Micron Technology, Inc.
Apparatus for determining data states of memory cells

Abstract:

Memory might include a plurality of strings of memory cells, a plurality of access lines each connected to the strings of memory cells, and a controller configured to cause the memory to increase a voltage level applied to each of the access lines, determine a particular voltage level at which each memory cell of a first set of strings of memory cells is deemed to be activated while increasing the voltage level applied to the access lines, decrease the voltage level applied to a particular access line without decreasing the voltage level applied to each remaining access line, and, for each memory cell connected to the particular access line and contained in a second set of strings of memory cells, determine whether that memory cell is deemed to be activated while applying the particular voltage level to the particular access line.