Abstract:
A system and method is disclosed for writing early within a memory cycle by holding only one of a true bitline (BTO) and a reference bitline (BC0) at a fixed potential, e.g. ground, when the sense amplifier (51) is set. The sense amplifier (51) amplifies a small voltage difference between the true bitline (BT0) and the reference bitline (BC0) to predetermined high and low voltage logic levels to write a datum to the memory cell. In this way, writing can complete in about the same time as reading, without risking corruption of data on adjacent bitlines in the memory. The bitlines are precharged to a fixed potential in a conduction path through the bitswitches (T1), rather than using local precharge devices at the sense amplifier (51). To write, bitswitches (T1) and writepath transistors (T3) apply the fixed potential to one of the true bitline (BT0) and the reference bitline (BC0). Bitswitches (T1) on such other memory cells not currently being written isolate the bitline coupled to those memory cells when setting the sense amplifiers, such that the stored contents of such memory cells not being written are refreshed (written back) at the time that the selected memory cell is written.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an approach for providing fine granularity power gating of a memory array.SOLUTION: In one embodiment, power supply lines are disposed in a horizontal dimension of the memory array parallel to the word lines that access cells arranged in rows and columns of the array, where each of the supply lines are shared by adjacent cells in the memory. Power supply lines that activate a row selected by one of the word lines are supplied with a full-power voltage value and power supply lines that activate rows adjacent to the selected row are supplied with a half-power voltage value, while the power supply lines of the remaining rows in the memory are supplied with a power-gated voltage value.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and method for testing simultaneously a column of a semiconductor memory and a redundant column by adding temporarily an additional parallel signal bit giving wider band width during test mode operation to an input/output data bus connected to a semiconductor memory. SOLUTION: An input/output data bus has normally parallel signal bits of (n) pieces transmitting column data, but an additional parallel signal bit does not transmit normally column data and redundant column data. The additional parallel signal bit can transmit normally a clock signal such as an echo-clock or the like related to data outputted to a data bus. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a memory write operation in a short time being almost equal to the time for a read operation without destroying data on an adjacent bit line. SOLUTION: Before a sense amplifier is set, a small voltage difference signal is injected. Thereafter, by setting the sense amplifier, the sense amplifier amplifies the small voltage signal to prescribed high and low voltage logic levels for writing to the memory cell. Before the sense amplifier is set, local bit switches applies first and second write voltages having a small voltage difference to a true bit line and a reference bit line. Local bit switches on other bit lines are adapted so that a true bit line to be coupled to their memory cells and a reference bit line are separated before sense amplifiers to be coupled to their bit lines are set. Thereby, when a selected memory cell is written, the storage contents of a memory cell to which nothing is written is refreshed. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an echo-clock circuit securing accurate tracking of data transfer. SOLUTION: A comparator and a variable delay circuit are provided to keep tracking between data and echo-clock in a double data rate(DDR) RAM element. This is achieved by providing large region data signal (dummy data signal) tracking actual memory-array-data. This large region data signal is compared with a RAM clock, and a pipeline-clock (clock rise/clock fall) decides a delay time between the both to be de-layed. Conseauently, the pipeline-clock is pushed out as necessary so that it is transited after array data reaches an output latch. Therefore, when a cycle time is decreased, both of echo-clock and data are equally pushed out, and tracking re-quired for them is kept.
Abstract:
A static random access memory (SRAM) write assist circuit (400) with leakage suppression and level control is described. In one embodiment, the SRAM write assist circuit (400) increases the amount of boost provided in a write cycle, while in another embodiment, the SRAM write assist circuit (400) limits the amount of boost provided at higher supply voltages.
Abstract:
A method and structure for the invention includes an integrated memory structure having a built-in test portion. The integrated memory structure has memory cells, bitlines and wordlines connected to the memory cells, wordline decoders connected to a plurality of the wordlines, bitline restore devices connected to the bitlines for charging the bitlines during read and write operations, and a clock circuit connected to the wordlines. During a test mode the wordline decoders simultaneously select multiple wordlines that the bitline restore devices maintain in an active state and the clock circuit maintains th multiple wordlines and the bitline restore devices in an active state for a period in excess of a normal read cycle. The invention also includes transistors which are connected to the memory cells. The transistors include bitline contacts which are stressed during the test mode.
Abstract:
SRAM-Einheit mit einer Verzögerungsschaltung, um Charakteristiken von SRAM-Bitzellen darzustellen, wobei die Verzögerungsschaltung umfasst: einen Eingangsknoten zum Empfangen eines Eingangssignals; einen Referenzknoten zum Aufnehmen eines Referenzstromes von einer Vielzahl von Referenzzellen; ein Netz von Kapazitäten mit einer Entladungsrate, die durch den Referenzstrom gesteuert wird; und eine Ausgangsschaltung, die ein Verzögerungssignal ausgibt, das eine verzögerte Version des Eingangssignals ist, wobei das Verzögerungssignal durch die Entladungsrate des Netzes von Kapazitäten gesteuert wird, wobei das Netz von Kapazitäten einen Booster-Kondensator und einen Signalkondensator enthält, der eine logikunabhängige Spannungsdifferenz auf einer Entladungsleitung auf der Grundlage eines Verhältnisses zwischen dem Booster-Kondensator und dem Signalkondensator erzeugt.
Abstract:
Eine SRAM-Verzögerungsschaltung (14), die die Charakteristiken von Bitzellen darstellt. Eine Schaltung wird beschrieben, die enthält: einen Eingangsknoten zum Empfangen eines Eingangssignals (13); einen Referenzknoten (20) zum Aufnehmen eines Referenzstromes von einer Vielzahl von Referenzzellen (12); ein Netz von Kapazitäten (15) mit einer Entladung, die durch den Referenzstrom gesteuert wird; und eine Ausgangsschaltung, die das Eingangssignal mit einer Verzögerung (16) ausgibt, wobei die Verzögerung durch die Entladung des Netzes von Kapazitäten (15) gesteuert wird.