Method and apparatus for programming a memory array
First Claim
1. A method for programming a memory array, the method comprising:
- (a) programming first and second word lines in a memory array, wherein the first word line comprises a defect that is detectable only after the second word line is programmed;
(b) after each word line is programmed;
(b1) attempting to detect a defect on that word line; and
(b2) if a defect is detected, repairing that word line with a redundant word line; and
(c) repeating (a) and (b), whereby the defect on the first word line is detected and the first word line is repaired the second time (a) and (b) are performed.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for programming a memory array are disclosed. In one embodiment, after each word line is programmed, an attempt is made to detect a defect on that word line. If a defect is detected, the word line is repaired with a redundant word line. The word lines are then reprogrammed and rechecked for defects. In another embodiment, after each word line is programmed, an attempt is made to detect a defect on that word line. If a defect is detected, that word line is repaired along with a previously-programmed adjacent word line. In yet another embodiment, after each word line is programmed, an attempt is made to detect a defect on that word line and a previously-programmed adjacent word line. If a defect is detected on that word line, that word line and the previously-programmed adjacent word line are repaired with redundant word lines.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for programming a memory array, the method comprising:
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(a) programming first and second word lines in a memory array, wherein the first word line comprises a defect that is detectable only after the second word line is programmed;
(b) after each word line is programmed;
(b1) attempting to detect a defect on that word line; and
(b2) if a defect is detected, repairing that word line with a redundant word line; and
(c) repeating (a) and (b), whereby the defect on the first word line is detected and the first word line is repaired the second time (a) and (b) are performed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for programming a memory array, the method comprising:
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(a) programming a plurality of word lines in a memory array; and
(b) after each word line is programmed, (b1) attempting to detect a defect on that word line; and
(b2) if a defect is detected, repairing that word line and a previously-programmed adjacent word line with redundant word lines, whereby the previously-programmed adjacent word line is repaired even though a defect on the previously-programmed adjacent word line was not detected after the previously-programmed adjacent word line was programmed. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for programming a memory array, the method comprising:
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(a) programming a plurality of word lines in a memory array; and
(b) after each word line is programmed, (b1) attempting to detect a defect on that word line and a previously-programmed adjacent word line; and
(b2) if a defect is detected on that word line, repairing that word line and the previously-programmed adjacent word line with redundant word lines, whereby the previously-programmed adjacent word line is repaired even though a defect on the previously-programmed adjacent word line was not detected after the previously-programmed adjacent word line was programmed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification