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:
May. 30, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 24, 1998
Cheol-Ung Jang, Suwon, KR;
Byeng-Soon Choi, Suwon, KR;
Abstract
A semiconductor read-only memory includes a main memory cell array having a plurality of first and second bit lines arranged in a hierarchical configuration. A dummy cell array generates a reference potential during a read-out operation. A decoder circuit generates a first, second, third and fourth selection signals from address signals, and a sense amplifier circuit detects data stored in a memory cell of the main memory cell array. A switching circuit connects the dummy cell to the sense amplifier circuit through the second bit line. The read-only memory according to the invention has an advantage that it is possible to accomplish an efficient read-out operation without additional dummy bit lines in an area of the memory cell array.