Abstract: A memory device with a segmented column architecture that allows for single bank repair across any two row blocks is disclosed. Multiple redundant columns are provided that have offset segment boundaries, i.e., a first redundant column is divided into four segments consisting of row block <0,1>, row block <2,3>, row block <4,5> and row block <6,7>, and a second redundant column is divided into four segments consisting of row block <1,2>, row block <3,4>, row block <5,6> and row block <0,7>. By offsetting the segment boundaries, the repair of the memory device can be optimized by repairing any two adjacent row blocks with only one column segment by selecting the appropriate redundant column segment.

Abstract: A voltage pump and method of driving a node to an increased potential. A periodic input signal is fed into a precharged small capacitor to create a level shifted periodic intermediate potential at an intermediate node. The intermediate node is a supply node to a level translator circuit. The output of the level translator circuit controls the actuation of a pass transistor. When actuated the pass transistor drives a boosted potential to an output node of the voltage pump circuit. In one embodiment the level translator circuit has a delay element which maintains the deactivation of a pull down portion of the level translator circuit until a pull up portion of the level translator circuit is deactivated. A first diode clamp is used to limit the output of the level translator circuit and the boosted potential to within 1 threshold voltage (of the diode clamp) of each other.

Abstract: A charge pump system for providing a voltage to a semiconductor device is disclosed. Current charge pumps use a separate pre-charge capacitor and pre-charge circuitry for the boot circuit which provides the gate voltage for the output transistor. The present invention eliminates the need for the separate pre-charge capacitor and pre-charge circuitry by the use of a single diode. The net effect is a more efficient and smaller charge pump circuit.

Abstract: A fuse read sequence for a memory device obtains enhanced energy efficiency by selectively reading or strobing antifuse or fuse circuit banks of the memory device in response to operational commands of the memory device. More particularly, the column antifuse circuit banks of a SDRAM are read in response to a load mode register command and the row and option antifuse circuit banks are read in response to auto refresh commands. Furthermore, only half of the row/option antifuse circuit banks are read on each auto refresh command.

Abstract: A system is described which uses a burst access memory and a memory controller to anticipate the memory address to be used in future data read operations as requested by a microprocessor. Either the memory controller or the memory device initiates a burst read operation starting at a memory address generated thereby. The microprocessor can, therefore, wait to initiate a data read without suffering a time delay.

Abstract: A DRAM sense amplifier that reduces the leakage current through the sense amplifier circuitry while the array is active, while controlling the body voltage of the sense amplifier transistors to improve performance of the sense amplifier circuitry is disclosed. The body nodes of the sense amplifier transistors are pre-charged to a voltage potential, such as for example Vcc/2. The body nodes are disconnected from the pre-charge voltage while the sense amplifier is enabled, i.e., during an access operation, but the threshold voltage Vt of the sense amplifier transistors will be lower during sensing due to the pre-charge level. As the body potential drops during sensing, the threshold voltage Vt will increase, thereby reducing the leakage current that flows through the sense amplifier while the digit lines are separated.

Abstract: The present invention comprises memory devices, apparatuses and systems including multiple bit per cell memory cells and methods for operating same. The multiple bit per cell memory cells of the present invention have higher memory densities than conventional single bit per cell memory cells. Additionally, spare states in multiple bit per cell memory devices that remain unmapped to binary data bits may be advantageously used.

Abstract: A high speed data path includes a first plurality of inverters skewed toward one logic level alternating with a second plurality of inverters skewed toward a second logic level. As a result, the inverters in the first plurality accelerate one transition of a digital signal and the inverters in the second plurality accelerate the opposite transition of the digital signal. Prior to applying the digital signal to the inverters, the inverters are preset to a logic level from which they will transition in an accelerated manner. As a result, a transition of the digital signal is coupled through the inverters in an accelerated manner. A first of the high speed data paths is used to couple a digital signal to an signal output terminal while a second of the high speed data paths is used to couple a clock signal to a clock output terminal.

Abstract: A memory device with a segmented column architecture that allows for single bank repair across any two row blocks is disclosed. Multiple redundant columns are provided that have offset segment boundaries, i.e., a first redundant column is divided into four segments consisting of row block <0,1>, row block <2,3>, row block <4,5> and row block <6,7>, and a second redundant column is divided into four segments consisting of row block <1,2>, row block <3,4>, row block <5,6> and row block <0,7>. By offsetting the segment boundaries, the repair of the memory device can be optimized by repairing any two adjacent row blocks with only one column segment by selecting the appropriate redundant column segment.

Abstract: A system is described which uses a burst access memory and a memory controller to anticipate the memory address to be used in future data read operations as requested by a microprocessor. Either the memory controller or the memory device initiates a burst read operation starting at a memory address generated thereby. The microprocessor can, therefore, wait to initiate a data read without suffering a time delay.

