Table of Contents
Error Patterns in MLC NAND Flash Memory: Measurement, Analysis and Application
Abstract
As NAND flash memory manufacturers scale down to smaller process
technology nodes and store more bits per cell, reliability and endurance
of flash memory reduce. Wear-leveling
and error correction coding can improve both reliability and endurance,
but finding effective algorithms requires a strong understanding of flash
memory error patterns. To enable such understanding, we have designed and
implemented a framework for fast and accurate characterization of flash
memory throughout its lifetime. Using this hardware platform, we examine
the complex flash errors that occur at 30-40nm flash technologies. We
demonstrate distinct error patterns, such as cycle-dependency,
locationdependency and value-dependency, for various types of flash
operations. We analyze the discovered error patterns and explain why they
exist from a circuit and device standpoint. Based on the error pattern, we
propose flash correct and refresh (FCR) as an example that leverage the
error patterns to improve flash endurance lifetime.
Bio
Yu Cai is now a PhD candidate in ECE departemnt of Carnegie Mellon University advised by Prof. Ken Mai. His current interest includes error correction codes for NAND flash memory, FPGA hardware prototyping.