Abstract: Provided are nonvolatile memory devices and a driving method of the nonvolatile memory devices. The nonvolatile memory devices may include a plurality of memory banks, a read global bit line shared by the plurality of memory banks, a write global bit line shared by the plurality of memory banks, a read circuit connected with the read global bit line and performing a read operation, and a discharge control circuit connected with the write global bit line and primarily discharging the write global bit line during an initialization interval after a power-up operation.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device utilizes a variable resistive element. The nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of banks and first to third write global bit lines arranged to cross the plurality of banks. Each of the plurality of banks includes a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells using resistive material. The first, the second and the third write global bit lines are disposed directly adjacent to one another in order. When a write current is supplied to the first write global bit line during a write period, a fixed voltage is applied to the second write global bit line while the third global bit line floats.

Abstract: Provided are nonvolatile memory devices and a driving method of the nonvolatile memory devices. The nonvolatile memory devices may include a plurality of memory banks, a read global bit line shared by the plurality of memory banks, a write global bit line shared by the plurality of memory banks, a read circuit connected with the read global bit line and performing a read operation, and a discharge control circuit connected with the write global bit line and primarily discharging the write global bit line during an initialization interval after a power-up operation.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of functional bit lines, at least one dummy bit line, and a dummy bit line selection unit. The at least one dummy bit line is adjacent to an outermost bit line of the functional bit lines. The dummy bit line selection unit activates the at least one dummy bit line in response to a selection control signal of one of the plurality of functional bit lines that is not adjacent to the at least one dummy bit line. The semiconductor memory device may ensure a photo margin, so that the pattern size of the functional bit lines can be made uniform.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device utilizes a variable resistive element. The nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of banks and first to third write global bit lines arranged to cross the plurality of banks. Each of the plurality of banks includes a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells using resistive material. The first, the second and the third write global bit lines are disposed directly adjacent to one another in order. When a write current is supplied to the first write global bit line during a write period, a fixed voltage is applied to the second write global bit line while the third global bit line floats.

Abstract: A memory device is provided, which includes a plurality of global bit lines, a discharge line, a switching circuit configured to connect the plurality of global bit lines to the discharge line in response to a discharge enable signal, a first discharge circuit configured to apply a first voltage that is higher than a ground voltage to the discharge line, a precharge circuit configured to apply a precharge voltage to a selected global bit line among the plurality of global bit lines, and a second discharge circuit configured to discharge the selected global bit line to a second voltage that is higher than the ground voltage.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of functional bit lines, at least one dummy bit line, and a dummy bit line selection unit. The at least one dummy bit line is adjacent to an outermost bit line of the functional bit lines. The dummy bit line selection unit activates the at least one dummy bit line in response to a selection control signal of one of the plurality of functional bit lines that is not adjacent to the at least one dummy bit line. The semiconductor memory device may ensure a photo margin, so that the pattern size of the functional bit lines can be made uniform.

Abstract: A phase change memory device may include a memory cell array, a write driver, and/or a control unit. The memory cell array may include a plurality of memory cells. The write driver may be configured to provide a program current to the memory cell array for setting a state of a phase change material to program a selected memory cell. The write driver may be configured to provide the program current such that the program current has a plurality of steps. The control unit may be configured to receive step information for adjusting a magnitude and a width of each step of the program current during a test operation and provide the step information to the write driver during a normal operation.

Abstract: A method of biasing a memory cell array during a data writing operation and a semiconductor memory device, in which the semiconductor memory device includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells in which a first terminal of a memory cell is connected to a corresponding first line of a plurality of first lines and a second terminal of the memory cell is connected to a corresponding second line of a plurality of second lines; a bias circuit for biasing a selected second line of the second lines to a reference voltage and a non-selected second line to a first voltage; and a local word line address decoder applying the reference voltage or a pumping voltage corresponding to the first voltage to the bias circuit.

