Including Specified Plural Element Logic Arrangement Patents (Class 365/189.08)
  • Patent number: 7529115
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device including: a plurality of bit lines; a plurality of memory cells, which are connected to the bit lines, and which store prescribed data; and a sense amplifier, which is connected to a bit line, wherein the sense amplifier includes an op amp, a MOS transistor, and a capacitor, and a first input unit of the op amp is connected to a bit line, a second input unit is connected to a first voltage, an output unit is connected to a gate electrode of the MOS transistor, the MOS transistor is connected between a first node and a second voltage that is lower than the voltage of the first node, and the capacitor is connected between the first node and the bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Yamamura
  • Patent number: 7525850
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is provided which includes a memory array, a page buffer, and a row decoder. The memory array includes a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells, a bit line, and a word line, and the row decoder driven to control the word line of the memory array. The page buffer is electrically connected to the bit line and includes a main data latch and a sub-data latch. The page buffer, which is configured such that flipping of the main data latch is inhibited according to a logic state of the sub-data latch, further includes a main latch block, a sub-latch block, and a latch control block. The main latch block drives the main data latch and maps a logic state of the main data latch to a threshold voltage of a corresponding memory cell through the bit line. The sub-latch block drives the sub-data latch, where the sub-data latch is flipped depending on the voltage level of the bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Hyuk Chae, Young Ho Lim
  • Patent number: 7525833
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a nanoscale shift register that can be used, in certain nanoscale and mixed-scale logic circuits, to distribute an input signal to individual nanowires of the logic circuit. In a described embodiment, the nanoscale shift register includes two series of nanoscale latches, each series controlled by common latch-control signals. Internal latches of each series of latches are alternatively interconnected with a previous latch of the other series and a next latch of the other series by two series of gates, each controlled by a gate signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Snider, Philip J. Kuekes
  • Patent number: 7522467
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device analyzes tRCD inferiority by simultaneously interlock-controlling an enable time of column address and an access time of cell data. The semiconductor memory device includes a bank column address controller for decoding an bank address and a bank control signal to provide a bank column address, and an enable controller for outputting a plurality of control signals with different states in response to a test mode signal, outputting the bank control signal of which enable delay time is controlled by a selective activation state of the plurality of control signals in a read/write operation mode, and controlling a column address enable signal to activate the bank column address to have the same enable delay time as the bank control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Yong-Bok An
  • Publication number: 20090097328
    Abstract: A memory device having a plurality of memory cells employs a method to detect a light attack on the memory device. The method utilizes at least one memory cell to detect a light attack when the memory cell is in an inactive state, and outputs a signal indicating whether a light attack is detected. In one case, the method includes turning off all of the memory cells of memory blocks of the memory device that are not currently being accessed for a read/write operation; sensing a leakage current of at least one of the memory cells of the memory blocks that are not currently being accessed for a read/write operation; and detecting a light attack on the memory device when a leakage current of the one of the memory cells of the memory blocks that are not currently being accessed for a read/write operation is greater than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min kyu KIM
  • Publication number: 20090097301
    Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor memory device which can dynamically change the number of memory cells used as by-pass capacitors. In each memory block, one selector signal line is provided in parallel to one word line. In a pair of the word line and the selector signal line adjacent to each other, states are maintained opposite to each other. Further, in a memory block, one branch of a supply line is provided in parallel to one bit line. In each of the memory cells, a first transistor connects a capacitor to the bit line in accordance with the state of the word line. Furthermore, a second transistor connects the same capacitor to the branch of the supply line in accordance with the state of the selector signal line. In the memory cells aligned in a row direction, gates of the first transistors are connected to the same word line, and gates of the second transistors are connected to the same selector signal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Takahashi, Yoshiyuki Saito
  • Patent number: 7519754
