Abstract: A negative voltage generator is controlled responsive to a word line precharge signal. Voltage fluctuations in a negatively biased word line scheme are reduced by using a kicker circuit to provide a predetermined amount of negative charge to shut off a word line during a precharge operation. The negative voltage generator includes first and second negative charge pumps. The second charge pump is activated responsive to the word line precharge signal. A negative voltage regulator can be used to regulate a negative voltage signal. A level shifter uses two voltage dividers and a differential amplifier to reduce response time, output ripple, and sensitivity to process and temperature variations. A negative voltage regulator cancels ripple from a charge pump to provide a stable negative bias voltage and reduce the amount of charge needed to precharge a word line.

Abstract: A comparator circuit of a temperature sensor includes an output node and a variable current node. The output node is a first voltage at a given temperature when a current at the variable current node is less than a threshold current, and a different second voltage at the given temperature when the current at the variable current node is more than the threshold current. A variable resistance circuit includes at least n resistors of different resistive values connected in series between the variable current node of the comparator and a supply voltage, where n is an integer of 4 or more. A switching circuit is provided to selectively bypasses individual ones of the n resistors during a test sequence to determine a trip temperature of the sensor.

Abstract: A negative voltage generator is controlled responsive to a word line precharge signal. Voltage fluctuations in a negatively biased word line scheme are reduced by using a kicker circuit to provide a predetermined amount of negative charge to shut off a word line during a precharge operation. The negative voltage generator includes first and second negative charge pumps. The second charge pump is activated responsive to the word line precharge signal. A negative voltage regulator can be used to regulate a negative voltage signal. A level shifter uses two voltage dividers and a differential amplifier to reduce response time, output ripple, and sensitivity to process and temperature variations. A negative voltage regulator cancels ripple from a charge pump to provide a stable negative bias voltage and reduce the amount of charge needed to precharge a word line.

Abstract: A comparator circuit of a temperature sensor includes an output node and a variable current node. The output node is a first voltage at a given temperature when a current at the variable current node is less than a threshold current, and a different second voltage at the given temperature when the current at the variable current node is more than the threshold current. A variable resistance circuit includes at least n resistors of different resistive values connected in series between the variable current node of the comparator and a supply voltage, where n is an integer of 4 or more. A switching circuit is provided to selectively bypasses individual ones of the n resistors during a test sequence to determine a trip temperature of the sensor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device package includes a plurality of semiconductor memory devices whose address input terminals are commonly connected to the external address input pins of the package, and an internal address generating device for using an address signal applied through at least one of the address input pins to select one of the memory devices to perform a read/write data operation. Only the selected memory device is enabled to perform the read/write operation on a memory cell corresponding to the received address signal. The external pin configuration of the semiconductor device package is compatible with a conventional memory board layout.

Abstract: A semiconductor device package includes a plurality of semiconductor memory devices whose address input terminals are commonly connected to the external address input pins of the package, and an internal address generating device for using an address signal applied through at least one of the address input pins to select one of the memory devices to perform a read/write data operation. Only the selected memory device is enabled to perform the read/write operation on a memory cell corresponding to the received address signal. The external pin configuration of the semiconductor device package is compatible with a conventional memory board layout.

Abstract: A negative voltage generator is controlled responsive to a word line precharge signal. Voltage fluctuations in a negatively biased word line scheme are reduced by using a kicker circuit to provide a predetermined amount of negative charge to shut off a word line during a precharge operation. The negative voltage generator includes first and second negative charge pumps. The second charge pump is activated responsive to the word line precharge signal. A negative voltage regulator can be used to regulate a negative voltage signal. A level shifter uses two voltage dividers and a differential amplifier to reduce response time, output ripple, and sensitivity to process and temperature variations. A negative voltage regulator cancels ripple from a charge pump to provide a stable negative bias voltage and reduce the amount of charge needed to precharge a word line.

Abstract: A comparator circuit of a temperature sensor includes an output node and a variable current node. The output node is a first voltage at a given temperature when a current at the variable current node is less than a threshold current, and a different second voltage at the given temperature when the current at the variable current node is more than the threshold current. A variable resistance circuit includes at least n resistors of different resistive values connected in series between the variable current node of the comparator and a supply voltage, where n is an integer of 4 or more. A switching circuit is provided to selectively bypasses individual ones of the n resistors during a test sequence to determine a trip temperature of the sensor.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device with a bit line sense enable signal generating circuit is disclosed. The semiconductor memory device includes a word line selection signal generating circuit for generating a word line selection signal for selecting a word line; a delay circuit for generating a delayed signal by delaying a signal to the same extent of time period which is needed for the word line selection signal generating circuit to generate the word line selection signal; and a Schmitt trigger for generating a word line enable detecting signal by receiving an output signal from the delay circuit and that is connected to a power supply voltage which has the same voltage level as the voltage level used to enable the word line. The bit line sense enable signal generating circuit in the present invention occupies a relatively smaller layout area than that of conventional semiconductor memory devices.

Abstract: In a semiconductor memory device, a circuit for controlling a voltage level applied to a bit line isolation circuit preferably includes a memory cell connected between a cell bit line pair and a word line; a bit line pre-charge circuit; a sense amplifier bit line pre-charge circuit; a charge transfer circuit connected between the cell bit line pair and the sense amplifier bit line pair; a first sense amplifier circuit for amplifying a voltage of the sense amplifier bit line pair to a first voltage in response to a first control signal; and a second sense amplifier circuit for amplifying the voltage of the sense amplifier bit line pair to a second voltage in response to a second control signal. The combination of the two-stage sense amplifier ciruitry allows for the accurate determination of minimally-different logical voltage levels and minimized circuit area.

