Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Dong-il Seo

Tae-Seong Jang

Jong-hyun Choi

Jung-Hwa Lee

Sei-seung Yoon

Hyung-Dong Kim

Sang-bo Lee

Tae-seong Jang

Jin-man Han

Hong-sun Hwang

Integrated circuit memory devices include a memory cell block that includes sub-array blocks and a first number of input/output line pairs adjacent each of a pair of opposing sides of each of the sub-array blocks. A circuit is configured to select one of the sub-array blocks and to input/output the first number of bits of data through the first number of input/output line pairs adjacent each of the pair of opposing sides of the selected one of the sub-array blocks. The circuit is further configured to select a second number of the sub-array blocks and to input/output the first number times the second number of bits of data through the first number of input/output line pairs adjacent each of a pair of opposing sides of the selected second number of the sub-array blocks. Accordingly, the number of input/output lines need not increase even when the bandwidth increases.

Integrated circuit memory devices that select sub-array blocks and input/output line pairs based on input/output bandwidth, and methods of controlling same

A column select line control circuit for a synchronous semiconductor memory device increases the time margin for writing input data to memory cells in prefetch mode by delaying the disablement of the column select lines during a write operation, thereby extending the time for writing data to the cells. The control circuit includes a column select line control circuit that generates enable and disable signals in response to an internal clock signal, and a column decoder that enables and disables a column select line in response to the enable and disable signals. In pipeline mode, the column select line control circuit generates the disable signal by delaying the internal clock signal and generates the enable signal by delaying and inverting the internal clock signal. In prefetch mode, the column select line control signal adds an additional delay to both the enable and disable signals, but only during write operations.

Method and apparatus for controlling column select lines in a

A column select line enable circuit prevents the first bit in a sequence of output data from being missed, thereby reducing tRCD in a synchronous memory device. The circuit delays a predetermined period of time after a row active command is applied to the memory device and then activates a column select enable line regardless of the state of the system clock signal. The column select enable line is maintained in an active state for a second period of time to allow the first bit of data to be read from the device. Thereafter, the column select enable line is enabled and disabled responsive to the system clock signal to read the remaining bits in the sequence of output data in a conventional manner. In a preferred embodiment, the circuit does not enable the column select enable line unless a decoded bank address signal is active.

Column select line enable circuit for a semiconductor memory device

The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device incorporating a column redundancy circuit using a decoded fuse. The column redundancy circuit is capable of designating a repaired address during a parallel test mode of memory operation when an address input is a 'don't care,' and it is particularly useful in a multiple input/output memory architecture which uses one column select per I/O line. The column redundancy circuit includes: transmitting means comprised of the data input/output lines for transmitting the data of the memory cell; column decoder and input/output control circuits connected to the transmitting means and decoding a column address input to input data; a circuit connected to the transmitting means and outputting a given signal to the column decoder and input/output control circuits in response to a plurality of output signals output from fuses and a signal for controlling the transmitting means; a plurality of decoded fuse circuits, the levels of which are determined by one fuse connected to the circuit; multiplexers for selectively transmitting data from one of the data input/output lines to a specific data bus line among a plurality of data bus lines; and a decoding circuit which receives the outputs of the decoded fuse circuits and generates a redundancy signal.

Column redundancy circuit for a semiconductor memory device

An integrated circuit memory device includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in an array of rows and columns, a plurality of word lines wherein each of the word lines is associated with a predetermined row of the memory cells, and a plurality of common lines wherein each of the column lines is associated with a predetermined column of the memory cells. Each of a plurality of sense amplifiers is associated with a respective column line and each of the sense amplifiers detects a voltage difference between a pair of bit lines for the respective column and amplifies the voltage difference. A row decoder selects one of the word lines in response to a row address input during a write operation. An input/output driver receives data input during the write operation, and each of a plurality of input/output gates is connected between the input/output driver and a respective one of the column lines. A column decoder activates one of the input/output gates before the sense amplifier senses and amplifies the voltage difference. Related methods are also disclosed.

Integrated circuit memory devices having reduced write cycle times and

A semiconductor memory device achieves high speed operation while operating at a low power supply voltage by boosting the voltage level at the plate node of a memory cell during an access operation. The memory device includes a plate voltage generator which generates a variable voltage level. The plate voltage generator includes a pair of switches for coupling the plate node to either a conventional (1/2)VCC voltage generator or a power supply node in response to a control signal. The plate voltage generator also includes a pulse generator that generates a pulse signal for controlling the switches in response to the control signal. During a precharge period, the bitline pair is charged to VCC. The plate voltage generator charges the plate node to (1/2)VCC during the precharge state and then to VCC during an access operation. This boosts the voltage level at the storage node of the memory cell, thereby decreasing the time required to amplify the signals on the bitlines.

Semiconductor memory device with variable plate voltage generator

Integrated circuit memory devices having metal straps include an array of memory devices arranged as a plurality of sub memory blocks (SMB) in a semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of sub word line drivers (SWD) disposed between adjacent sub memory blocks in the substrate. In particular, a plurality of first signal lines at a first metal level (M1) and extending in a first direction on the array are provided. The first signal lines are directly connected to a first sub word line driver at a face of the substrate. In addition, a plurality of second signal lines are provided at a first metal level (M1) and extend in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, from the first sub word line driver across at least one sub memory block SMB. At least one metal strap is also provided at a second metal level (M2), above the first metal level. The metal strap preferably crosses the plurality of first signal lines and extends from a first side of the first sub word line driver to a second opposing side of the first sub word line driver. Thus, it is unnecessary to provide the first signal lines at the second metal level or provide metal segments or islands to interconnect the first signal lines to metallization at the first metal level and to the first sub word line driver. Accordingly, the memory device of the present invention can be more highly integrated and less susceptible to defects caused by bridge 'shorts'.

Integrated circuit memory devices having metal straps to improve word

A semiconductor memory device for driving word lines at high speed has a word line signal generating circuit for receiving a predecoded signal of a row address, and power source supply circuit for supplying the output signal of the word line signal generating circuit to a word line as source power. The device includes a normal word line decoder for receiving the predecoded signal and the output signal of the power source supplying circuit, respectively and for selecting a normal word line; a spare word line decoder for receiving the predecoded signal and the output signal of the power source supply circuit, respectively and for selecting a spare word line; and a redundancy enabling circuit connected to the spare word line decoder and the normal word line decoder for determining whether the normal word line is selected.

Growing community of inventors

Kyungki-do, South Korea

Dong-il Seo