Infineon Technologies Ag

Qimonda Ag

Ruediger Brede

Dominique Savignac

Helmut Fischer

Rainer Bartenschlager

Marcus Unertl

An integrated circuit memory device includes a memory array with associated word lines and bit lines. A switching arrangement is connected between a word line and a first voltage source that selectively connects the word line to the first voltage source, and also is responsive to a short-circuit between the word line and the bit line.

Integrated circuit memory device responsive to word line/bit line short-circuit

In the method for modifying a default time duration between an execution instant of a second operation and an earlier execution instant of a first operation executed earlier in a memory element, wherein the memory element is operable in a test operation mode and a normal operation mode, at first a real time duration in the memory element is determined and provided during the test operation mode, wherein the real time duration is chosen so that a performance parameter of the memory element, when using the real time duration between the execution instants of the first and second operations, improves over a situation in which the default time duration between the execution instants of the first and second operations is used. Then, the default time duration is changed in direction of the real time duration during the test operation mode to obtain a modified default time duration. Then information on the modified default time duration or on the ascertained real time duration are stored in the memory element during the test operation mode, wherein the second operation is executed offset by the modified default time duration after the execution instant of the first operation during the normal operation mode.

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Hoehenkirchen, Germany

Ruediger Brede