Method and device for automatically performing refresh operation in semiconductor memory device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and a device for automatically performing a refresh operation, which can reduce power consumption in an auto refresh mode of a semiconductor memory device. The power consumption can be reduced by controlling the operation of input buffers or the operation of an input buffer generator for controlling the input buffers, during the auto refresh operation. The device for automatically performing the refresh operation in the semiconductor memory device, includes: a plurality of input buffers; an input buffer generator for controlling the operation of the plurality of input buffers; a command decoder for decoding a signal from one input buffer among the plurality of input buffers, and generating an auto refresh signal; a row active generator for generating a row active signal as the auto refresh signal is enabled; a delay generator for generating a delay signal delayed as long as a RAS cycle time according to the row active signal; and an auto refresh generator for controlling the plurality of input buffers by employing a control signal decided by the combination of the auto refresh signal from the command decoder and the delay signal from the delay generator.