Addressing modes for a dynamic single bit per cell to multiple bit per cell memory
First Claim
1. A memory system comprising:
- a plurality of memory cells for storing one of a plurality of threshold levels in said memory cells, wherein said threshold levels demarcate 2n number of windows for designating states to represent storage of "n" bits of data for said memory cells; and
an address buffer coupled to said memory cells for generating a plurality of physical addresses such that each physical address uniquely identifies a memory location for "j" number of said memory cells, wherein said memory system exhibits a n;
1 correspondence between memory locations and said physical addresses, and for generating at least one multi-level cell (MLC) address to identify a portion of said "n" bits of data within said "j" memory cells identified by each physical address.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A memory system contains memory cells for storing multiple threshold levels to represent storage of "n" bits of data. The memory system includes an address buffer for generating a plurality of physical addresses such that each physical address uniquely identifies a memory location for "j" memory cells. In order to address a portion of the "n" bits identified by a single physical address, the address buffer generates a multi-level cell (MLC) address. The memory system also contains a switch control for permitting selection a multi-level cell (MLC) mode and a standard cell mode. A select circuit permits reading a single bit per cell when the memory operates in the standard cell mode, and permits reading multiple bits of data per memory cell when the memory operates in the multi-level cell mode. The addressing scheme of the present invention maintains address coherency by exhibiting a n:1 correspondence between memory locations and the physical addresses when operating in the MLC mode, and by exhibiting a 1:1 correspondence between memory locations and the physical addresses when operating in the standard cell mode.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A memory system comprising:
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a plurality of memory cells for storing one of a plurality of threshold levels in said memory cells, wherein said threshold levels demarcate 2n number of windows for designating states to represent storage of "n" bits of data for said memory cells; and an address buffer coupled to said memory cells for generating a plurality of physical addresses such that each physical address uniquely identifies a memory location for "j" number of said memory cells, wherein said memory system exhibits a n;
1 correspondence between memory locations and said physical addresses, and for generating at least one multi-level cell (MLC) address to identify a portion of said "n" bits of data within said "j" memory cells identified by each physical address. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for data storage, said method comprising the steps of:
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storing one of a plurality of threshold levels in a plurality of memory cells, wherein said threshold levels demarcate 2n number of windows for designating states to represent storage of "n" bits of data for said memory cells; generating a plurality of physical addresses such that each physical address uniquely identifies a memory location for "j" number of said memory cells, wherein said memory system exhibits a n;
1 correspondence between memory locations and said physical addresses; andgenerating at least one multi-level cell (MLC) address to identify a portion of said "n" bits of data within said "j" memory cells identified by each physical address. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification