divided into even bit lines (BLe) and odd bit lines (BLo). In the odd/even bit line architecture, storage elements along a common word line and connected to the odd bit lines are programmed at one time, while storage elements along a common word line and connected to even bit lines are programmed at another time. Data can be programmed into different blocks and read from different blocks concurrently. In each block, in this example, there are 8,512 columns that are divided into even columns and odd columns. In this example, four storage elements are shown connected in series to form a NAND string. Although four storage elements are shown to be included in each NAND string, more or fewer than four storage elements can be used.
During one configuration of read and programming operations, 4,256 storage elements are simultaneously selected. The storage elements selected have the same word line and the same kind of bit line (e.g., even or odd). Therefore, 532 bytes of data, which form a logical page, can be read or programmed simultaneously, and one block of the memory can store at least eight logical pages (four word lines, each with odd and even pages). For multi-state storage elements, when each storage element stores two bits of data, where each of these two bits are stored in a different page, one block stores sixteen logical pages. Other sized blocks and pages can also be used.
For either the ABL or the odd-even architecture, storage elements can be erased by raising the p-well to an erase voltage (e.g., 20 V) and grounding the word lines of a selected block. The source and bit lines are floating. Erasing can be performed on the entire memory array, separate blocks, or another unit of the storage elements which is a portion of the memory device. Electrons are transferred from the floating gates of the storage elements to the p-well region so that the VTH of the storage elements becomes negative.
In the read and verify operations, the select gates (SGD and SGS) are connected to a voltage in a range of 2.5 to 4.5 V and the unselected word lines (e.g., WL0, WL1 and WL3, when WL2 is the selected word line) are raised to a read pass voltage, VPASS, (typically a voltage in the range of 4.5 to 6 V) to make the transistors operate as pass gates. The selected word line WL2 is connected to a voltage, a level of which is specified for each read and verify operation in order to determine whether a VTH of the concerned storage element is above or below such level. For example, in a read operation for a two-level storage element, the selected word line WL2 may be grounded, so that it is detected whether the VTH is higher than 0 V. In a verify operation for a two level storage element, with no boost structure, the selected word line WL2 is connected to 0.8 V, for example, so that it is verified whether or not the VTH has reached at least 0.8 V. The source and p-well are at 0 V. The selected bit lines, assumed to be the even bit lines (BLe), are pre-charged to a level of, for example, 0.7 V. If the VTH is higher than the read or verify level on the word line, the potential level of the bit line (BLe) associated with the storage element of interest maintains the high level because of the non-conductive storage element. On the other hand, if the VTH is lower than the read or verify level, the potential level of the concerned bit line (BLe) decreases to a low level, for example, less than 0.5 V, because the conductive storage element discharges the bit line. The state of the storage element can thereby be detected by a voltage comparator sense amplifier that is connected to the bit line.
The erase, read and verify operations described above are performed according to techniques known in the art. Thus, many of the details explained can be varied by one skilled in the art. Other erase, read and verify techniques known in the art can also be used.
Each distinct threshold voltage range corresponds to predetermined values for the set of data bits. The specific relationship between the data programmed into the storage element and the threshold voltage levels of the storage element depends upon the data encoding scheme adopted for the storage elements. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,222,762 and U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2004/0255090, published Dec. 16, 2004, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, describe various data encoding schemes for multi-state flash storage elements. In one embodiment, data values are assigned to the threshold voltage ranges using a Gray code assignment so that if the threshold voltage of a floating gate erroneously shifts to its neighboring physical state, only one bit will be affected. One example assigns “11” to threshold voltage range E (state E), “10” to threshold voltage range A (state A), “00” to threshold voltage range B (state B) and “01” to threshold voltage range C (state C). However, in other embodiments, Gray code is not used. Although four states are shown, the present invention can also be used with other multi-state structures including those that include more or less than four states.
Three read reference voltages, Vra, Vrb and Vrc, are also provided for reading data from storage elements. By testing whether the threshold voltage of a given storage element is above or below Vra, Vrb and Vrc, the system can determine what state the storage element is in.
Further, three verify reference voltages, Vva, Vvb and Vvc, are provided. When programming storage elements to state A, the system will test whether those storage elements have a threshold voltage greater than or equal to Vva. When programming storage elements to state B, the system will test whether the storage elements have threshold voltages greater than or equal to Vvb. When programming storage elements to state C, the system will determine whether storage elements have their threshold voltage greater than or equal to Vvc.
In one embodiment, known as full sequence programming, storage elements can be programmed from the erase state E directly to any of the programmed states A, B or C. For example, a population of storage elements to be programmed may first be erased so that all storage elements in the population are in erased state E. A series of programming pulses such as depicted by the control gate voltage sequence of
In a first programming pass, the storage element's threshold voltage level is set according to the bit to be programmed into the lower logical page. If that bit is a logic “1,” the threshold voltage is not changed since it is in the appropriate state as a result of having been earlier erased. However, if the bit to be programmed is a logic “0,” the threshold level of the storage element is increased to be state A, as shown by arrow 2100. That concludes the first programming pass.
In a second programming pass, the storage element's threshold voltage level is set according to the bit being programmed into the upper logical page. If the upper logical page bit is to store a logic “1,” then no programming occurs since the storage element is in one of the states E or A, depending upon the programming of the lower page bit, both of which carry an upper page bit of “1.” If the upper page bit is to be a logic “0,” then the threshold voltage is shifted. If the first pass resulted in the storage element remaining in the erased state E, then in the second phase the storage element is programmed so that the threshold voltage is increased to be within state C, as depicted by arrow 2120. If the storage element had been programmed into state A as a result of the first programming pass, then the storage element is further programmed in the second pass so that the threshold voltage is increased to be within state B, as depicted by arrow 2110. The result of the second pass is to program the storage element into the state designated to store a logic “0” for the upper page without changing the data for the lower page. In both
In one embodiment, a system can be set up to perform full sequence writing if enough data is written to fill up an entire page. If not enough data is written for a full page, then the programming process can program the lower page programming with the data received. When subsequent data is received, the system will then program the upper page. In yet another embodiment, the system can start writing in the mode that programs the lower page and convert to full sequence programming mode if enough data is subsequently received to fill up an entire (or most of a) word line's storage elements. More details of such an embodiment are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2006/0126390, titled “Pipelined Programming of Non-Volatile Memories Using Early Data,” published Jun. 15, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The programming process is a two-step process. In the first step, the lower page is programmed. If the lower page is to remain data 1, then the storage element state remains at state E. If the data is to be programmed to 0, then the threshold of voltage of the storage element is raised such that the storage element is programmed to state B′.
In one embodiment, after a storage element is programmed from state E to state B', its neighbor storage element (WLn+1) in the NAND string will then be programmed with respect to its lower page. For example, looking back at
In one embodiment, as discussed, each NAND string can be provided with its own individually driven boost structure. The boost structures can be used during program, erase and/or read operations to provide couple a voltage to the storage elements. For example, the boost structures can couple a significant amount of voltage to the floating gates of the storage element to increase the total floating gate capacitance since the boost structures provide conductors to two additional facets of the storage elements (e.g., the sides). A higher floating gate capacitance results in better retention and more immunity to disturb phenomena, as the charge capacity increases and the Coulomb blockade effect is reduced. Furthermore, since a voltage on the boost structure is coupled to the storage elements, the voltages which are typically applied to the storage elements via word lines can be reduced by the amount of the coupled voltage. The voltages which are typically applied include the program voltage, VPGM, and pass voltages, VPASS. For example, the voltage coupled to the floating gate of a selected storage element can be expressed by the following equation:
An additional advantage of the boost structure is that a portion of the coupling to the floating gate of a storage element does not involve the inter-poly dielectric (e.g., see inter-poly dielectric layer 637,
Further, the increased capacitance will increase the number of electrons on the floating gate, thereby reducing the exacerbated retention and disturb issues which may result from charge quantization effects in floating gates with very small capacitances.
It is also possible to concurrently verify the programming state of multiple storage elements associated with a word line, for instance, since a potential of each boost structure can be set independently. In this case, the boost structures can augment the voltage applied to the control gates of the selected storage element via the word line by different amounts for the different verify levels of a multi-level storage element. For example, conventionally the verify process involves applying a verify voltage Vva, Vvb or Vvc to the control gate of a storage element via a word line and determining whether the storage element turns on. If it turns on, the storage element's VTH is less than the verify voltage. If it does not turn on, the storage element's VTH is greater than the verify voltage. This process is repeated for each verify voltage because only one verify voltage can be applied at a time on a word line. In contrast, with the boost structure provided herein, a fixed voltage, VCG-VERIFY, can be provided on the word line and VBOOST STRUCTURE can be varied to provide the different verify voltages concurrently for different storage elements on a common word line. For example, the coupling from the boost structure to a control gate can be expressed by the following equation:
Generally, with bit line-by-bit line control of programming operations, and concurrent verification of multiple states, the number of program-verify operations can be reduced from a number that covers the width of the natural distribution of programming characteristics plus the programming window to a number that only covers the width of the natural distribution of programming characteristics. Further, the number of verify operations after each programming pulse can be reduced potentially down to one. This increase in programming operation speed facilitates the implementation of multi-level storage elements with an increased number of states, e.g., eight states or more per storage element. Also, as mentioned, a significant reduction in coupling effects due to the shielding function of the boost structure is also an enabling component of such a multi-level storage element.
