Abstract: In a semiconductor memory configuration, a refresh operation is always started by a refresh logic circuit when a comparison circuit determines that there is a specific minimum difference when comparing a characteristic variable of at least one reference memory cell with a reference value (VREF).

Abstract: The integrated memory has m>1 bit lines that are connected to an input of a read-write amplifier via a switching element. Only one switching element is conductively connected for each read or write access. The memory is provided with a switching unit that influences read or write access occurring by way of the read-write amplifier and bit lines. The circuit unit is provided with an activation input. A column-end decoder has a first decoder stage and m second decoder stages. The outputs of the second decoder stages are connected to a control input for each of the switching elements. The output of the first decoder stage is connected to the activation input of the switching unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a method. In a first step of a method for fabricating a ferroelectric memory configuration, there is provided a substrate having a multiplicity of memory cells. Each of the memory cells has at least one select transistor, at least one short-circuit transistor, and at least one ferroelectric capacitor. The transistors are connected in an electrically conductive manner to a first of the electrodes of the ferroelectric capacitor. In the next step, at least one electrically insulating layer is applied. In the next step, at least one contact hole for connecting a second electrode of the ferroelectric capacitors is produced. Next, contact holes for connecting the short-circuit transistors are produced. Next, the contact holes are filled with electrically conductive material. Next, an electrically conductive layer is applied and patterned, so that the second electrodes of the ferroelectric capacitors are each conductively connected to the short-circuit transistors.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for reading a ferroelectric memory cell which has a ferroelectric capacitor is described. The memory cell is connected to a bit line. The circuit configuration provides a differential amplifier having a first differential amplifier input, a second differential amplifier input and a differential amplifier output. The first differential amplifier input is connected to the bit line, and the second differential amplifier input is connected to a reference signal. A first driver input of a first driver circuit is connected to the differential amplifier output, and a first driver output is connected to the bit line. The differential amplifier is fed back through the first driver circuit and regulates the bit line voltage to the voltage value of the reference signal.

Abstract: A ferroelectric storage assembly containing a storage cell array composed of a plurality of storage cells is described. Each storage cell contains at least one selector transistor and a storage capacitor, and can be controlled via word lines and bit lines. A short-circuit transistor is located over each storage capacitor in order to protect the storage.

Abstract: A charge pump has two inputs, each for an input clock signal, and an output for the output of a pumped output potential. Two pumping capacitors are connected to the inputs. Second electrodes of the pumping capacitors are in each case connected via a first circuit module to a supply potential (ground) and via a second circuit module to the output. Also present is a controllable short-circuiting element, the controllable path of which is disposed between the second electrodes of the two pumping capacitors.

Abstract: An integrated memory has two first switching elements, which respectively connect a bit line of a first bit line pair to a bit line of a second bit line pair. In addition, the integrated memory has two second switching elements, which respectively connect one of the reference cells of one bit line pair to that bit line of the other bit line pair which is not connected via the corresponding first switching element to the bit line assigned to this reference cell. Information is written back to the reference cells via the sense amplifiers. A method of operating the integrated memory is also provided.

Abstract: An integrated memory has a normal bit line for transferring data from or to normal memory cells connected to it, and also a normal sense amplifier, which is connected via a line to the normal bit line and connected to a data line and amplifies data read from the normal memory cells. Furthermore, the memory has a redundant sense amplifier for replacing the normal sense amplifier in the redundancy situation. The redundant sense amplifier is likewise connected on the one hand to the line and on the other hand to the data line and, in the redundancy situation, serves for amplifying the data read from the normal memory cells. A method for repairing an integrated memory is also provided.

Abstract: Data in a memory unit are processed with one of a variety of access strategies. Parallel to the execution of a task according to a first access strategy, the time is calculated that would be required for the processing of the task according to a second access strategy. If the second access strategy is faster than the first access strategy, in the future the second access strategy is used for the execution of that task. In this way, a faster data access, adapted to various tasks, is achieved.

