Method of improving error checking and correction performance of memory

Abstract

A method of improving an error checking and correction performance of a memory includes replacing a defective column including a defective memory cell of the memory cell array with a spare column of a the spare cell array, wherein the memory cell array includes memory cells in a matrix and the spare cell array includes spare memory cells in a matrix to be replaced for defective memory cells; storing check bits of error correction code in at least one memory cell of the defective column; storing defect information regarding a defect of the defective memory cell; determining whether the at least one memory cell storing the check bits is to be used to perform error checking and correction on a memory, based on the defect information; and performing error checking and correction on the memory using a memory cell selected based on a result of determining whether the at least one memory cell storing the check bits is to be used.