Abstract:
A method of synchronizing the start of sequential read cycles when reading data in a memory in a synchronous mode with sequential access, using the increment pulses for at least an address counter of the memory cell array as synchronization signals, by generating, following each increment pulse, a dummy ATD pulse, undistinguishable from an ATD pulse generated upon detection of a switching of external address lines.
Abstract:
An interleaved memory readable in sequential access synchronous mode and in random access asynchronous mode, in function of external protocol signals ( ALE; CEn, RD ), has a circuit of internal regeneration of an external input address latch enabling signal ( ALE ), filtered by a second external chip enable signal ( CEn ). The circuit comprises a latch ( LATCH ) storing the external signal ( ALE_EXT ) of input address latch enabling and a NOR gate combining the output ( ALE_BUFF ) of the latch with the second external signal of chip enable ( CEn ) and producing a first internal replica signal of address latch enabling ( ALE_FAST ). Delay circuits in cascade to the output of the latch and in cascade of the input pad of the external signal of chip enable ( CEn ) and logic means combining the internally generated replica signal ( ALE_FAST ) and the signal ( ALE_BUFF ) present at the output of the latch with signals retarded by said delay circuits produce set and reset signals of an output flip-flop outputting a second internally generated reconditioned address latch enabling signal ( ALE ). The reconditioned signal has a raising edge conditionally retarded compared to the raising edge of the external command ( ALE_EXT ) and a duration that is conditionally incremented such to compensate for eventual critical asynchronisms between the two protocol external signals ( ALE_EXT, CEn ) in the different modes of operation of the interleaved memory.
Abstract:
An effective EWS flow is implemented by expanding the functions of the microcontroller normally embedded in a FLASH EPROM memory device and of the integrated test structures. The architecture gives the possibility of executing test routines internally without involving any external complex or expensive test equipment to control the test program. The algorithms are executed by the onboard micro-controllers (that may be reading either from an embedded ROM or from a GLOBAL CACHE purposely provided). Such a GLOBAL CACHE may be downloaded with the desired routine to a TUI block and provides a full test flexibility also at the device debug level. Managing test routines by an internal algorithm permits to make the device architecture transparent from a tester point of view, by purposely creating a standard interface with a set of defined commands and instructions to be interpreted by the on board micro and internally executed.
Abstract:
A redundancy architecture for a memory wherein the array of memory cells is divided in at least a pair of banks or semiarrays (EVEN_BANK, ODD_BANK) singularly addressable (ADDR_latch_E, ADDR_latch_O), organized in rows and columns; the architecture comprising a certain number of packets each composed of a certain number of redundancy columns of cells (REDUNDANCY), contemplates dividing said number of packets (REDUNDANCY) in two subsets of packets (REDUNDANCY_EVEN, REDUNDANCY_ODD), each one addressable independently from the other by way of respective address circuits and providing redundancy columns of cells exclusively for a respective bank or semiarray (EVEN_BANK, ODD_BANK).
Abstract:
An address binary counter for a subdivision bank of the cell array of an interleaved memory with burst access enabled by an enabling signal (ENABLE), comprises as many stages as the bits that may be stored in the cells of a row of the bank and a carry calculation network. The carry calculation network comprises an ordered group of independent carry generators, each of a certain number of stages, and having its own enabling bit, that are input with a number of consecutive bits of a row of the bank equal to the number of stages, orderly starting from the least significant bit. The enabling bit of the first carry generator of the ordered group is said enabling signal (ENABLE), and the enabling bit of any other carry generator of the ordered group is the logic AND of said enabling signal and of the input bits of the preceding carry generator of the ordered group.
Abstract:
An address binary counter for a subdivision bank of the cell array of an interleaved memory with burst access enabled by an enabling signal (ENABLE), comprises as many stages as the bits that may be stored in the cells of a row of the bank and a carry calculation network. The carry calculation network comprises an ordered group of independent carry generators, each of a certain number of stages, and having its own enabling bit, that are input with a number of consecutive bits of a row of the bank equal to the number of stages, orderly starting from the least significant bit. The enabling bit of the first carry generator of the ordered group is said enabling signal (ENABLE), and the enabling bit of any other carry generator of the ordered group is the logic AND of said enabling signal and of the input bits of the preceding carry generator of the ordered group.