Moreover, the read process can be augmented by the boost structures in a multi-cycle read process in which the programming state of one or more storage elements is determined in each cycle. The read process is analogous to the verify process except multiple cycles may be needed as the read state is not known in advance. By analogy to the verify process discussed above, the coupling from the boost structure to a control gate can be expressed by the following equation:
Further, the advantages provided by the boost structure in the programming, verifying and reading process can be achieved independently. That is, the boost structure can be fully discharged so that it has no effect during one or more of the programming, verifying and reading processes.
In the first boosting phase, the potential of the boost structure is increased. In one approach, the source supply line is common to a group of NAND strings, e.g., in a block, so the boost structure in each NAND string is boosted at the same time and to the same extent. To enable the source voltage, VSOURCE, to reach the boost structure, the first select gate, e.g., the outer select gate, which is closest to the source supply line, is turned on, and the second select gate, e.g., the inner select gate, is kept off. Thus, the NAND string is configured to receive the boost voltage. In particular, VSGS1 is set at a level which is sufficient to open the outer select gate. VSGS1 can exceed VSOURCE by the threshold voltage of the outer select gate to turn the transistor on. The inner select gate can be maintained off by setting a lower value for VSGS2, e.g., lower than VSOURCE. VUWL, VSWL and VBL can all be set to 0 V. Waveforms 2350 depict how VBOOST STRUCTURE is increased when VSOURCE is applied. The source supply line is electrically coupled to the boost structure via the outer select gate and its associated source/drain regions.
A second boosting phase can optionally be used to further boost the potential of the boost structure. In this phase, relatively high or elevated voltages, VHIGH, applied to the word lines are coupled to the boost structure to further increase its potential. In one possible approach, VHIGH=VPASS, the pass voltage used during programming. This will boost the boost structure to an even higher voltage as it is floating in this phase. In particular, the outer select gate is turned off by dropping VSGS1, ensuring that the boost structure does not discharge through the outer select gate, and VUWL and VSWL are increased to VHIGH. Thus, both the outer and inner select gates are turned off. The increase in VBOOST STRUCTURE is depicted by waveforms 2350.
A third phase involves discharging of the boost structure. This provides the ability to independently control VBOOST STRUCTURE for each NAND string. In this phase, the outer select gate is turned off while the inner select gate and the drain-side select gate are turned on. For example, the inner select gate and the drain-side select gate can be turned on by setting VSGS2 and VSGD, respectively, to a relatively high level (waveform 2310). Further, VUWL and VSWL can be maintained at the previous level to maintain all storage elements open during the discharging. For example, this can be the highest read level which is used. The level to which the boost structure discharges can be controlled based on the applied bit line voltage, VBL. In a first approach, as indicated by waveforms 2340, VBL can be set based on the programming state to which the selected storage element in the NAND string is to be programmed. For example, state C can be the highest programming state (having the highest VTH), state B can be an intermediate programming state and state A can be the lowest programming state. For state C, VBL is set to a higher level to provide relatively little discharging of the boost structure, maintaining VBOOST STRUCTURE at a relatively high level. For state B, VBL is set to an intermediate level to provide an intermediate level of discharging, maintaining VBOOST STRUCTURE at an intermediate level. For state A, VBL is set to a low level to provide a high amount of discharging, maintaining VBOOST STRUCTURE at a low level. The specific values of VBL can be set based on the particular implementation, including the level of VPGM which is used. The spacing between the specific values of VBL may be non-linear.
In a second approach, as indicated by waveforms 2345, VBL can be set to a fixed amplitude pulse, where the duration of the pulse varies based on the programming state to which the selected storage element in the NAND string is to be programmed. Specifically, a longer pulse can be used for the higher programmed states, e.g., state C, while a shorter pulse is used for the lower programmed states, e.g., state A. Thus, the level to which the boost structure discharges can be set based on a level and/or duration of a voltage applied to a drain side of the NAND string.
