US Patent 7876622 Read method for MLC

Memory devices adapted to process and generate analog data signals representative of data values of two or more bits of information facilitate increases in data transfer rates relative to devices processing and generating only binary data signals indicative of individual bits. Programming of such memory devices includes programming to a target threshold voltage range representative of the desired bit pattern. Reading such memory devices includes generating an analog data signal indicative of a threshold voltage of a target memory cell. Cell reads are performed multiple times and the read threshold voltages averaged to more closely approximate actual threshold voltage and to compensate for random noise.