Abstract: The decoder element is used for producing an output signal having three different potentials at an output. The second potential is situated between the first potential and the third potential. The decoder element makes it possible to produce any one of the three potentials at its output based upon the potentials on its connections.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a reference voltage for the reading out from and the evaluation of read output signals which are read out with a constant plate voltage from storage cells of a ferroelectric memory via bit lines. In the circuit, a reference voltage device is formed of two reference cells that are subjected to the action of complementary signals. The reference cells can be simultaneously read out in order to generate the reference voltage in a selection and evaluation device.

Abstract: Before a write and/or read access to one of the memory cells is carried out, a security information stored in a security memory cell is read out. If the security information is characterized by a first logic state an error signal is generated. If the read-out security information is characterized by a second logic state the memory cell is accessed and a write access is carried out to the security memory cell during which a new security information to be he stored having the second logic state is written to the cell.

Abstract: An integrated memory has a multiplexer and a differential sense amplifier with a differential input. The differential sense amplifier is connected to three bit lines by the multiplexer. The multiplexer electrically connects the differential input of the sense amplifier to any two of the three bit lines connected to it respectively, in accordance with its activation.

Abstract: A monolithically integrable inductor containing a layer sequence of conductive layers and insulating layers that are stacked mutually alternately above one another is described. The conductive layers are configured in such a way that they form a coil-type structure around a central region, in which giant magnetic resistance materials can be provided.

Abstract: The memory has identically constructed memory cells and reference cells. An item of reference information is written into the reference cells by uncoupling the reference cells from the read amplifiers via first switching elements, and by electrically connecting the part of the bit lines that is connected to the reference cells via second switching elements to a potential line carrying the reference information.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for reading a ferroelectric memory cell which has a ferroelectric capacitor is described. The memory cell is connected to a bit line. The circuit configuration provides a differential amplifier having a first differential amplifier input, a second differential amplifier input and a differential amplifier output. The first differential amplifier input is connected to the bit line, and the second differential amplifier input is connected to a reference signal. A first driver input of a first driver circuit is connected to the differential amplifier output, and a first driver output is connected to the bit line. The differential amplifier is fed back through the first driver circuit and regulates the bit line voltage to the voltage value of the reference signal.

Abstract: The memory has writable memory cells. In addition, it has a bit line pair which connects the memory cells MC to a differential sense amplifier. A control unit is used for precharging the bit lines in a plurality of steps before one of the memory cells is conductively connected to one of the bit lines for a read access operation. For a write access operation, the control unit carries out no more than some of the bit line precharging steps provided for a read access operation before the sense amplifier transfers data to the bit line pair.

Abstract: An integrated memory contains two normal read amplifiers and two first redundant read amplifiers. It also contains bit lines which are combined into at least two individually addressable normal columns, at least one of which from each normal column is connected to one of the normal read amplifiers. It also has first redundant bit lines which are combined into one individually addressable redundant column, at least one of which is connected to one of the redundant read amplifiers. The first redundant read amplifier and its redundant columns are provided for replacing the two normal read amplifiers and one of the normal columns.

Abstract: A decoder element is provided with an output, whereby an output signal with one of three different possible potentials is produced. The output signal may have a value of either a first potential, a second potential, and a third potential, where the second potential lies between the first potential and the third potential. The output signal is produced according to voltage values of input signals at terminal connections of the decoder element.

Abstract: The integrated memory has m>1 bit lines that are connected to an input of a read-write amplifier via a switching element. Only one switching element is conductively connected for each read or write access. The memory is provided with a switching unit that influences read or write access occurring by way of the read-write amplifier and bit lines. The circuit unit is provided with an activation input. A column-end decoder has a first decoder stage and m second decoder stages. The outputs of the second decoder stages are connected to a control input for each of the switching elements. The output of the first decoder stage is connected to the activation input of the switching unit.