Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory cell mats, a plurality of sub-word driver regions and a plurality of sense amplifier regions, a plurality of intersection regions, a sub-amplifier, and a start signal (a control signal) supply circuit (a sub-amplifier control circuit). A plurality of sub-word driver regions and a plurality of sense amplifier regions are disposed adjacent to the plurality of memory cell mats. A plurality of intersection regions are intersection regions between the plurality of sub-word driver regions and the plurality of sense amplifier regions. The sub-amplifier is disposed in a first intersection region among the plurality of intersection regions. The start signal supply circuit is disposed in a second intersection region among the plurality of intersection regions, and supplies a start signal (a control signal) of the sub-amplifier to the sub-amplifier based on a sub-amplifier timing signal supplied from the extending direction of the sub-word driver region.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 26, 2009
Date of Patent:
March 5, 2013
Assignee:
Elpida Memory, Inc.
Inventors:
Tetsuaki Okahiro, Hiromasa Noda, Jun Suzuki
Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device that includes a replica buffer circuit that drives a calibration terminal, a reference-potential generating circuit that generates a reference potential, a comparison circuit that compares a potential appearing at the calibration terminal with the reference potential, and a control circuit that changes an output impedance of the replica buffer circuit based on a result of a comparison by the comparison circuit. The reference-potential generating circuit includes a first potential generating unit activated in response to an enable signal and a second potential generating unit activated regardless of the enable signal, and an output node of the first potential generating unit and an output node of the second potential generating unit are commonly connected to the comparison circuit.
Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device that includes a memory cell array having short and long sides, a row decoder, a row fuse circuit, a column decoder and a column fuse circuit. The row decoder, the row fuse circuit and the column fuse circuit are arranged along the long side of the memory cell array. The column decoder is arranged along the short side of the memory cell array.
Abstract: The present invention is applicable to a semiconductor device having a plurality of chips being stacked with a TSV structure in which adjacent ones of the chips are connected to each other via a plurality of through electrodes. Each of the chips includes a plurality of TSV array portions provided so as to correspond to a plurality of channels. The TSV array portions include a TSV array portion that contributes to an input and an output depending upon the number of the chips being stacked, and a pass-through TSV array portion that is not connected to an input/output circuit.
Abstract: To include a first inverter that receives an input signal to output an inverted signal, a second inverter that receives the inverted signal to output a first internal signal, and a third inverter that receives the input signal and outputs a second internal signal by using the inverted signal as a power supply. According to the present invention, because a signal on one signal path is used as a power supply of an inverter included in the other signal path, phases of a pair of output signals based on the input signal can be exactly matched without adding a capacitor or a resistor for adjustment.
Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of core chips and an interface chip stacked together. Each of the core chips and the interface chip includes plural through silicon vias that penetrate a semiconductor substrate and a bidirectional buffer circuit that drives the through silicon vias. The interface chip also includes a logic-level holding circuit that holds a logic level of the through silicon vias. The bidirectional buffer circuit includes an input buffer and an output buffer. The driving capability of a first inverter of the logic-level holding circuit is smaller than the driving capability of the output buffer of the bidirectional buffer circuit.
Abstract: Openings are formed in first and second mask layers. Next, diameter of the opening in the second mask layer is enlarged so that the diameter of the opening in the second mask layer becomes larger by a length X than diameter of the opening in the first mask layer. Thereafter, mask material is formed into the opening in the second mask layer, to form a cavity with a diameter X within the opening in the second mask layer. There is formed a mask which includes the second mask layer and the mask material having therein opening including the cavity.
Abstract: This semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a plurality of cylindrical lower electrodes aligned densely in a memory array region; a plate-like support which is contacted on the side surface of the cylindrical lower electrodes, and links to support the plurality of the cylindrical lower electrodes; a pore portion provided in the plate-like support; a dielectric film covering the entire surface of the cylindrical lower electrodes and the plate-like support in which the pore portion is formed; and an upper electrode formed on the surface of the dielectric film, wherein the boundary length of the part on the side surface of the cylindrical lower electrode which is exposed on the pore portion is shorter than the boundary length of the part on the side surface of the cylindrical lower electrode which is not exposed on the pore portion.
Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an input buffer that receives an address signal having a first amplitude, a level shifter that converts an amplitude of the address signal output from the input buffer to a second amplitude that is smaller than the first amplitude, an address controller that receives the address signal output from the level shifter, address decoders that generate a decode signal by decoding the address signal output from the address controller, and level shifters that convert an amplitude of the address signal or of the decode signal from the second amplitude to the first amplitude such that at least an amplitude level of the decode signal becomes the first amplitude.