Abstract: A comparator circuit of a temperature sensor includes an output node and a variable current node. The output node is a first voltage at a given temperature when a current at the variable current node is less than a threshold current, and a different second voltage at the given temperature when the current at the variable current node is more than the threshold current. A variable resistance circuit includes at least n resistors of different resistive values connected in series between the variable current node of the comparator and a supply voltage, where n is an integer of 4 or more. A switching circuit is provided to selectively bypasses individual ones of the n resistors during a test sequence to determine a trip temperature of the sensor.

Abstract: A negative voltage generator is controlled responsive to a word line precharge signal. Voltage fluctuations in a negatively biased word line scheme are reduced by using a kicker circuit to provide a predetermined amount of negative charge to shut off a word line during a precharge operation. The negative voltage generator includes first and second negative charge pumps. The second charge pump is activated responsive to the word line precharge signal. A negative voltage regulator can be used to regulate a negative voltage signal. A level shifter uses two voltage dividers and a differential amplifier to reduce response time, output ripple, and sensitivity to process and temperature variations. A negative voltage regulator cancels ripple from a charge pump to provide a stable negative bias voltage and reduce the amount of charge needed to precharge a word line.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device with a bit line sense enable signal generating circuit is disclosed. The semiconductor memory device includes a word line selection signal generating circuit for generating a word line selection signal for selecting a word line; a delay circuit for generating a delayed signal by delaying a signal to the same extent of time period which is needed for the word line selection signal generating circuit to generate the word line selection signal; and a Schmitt trigger for generating a word line enable detecting signal by receiving an output signal from the delay circuit and that is connected to a power supply voltage which has the same voltage level as the voltage level used to enable the word line. The bit line sense enable signal generating circuit in the present invention occupies a relatively smaller layout area than that of conventional semiconductor memory devices.

Abstract: A layout structure of a semiconductor memory device having a memory cell array region, a word line drive region proximate the memory cell array, a bit line equalization region spaced apart from the memory cell array region, an impurity region formed between the memory cell array region and the bit line equalization region electrically coupled to the bit line equalization region, and a metal line supplying a bit line equalization voltage to the impurity region, wherein a contact connecting the metal line and the impurity region is formed lateral to the word line drive region rather than between the memory cell array region and the bit line equalization region, so that no contacts are formed directly between the memory cell array region and the bit line equalization region.

Abstract: In a semiconductor memory device, a circuit for controlling a voltage level applied to a bit line isolation circuit preferably includes a memory cell connected between a cell bit line pair and a word line; a bit line pre-charge circuit; a sense amplifier bit line pre-charge circuit; a charge transfer circuit connected between the cell bit line pair and the sense amplifier bit line pair; a first sense amplifier circuit for amplifying a voltage of the sense amplifier bit line pair to a first voltage in response to a first control signal; and a second sense amplifier circuit for amplifying the voltage of the sense amplifier bit line pair to a second voltage in response to a second control signal. The combination of the two-stage sense amplifier ciruitry allows for the accurate determination of minimally-different logical voltage levels and minimized circuit area.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided for controlling entry to and exit from a power down (DPD) mode of a semiconductor memory comprising; a plurality of voltage generators for providing operating voltages to the semiconductor memory; a DPD controller for detecting a DPD condition and generating a DPD signal to control the application of the operating voltages to the semiconductor memory; and biasing circuitry for biasing a plurality of nodes of at least one of the plurality of voltage generators to at least one predetermined voltage potential to prevent false triggering of circuits upon entry/exit of DPD mode.

Abstract: A memory device utilizing a negatively biased word line scheme diverts word line discharge current from the negative voltage source during a precharge operation, thereby reducing voltage fluctuations and current consumption from the negative voltage source. A main word line, sub-word line, word line enable signal, or other type of word line is coupled to the negative voltage source during a precharge operation. The word line is also coupled to a second power supply during the precharge operation, and then uncoupled from the second power supply after most of the word line discharge current has been diverted. The negative voltage source can then discharge and maintain the word line at a negative bias.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for controlling entry to and exit from a power down mode (DPD) of a semiconductor memory, comprising a plurality of voltage generators for providing operating voltages to the semiconductor memory; a DPD controller for detecting a DPD condition and for generating a DPD signal to control the application of the operating voltages to the semiconductor memory; and circuitry for controlling the timing of turning on/off the plurality of voltage generators upon entry/exit of DPD mode to reduce surge current through the semiconductor memory to less than maximum current level.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device of the invention includes: main decoders for generating wordline enable signals in response to first decoding signals, a first precharge signal, and a second precharge signal; wordline drivers for wordline drive signals in response to the wordline enable signals and second decoding signals; and a circuit for generating the second precharge signal in response to a command signal. The wordline drive signals are inactivated in sequence in response to the first decoding signals and the second precharge signal, in order to reducing ground noises.

Abstract: A negative voltage generator is controlled responsive to a word line precharge signal. Voltage fluctuations in a negatively biased word line scheme are reduced by using a kicker circuit to provide a predetermined amount of negative charge to shut off a word line during a precharge operation. The negative voltage generator includes first and second negative charge pumps. The second charge pump is activated responsive to the word line precharge signal. A negative voltage regulator can be used to regulate a negative voltage signal. A level shifter uses two voltage dividers and a differential amplifier to reduce response time, output ripple, and sensitivity to process and temperature variations. A negative voltage regulator cancels ripple from a charge pump to provide a stable negative bias voltage and reduce the amount of charge needed to precharge a word line.