Abstract: In a memory module including a plurality of DRAM chips which transmit/receive a system data signal with a predetermined data width and at a transfer rate and which transmit/receive an internal data signal having a larger data width and a lower transfer rate as compared with the system data signal, the transfer rate of the system data signal is restricted. Current consumption in DRAMs constituting the memory module is large, hindering speed increases. For this memory module, a plurality of DRAM chips are stacked on an IO chip. Each DRAM chip is connected to the IO chip by a through electrode, and includes a constitution for mutually converting the system data signal and the internal data signal in each DRAM chip by the IO chip. Therefore, wiring between the DRAM chips can be shortened, and DLL having a large current consumption may be disposed only on the IO chip.

Abstract: A method for writing a mode register in a semiconductor device, the method includes receiving a mode register command and a mode signal; generating a first mode register setting signal; delaying the first mode register setting signal in a first latency shifter to provide a second mode register setting signal; receiving a data signal in synchronization with the second mode register setting signal; and writing the mode signal to the mode register only if the received data signal has a first logic level.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a stacked plurality of memory chips. The memory chips each include a plurality of memory banks, a plurality of read/write buses that are assigned to the respective memory banks, and a plurality of penetration electrodes that are assigned to the respective read/write buses and arranged through the memory chip. Penetration electrodes arranged in the same positions as seen in a stacking direction are connected in common between the chips. In response to an access request, the memory chips activate the memory banks that are arranged in respective different positions as seen in the stacking direction, whereby data is simultaneously input/output via the penetration electrodes that lie in different planar positions.

Abstract: In a memory module including a plurality of DRAM chips which transmit/receive a system data signal with a predetermined data width and at a transfer rate and which transmit/receive an internal data signal having a larger data width and a lower transfer rate as compared with the system data signal, the transfer rate of the system data signal is restricted. Current consumption in DRAMs constituting the memory module is large, hindering speed increases. For this memory module, a plurality of DRAM chips are stacked on an IO chip. Each DRAM chip is connected to the IO chip by a through electrode, and includes a constitution for mutually converting the system data signal and the internal data signal in each DRAM chip by the IO chip. Therefore, wiring between the DRAM chips can be shortened, and DLL having a large current consumption may be disposed only on the IO chip.

Abstract: A method for accessing a plurality of DRAM devices each having a plurality of banks, the plurality of DRAM devices being interconnected to receive common address and command signals. The method includes receiving a first chip selection address and a first bank address with an active command to activate a first bank in a first DRAM device of the plurality of DRAM devices. A first bank active flag is set, corresponding to the first bank address, in the first DRAM device of the plurality of DRAM devices. A second bank address with a column command is received. A second bank is accessed in a second DRAM device of the plurality of DRAM devices having a set bank active flag corresponding to the second bank address.

Abstract: A graphic data of a first wiring in a first area of a semiconductor wafer may be extracted, which may correspond to a semiconductor chip forming area. The first area may be surrounded by a scribed area of the semiconductor wafer. The first area includes a second area 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 to have at least a first distance from the first wiring. A second dummy pattern in the second area is laid out to have at least the first distance from the first wiring and at least a third distance from the first dummy pattern.

Abstract: One semiconductor device includes a wiring substrate, a semiconductor chip, and a sealing body. The wiring substrate includes an insulating base material, a first conductive pattern formed on one surface of the insulating base material, and a second conductive pattern formed on one surface of the insulating base material, connected to the first conductive pattern and having an end face exposed to the side. The semiconductor chip is mounted on the wiring substrate so as to overlap with the first conductive pattern. The sealing body is formed on the wiring substrate so as to cover the semiconductor chip.

Abstract: One semiconductor device includes a command receiver receiving the command signal to generate a first internal command signal, and a latency control circuit activating a second internal chip select signal after elapse of first cycles of a clock signal since a first internal chip select signal is activated. The latency control circuit activates a second control signal when the chip select signal is maintained in an inactive state during second cycles of the clock signal that is larger than the first cycles. The command receiver is activated based on a first control signal. The first control signal is activated in response to the first internal chip select signal. The first control signal is deactivated in response to the second control signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; a gate insulating film provided on the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode having a metal layer, a metal oxide layer and a silicon layer containing a dopant, provided sequentially on the gate insulating film; and a transistor having a gate insulating film and a gate electrode.

