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:
Feb. 26, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 20, 2000
Rino Micheloni, Turate, IT;
Giovanni Campardo, Bergamo, IT;
Stefano Commodaro, Cassina de'Pecchi, IT;
Francesco Farina, Fermo, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.rll., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
The memory array comprises a plurality of cells, grouped together in sectors and arranged in sector rows and columns, and has both hierarchical row decoding and hierarchical column decoding. Global word lines are connected to at least two word lines in each sector, through local row decoders; global bit lines are connected to at least two local bit lines in each sector, through local column decoders. The global column decoder is arranged in the center of the memory array, and separates from each other an upper half and a lower half of the memory array. Sense amplifiers are also arranged in the middle of the array, thus saving space. This architecture also provides lesser stress of the cells, better reliability, and better production performance. In addition, each sector is completely disconnected from the remaining sectors, and only the faulty row or column of a single sector should be doubled.