    Abstract: A NOR emulating device using a controller and NAND memories can be used in a computer system in placed of the main memory or in place of the BIOS NOR memory. Thus, the emulating device can function as a bootable memory. In addition, the device can act as a cache to the hard disk drive. Further, with the addition of an MP3 player controller into the device, the device can function as a stand alone audio playback device, even while the PC is turned off or is in a hibernating mode. Finally with the MP3 player controller, the device can access additional audio data stored on the hard drive, again with the PC in an off mode or a hibernating mode. Finally, the device can function to operate the disk drive, even while the PC is off or is in a hibernating mode, and control USB ports attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Wang, Fong-Long Lin, Bing Yeh
  • Patent number: 7515484
    Abstract: A page buffer circuit of a memory device including a plurality of Multi-Level Cells (MLCs) connected to at least a pair of bit lines includes a Most Significant Bit (MSB) latch, a Least Significant Bit (LSB) latch, a data I/O circuit, an inverted output circuit, a MSB verification circuit, and a LSB verification circuit. The MSB latch is configured to sense a voltage of a sensing node in response to a control signal and store an upper sensing data, and output an inverted upper sensing data, or store an input data and output an inverted input data. The LSB latch is configured to sense a voltage of the sensing node in response to the control signal, and store and output a lower sensing data, or store and output an input data received through the MSB latch. The data I/O circuit is connected to the MSB latch and a data I/O line, and is configured to perform the input and output of a sensing data or the input and output of a program data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Yong Seong
  • Publication number: 20090086553
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and an input/output path circuit. The input/output path circuit performs an input/output line pre-charge operation at a write end time point and outputs data stored in the memory cell array when the semiconductor memory device is operated in a read mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Soon-Seob Lee
  • Patent number: 7511999
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a nonvolatile memory cell including an odd number of MIS transistor pairs, each of which stores one-bit data by creating an irreversible change of transistor characteristics in one of the two paired MIS transistors, latches equal in number to the odd number of MIS transistor pairs to store the odd number of one-bit data recalled from the MIS transistor pairs, the recalling of the one-bit data of a given MIS transistor pair being performed by sensing a difference in the transistor characteristics between the two paired MIS transistors of the given MIS transistor pair, and a majority decision circuit configured to make a majority decision based on the odd number of one-bit data to determine a bit value of the nonvolatile memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: NSCore Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20090073739
    Abstract: Multiple interfaces dedicated to individual logic circuits such as memory arrays are capable of being dynamically reconfigured from operating separately and in parallel to operating in a more collective manner to ensure that data associated with all of the logic circuits will be communicated irrespective of a failure in any of the interfaces. Specifically, a plurality of interfaces, each of which being ordinarily configured to communicate data associated with an associated logic circuit in parallel with the other interfaces, may be dynamically reconfigured, e.g., in response to a detected failure in one or more of the interfaces, to communicate data associated with each of the interfaces over each of at least a subset of the interfaces in a time multiplexed and replicated manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, John Michael Borkenhagen, William Paul Hovis, Paul Rudrud
  • Patent number: 7505340
    Abstract: A method implements static random access memory (SRAM) cell write performance evaluation. A SRAM cell write performance evaluation circuit includes a SRAM core where each wordline is connected to only one bit column. A ring oscillator circuit is used to generate wordline pulses. A state machine controls operations for the SRAM cell write performance evaluation circuit including the ring oscillator circuit and the SRAM core. A control signal is applied to the state machine to select a first write operation, where the circuit simultaneously writes all the cells to a known state with wide wordlines to ensure all cells are written. Then a second write operation is selected, and all the wordlines are launched simultaneously to write the cells to the opposite state. From these write operations, a required wordline pulse width to write the cell is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Allen Adams, Derick Gardner Behrends, Travis Reynold Hebig, Daniel Mark Nelson
  • Patent number: 7505331
    Abstract: Programmable logic device integrated circuits with differential communications circuitry are provided in which the differential communications circuitry is used to support programming, testing, and user mode operations. Programming operations may be performed on a programmable logic device integrated circuit by receiving configuration data with the differential communications circuitry and storing the received configuration data in nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory may be located in an external integrated circuit such as a configuration device or may be part of the programmable logic device integrated circuit. The stored configuration data may be loaded into configuration memory in the programmable logic device to program the device to perform a desired custom logic function. The differential communications circuitry may be used to handle boundary scan tests and programmable scan chain tests. During user mode operations the differential communications circuitry carries user data traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Rafael Czernek Camarota
