Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent read-out disturbance from an unselected cell by reading out a written word value stored on a storage node by means of a read transistor via a diode between bit lines. SOLUTION: When a write transistor Tw0 in a gain cell 20 is operated by a write-in word line WLW0, a value of a write-in bit line BLW0 is stored on the storage node SN0. When a read-out word line WLR0 is enabled to work, the read transistor Tr0 to be connected with the storage node SN0 in this case is connected via the diode D0 to a read-out bit line BLR0, so as to read out the stored value. The diode D0 is capable of preventing conductivity in the reverse direction of the read transistor Tr0, thus preventing disturbance from another cell, and also decreasing capacitance of the bit line. The same is the case with the other memory cells.
Abstract:
An antifuse device (120) that includes a bias element (124) and an programmable antifuse element (128) arranged in series with one another so as to form a voltage divider having an output node (F) located between the bias and antifuse elements. When the antifuse device is in its unprogrammed state, each of the bias element and antifuse element is non-conductive. When the antifuse device is in its programmed state, the bias element remains non-conductive, but the antifuse element is conductive. The difference in the resistance of the antifuse element between its unprogrammed state and programmed state causes the difference in voltages seen at the output node to be on the order of hundreds of mili-volts when a voltage of 1 V is applied across the antifuse device. This voltage difference is so high that it can be readily sensed using a simple sensing circuit.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and system, in which operation of and/or access to a particular function of an electronic device can be controlled after the device leaves the control of the manufacturer. SOLUTION: Techniques and systems whereby the operation and/or the access to the particular function of the electronic device cany be controlled after the device leaves the control of the manufacturer are provided. The operation and/or access can be provided based on values stored in non-volatile storage elements, such as electrically programmable fuses (eFUSES). COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stabilized direct sensing memory architecture which provides Process, Voltage and Temperature(PVT) compensation in a memory array to a direct sense circuit to increase the manufacturing yield thereof, and to extend the operating voltage and temperature ranges thereof independent of manufacturing tolerances. SOLUTION: A single-ended sense amplifier structure has a common source NFET amplifier with an adjustable current source load provided by a PFET. The PFET current source is automatically adjusted to place the NFET amplifier in an operating range to provide maximum amplification of a small signal, superimposed on a bitline precharge voltage. A simulating bias generator circuit provides this operating point adjustment, and realizes a direct, single-ended sensing operation using a small number of transistors.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a programmable sensing device and a method and a DRAM array for detecting soft errors. SOLUTION: The programmable heavy-ion sensing device for accelerated DRAM soft error detection is provided. From the viewpoint of design, it is desirable to use a DRAM-based alpha particle sensing apparatus as an accelerated on-chip SER test vehicle. The sensing apparatus is provided with a programmable sensing margin, a refresh rate, and a supply voltage for attaining various degrees of SER sensitivity. In addition, a dual-mode DRAM array is proposed so that at least a portion of the array can be used to monitor high-energy particle activities, during a soft-error detection (SED) mode. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a detection circuit and a method for detecting silicon well voltage or current indicating collision of an alpha particle or a cosmic ray to the silicon well in silicon substrate. SOLUTION: An effective application of the detection circuit is use in redundancy repair latches used for an SRAM. In the redundancy repair latches, normally writing is once performed when power is on in order to register wrong latch data, though writing is not performed again usually. When either state of these latches is altered by SER phenomena (soft error rate: collision of the alpha particle or the cosmic ray, and the like), the recovery data for the redundant latch of the SRAM is mapped incorrectly. In this detection circuit and the method, whether the SER phenomenon occurs in these latches is monitored, when occurring, reloading the recovery data is performed to the redundancy repair latches. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a memory architecture, in which coupling noise between bit lines is small at CMOS intersection coupling sensing operation, and which operates at a high speed. SOLUTION: In a single bit-line direct sensing architecture, a sense amplifier circuit, having four transistors arranged for each memory array, is used. In this circuit, the transistor functions so that a data bit from a true bit-line of a pair of bit line or an auxiliary bit line is transferred selective to a data line. The data line is preferably arranged on a plurality of memory arrays, and the data line may not be required, to share in read operation and write operation. Furthermore, digital sensing scheme function is performed, by charging a data line during read-out operation using one more current source detecting the ratio of a current source, driving by a bit line of a corresponding array and resistance of a transistor. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a circuit which is improved in the timing between input and output pulse trains. SOLUTION: This circuit is equipped with a delay lock loop 32 which has a receiver 33, a pulse generator 36, a logic network 50, and a variable delay line 34, and extract two pulse trains having side edges of the same type from the leading and trailing edges of the input pulse train, selects the time delay degree of the variable delay line, and generates a combined output pulse train which has a predetermined phase relation with the input pulse train.