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:
Aug. 31, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 26, 1997
Soo-In Cho, Seoul, KR;
Sang-Jae Rhee, Seoul, KR;
Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd., Suwon, KR;
Abstract
A circuit for generating an internal source voltage signal responsive to an external source voltage signal in a semiconductor memory device prevents malfunction and extends the lifetime of the device by clamping the internal source signal if the device is in a normal operating mode when the external source signal is in a stress operating range. When the device is placed in a test mode, the circuit allows the internal source signal to increase in proportion to the level of the external source signal when the external source signal is in a stress operating range. The circuit includes in internal source voltage generator, which always clamps the internal source signal when the external source signal is in a normal operating range, and a pull-up unit which is activated in response to a control signal. The control signal is enabled when the device is placed in a test mode by combining external timing signals.