  • Patent number: 7505335
    Abstract: A page mode multi-level NAND-type memory employs two different verify levels per data state and comprises a first data storage circuit which is connected to a memory cell and which stores externally inputted data of a first logic level or a second logic level, a second data storage circuit which is connected to the memory cell and which stores the data of the first logic level or second logic level read from the memory cell, and a control circuit which controls the memory cell and the first and second data storage circuits and which reproduces the externally inputted data and writing the data into the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Noboru Shibata
  • Publication number: 20090067227
    Abstract: A phase change memory device includes a cell array unit including a phase change resistance cell positioned at an intersection of a word line and a bit line. A plurality of sense amplifiers sense and amplify data of the phase change resistance cell selected using a plurality of reference currents. A plurality of comparing units compare an output signal of the corresponding sense amplifier with that of the neighboring sense amplifier so as to output a flag enable signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Hee Bok KANG, Suk Kyoung HONG
  • Patent number: 7502275
    Abstract: Cell power supply lines are arranged for memory cell columns, and adjust impedances or voltage levels of the cell power supply lines according to the voltage levels of bit lines in the corresponding columns, respectively. In the data write operation, the cell power supply line is forced into a floating state according to the bit line potential on a selected column and has the voltage level changed, and a latching capability of a selected memory cell is reduced to write data fast. Even with a low power supply voltage, a static semiconductor memory device that can stably perform write and read of data is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Koji Nii, Shigeki Obayashi, Hiroshi Makino, Koichiro Ishibashi, Hirofumi Shinohara
  • Patent number: 7502266
    Abstract: A first input buffer receives sequentially inputted first data. A first data selector selectively transfers the first data from the first input buffer in accordance with a data input mode. A first data alignment circuit aligns and outputs the data from the first data selector. A second input buffer receives sequentially inputted second data in accordance with the data input mode. A second data selector selectively transfers the data of the first input buffer or of the second input buffer, in accordance with the data input mode. A first data alignment circuit aligns and outputs the data from the second data selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ho-Youb Cho
  • Publication number: 20090059639
    Abstract: A tree-style AND-type match circuit device applied to the content addressable memory (CAM) is provided. In this tree-style AND-type match circuit device, a plurality of AND-type match circuit groups branchingly connect with each other by a first AND logic gate. The tree-style AND-type match circuit increases the parallelism of the evaluation of the entire match circuit so that it can efficiently reduce the searching period and the switching activity. Thus, the switching caused by the transformation activity is also shortened. As a result, the match circuit device will not increase the loading of the clock signal so the power consumption is reduced significantly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Jinn-Shyan Wang
  • Patent number: 7499342
    Abstract: A dynamic module output device and methods thereof are disclosed. The dynamic module output device is connected to a dynamic module. The dynamic module output device provides the output of the dynamic module via two pathways. The first pathway is a direct output from the dynamic module. The second pathway includes a latch that stores the output of the dynamic module. The two output pathways are connected to a logic gate connected to downstream circuitry. Accordingly, data is provided to downstream circuitry rapidly via the first pathway, while being latched to allow the data to be available to the downstream circuitry after the evaluation phase. Such a parallel latching configuration provides enhanced efficiency in transfer and processing of information, especially in conjunction with utilization of precharge and evaluation phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Maciej Bajkowski, Ravindraraj Ramaraju, Andrew Russell
  • Patent number: 7499354
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for testing an electrical property of one or more functionally separate transistors located within an active region that is common with other transistors, a method for characterizing the leakage current of at least one of a plurality of functionally separate transistors located in a common active region of a circuit, and a test structure for testing one or more functionally separate transistors located within a common active region. The method for testing the electrical property, among other steps, includes providing a pair of functionally separate transistors (110) located within a common active region, and biasing a terminal (135) between the pair (110) relative to gates (125, 155) of the pair (110) and terminals (130, 160) outlying the pair (110) to obtain a leakage current associated with the pair (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Theodore W. Houston, Xiaowei Deng, Tito Gelsomini
  • Patent number: 7499341
