Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Willibald Meyer

Norbert Wirth

Jurgen Wawersig

Jurgen Warwersig

Memory cells of a semiconductor memory are combined into individually addressable units. An address decoding circuit connects to the units. A programmable address transformation configuration is connected between address terminals receiving external address signals and the decoding circuit. The address transformation configuration, in its unprogrammed state, outputs an internal address signal at each of the outputs which corresponds to the external address signal present at a corresponding one of the address terminals. In its programmed state it outputs an internal address signal at at least one of said outputs, which differs from the external address signal present at a corresponding one of the inputs. The units are thus readdressed relative to the external address. The semiconductor memory is operated by applying external address signals for addressing the units at the address terminals; the external address signals are transformed in an address transformation to become internal address signals within the semiconductor memory. The internal address is fed to the address decoding circuit instead of the external address signals. The address transformation is processed in such a way that, upon application of a first address with a predetermined address value to the address terminals, a different unit is addressed than when the external address were applied without carrying out the address transformation.

Semiconductor memory with cells combined into individually addressable

An integrated semiconductor memory configuration includes a memory region having a plurality of segments. Each of the memory region segments have a plurality of read amplifiers and bit lines. Each two of the bit lines are connected to a respective one of the read amplifiers. A plurality of parallel data lines lead to the memory region. Each of the data lines have an end oriented toward and another end oriented away from a respective one of the memory region segments. Each of a plurality of read/write amplifier switches is disposed at one of the ends of the respective data lines. Each of a plurality of selector switches connects the read/write amplifier switch disposed on the end of a respective one of the data lines oriented toward the memory region segment to a respective one of the read amplifiers of the memory region segment.

Integrated semiconductor memory configuration

An integrated semiconductor memory array includes a memory region, a writing buffer memory associated with the memory region, a writing pointer and an input buffer associated with the writing buffer memory, a reading buffer memory associated with the memory region, a reading pointer and an output buffer associated with the reading buffer memory, and a control device being formed of a memory control circuit and a data flow control circuit. A reading column address decoder controlling the reading pointer is associated with the reading buffer memory. A reading address control unit is connected to the reading column address decoder, and a reading address register is connected to the reading address control unit. A writing column address decoder controlling the writing pointer is associated with the writing buffer memory. A writing address control unit is connected to the writing column address decoder, and a writing address register is connected to the writing address control unit. A line address decoder is provided in the memory control circuit or in the memory region and is triggerable by the reading address control unit and the writing address control unit.

Integrated semiconductor memory array and method for operating the same

An integrated dynamic write-read memory includes at least one redundant row and/or column initially excluded from normal operation of the memory but available for normal operation as a replacement. At least one row decoder is connected to the memory matrix and at least one column decoder is connected to the memory matrix for addressing. A column address pulse is fed to the memory matrix for initiating addressing by matrix columns and a row address pulse is fed to the memory matrix for initiating addressing by matrix rows. A normal data path leading out of the memory matrix includes a tristate output connected to the normal data path and actuated by addressing with the stored digital data. Another decoder is connected in the normal data path between the memory matrix and the tristate output with an output connected to the tristate output. The other decoder blocks the normal data path from the memory matrix to the tristate output upon addressing each row or column of the portion of the memory matrix intended for normal operation replaced by a redundant row or column and upon simultaneous external activation of the other decoder. The other decoder also indicates the insertion of a redundant row or column in place of a row or column in the portion of the memory matrix intended for normal operation with the appearance of a uniform indicating signal at the data output.

Integrated dynamic write-read memory with a decoder blocking the data

For integrated digital MOS semiconductor circuits having redundant circuit parts, particularly for semiconductor memories having redundant rows and columns, it is desirable after the employment of the redundant circuit parts to be able to distinguish such a module from those modules in which such an employment of redundant circuit parts has not yet occurred. According to the invention, signals are enabled which serve for the normal mode as well as for the test mode to be input into the circuit via the same signal input. Test signals are distinguished from the other signals by an elevated signal level. The circuit according to the invention includes a circuit part to be activated by means of interrupting a conductive connection, said circuit part then distinguishing the signals applied to the input from one another on the basis of their levels and generating secondary signals on the basis of the signals having the elevated level, said secondary signals then being provided for the control of the test mode.

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Munich, Germany

Willibald Meyer