Abstract: A memory device with a segmented column architecture that allows for single bank repair across any two row blocks is disclosed. Multiple redundant columns are provided that have offset segment boundaries, i.e., a first redundant column is divided into four segments consisting of row block <0,1>, row block <2,3>, row block <4,5> and row block <6,7>, and a second redundant column is divided into four segments consisting of row block <1,2>, row block <3,4>, row block <5,6> and row block <0,7>. By offsetting the segment boundaries, the repair of the memory device can be optimized by repairing any two adjacent row blocks with only one column segment by selecting the appropriate redundant column segment.

Abstract: A programmable circuit and its method of operation are disclosed in which a transistor is used as a programmable element. The transistor may be programmed to one of two different gate threshold voltage values for operation. During reading of the transistor, a gate threshold voltage between the two values is applied and the status of the transistor as on or off is determined to determine the program state of the transistor. The program state of the transistor can be determined by a simple latch circuit.

Abstract: A block repair device is used in a semiconductor memory having an array including a defective cell and a redundant row. The block repair device includes a set of fuses, anti-fuses, or flash EEPROM cells to store a block repair configuration that determines the dimensions (e.g., the number of rows and columns spanned) of a repair block used to repair the defective cell. Routing circuitry, such as multiplexer circuitry, in the block repair device is directed by the stored block repair configuration to output selected row and column address bits from received row and column addresses in a selected ratio. Comparison circuitry in the block repair device then compares the row and column address bits output by the routing circuitry with a stored portion of the address of the defective cell that defines the repair block. When a match occurs, the comparison circuitry implements a block repair by activating the redundant row and by causing data to be written to or read from the activated redundant row.

Abstract: A voltage pump and method of driving a node to an increased potential. A periodic input signal is fed into a precharged small capacitor to create a level shifted periodic intermediate potential at an intermediate node. The intermediate node is a supply node to a level translator circuit. The output of the level translator circuit controls the actuation of a pass transistor. When actuated the pass transistor drives a boosted potential to an output node of the voltage pump circuit. In one embodiment the level translator circuit has a delay element which maintains the deactivation of a pull down portion of the level translator circuit until a pull up portion of the level translator circuit is deactivated. A first diode clamp is used to limit the output of the level translator circuit and the boosted potential to within 1 threshold voltage (of the diode clamp) of each other.

Abstract: A charge pump system for providing a voltage to a semiconductor device is disclosed. Current charge pumps use a separate pre-charge capacitor and pre-charge circuitry for the boot circuit which provides the gate voltage for the output transistor. The present invention eliminates the need for the separate pre-charge capacitor and pre-charge circuitry by the use of a single diode. The net effect is a more efficient and smaller charge pump circuit.

Abstract: A programmable circuit and its method of operation are disclosed in which a transistor is used as a programmable element. The transistor may be programmed to one of two different gate threshold voltage values for operation. During reading of the transistor, a gate threshold voltage between the two values is applied and the status of the transistor as on or off is determined to determine the program state of the transistor. The program state of the transistor can be determined by a simple latch circuit.

Abstract: A block repair device is used in a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) having a primary array with a defective cell and a redundant array with a redundant row. The block repair device includes a set of fuses, anti-fuses, or flash EEPROM cells that store a block repair configuration that determines the dimensions (e.g., the number of rows and columns spanned) of a repair block used to repair the defective cell. Routing circuitry, such as mux circuitry, in the block repair device is configured by the stored block repair configuration to output some row and column address bits from received row and column addresses in a selected ratio. Comparison circuitry in the block repair device then compares the row and column address bits output by the routing circuitry with a stored portion of the address of the defective cell that defines the repair block.

Abstract: A memory device with a segmented column architecture that allows for single bank repair across any two row blocks is disclosed. Multiple redundant columns are provided that have offset segment boundaries, i.e., a first redundant column is divided into four segments consisting of row block <0,1>, row block <2,3>, row block <4,5>and row block <6,7>, and a second redundant column is divided into four segments consisting of row block <1,2>, row block <3,4>, row block <5,6> and row block <0,7>. By offsetting the segment boundaries, the repair of the memory device can be optimized by repairing any two adjacent row blocks with only one column segment by selecting the appropriate redundant column segment.

Abstract: A charge pump system for providing a voltage to a semiconductor device is disclosed. Current charge pumps use a separate pre-charge capacitor and pre-charge circuitry for the boot circuit which provides the gate voltage for the output transistor. The present invention eliminates the need for the separate pre-charge capacitor and pre-charge circuitry by the use of a single diode. The net effect is a more efficient and smaller charge pump circuit.

Abstract: A block repair device is used in a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) having a primary array with a defective cell and a redundant array with a redundant row. The block repair device includes a set of fuses, anti-fuses, or flash EEPROM cells that store a block repair configuration that determines the dimensions (e. g., the number of rows and columns spanned) of a repair block used to repair the defective cell. Routing circuitry, such as mux circuitry, in the block repair device is configured by the stored block repair configuration to output some row and column address bits from received row and column addresses in a selected ratio. Comparison circuitry in the block repair device then compares the row and column address bits output by the routing circuitry with a stored portion of the address of the defective cell that defines the repair block.