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and a method of expanding a valid output data window are described. The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and an output circuit. The memory cell array generates read data having a plurality of bits. The output circuit outputs the read data sequentially in response to a clock signal in a normal mode. On the other hand, the output circuit selectively outputs the bits of the read data by latching bits to be tested among bits of the read data, and by electrically disconnecting bits not to be tested among bits of the read data in response to a plurality of switch control signals in a test mode. Therefore a valid data window of an output data may be expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Jin Lee, Hyun-Dong Kim, Seong-Jin Jang
  • Publication number: 20090052260
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having read and write operations includes a discrimination signal generating unit for generating a discrimination signal during the write operation; and a selective delay unit for receiving and selectively delaying a command-group signal in response to the discrimination signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung-Whan Kim, Seok-Cheol Yoon
  • Patent number: 7495991
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes at least one data transmission block including data I/O pads arranged in a major-axis side of the semiconductor memory device; a command and address transmission block including address and command input pads arranged in at least one minor-axis side of the semiconductor memory device; a global line block, arranged in a center of the semiconductor memory device, for transmitting inputted command and address; and at least one bank area, arranged between the global line block and the data transmission block, each bank area containing plural data I/O blocks located in a side of the data transmission block and plural control blocks located in a side of the global line block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Geun-Il Lee, Yong-Suk Joo
  • Patent number: 7495970
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide non-volatile memory architectures for programmable logic devices. For example, a programmable logic device may include logic blocks, input/output blocks, and configuration memory to store configuration data for configuration of the logic blocks and the input/output blocks. A first non-volatile memory may store user information, besides configuration data, and a first port includes a dedicated serial peripheral interface to provide access to the first non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Tang, Fabiano Fontana, David L. Rutledge, Om P. Agrawal, Henry Law
  • Patent number: 7492653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for detecting a failure of data in the semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device according to the present invention includes: a global I/O line for transferring data between an external circuit and a local I/O line; an I/O sense amplifier for controlling a data transmission between the local I/O line and the global I/O line; and an I/O sense amplifier control unit for controlling the I/O sense amplifier in response to a test mode signal in order to test the semiconductor memory device, independent of the data outputted from a memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Young-Jun Ku, Beom-Ju Shin
  • Publication number: 20090040838
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device has a control circuit capable of properly controlling a delay locked loop in a variety of operational modes. The semiconductor memory device includes a clock buffer for externally receiving a system clock to output it as an internal clock, a delay locked loop unit for controlling a delay of the internal clock such that a data output timing is synchronized with the system clock; a data output buffer for synchronizing data with the delay locked internal clock, thereby outputting the data, and a clock buffer control unit, responsive to a previous operation state, for generating an enable signal controlling the on/off switching of the clock buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventor: Hoon CHOI
  • Patent number: 7489568
    Abstract: A methodology is disclosed that enables the delay stages of an analog delay locked loop (DLL) or phase locked loop (PLL) to be programmed according to the operating condition, which may depend on the frequency of the input reference clock. The resulting optimized delay stages allow for a broad frequency range of operation, fast locking time over a wide range of input clock frequencies, and a lower current consumption at high clock frequencies. Better performance is achieved by allowing the number of analog delay stages active during a given operation to be flexibly set. The deactivation or turning off of unused delay stages conserves power at higher frequencies. The high frequency range of operation is increased by using a flexible number of delay stages for various input clock frequencies. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Yong Kim, Dong Myung Choi
  • Patent number: 7489536
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a fuse circuit includes: a pair of fuses; and a comparator circuit connected with nodes on one end side of the fuses through separating switches. The nodes on one end side of the pair of fuses are further connected with a ground terminal through blow switches. The other ends of the pair of fuses are connected with, for example, a power supply potential. Each blow switch is turned ON at the time of blowing the pair of fuses to supply a current to the pair of fuses. Each separating switch separates the comparator circuit from the nodes on one end side at the time of blowing the pair of fuses. One of the pair of fuses is certainly blown upon programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kawashima, Toshio Takeshima, Kenji Gotou, Kouji Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7489569
