Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Seonghoon Joo

Ilhan Choi

Jaejun Lee

Jeonghyeon Cho

A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of input-output pins configured to communicate with a memory controller, a command control logic, a temperature measurement circuit and an operation limit controller. The command control logic controls an operation of the semiconductor memory device based on command signals and control signals transferred from the memory controller through control pins among the plurality of input-output pins. The temperature measurement circuit measures an operation temperature of the semiconductor memory device to generate a temperature code corresponding to the operation temperature. The operation limit controller, when it is determined based on the temperature code that the operation temperature exceeds a risk temperature, controls an internal operation of the semiconductor memory device regardless of the command signals and the control signals transferred from the memory controller to thereby decrease a power consumption of the semiconductor memory device.

Semiconductor memory device with operation limit controller

A semiconductor memory device includes: a temperature sensor configured to sense an internal temperature of the semiconductor memory device and generate a temperature signal; and a temperature code storage unit configured to receive the temperature signal in response to a temperature code write control signal that is generated when an operation corresponding to a specific command is performed, generate an operating temperature code corresponding to the temperature signal, compare the operating temperature code with a previously stored temperature code, store a larger temperature code of the operating temperature code and the previously stored temperature code as a maximum temperature code, and output the maximum temperature code to an external source in response to a temperature code read control signal.

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Hwaseong-si, South Korea

Seonghoon Joo