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:
Sep. 23, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 25, 2002
Applicant:
Inventors:
Manny Kin F. Ma, Boise, ID (US);
Brian Shirley, Boise, ID (US);
Assignee:
Micron Technology, Inc., Boise, ID (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C 7/00 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C 7/00 ;
Abstract
A DRAM memory array is disclosed that uses a current limiting circuit employing current feedback to clamp the current flow to reduced levels than were previously possible. The current limiting circuit comprises a long length, depletion mode transistor that has its gate voltage reduced when row-to-column shorts exist to limit the bleed current. An alternative embodiment uses a P-channel FET in series with the depletion mode transistor and has its gate tied to a negative supply and passes current until both digit lines approach approximately 0.3 Volts.