Note also that VBOOST STRUCTURE can vary as VPGM varies with successive programming pulses. A higher VBOOST STRUCTURE can compensate for a lower VPGM and a lower VBOOST STRUCTURE can compensate for a higher VPGM. The decrease in VBOOST STRUCTURE in each case is depicted by waveforms 2350. In the example provided, the boost structure is discharged for all programmed states to a level in which some charge remains. In one option, for the highest programmed state, e.g., state C, the boost structure need not be discharged at all. In another option, for the lowest programmed state, e.g., state A, the boost structure can be fully discharged.
The fourth phase is a programming phase in which VPGM is applied to the selected word line (waveform 2330). VPGM can increase in a staircase manner with each successive programming pulse (
After the program pulse is finished in the fourth phase, the word lines are brought down and a verification process is performed. The boost structure is floating and is coupled down by this action.
In the fourth phase, the source-side select gates are turned on by raising VSGS1 and VSGS2, as depicted by waveforms 2410 and VSOURCE is raised to the highest positive voltage required for verifying the highest programming state for the group of storage elements to be concurrently verified. VSGD is also set so that the drain-side select gate is turned on. The waveforms 2410 are offset for clarity. The word line voltage, VCG-VERIFY, is applied to each storage element to be verified via an associated word line. The effect of the boost structure is as if a different VCG-VERIFY was applied to each selected storage element according to the particular verify level of the storage element. As a result, the storage elements can be concurrently verified using different verify levels, resulting in significant time savings. Thus, a single pass through the four phases can be sufficient to characterize the programming state of all storage elements on a word line relative to a verify level. The number of states in the group of states which can be concurrently verified depends, e.g., on the VTH separation of neighbor states, on the boost structure-to-floating gate capacitive coupling, and on the maximum range of allowed voltages on the assist gates. In some cases, an additional verify pass may be used. If the threshold voltage of the storage element selected for verifying is less than the verify level, the selected storage element will turn on. In this case, the storage element has not reached the target programming state, e.g., verify level, and requires one or more additional programming pulses. If the threshold voltage of the storage element selected for verifying is greater than the verify level, the selected storage element will not turn on, indicating that the storage element has reached the target programming state and can be locked out from further programming.
Further, VBOOST STRUCTURE discharges as indicated by waveforms 2450, and VBL rises as indicated by waveforms 2445. The level to which VBL rises is indicative of a programming condition of the storage element being verified. In particular, a verify process can be used as discussed in connection with
The read process is analogous to the verify process except that a cycle through the phases is performed for each read level since the programming state may be tested against multiple read levels rather than a single verify level. In particular, the first through third phases can be the same as discussed above in connection with the programming and verify processes, except that all of the NAND strings are discharged to the same level, in one embodiment, based on the read level (e.g., Vra, Vrb or Vrc) for state A, B or C, for instance (waveform 2740) of the current read cycle. Further, the fourth phase can be the same as discussed in connection with the fourth phase of the verify process of
Triggered by the “program” command, the data latched in step 2910 will be programmed into the selected storage elements controlled by state machine 1612 using the stepped pulses 2610, 2620, 2630, 2640, 2650, . . . of
At step 2950, a verify process begins. Specifically, at step 2955, a common boosting of the boost structures is performed. At step 2960, additional boosting of the boost structures can be performed. At step 2965, individual discharging of boost structures occurs based on the target verify level which can differ among the storage elements. At step 2970, verifying of the selected storage elements occurs by applying VCG-VERIFY on the selected word line and characterizing a programming state of the selected storage elements such as by determining whether the selected storage elements turn on (see also
In step 2975, a determination is made as to whether all of the data latches are storing logic “1.” If so, the programming process is complete and successful because all selected storage elements were programmed and verified, and a status of “PASS” is reported in step 2980. If, in step 2975, it is determined that not all of the data latches are storing logic “1,” then the programming process continues. In step 2985, the program counter PC is checked against a program limit value PCmax. One example of a program limit value is twenty; however, other numbers can also be used. If the program counter PC is not less than PCmax, then the program process has failed and a status of “FAIL” is reported in step 2990. If the program counter PC is less than PCmax, then VPGM is increased by the step size and the program counter PC is incremented in step 2995. After step 2995, the process loops back to step 2925 to apply the next programming pulse.
The foregoing detailed description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The described embodiments were chosen in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.