Method and apparatus for determining status element total with sequentially coupled counting status circuits

摘要

Counting status circuits are electrically coupled to corresponding status elements. The status elements selectably store a bit status of a bit line coupled to a memory array. The bit status can indicate one of at least pass and fail. The counting status circuits are electrically coupled to each other in a sequential order. Control logic causes processing of the counting status circuits in the sequential order to determine a total of the memory elements that store the bit status. The total number of memory elements that store the bit status indicate the number of error bits or non-error bits, which can help determine whether there are too many errors to be fixed by error correction codes.

主权项

1. A detecting circuit, comprising:
a plurality of counting status circuits electrically coupled to corresponding ones of a plurality of status elements, the plurality of counting status circuits electrically coupled to each other in a sequential order, wherein the plurality of counting status circuits have corresponding counting status memory elements, the corresponding counting status memory elements indicating whether bit statuses of the plurality of status elements have been counted in a total of the plurality of status elements that store the bit statuses, the bit statuses indicating one of at least pass and fail of corresponding ones of a plurality of bit lines coupled to the plurality of status elements; and control logic causing processing of the plurality of counting status circuits in the sequential order to determine the total of the plurality of status elements.