US Patent 7916536 Programming based on controller performance requirements

Methods and solid state drives are disclosed, including a solid state drive that is adapted to receive and transmit analog data signals representative of bit patterns of three or more levels (such as to facilitate increases in data transfer rates relative to devices communicating data signals indicative of individual bits). Programming of the solid state drive, having an array of non-volatile memory cells, might include adjusting the level of each memory cell being programmed in response to a desired performance level of a controller circuit.