Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a chain structure memory IC with improved reliability by driving a wordline by a mechanism of multi-step voltage, boosting a voltage only when a gate is required and reducing a load to a gate oxidation film. SOLUTION: This invention related to the chain memory IC which drives the wordline by using a mechanism of two-step voltage. During a suspended state, the wordline is maintained by a first logic 1 voltage level. For memory call, a selected wordline is driven by earthing, and on the other hand, a wordline which is not selected is driven by a boosted voltage. The first logic 1 voltage level is lower than the boosted voltage. This reduces the load to the gate oxidation film of a transistor. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
A test circuit for testing differential read signals during a memory access is disclosed. The test circuit is coupled to a pair of bitlines. During a read access, a selected memory cell produces a differential read signal on the bitlines. When the test circuit is activated, the magnitude of the differential read signal is varied. This enables easy testing of read signal margins in, for example, memory ICs.
Abstract:
A ferroelectric memory device includes a memory cell array having memory cells arranged in a matrix form. Each of the memory cells includes a cell transistor and a ferroelectric capacitor. It further includes a first dummy bit line arranged outside a bit line arranged on an end portion of the memory cell array, and separated from the bit line arranged on the end portion of the memory cell array with an interval which is the same as a pitch between the bit lines in the memory cell array, the first dummy bit line having the same width as the bit line, and a first dummy memory cell connected to the first dummy bit line and including a cell transistor and a ferroelectric capacitor.
Abstract:
A method for reducing noise coupling in a memory array is disclosed. The memory array includes a plurality memory cells interconnected by wordlines, bitlines, and platelines. The memory cells are arranged in columns having first and second bitlines coupled to a sense amplifier. During a memory access, at least adjacent bitlines pairs are not activated. The selected bitline pair or pairs are provided with a plateline pulse.
Abstract:
A method for reducing noise coupling in a memory array is disclosed. The memory array includes a plurality memory cells interconnected by wordlines, bitlines, and platelines. The memory cells are arranged in columns having first and second bitlines coupled to a sense amplifier. During a memory access, at least adjacent bitlines pairs are not activated. The selected bitline pair or pairs are provided with a plateline pulse.
Abstract:
A chained memory IC in which a dual voltage scheme is used for operating the wordlines is described. During standby mode, the wordlines are maintained at a first logic 1 voltage level. To prepare for a memory access, the non-selected wordlines are driven to a boosted voltage while the selected wordline is driven to ground. The first logic 1 voltage level is less than the boosted voltage. This reduces the stress on the gate oxide of the transistors, thus improving reliability of the memory IC.
Abstract:
An improved reference voltage generation is described. In one embodiment, a memory block includes a plurality of memory cells interconnected by wordlines and bitlines. A plurality of reference cells are provided. A bitline includes a reference cell. The bitlines of the memory block are divided into groups or bitlines. The reference cells within a group are interconnected to average out the reference cell charge variation to improve the sensing window.
Abstract:
A method for reducing noise coupling in a memory array is disclosed. The memory array includes a plurality memory cells interconnected by wordlines, bitlines, and platelines. The memory cells are arranged in columns having first and second bitlines coupled to a sense amplifier. During a memory access, at least adjacent bitlines pairs are not activated. The selected bitline pair or pairs are provided with a plateline pulse.