    Abstract: Improved integrated circuits, memory devices, circuitry, and data methods are described that facilitate the adjustment and reconstruction of signal timing of devices by providing for an interface having inputs and/or outputs that are adjustably delayed. This allows embodiments of the present invention to sense the signal delay and utilize adjustable input or output delays to correct the signal timing relationships such that correctly timed communication signals are received by the internal circuitry of the device. In one embodiment of the present invention, a register is utilized to adjust the timing delay of individual input and/or output signals for the device. This increases the robustness of the device and its resistance to communication or data corruption, allowing larger ranges of environmental conditions and input capacitances of systems or communication busses to be tolerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivan I. Ivanov
  • Patent number: 7483333
    Abstract: A memory device, such as a synchronous random access memory device, includes four banks of memory cells arranged in rows and columns. Different numbers of columns of memory cells are contained in each of the four banks. The bank in which an item of data are stored is determined by either the memory device, a memory controller or a processor based on one or more of several factors. For example, the bank in which the data are stored may be determined by the nature of the data or the length of data bursts written to or read from the memory device. Alternatively, the bank in which the data are stored may be determined based on the source of data written to the memory device or destination for data read from the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Beth E. Skidmore
  • Patent number: 7477551
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a column multiplexer for accessing data from a memory array comprising an output node having a logic state that is based on a logic state of a control node, and column elements, each comprising a first pair of series connected switches controlled by a column select signal and a bit line signal associated with data stored in a plurality of memory cells. The first pair of switches is configured to set the control node to a logic low state based on a logic state of the bit line signal. The column elements each also comprise a second pair of series connected switches controlled by the bit line signal and a complement of the column select signal. The second pair of switches is configured to set the control node to a logic high state based on the logic state of the bit line signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Radu Avramescu, Sumanth Gururajarao, Hugh Thomas Mair
  • Patent number: 7474571
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an integrated circuit comprises at least one logic circuit supplied by a first supply voltage and at least one memory circuit coupled to the logic circuit and supplied by a second supply voltage. The memory circuit is configured to be read and written responsive to the logic circuit even if the first supply voltage is less than the second supply voltage during use. In another embodiment, a method comprises a logic circuit reading a memory cell, the logic circuit supplied by a first supply voltage; and the memory cell responding to the read using signals that are referenced to the first supply voltage, wherein the memory cell is supplied with a second supply voltage that is greater than the first supply voltage during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: P.A. Semi, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Campbell, Vincent R. von Kaenel, Daniel C. Murray, Gregory S. Scott, Sribalan Santhanam
  • Publication number: 20080310240
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is capable of reducing a test time upon the same condition of the actual operation thereof. The semiconductor memory device includes an output data select unit and a data output unit. The output data select unit selectively outputs valid data, which are loaded on a plurality of global lines, in response to an output control signal activated after a delay time corresponding to an additive latency from entry of a read operation in a test mode. The data output unit aligns data outputted from the output data select unit and outputs the aligned data through data pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Jae-Il Kim, Chang-Ho Do
  • Patent number: 7466603
    Abstract: A configurable memory system and method is wherein an integrated circuit coupled to a memory device includes application logic and memory interface logic in communication with the application logic, the memory interface logic configured to access a memory array within the memory device. The memory interface logic provides logic functions and/or signals that would have been provided by logic on a prior art memory device. The interface logic may access the memory device synchronously or asynchronously. The integrated circuit may communicate to the memory device using multiplexed or non-multiplexed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Inapac Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Adrian E. Ong
  • Patent number: 7464115
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling access by a set of accessing nodes to memory of a home node (in a multimode computer system) determines that each node in the set of nodes has accessed the memory, and forwards a completion message to each node in the set of nodes after it is determined that each node has accessed the memory. The completion message has data indicating that each node in the set of nodes has accessed the memory of the home node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: John Carter, Randal S. Passint, Donglai Dai, Zhen Fang, Lixin Zhang, Gregory M. Thorson
  • Patent number: 7463519
