Program cycle skip evaluation before write operations in non-volatile memory

摘要

A non-volatile memory system is disclosed that evaluates during a read before write operation whether to skip programming of portions of group of memory cells during a subsequent write operation. By evaluating skip information during a read before write operation, the write operation can be expedited. The additional overhead for evaluating skip information is consumed during the read before write operation. By performing a skip evaluation during the read before write operation, a full analysis of the availability of skipping programming for memory cells can be performed. Skip evaluations in different embodiments may be performed for entire bay address cycles, column address cycles, and/or sense amplifier address cycles. In some embodiments, some skip evaluations are performed during read before write operations while others are deferred to the write operation. In this manner, the number of data latches for storing skip information can be decreased.

主权项

1. A method of programming non-volatile storage, comprising:
receiving a request to write a set of user data to a non-volatile memory array; identifying a set of non-volatile storage elements from the non-volatile memory array for writing the set of user data and a set of bay address cycles for writing the set of user data to the set of non-volatile storage elements; reading memory data from the set of non-volatile storage elements prior to writing the set of user data; comparing the memory data to the set of user data to determine whether any bay address cycles of the set should be skipped; and programming the set of user data to the set of non-volatile storage elements based on comparing the memory data to the set of user data.