Abstract: A semiconductor memory device formed on a semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of first memory arrays, a plurality of second memory arrays, a first voltage generator, and a plurality of first bonding pads. The semiconductor chip is divided into a first rectangle region, a second rectangle region, and a third rectangle region and the third rectangle region is arranged between the first rectangle region and the second rectangle region. The plurality of first memory arrays are formed in the first rectangle region. The plurality of second memory arrays are formed in the second rectangle region. The voltage generator and the plurality of first bonding pads are arranged in the third rectangle region. The plurality of first bonding pads are arranged between the first rectangle region and the voltage generator and no bonding pads are arranged between the voltage generator and the plurality of second memory arrays.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device with reduced consumption current is provided. A first step-down circuit stationarily forms internal voltage lower than supply voltage supplied through an external terminal. A second step-down circuit is switched between first mode and second mode according to control signals. In first mode, the internal voltage is formed from the supply voltage supplied through the external terminal and is outputted through a second output terminal. In second mode, operating current for a control system that forms the internal voltage is interrupted and an output high impedance state is established. The first output terminal of the first step-down circuit and the second output terminal of the second step-down circuit are connected in common, and the internal voltage is supplied to internal circuits.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit is provided having first and second logic circuits coupled to first and second sub-power supply lines, respectively. First and second switching transistors are also provided to connect the first and second sub-power supply lines to a main power supply line. The first and second switching transistors are kept off in an operation stop state of the first and second logic circuits, and are kept on in operable state of the first and second logic circuits.

Abstract: Power dissipation of a semiconductor integrated circuit chip is reduced when it is operated at an operating voltage of 2.5 V or below. A switching element is provided in each circuit block within the chip. Constants of the switching element are set so that leakage current in each switching element in their off-state is smaller than the subthreshold current of MOS transistors within the corresponding circuit block. Active current is supplied to active circuit blocks, while switching-elements of non-active circuit blocks are turned off. Thus, dissipation currents of non-active circuit blocks are limited to leakage current value of corresponding switching elements. Thus, the sum of dissipation currents of non-active circuit blocks is made smaller than the active current in the active circuit blocks. As a result, power dissipation in the semiconductor integrated circuit chip can be reduced even in the active state.

Abstract: Described herein is a stacked package according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of tape carriers which seal semiconductor chips, are multilayered in upward and downward directions. In the stacked package, one ends of leads formed over the whole surfaces of each tape carrier are electrically connected to their corresponding connecting terminals of the semiconductor chip. Other ends of the leads are electrically connected to their corresponding through holes defined in the tape carrier. Connecting terminals common to the plurality of semiconductor chips are formed at the same places of the plurality of tape carriers and withdrawn to the same external connecting terminals through a plurality of mutually-penetrated through holes.

Abstract: A synchronous DRAM is provided which includes arrangements for operations of power supply circuitry based upon whether the DRAM is in a power down mode or not. In one embodiment, a first power supply circuit and a second power supply circuit are provided which both receive externally supplied voltages and output internal supply voltages. The first power supply circuit is not in operation when a semiconductor device of the synchronous DRAM is in a power down mode. However, the second power supply circuit is continuously in operation during the power down mode. In another arrangement, the operation of a voltage limiter circuit is controlled based on whether or not the DRAM is in a power down mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor memory circuit capable of reducing current consumption at non-operation in a system equipped with a plurality of chips that share the use of a power supply, address signals and a data bus. The semiconductor memory circuit has an internal circuit which is capable of selectively performing the supply and stop of an operating voltage via switch means and includes a memory array. An input circuit, which receives a predetermined control signal therein, controls the supply and stop of the operating voltage by the switch means to reduce a DC current and a leak current when no memory operation is done, whereby low power consumption can be realized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device capable of realizing power saving and improvement in reliability or reduction in area. A semiconductor device includes: a power switch connecting an internal power supply in which power is not shut down and an internal power supply in which power is shut down; and an internal voltage determining circuit for determining voltage of the internal power supply in which power is shut down. Voltage of the internal power supply in which power is shut down is generated from voltage of an external power supply by using a regulator circuit. When the power of the internal power supply is interrupted, the power switch is turned off, the regulator circuit is turned off, and an output of the regulator circuit is shorted to a ground potential.

Abstract: With the objective of providing a semiconductor memory device which is made identical in usability to a static RAM by use of dynamic memory cells and realizes a high-speed memory cycle time, there is provided a pseudo static RAM having a time multiplex mode which, when instructions for a memory operation for reading memory information from each of memory cells each requiring a refresh operation for periodically holding the memory information, or writing the same therein is issued, carries out an addressing-based autonomous refresh operation different from the memory operation before or after the memory operation. The pseudo static RAM includes address signal transition detectors for a row and a column, and a page mode which independently performs a column address selecting operation according to an address signal transition detect signal of the second address signal transition detector.

