Abstract
Flash memories present unique challenges for reliable communication. A single Flash memory cell stores multiple bits, but similar to a multiple access channel, each cell stores only one bit from any codeword. When the controller performs a read operation on the Flash channel, similar to a one-bit analog-to-digital converter, it can only extract one bit of information about the charge level of each cell. This talk views the design of Flash write levels and read thresholds through the lens of mutual information maximization, and shows how this perspective can lead to optimal performance of LDPC codes and extend the lifetime of Flash devices.