Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a readout circuit which reads data stored in a selected memory cell by applying predetermined voltage to the selected memory cell and a reference cell such that currents corresponding to the respective threshold voltage may flow, and comparing the current flowing in the selected memory cell with the current flowing in the reference cell. The readout circuit commonly uses the reference cell set in the same storage state for normal readout and for readout for program verification, and when the predetermined voltage is applied to the selected memory cell and the reference memory cell at the time of the readout for the program verification, it sets an applying condition to the reference memory cell such that its storage state may be shifted more in the program state direction than that in an applying condition at the time of the normal readout.

Abstract: Two bias circuits which supply a current to a selected memory cell and a reference memory cell have the same circuit constitution. Each bias circuit includes a first active element between a power supply node and a junction node, where a current is controlled to prevent a voltage level at the junction node from fluctuating, a second active element between the power supply node and an output node, where a current is controlled such that a voltage level at the output node is changed in direction opposite to a voltage level at the junction node in other bias circuit, a third active element and a fourth active element between the junction node and a current supply node and between the output node and the current supply node, respectively, where a bias voltage is adjusted.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is provided, which comprising a memory cell array comprising a two-value memory region and a multi-value memory region, in which the two-value memory region comprises a plurality of memory cells each storing 1-bit data and the multi-value memory region comprises a plurality of memory cells each storing 2 or more-bit data, and a sense amplifier section common to data read of the two-value memory region and data read of the multi-value memory region, for reading data stored in a selected memory cell by comparing a potential of the selected memory cell with a reference potential.

Abstract: A reading circuit, for reading data from one memory cell of a plurality of memory cells, includes a plurality of division sensing circuits each connected to the one memory cell via a sensing line corresponding thereto among a plurality of sensing lines; and a current-voltage conversion circuit for converting a current flowing through each sensing line into a sensing voltage representing a potential of the corresponding sensing line. Each division sensing circuit includes a current load circuit for supplying a current to the one memory cell via a corresponding sensing line, and a sense amplifier for sensing a potential difference between the corresponding sensing line and a corresponding reference line of a plurality of reference lines. The current load circuit included in at least one division sensing circuit has a current supply capability different from that of the current load circuit included in another division sensing circuits.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit of the present invention includes: n first output circuits and m second output circuits which are provided such that adjacent first and second output circuits are spaced at a regular first pitch; and input circuits which are provided such that adjacent input circuits are spaced at a regular second pitch, in which the first and second output circuits are provided such that at least part of ones of the first and second output circuit blocks alternate with the other ones of the first and second output circuits and each of the first output circuits is connected to a corresponding one of input circuits by a first conductor line which is kept straight, and second conductor lines are connected to the second output circuits such that each second conductor line passes through a gap between the input circuits.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit of the present invention includes: n first output circuits and m second output circuits which are provided such that adjacent first and second output circuits are spaced at a regular first pitch; and input circuits which are provided such that adjacent input circuits are spaced at a regular second pitch, in which the first and second output circuits are provided such that at least part of ones of the first and second output circuit blocks alternate with the other ones of the first and second output circuits and each of the first output circuits is connected to a corresponding one of input circuits by a first conductor line which is kept straight, and second conductor lines are connected to the second output circuits such that each second conductor line passes through a gap between the input circuits.