Abstract: A column access control apparatus comprises a column signal control unit for controlling a write CAS pulse signal and an internal CAS pulse signal in response to a first signal, and a column decoder for outputting a column decoding signal using an output signal of the column signal control unit and the first signal. The column signal control unit delays the internal CAS pulse signal and the write CAS pulse signal to output delayed signals when the first signal is activated.

Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor memory device and a burn-in test method thereof. A semiconductor memory device according to an aspect of the invention includes a plurality of memory cell blocks, each of which includes a plurality of memory cells that are respectively coupled to a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines, a word line control unit activating word lines in memory cell blocks that correspond to row address signals and word lines in memory cell blocks that do not correspond to the row address signals, during a test operation, and a write circuit writing data in the memory cell blocks that correspond to the row address signals and not writing data in the memory cell blocks that do not correspond to the row address signals, during the test operation.

Abstract: Between the value of an electric current and the supply duration for which the electric current is supplied that cause magnetization reversal, there is the relation of monotonous decrease. This means that, as the supply duration is shortened, the threshold current value for causing the magnetization reversal is larger. Therefore, in terms of suppressing occurrence of read disturb, the read current supply duration may be shortened to increase the threshold value of the current causing the magnetization reversal and thereby ensure a sufficient read disturb margin. Therefore, the read current supply duration may be shortened relative to the write current supply duration ensure the read disturb margin and suppress occurrence of read disturb.

Abstract: A method and design is provided for distributing and storing sets of temporally ordered information in a systematic and sequential fashion. This method is based on a model of how the brain functions in the distribution and storage of temporally ordered memories, but it can also be applied to the design of new biological, electronic or optical devices. These devices may be used in the testing and development of new therapeutic drugs, in the detection of toxic agents or impaired performance, or in the development of new industrial and consumer devices in which the orderly storage of sequential information is important.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix, a plurality of word lines corresponding to respective rows of the plurality of memory cells, a plurality of word line drivers for driving the plurality of word lines, respectively, and a plurality of pull-down circuits connected to the plurality of word lines, respectively, for causing voltages of the respective connected word lines to be lower than or equal to a power supply voltage when the respective word lines are in an active state. The word line drivers each have a transistor for causing the corresponding word line to go into the active state. The pull-down circuits each have a pull-down transistor for pulling down the corresponding word line, the pull-down transistor being a transistor having the same conductivity type as that of the transistor included the word line driver for driving the corresponding word line.

Abstract: A comparing unit (12) in a readout control unit (11) compares one bit data stored in a memory body (20) with a value stored in a data storage unit B[m] which is prepared to store the one bit data. The data storage unit B[m] includes three memory cells MC[k] and the stored value of the data storage unit B[m] is obtained by a logical operation unit (16) operable to calculate an exclusive OR with respect to the three memory cells MC[k]. When mismatching is detected in the comparing unit (12), a rewrite cell determination unit (13) determines one of the three memory cells MC[k], to which rewriting of the stored value is performed. In the case where the stored value in the data storage unit B[m], if the data storage unit B[m] has a memory cell MC[k] to which writing can be performed, the writing is performed in priority to erasing.

Abstract: A write control method for a magnetoresistive random access memory, which includes a memory cell having a recording layer with an axis of easy magnetization and an axis of hard magnetization. The write control method includes writing a datum into the memory cell. The writing of the datum includes applying a pulsative first magnetic field substantially parallel to the axis of easy magnetization of the recording layer and a pulsative second magnetic field substantially parallel to the axis of hard magnetization to the recording layer so as to cause a period of the pulsative first magnetic field and a period of the pulsative second magnetic field to overlap each other, and applying a pulsative third magnetic field having substantially the same direction as the pulsative first magnetic field to the recording layer at least once after applying the pulsative first magnetic field to the recording layer.

Abstract: Shifts in the apparent charge stored on a floating gate (or other charge storing element) of a non-volatile memory cell can occur because of the coupling of an electric field based on the charge stored in adjacent floating gates (or other adjacent charge storing elements). To compensate for this coupling, the read or programming process for a given memory cell can take into account the programmed state of an adjacent memory cell. To determine whether compensation is needed, a process can be performed that includes sensing information about the programmed state of an adjacent memory cell (e.g., on an adjacent bit line or other location).

Abstract: A system is disclosed for programming non-volatile storage that improves performance by setting the starting programming voltage to a first level for fresh parts and adjusting the starting programming voltage as the memory is cycled. For example, the system programs a set of non-volatile storage elements during a first period using an increasing program signal with a first initial value and subsequently programs the set of non-volatile storage elements during a second period using an increasing program signal with a second initial value, where the second period is subsequent to the first period and the second initial value is different than the first initial value.

Abstract: Program disturb is reduced in non-volatile storage by boosting unselected NAND strings in an array so that a source side channel, on a source side of a selected word line, is boosted before a drain side channel, on a drain side of the selected word line. In one approach, a first boost mode is used when the selected word line is a lower or intermediate word line. In the first boost mode, boosting of the source and drain side channels is initiated concurrently. A second boost mode is used when the selected word line is a higher word line. In the second boost mode, boosting of the source side channel occurs early relative to the boosting of the drain side channel. Either boost mode include an isolation voltage which tends to isolate the source and drain side channels from one another.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed herein to provide improved techniques for securing configuration data stored in non-volatile memories of programmable logic devices. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a programmable logic device includes a non-volatile memory adapted to store a plurality of configuration data. A plurality of security fuses are adapted to store a plurality of logic states. Control logic is adapted to selectively secure the configuration data within the non-volatile memory based on the logic states stored in the plurality of security fuses.