Abstract: A method of layout of pattern includes the following processes. A graphic data of a first wiring in a first area of a semiconductor wafer is extracted. The first area is a semiconductor chip forming area. The first area is surrounded by a scribed area of the semiconductor wafer. The first area includes a second area. The second area is bounded with the scribed area. The second area has a second distance from a boundary between the semiconductor chip forming area and the scribed area to an boundary between the first area and the second area. A first dummy pattern in the first area is laid out. The first dummy pattern has at least a first distance from the first wiring. A second dummy pattern in the second area is laid out. The second dummy pattern has at least the first distance from the first wiring. The second dummy pattern has at least a third distance from the first dummy pattern.
Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes filling a gap of a semiconductor chip stack while carrying out a first heating process which heats the semiconductor chip stack from upper and lower portions of the semiconductor chip stack.
Abstract: To provide a memory array for information bit that stores information bits, a memory array for check bit that stores check bits, a correction circuit that, in response to a write request, reads the information bit and the check bit corresponding to a write address from the respective memory arrays and corrects an error included in the information bit, and a mixer temporarily holding information bit corrected by the correction circuit. The mixer overwrites only a part of bytes of the held information bits with write data according to a byte mask signal. Accordingly, a capacity required for the memory array for check bit can be reduced while the byte mask function is maintained.
Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a cylindrical main pillar that is formed on a substrate and of which a central axis is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, source and drain diffused layers that are formed in a concentric shape centered on the central axis at upper and lower portions of the main pillar and made from a first-conduction-type material, a body layer that is formed at an intermediate portion of the main pillar sandwiched between the source and drain diffused layers and made from the first-conduction-type material, and a front gate electrode that is formed on a lateral face of the main pillar while placing a gate insulating film therebetween. Moreover, a back gate electrode made from a second-conduction-type material is formed in a pillar shape penetrating from an upper portion to a lower portion on an inner side of the main pillar.
Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; a well of a first conductivity type in the semiconductor substrate; a first element; and a first vertical transistor. The first element supplies potential to the well, the first element being in the well. The first element may include, but is not limited to, a first pillar body of the first conductivity type. The first pillar body has an upper portion that includes a first diffusion layer of the first conductivity type. The first diffusion layer is greater in impurity concentration than the well. The first vertical transistor is in the well. The first vertical transistor may include a second pillar body of the first conductivity type. The second pillar body has an upper portion that includes a second diffusion layer of a second conductivity type.
Abstract: According to the system of the present invention, data (DQ) signals are outputted/received between a controller 100 and a memory 200 based on a data strobe signal sent out from the controller 100. The data strobe signal is independently and completely separated from a clock signal. The data strobe signal has a frequency different from a clock signal. Therefore, the memory 200 is not required to generate a read data strobe signal from the clock signal nor to send the read data strobe signal in synchronization with the clock signal.
Abstract: A semiconductor storage device with active regions formed in the shape of a band in a substrate; a plurality of word lines arranged at equal intervals that intersect the active regions; cell contacts that includes first cell contacts in the active regions in the center portions in a longitudinal direction, and second cell contacts at both ends in the longitudinal direction; bit line contacts on the first cell contacts; bit lines that pass over the bit line contacts; storage node contacts on the second cell contacts; storage node contact pads on the storage node contacts; and storage capacitors on the storage node contact pads. The center positions of the storage node contacts are offset from the center positions of the second cell contacts. The center positions of the storage node contact pads are offset from the center positions of the storage node contacts.
Abstract: A device includes a first semiconductor chip that includes a first memory cell array including a plurality of first memory cells, a first control logic circuit accessing the first memory cell array and producing a plurality of first data signals in response to data stored in selected ones of the first memory cells, a plurality of first data electrodes, and a first data control circuit coupled to the first control logic circuit and the first data electrodes. A second semiconductor chip includes a second memory cell array including a plurality of second memory cells, a second control logic circuit accessing the second memory cell array and producing a plurality of second data signals in response to data stored in selected ones of the second memory cells. The second control logic circuit is configured to store second timing adjustment information and to produce a second output timing signal.
Abstract: A wiring substrate and a semiconductor chip mounted on the wiring substrate are connected together via a bonding wire. The distance from each end of the semiconductor chip to a wire bond pad provided on the wiring substrate is smaller than the height of the semiconductor chip.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 2, 2009
Date of Patent:
February 19, 2013
Assignee:
Elpida Memory, Inc.
Inventors:
Satoshi Itaya, Dai Sasaki, Mitsuaki Katagirl
Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory cell, a first bit line coupled to the memory cell, a second bit line, a first sense amplifier circuit including first and second transistors, the first transistor including a gate coupled to the first bit line, and the first and second transistors are coupled in series between the second bit line and a first voltage line, a temperature detection circuit configured to detect a temperature of the semiconductor device, and a control circuit configured to receive an output of the temperature detection circuit and supply a control signal to a gate of the second transistor.
Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a pair of electromagnetically coupled inductors. Each of the inductors is comprised of a plurality of through electrodes which extend through a semiconductor substrate, and wires which connect the plurality of through electrodes in series.