Micron Technology, Inc.
Determine Bit Error Count based on Signal and Noise Characteristics Centered at an Optimized Read Voltage

Abstract:

A memory device to estimate a bit error count of data retrievable from a group of memory cells. For example, the memory device has a group of memory cells programmed to store a predetermined number of bits per memory cells to be read at a plurality of first voltages. The memory device determines a plurality of calibrated read voltages corresponding to the plurality of first voltages respectively, based on first signal and noise characteristics of the group of memory cells. The first signal and noise characteristics are used to compute second signal and noise characteristics of the group of memory cells for the calibrated read voltages. The second signal and noise characteristics are used in an empirical formula to compute an estimate of the bit error count of data retrievable from the group of memory cells using the calibrated read voltages.