Abstract: One current source includes a first transistor including a drain connected to an output terminal, and a source directly connected to a first power supply, a second transistor including a drain connected to a gate, the gate of the second transistor being connected to the gate of the first transistor, and a source directly connected to the first power supply, a third transistor opposite the first channel type including a drain connected to the drain of the second transistor, a fourth transistor including a drain connected to the source of the third transistor, a gate connected to a first bias voltage, and a source directly connected to second power supply voltage, and a control voltage generator that detects an output voltage on the output terminal and provides a shifted version of the output voltage to the gate of the third transistor.

Abstract: A method for writing a mode register in a semiconductor device, the method includes receiving a mode register command and a mode signal; generating a first mode register setting signal; delaying the first mode register setting signal in a first latency shifter to provide a second mode register setting signal; receiving a data signal in synchronization with the second mode register setting signal; and writing the mode signal to the mode register only if the received data signal has a first logic level.

Abstract: To decrease the circuit scale necessary for the calibration of the output circuit and to decrease the time required for the calibration operation. The invention includes a first output buffer and a second output buffer that are connected to a data pin, and a calibration circuit that is connected to a calibration pin. The first output buffer and the second output buffer include plural unit buffers. The unit buffers have mutually the same circuit structures. With this arrangement, the impedances of the first output buffer and the second output buffer can be set in common, based on the calibration operation using the calibration circuit. Consequently, both the circuit scale necessary for the calibration operation and the time required for the calibration operation can be decreased.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first signal wiring, a first dummy wiring, and a second dummy wiring. The first signal wiring is configured to be supplied with a first signal potential. The first dummy wiring is insulated from the first wiring. The first dummy wiring is configured to be supplied with a fixed potential. The second dummy wiring is disposed between the first signal wiring and the first dummy wiring. The second dummy wiring is insulated from the first dummy wiring. The second dummy wiring is configured to be supplied with substantially the same potential as the first signal potential.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device includes first and second memory mats. The first memory mat includes first and defective memory cells and first local bit lines coupled to a first global bit line. Each of the first local bit lines is coupled to associated ones of the first memory cells, one of the first local bit lines is further coupled to the defective memory cell. The second memory mat includes second and redundant memory cells and second local bit lines coupled to a second global bit line. Each of the second local bit lines is coupled to associated ones of the second memory cells, one of the second local bit lines is further coupled to the redundant memory cell. The device further includes a control circuit accessing the redundant memory cell when the access address information coincides with the defective address information that designates the defective memory cell.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for selecting a semiconductor chip in a stack of semiconductor chips interconnected by through-lines by receiving selection signals at the first terminals located on a first surface of the semiconductor chip, connecting each first terminal to a selected second terminal located on a second surface of the semiconductor chip where each selected second terminal is not aligned with the first terminal to which it is connected, and generating an internal signal based on a selected one of the received selection signals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device that includes a first wiring provided as a first-level wiring layer and elongated in a first direction; and a first wiring pad provided as the first-level wiring layer, the first wiring pad being rectangular and including a first side edge that is elongated in the first direction and a second side edge that is elongated in a second direction crossing to the first direction, the first side edge being greater in length than the second side edge, the first wiring pad being greater in length in the second direction than the first wiring.

Abstract: To decrease the circuit scale necessary for the calibration of the output circuit and to decrease the time required for the calibration operation. The invention includes a first output buffer and a second output buffer that are connected to a data pin, and a calibration circuit that is connected to a calibration pin. The first output buffer and the second output buffer include plural unit buffers. The unit buffers have mutually the same circuit structures. With this arrangement, the impedances of the first output buffer and the second output buffer can be set in common, based on the calibration operation using the calibration circuit. Consequently, both the circuit scale necessary for the calibration operation and the time required for the calibration operation can be decreased.

Abstract: An internal power supply circuit supplies a power supply voltage to an internal circuit of a semiconductor device via an internal power supply line. The internal power supply circuit includes a reference potential generating circuit that is configured to generate a plurality of reference potentials having different temperature dependencies from each other, an internal voltage generating circuit that generates the power supply voltage with reference to a reference potential generated by the reference potential generating circuit, and a control circuit that selects a reference potential to be generated by the reference potential generating circuit.

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 comprises a memory cell region, a peripheral circuit region and a boundary region. In the memory cell region, a concave lower electrode and a foundation layer have a same uppermost surface positioned in a height of H above the plane-A. In the boundary region, one concave lower conductive region and a foundation layer have a same uppermost surface positioned in a height of H above the plane-A.