Abstract: A phase-change random access memory (PRAM) device capable of reducing a resistance of a word line may include a plurality of main word lines of a semiconductor memory device or PRAM bent n times in a layer different from a layer in which a plurality of sub-word lines are disposed. The semiconductor memory device or PRAM may further include jump contacts for connecting the plurality of cut sub-word lines. In a PRAM device including the plurality of main word lines and the plurality of sub-word lines being in different layers, the number of jump contacts for connecting the plurality of main word lines to a transistor of a sub-word line decoder is the same in each sub-word line or the plurality of main word lines are bent several times so that a parasitic resistance on a word line and power consumption may be reduced, and a sensing margin may be increased.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the semiconductor device, includes a non-volatile memory cell array, and a control unit configured to generate a mode signal indicating if a flash mode has been enabled. A write circuit is configured to write in the non-volatile memory cell array based on the mode signal such that the write circuit disables erasing the non-volatile memory cell array if the flash mode has not been enabled and instructions to erase one or more cells of the non-volatile memory cell array is received.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems that use phase-change memory devices are provided. The phase-change memory devices may include multiple phase-change memory cells and a reset pulse generation circuit configured to output multiple sequential reset pulses. Each sequential reset pulse is output to a corresponding one of multiple reset lines. Multiple write driver circuits are coupled to corresponding phase change memory cells and to a corresponding one of the reset lines of the reset pulse generation circuit.

Abstract: In a semiconductor memory device and method, resistive-change memory cells are provided, each including a plurality of control transistors formed on different layers and variable resistance devices comprising a resistive-change memory. Each resistive-change memory cell includes a plurality of control transistors formed on different layers, and a variable resistance device formed of a resistive-change memory. In one example, the number of the control transistors is two. The semiconductor memory device includes a global bit line; a plurality of local bit lines connected to or disconnected from the global bit line via local bit line selection circuits which correspond to the local bit lines, respectively; and a plurality of resistive-change memory cell groups storing data while being connected to the local bit lines, respectively.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device comprising: a plurality of memory banks, each of which operates independently and includes a plurality of resistance memory cells, each cell including a variable resistive element having a resistance varying depending on stored data; a plurality of global bit lines, each global bit line being shared by the plurality of memory banks; a temperature compensation circuit including one or more reference cells; and a data read circuit which is electrically connected to the plurality of global bit lines and performs a read operation by supplying at least one of the resistance memory cells with a current varying according to resistances of the reference cells.

Abstract: A method programs a phase change memory device. The method comprises receiving program data for selected memory cells; generating bias voltages based on reference cells; sensing read data stored in a selected memory cell by supplying the selected memory cell with verification currents determined by the bias voltages; determining whether the read data is identical to the program data; and upon determining that the program data for one or more of the selected memory cells is not identical to the corresponding read data, iteratively applying a write current to the one or more selected memory cells.

Abstract: A memory device is provided, which includes a plurality of global bit lines, a discharge line, a switching circuit configured to connect the plurality of global bit lines to the discharge line in response to a discharge enable signal, a first discharge circuit configured to apply a first voltage that is higher than a ground voltage to the discharge line, a precharge circuit configured to apply a precharge voltage to a selected global bit line among the plurality of global bit lines, and a second discharge circuit configured to discharge the selected global bit line to a second voltage that is higher than the ground voltage.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells each having a resistance corresponding to one of a plurality of first resistance distributions, a temperature compensation circuit including one or more reference cells each having a resistance corresponding to one among one or more second resistance distributions, and a data read circuit including a compensation unit and a sense amplifier, the compensation unit being adapted to supply compensation current to a sensing node, an amount of the compensation current varying based on the resistance of each reference cell, and the sense amplifier being adapted to compare the level of the sensing node with a reference level and to output a comparison result.

Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array having a plurality of rows and columns of nonvolatile memory cells (e.g., PRAM cells) therein and a first plurality of local bit lines electrically coupled to a corresponding first plurality of columns of memory cells in the memory array. A first plurality of bit line selection circuits are also provided, which are responsive to bit line selection signals. A first plurality of bit line discharge circuits are electrically connected to respective ones of the first plurality of local bit lines. A bit line discharge control circuit is provided to drive the first plurality of bit line discharge circuits with equivalent bit line discharge signals during an operation to read data from a selected one of the first plurality of local bit lines.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems that use phase-change memory devices are provided. The phase-change memory devices may include multiple phase-change memory cells and a reset pulse generation circuit configured to output multiple sequential reset pulses. Each sequential reset pulse is output to a corresponding one of multiple reset lines. Multiple write driver circuits are coupled to corresponding phase change memory cells and to a corresponding one of the reset lines of the reset pulse generation circuit.

Abstract: The phase change memory device includes a plurality of memory banks, a plurality of local conductor lines connected to the plurality of memory banks, at least one global conductor line connected to the plurality of local conductor lines, and at least one repair control circuit configured to selectively replace at least one of the at least one global conductor line with at least one redundant global conductor line and configured to selectively replace at least one of the plurality of local conductor lines with at least one redundant local conductor line.