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a data input buffer configured to receive data from outside the device, a nonvolatile memory cell including two MIS transistors to store first data received by the data input buffer by creating an irreversible change of transistor characteristics in one of the two MIS transistors, whichever is selected in response to a value of the first data, a sense latch coupled to the nonvolatile memory cell and configured to store the first data obtained by sensing a difference in the transistor characteristics between the two MIS transistors of the nonvolatile memory cell, and a logic circuit configured to produce a signal indicative of comparison between the first data stored in the sense latch and second data received by the data input buffer, wherein no data path to output the first data stored in the sense latch to outside the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: NSCORE Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20080298137
    Abstract: A domino read bit line structure (20) integral to an SRAM array (1, 2) with thirty-two word lines or less to access SRAM cells divided into two groups (3, 4, 90, 100) is described. The bit line structure (20) includes a dynamic bit decode multiplexer (11, 40) and two NAND circuits (5, 80) used to combine the two groups (3, 4, 90, 100), wherein in order to reduce power consumption the two NANDS (80) drive the dynamic bit decode multiplexer (40) directly, such that true and complement dynamic outputs (rt, rc) drive a set-reset latch (50) to convert the dynamic outputs (rt, rc) to a single static signal (doc), wherein the output of the set-reset latch (50) is already static so that the set-reset latch (50) acts as an effective array output latch (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Yuen Hung Chan, Robert Maurice Houle, Rolf Sautter, Pascal Witte
  • Patent number: 7460400
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of control lines, a control circuit configured to assert selected ones of the control lines, and a plurality of memory cell arranged in rows and columns and including respective latch circuits and respective nonvolatile memory cells, wherein the memory cell units are configured to perform a write operation in which the latch circuits of the memory cell units on a selected row store respective bits of the input data, and are further configured to perform a store operation in which the respective bits of the input data are transferred from the latch circuits to the nonvolatile memory cells for storage therein in response to assertion of respective control lines by the control circuit, so that only one or more selective bits of the input data selected by the control circuit are stored in the nonvolatile memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: NSCore Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7453717
    Abstract: A memory cell with at least two detectable states among which is an unprogrammed state, comprising, in series between two terminals of application of a read voltage, at least one first branch comprising: a pre-read stage comprising, in parallel, two switchable resistors having different values with a first predetermined difference; and a programming stage formed of a polysilicon programming resistor, a terminal of the programming resistor being accessible by a programming circuit capable of causing an irreversible decrease in its value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Sylvie Wuidart, Luc Wuidart
  • Patent number: 7453746
    Abstract: Improved integrated circuits, memory devices, circuitry, and data methods are described that facilitate the adjustment and reconstruction of signal timing of devices by providing for an interface having inputs and/or outputs that are adjustably delayed. This allows embodiments of the present invention to sense the signal delay and utilize adjustable input or output delays to correct the signal timing relationships such that correctly timed communication signals are received by the internal circuitry of the device. In one embodiment of the present invention, a register is utilized to adjust the timing delay of individual input and/or output signals for the device. This increases the robustness of the device and its resistance to communication or data corruption, allowing larger ranges of environmental conditions and input capacitances of systems or communication busses to be tolerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivan I. Ivanov
  • Patent number: 7450441
    Abstract: The memory system, memory device, memory controller and method may have a reduced power consumption. The memory system, memory device, memory controller and method may transition a data strobe signal to a valid logic level during a standby state. The valid logic level may be less than a logic level associated with a higher impedance level, such as when a bus may be turned off or connected to a ground voltage. A delay locked circuit need not be used in the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd
    Inventor: Dong-yang Lee
  • Patent number: 7450438
    Abstract: A router including a lookup execution unit including a plurality of stages, a forwarding table memory arranged in hierarchy including addressable sectors, blocks, and entries, and a crossbar having an address crossbar for selectively coupling one of the plurality of stages to a sector of the memory so that data from the sector can be read. In one example, any one of the stages of the plurality of stages may be selectively and dynamically coupled with any one of the sectors of the forwarding table memory for providing an address to a particular sector of the memory to read data therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Holst, William L. Lynch
  • Patent number: 7450449
