The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 20, 1999
Filed:
May. 23, 1997
Tae-sung Jang, Suwon, KR;
Chan-jong Park, Seoul, KR;
Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd., Suwon, KR;
Abstract
A method for detecting an overvoltage signal applied to a semiconductor memory device address pin reduces stress on the device and simplifies the testing process by dividing the voltage of the overvoltage signal and comparing it to a reference voltage, thereby generating a difference signal. The difference signal is buffered by a drive stage which generates a test mode output signal that places the memory device in a test mode. An overvoltage detection circuit for implementing this method includes a comparison signal generator having a resistive voltage divider for dividing the overvoltage signal and generating a comparison signal. A differential amplifier compares the comparison signal to a reference signal from a reference signal generator. The differential amplifier generates a difference signal which is coupled to a drive stage which generates a test mode output signal. The comparison signal generator, the differential amplifier, and the drive stage can be enabled in response to a test mode enable signal.