An Introduction to: Error Correction Coding

As the integration size of NAND flash memory shrinks and more bits can be stored in a cell, the error correction requirements for flash memory controllers are increasing with each new generation of flash. Error correction has become one of the most important tasks of flash memory controllers. For quite a number of years, error correction based on Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) codes was the prevalent choice. Yet, as flash error rates continue to grow with higher density flashes, the error correction capability of the controllers has to be increased. This has become increasingly difficult when considering cost, area and power limitations.

Content

• History of Error Correction Codes

• Abbreviations and Concepts

• Bose-Chadhuri-Hocquenghem Codes

• Low Density Parity Check Codes

• Generalized Concatenated Codes