Abstract: A difference between both emitter voltages of a first transistor having an emitter through which a first current flows, and at least one second transistor having an emitter through which such a second current as to reach a current density thereof smaller than that of the emitter of the first transistor flows, is applied across a first resistor. A second resistor is provided between the emitter of the second transistor and a circuit's ground potential. A third resistor and a fourth resistor are respectively provided between collectors of the first and second transistors and a power supply voltage. Such an output voltage that a collector voltage of the first transistor and a collector voltage of the second transistor become equal is formed in response to the collector voltage of the first transistor and the collector voltage of the second transistor and supplied to bases of the first and second transistors in common.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a memory device, the memory being a memory array with a spare bit line and being provided with a defect recovery scheme featuring a redundancy circuit. The redundancy circuit includes one or more comparing circuits having programmable elements which function as a memory for storing therein a defective address existing in the memory array. The programmable elements of the redundancy circuit can be programmed in accordance with any of a number of different types of defect modes. Each comparing circuit of the redundancy circuit compares information (data) inputted therein, for example, the column and row addresses which may be under the control of an address multiplex system, with that programmed in the programmable elements of the comparing circuit. On the basis of this comparison, an appropriate defect recovery is effected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor memory circuit capable of reducing current consumption at non-operation in a system equipped with a plurality of chips that share the use of a power supply, address signals and a data bus. The semiconductor memory circuit has an internal circuit which is capable of selectively performing the supply and stop of an operating voltage via switch means and includes a memory array. An input circuit, which receives a predetermined control signal therein, controls the supply and stop of the operating voltage by the switch means to reduce a DC current and a leak current when no memory operation is done, whereby low power consumption can be realized.

Abstract: A synchronous DRAM is provided which includes arrangements for operations of power supply circuitry based upon whether the DRAM is in a power down mode or not. In one embodiment, a first power supply circuit and a second power supply circuit are provided which both receive externally supplied voltages and output internal supply voltages. The first power supply circuit is not in operation when a semiconductor device of the synchronous DRAM is in a power down mode. However, the second power supply circuit is continuously in operation during the power down mode. In another arrangement, the operation of a voltage limiter circuit is controlled based on whether or not the DRAM is in a power down mode.

Abstract: With the objective of providing a semiconductor memory device which is made identical in usability to a static RAM by use of dynamic memory cells and realizes a high-speed memory cycle time, there is provided a pseudo static RAM having a time multiplex mode which, when instructions for a memory operation for reading memory information from each of memory cells each requiring a refresh operation for periodically holding the memory information, or writing the same therein is issued, carries out an addressing-based autonomous refresh operation different from the memory operation before or after the memory operation. The pseudo static RAM includes address signal transition detectors for a row and a column, and a page mode which independently performs a column address selecting operation according to an address signal transition detect signal of the second address signal transition detector.

Abstract: A synchronous DRAM is provided which includes arrangements for operations of power supply circuitry based upon whether the DRAM is in a power down mode or not. In one embodiment, a first power supply circuit and a second power supply circuit are provided which both receive externally supplied voltages and output internal supply voltages. The first power supply circuit is not in operation when a semiconductor device of the synchronous DRAM is in a power down mode. However, the second power supply circuit is continuously in operation during the power down mode. In another arrangement, the operation of a voltage limiter circuit is controlled based on whether or not the DRAM is in a power down mode.

Abstract: Power dissipation of a semiconductor integrated circuit chip is reduced when it is operated at an operating voltage of 2.5 V or below. A switching element is provided in each circuit block within the chip. Constants of the switching element are set so that leakage current in each switching element in their off-state is smaller than the subthreshold current of MOS transistors within the corresponding circuit block. Active current is supplied to active circuit blocks, while switching elements of non-active circuit blocks are turned off. Thus, dissipation currents of non-active circuit blocks are limited to leakage current value of corresponding switching elements. Thus, the sum of dissipation currents of non-active circuit blocks is made smaller than the active current in the active circuit blocks. As a result, power dissipation in the semiconductor integrated circuit chip can be reduced even in the active state.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal drive controller formed as a semiconductor integrated circuit having therein a power source circuit including a boosting circuit and driving a source line and a gate line of a TFT liquid crystal panel, the number of external capacitive elements and the number of external terminals for connecting the external capacitive elements are reduced, thereby reducing the size and cost of the chip and an electronic device on which the chip is mounted. As a boosting circuit for generating a voltage for driving a source line of the TFT liquid crystal panel in the liquid crystal controller having therein the power source including the boosting circuit, a boosting circuit having an external capacitive element is used. On the other hand, as a boosting circuit for generating a voltage for driving a gate line, a charge pump having a built-in (on-chip) capacitive element is used.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device formed on a semiconductor chip comprises a plurality of first memory arrays, a plurality of second memory arrays, a first voltage generator, and a plurality of first bonding pads. The semiconductor chip is divided into a first rectangle region, a second rectangle region, and a third rectangle region and the third rectangle region is arranged between the first rectangle region and the second rectangle region. The plurality of first memory arrays are formed in the first rectangle region. The plurality of second memory arrays are formed in the second rectangle region. The voltage generator and the plurality of first bonding pads are arranged in the third rectangle region. The plurality of first bonding pads are arranged between the first rectangle region and the voltage generator and no bonding pads are arranged between the voltage generator and the plurality of second memory arrays.

Abstract: A picture recording apparatus which can record a picture on a write-once medium having an element which specifies a first size on a recording area assigned to data saving in edit processing, and an element which subtracts the first size from a remaining amount of recording area in the write-once medium to calculate a second size secured for recording, characterized in that a recording size is managed using the second size as an upper limit of a recordable size, and that an editing area is secured using the first size as a lower limit.

Abstract: Power dissipation of a semiconductor integrated circuit chip is reduced when it is operated at an operating voltage of 2.5 V or below. A switching element is provided in each circuit block within the chip. Constants of the switching element are set so that leakage current in each switching element in their off-state is smaller than the subthreshold current of MOS transistors within the corresponding circuit block. Active current is supplied to active circuit blocks, while switching elements of non-active circuit blocks are turned off. Thus, dissipation currents of non-active circuit blocks are limited to leakage current value of corresponding switching elements. Thus, the sum of dissipation currents of non-active circuit blocks is made smaller than the active current in the active circuit blocks. As a result, power dissipation in the semiconductor integrated circuit chip can be reduced even in the active state.