Error Patterns in MLC NAND Flash Memory: Measurement, Analysis and Application

Tuesday Nov. 27, 2012
HH D-210
4:30pm

Yu Cai (CMU)

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.



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