    Abstract: A test circuit is connected to a memory core integrated unit of SRAM. When the memory core integrated unit is to be tested, a test start signal is set to a high level so that one of a bit line and an inverted bit line is used for data write and the test circuit sets data to this selected bit line. The other bit line is used for data read, and the written data is set to this bit line in the normal operation. Whether each memory core is not defective is judged by EOR which confirms data set to the bit line and data set to the inverted bit line are mutually inverted each other. A test method is realized which can test a defect of each memory core of a semiconductor memory such as SRAM in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yukichi Ono
  • Patent number: 7443742
    Abstract: A memory arrangement for processing data comprises a memory, an interface operatively coupled to the memory, a DLL circuit and at least one register device comprising a data input and a clock input. Read data is applied to the interface in response to a read access to the memory. An RDT clock signal, which is derived from an internal clock signal and is in synchronism with the read data, is permanently applied to the interface. The DLL circuit provides a delayed clock signal defining a optimum sampling time for the read data as a signal obtained by comparing the internal clock signal with the RDT clock signal and shifting the obtained signal if at least one of a set-up time or a hold time is violated. The data input of said at least one register device is connected to the interface and the delayed clock signal is applied to the clock input of the at least one register device in order to sample the read data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Franz Hellwig
  • Patent number: 7443739
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory device includes a clock terminal that applies an external clock signal. Read and write accesses are controlled synchronously with the external clock signal. A frequency detector is connected to the clock terminal to detect the frequency of the external clock signal. The frequency detector circuit generates a control signal in a manner dependent on the frequency of the external clock signal, the control signal being used to drive a controllable voltage generator, which generates a level of an internal supply voltage in a manner dependent on the control signal, from which supply voltage further control and supply voltages are derived. The integrated semiconductor memory device makes it possible to adapt the level of internally generated voltages of the integrated semiconductor memory device to the frequency of the external clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventor: Roland Barth
  • Patent number: 7441072
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device transmits/receives data to/from a data input/output terminal every j bits (e.g., eight bits). Each of memory cells in a memory cell array can hold data of n bits in correspondence to 2n threshold levels. A write data conversion circuit generates write data from bit data input from the same data input/output terminal in a set of a plurality of data of j bits input at different timings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Yuichi Kunori
  • Patent number: 7440339
    Abstract: This invention relates to an MRAM array architecture which incorporates certain advantages from both cross-point and 1T-1MTJ architectures during reading operations. The fast read-time and higher signal to noise ratio of the 1T-1MTJ architecture and the higher packing density of the cross-point architecture are both exploited by using a single access transistor to control the reading of multiple stacked columns of MRAM cells each column being provided in a respective stacked memory layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hasan Nejad, Mirmajid Seyyedy
  • Patent number: 7436721
    Abstract: A method supplies voltage to a bit line of a memory device. The method includes precharging, with a precharging device, the bit line to an output potential, deactivating the precharging device during a read action related to the bit line, reading, during the read action, an information via the bit line, and routing, during the read action, a virtual voltage supply line to a supply potential of the memory device to supply voltage to memory cells of the memory device assigned to the bit line. The precharging device of the bit line is activated/deactivated as a function of the potential of the virtual voltage supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Gunther Lehmann, Yannick Martelloni, Devesh Dwivedi, Siddharth Gupta
  • Patent number: 7433248
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for increasing a number of selectable options for an operating mode. A number of selectable options for an operating mode is increased by programming a first register with data selecting one option of a set of options for the operating mode. A second register is programmed with data selecting one of a plurality of sets of options for the operating mode. The data programmed in the first register selects one of the options of the set of options selected by the data programmed in the second register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joo S. Choi
  • Patent number: 7433219
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a CAM cell array that stores the operation setting information as to the semiconductor device, a controller that controls read and write of the CAM cell array, a row decoder, and a column decoder. With this structure, different row addresses are allocated to respective functions of the operation setting information. Accordingly, stress is not caused in the CAM cell array of the unselected functions at the time of programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Shozo Kawabata, Kenji Shibata, Takaaki Furuyama, Satoru Kawamoto