Abstract: Non-volatile storage with reduced program disturb is provided by boosting unselected NAND strings in an array so that a source side channel, on a source side of a selected word line, is boosted before a drain side channel, on a drain side of the selected word line. In one approach, a first boost mode is used when the selected word line is a lower or intermediate word line. In the first boost mode, boosting of the source and drain side channels is initiated concurrently. A second boost mode is used when the selected word line is a higher word line. In the second boost mode, boosting of the source side channel occurs early relative to the boosting of the drain side channel. Either boost mode include an isolation voltage which tends to isolate the source and drain side channels from one another.

Abstract: An oscillating period of an oscillator is configured to be adjustable by CODEi output from a ROM circuit, and a circuit is configured so that the oscillating period is equal to a period p times a tRAS period during self refreshing. An n-bit counter counts up based on the output of the oscillator. A programmable decoder issues a reset to the n-bit counter in a period equal to q times the oscillating period based on a count of the n-bit counter and CODEj output from the ROM circuit. Each time the programmable decoder issues the reset, an RASB signal is activated by controlling SRACT at H-level for a period equal to 1/p times the period of OSC0.

Abstract: Shifts in the apparent charge stored on a floating gate (or other charge storing element) of a non-volatile memory cell can occur because of the coupling of an electric field based on the charge stored in adjacent floating gates (or other adjacent charge storing elements). To compensate for this coupling, the read or programming process for a given memory cell can take into account the programmed state of an adjacent memory cell. To determine whether compensation is needed, a process can be performed that includes sensing information about the programmed state of an adjacent memory cell (e.g., on an adjacent bit line or other location).

Abstract: A system and method, including software implemented techniques, can be used to adjust for sag in stored data values. Charge is applied to multiple memory cells, and each memory cell is charged to a target voltage corresponding to a data value. The memory cells include a reference cell that is charged to a predetermined voltage. A voltage level in the reference cell is detected, and voltage levels from a group of memory cells are also detected. An adjustment is performed based upon the difference between the detected voltage level in the reference cell and the predetermined voltage.

Abstract: Embodiments for selecting regions of memory are described. For example, in one embodiment a memory device having an array of memory cells includes an array selection block. The array selection block receives an input signal indicative of a region in the array of memory cells. The array selection block generates a selection signal to map the region to at least one physical location in the array of memory cells, based on the detection of the number of defects in that location.

Abstract: A technique of writing, programming, holding, maintaining, sampling, sensing, reading and/or determining the data state of a memory cell of a memory cell array (for example, a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells which consist of an electrically floating body transistor). In one aspect, the present inventions are directed to techniques to control and/or operate a semiconductor memory cell (and memory cell array having a plurality of such memory cells as well as an integrated circuit device including a memory cell array) having one or more electrically floating body transistors in which an electrical charge is stored in the body region of the electrically floating body transistor. The techniques of the present inventions may employ bipolar transistor currents to control, write and/or read a data state in such a memory cell.

Abstract: Twin cell type semiconductor memory devices are provided that include a plurality of main bit lines and a plurality of reference bit lines. Each of the reference bit lines correspond to respective ones of the main bit lines to form a plurality of bit line pairs. A plurality of sense amplifiers are provided that are electrically connected to a respective one of the plurality of bit line pairs. At least one of the plurality of main bit lines or the plurality of reference bit lines is interposed between the main bit line and the corresponding reference bit line of each bit line pair. At least some of the main bit lines may cross respective ones of the reference bit lines in a sense amplifier region of the semiconductor memory device that contains the plurality of sense amplifiers.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a write data mask signal in a synchronous semiconductor memory device includes an output unit and a reset control unit. The output unit controls a write data mask operation of the synchronous semiconductor memory device, latches a write data mask signal, and outputs an internal write data mask signal, in response to an internal clock signal. The reset control unit generates a reset signal for resetting the internal write data mask signal, in response to a write column disable signal indicating an activation end point of a column selection line signal generated when a write operation including the write data mask operation is performed. While the synchronous semiconductor memory device performs a gapless write data mask operation included in a gapless write operation, the reset signal is deactivated so that the write data mask signal is not reset.

Abstract: In a method of measuring a channel boosting voltage, a threshold voltage of a pass disturbance is measured in accordance with change of a pass voltage applied to a selected cell under the condition that the pass voltage having a certain level is provided to a cell not selected of erased cells. Subsequently, a threshold voltage of a program disturbance is measured in accordance with change of the pass voltage applied to the cell not selected under the condition that a program voltage having a certain level is provided to a cell selected of the erased cells. Then, the channel boosting voltage is measured by using a pass bias voltage applied when the threshold voltage of the pass disturbance is identical to that of the program disturbance. As a result, the channel boosting voltage is accurately monitored when a program operation is performed. Accordingly, a program disturbance characteristic may be easily detected, and also yield and fail may be easily analyzed.