Systems and Methods for Fast Bit Error Rate Estimation

摘要

Changes in the distribution of memory cells across memory states allow calculation of Bit Error Rate (BER). Comparison of test data stored in memory and a known good copy of the test data provides test data BER from which user data BER may be obtained. Data may be handled differently according to its BER.

主权项

1. A method of determining an error rate for data stored in a nonvolatile memory array comprising:
programming a population of memory cells to a plurality of states; recording an indicator of the number of the memory cells programmed to a first state of the plurality of states; subsequently performing a read operation to determine the number of the memory cells that are read as being in the first state; determining a difference between the number of the memory cells programmed to the first state and the number of the memory cells that are read as being in the first state; and calculating the error rate for data in the population of memory cells from the difference.