Abstract:
Described herein is a method for constructing a multipurpose error-control code for multilevel memory cells operating with a variable number of storage levels, in particular for memory cells the storage levels of which can assume the values of the set nullba1, baaa2, . . . , ba1a2. . . ahnull, with b, a1, . . . , ah positive integers; the error-control code encoding information words, formed by k q-ary symbols, i.e., belonging to an alphabet containing q different symbols, with qnullnullba1, ba1a2, . . . , ba1a2ahnull, in corresponding code words formed by n q-ary symbols, with qnullba1a2ah, and having an error-correction capacity t, each code word being generated through an operation of multiplication between the corresponding information word and a generating matrix. The construction method comprises the steps of: acquiring the values of k, t, ba1, ba1a2, . . . , ba1a2. . .ah, which constitute the design specifications of said error-control code; calculating, as a function of qnullba1, k and t, the minimum value of n such that the Hamming limit is satisfied; calculating the maximum values {circumflex over (n)} and {circumflex over (k)} respectively of n and k that satisfy the Hamming limit for qnullba1, t and ({circumflex over (n)}-{circumflex over (k)})null(n-k); determining, as a function of t, the generating matrix of the abbreviated error-control code (n-k) on the finite-element field GF(ba1); constructing binary polynomial representations of the finite-element fields GF(ba1) GF(ba1a2), . . . , GF(ba1a2. . . ah); identifying, using the aforesaid exponential representations, the elements of the finite-element field GF(ba1a2ah), which are isomorphic to the elements of the finite-element fields GF(ba1), GF(ba1a2), . . . , GF(ba1a2. . . ah-1); establishing biunique correspondences between the elements of the finite-element fields GF(ba1), GF(ba1a2), . . . , GF(ba1a2. . . ah1) and the elements of the finite-element field GF(ba1a2ah) that are isomorphic to them; and replacing each of the elements of said generating matrix with the corresponding isomorphic element of the finite-element field GF(ba1a2. . . ah), thus obtaining a multipurpose generating matrix defining, together with the aforesaid biunique correspondences, a multipurpose error-control code that can be used with memory cells the storage levels of which can assume the values of the set nullba1, ba1a2, . . . , ba1a2. . . ahnullnull.
Abstract:
An analog-to-digital conversion method and device for a multilevel non-volatile memory devicethat includes a multilevel memory cell. The method comprises a first step of converting the most significant bits contained in the memory cell, followed by a second step of converting the least significant bits. The first step is completed within a time interval corresponding to the rise transient of the gate voltage, and the second step is initiated at the end of the transient. Also disclosed is a scheme for error control coding in multilevel Flash memories. The n bits stored in a single memory cell are organized in different nullbit-layersnull, which are independent from one another. Error correction is carried out separately for each bit-layer. The correction of any failure in a single memory cell is achieved by using a simple error control code providing single-bit correction, regardless of the number of bits stored in a single cell.
Abstract:
A circuit for reading a non-volatile memory cell has an output terminal for providing an output current, and a control terminal for receiving a voltage for controlling the output current. The reading circuit includes a feedback circuit which can be connected electrically to the output terminal and to the control terminal to generate the control voltage from a reference signal and from the output current. The feedback circuit also includes a current-amplification circuit having a first terminal for receiving a current-error signal derived from the reference signal and from the output current, and a second terminal for supplying an amplified current.