Micron Technology Incorporated

Danial S Dean

Timothy B Cowles

Brian J Ladner

Frank Alejano

Paul M Prew

Todd A Merritt

Todd A Merrit

A method, apparatus, and system are provided for implementing a zero-enabled fuse system. An apparatus includes a first set of fuses for activating a first memory portion, and a second set of fuses for activating a second memory portion. The apparatus also includes a controller to control an operation of the first and second set of fuses. The controller is adapted to determine whether a zero address memory location relating to the first memory portion is to be activated based upon an enable fuse. The controller is adapted to also perform a check to determine whether the second set of fuses has been previously activated.

Zero-enabled fuse-set

A margin test on a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) in accordance with the invention begins with a supply voltage level being stored in all memory cells of the DRAM. Circuitry incorporated into each sense amplifier of the DRAM then isolates the digit line equilibrating circuitry in each sense amplifier from the cell plate voltage DVCor supply voltage Vto which the equilibrating circuitry is normally connected and connects the equilibrating circuitry to ground instead.

Device for margin testing a semiconductor memory by applying a stressing voltage simultaneously to complementary and true digit lines

A margin test on a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) in accordance with the invention begins with a supply voltage level being stored in all memory cells of the DRAM. Circuitry incorporated into each sense amplifier of the DRAM then isolates the digit line equilibrating circuitry in each sense amplifier from the cell plate voltage DVC2 or supply voltage V to which the equilibrating circuitry is normally connected and connects the equilibrating circuitry to ground instead.

A margin test on a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) in accordance with the invention begins with a supply voltage level being stored in all memory cells of the DRAM. Circuitry incorporated into each sense amplifier of the DRAM then isolates the digit line equilibrating circuitry in each sense amplifier from the cell plate voltage DVC or supply voltage V to which the equilibrating circuitry is normally connected and connects the equilibrating circuitry to ground instead.

Device and method for margin testing a semiconductor memory by applying a stressing voltage simultaneously to complementary and true digit lines

A margin test on a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) in accordance with the invention begins with a supply voltage level being stored in all memory cells of the DRAM. Circuitry incorporated into each sense amplifier of the DRAM then isolates the digit line equilibrating circuitry in each sense amplifier from the cell plate voltage DVC,or supply voltage V,to which the equilibrating circuitry is normally connected and connects the equilibrating circuitry to ground instead. The equilibrating circuitry is then activated for a predetermined refresh interval of about 150 to 200 milliseconds to equilibrate the true and complementary digit lines in each digit line pair of the DRAM to ground for the refresh interval. This stresses all the memory cells in the DRAM with a V,-to-ground voltage drop for the entire refresh interval. The DRAM is then restored to normal operations and all the memory cells in the DRAM are read to identify any that leaked too much charge during the refresh interval, which identifies any memory cells that failed the margin test and require repair.

A margin test on a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) in accordance with the invention begins with a supply voltage level being stored in all memory cells of the DRAM. Circuitry incorporated into each sense amplifier of the DRAM then isolates the digit line equilibrating circuitry in each sense amplifier from the cell plate voltage DVC2 or supply voltage V.sub.CC to which the equilibrating circuitry is normally connected and connects the equilibrating circuitry to ground instead. The equilibrating circuitry is then activated for a predetermined refresh interval of about 150 to 200 milliseconds to equilibrate the true and complementary digit lines in each digit line pair of the DRAM to ground for the refresh interval. This stresses all the memory cells in the DRAM with a V.sub.CC -to-ground voltage drop for the entire refresh interval. The DRAM is then restored to normal operations and all the memory cells in the DRAM are read to identify any that leaked too much charge during the refresh interval, which identifies any memory cells that failed the margin test and require repair.

Device and method for margin testing a semiconductor memory by applying

A margin test on a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) in accordance with the invention begins with a supply voltage level being stored in all memory cells of the DRAM. Circuitry incorporated into each sense amplifier of the DRAM then isolates the digit line equilibrating circuitry in each sense amplifier from the cell plate voltage DVC2 or supply voltage V.sub.cc to which the equilibrating circuitry is normally connected and connects the equilibrating circuitry to ground instead. The equilibrating circuitry is then activated for a predetermined refresh interval of about 150 to 200 milliseconds to equilibrate the true and complementary digit lines in each digit line pair of the DRAM to ground for the refresh interval. This stresses all the memory cells in the DRAM with a V.sub.cc -to-ground voltage drop for the entire refresh interval. The DRAM is then restored to normal operations and all the memory cells in the DRAM are read to identify any that leaked too much charge during the refresh interval, which identifies any memory cells that failed the margin test and require repair.

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Meridian, ID, United States of America

Danial S Dean