Patents by Inventor Sang-seok Kang

Sang-seok Kang has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8208317
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a voltage level selection unit configured to output a plurality of voltage level selection signals according to a fuse program in response to a self-refresh command signal and a reference voltage generator configured to receive a reference voltage and output a target reference voltage having a different voltage level depending on a normal mode or a self-refresh mode in response to the voltage level selection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Seok Kang, Hyung-Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 8144539
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory core unit including a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells and a sense amplifier to sense and amplify data of the plurality of memory cells, and a self refresh control unit to apply at least one first core voltage to the memory core unit and to control a self refresh operation to be performed at every first self refresh cycle, in a first self refresh mode, and to apply at least one second core voltage to the memory core unit and to control the self refresh operation to be performed at every second self refresh cycle, in a second self refresh mode. In the semiconductor memory, a level of the at least one first core voltage is higher than that of a corresponding one of the at least one second core voltage, and the first self refresh cycle is shorter than the second self refresh cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Hyoung Lim, Sang Seok Kang
  • Publication number: 20120063251
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bit line, a complementary bit line, a sense amplifier configured to sense and amplify a voltage difference between the bit line and the complementary bit line, and a capacitance adjusting circuit configured to adjust a load capacitance of the complementary bit line in response to a plurality of control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Jong Hyoung LIM, Sang Seok Kang, Hyung Shin Kwon
  • Patent number: 8102689
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having dummy sense amplifiers and a method of utilizing the same are provided. Embodiments of the semiconductor memory device may include at least one dummy cell block including dummy cells and memory cells. Normal bit lines connecting the memory cells in the dummy cell block in a first direction and dummy bit lines connecting the dummy cells in the first direction. A dummy sense amplifier is also included for connecting any two of the normal bit lines and the dummy bit lines. Some of the embodiments may improve the sensing margin and refresh margin in sensing memory cells in the dummy cell, as well as increasing the redundancy efficiency and utilization of the dummy cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Ki Hong, Sang-Seok Kang, Dong-Min Kim
  • Patent number: 8015459
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and method directed to performing a memory operation in a semiconductor memory device are provided. The method includes receiving a write command signal from a memory controller; receiving data from the memory controller, the data including n pieces of data, wherein the k-th piece of data comprises masking data to be masked; and receiving a data masking signal from the memory controller, the data masking signal including enable information that enables data masking, and non-enable information for not enabling data masking, wherein the enable information is used to mask the k-th piece of data. A latency between receiving the write command signal and receiving the enable information is less than a latency between receiving the write command and receiving the k-th piece of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Hyoung Lim, Sang-Seok Kang
  • Publication number: 20110188334
    Abstract: Provided is a fuse circuit capable of selectively using a power supply voltage for a logic operation according to an operation mode. The fuse circuit includes a mode generating circuit, a power supply voltage selection circuit, and at least one fuse unit. The mode generating circuit generates a plurality of mode signals. The power supply voltage selection circuit selects one out of a plurality of power supply voltages in response to the plurality of mode signals and outputs the selected power supply voltage to a first node. Each of the fuse units is coupled between the first node and a ground voltage and uses the selected power supply voltage as a power supply voltage for a logic operation. Thus, a semiconductor device including the fuse circuit may accurately test a connection state of a fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Sang-Seok KANG, Sang-Man BYUN, Jae-Hoon JOO
  • Publication number: 20100246300
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a first memory cell coupled to a first bit line and a word line, and a second memory cell coupled to a second bit line and the word line and disposed adjacent to the first memory cell. A controller circuit is configured to provide first and second precharge voltages to the first and second bitlines, respectively. The first precharge voltage is provided as a positive power supply voltage and the second precharge voltage is provided as a negative stress voltage during a burn-in test operation. Related methods of operation are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Jong-Hyun Choi, Sang-Seok Kang
  • Publication number: 20100172193
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a memory array including a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of dummy bit lines, a bias application unit configured to supply bias voltages having a plurality of voltage levels to the plurality of dummy bit lines, a standby current measuring unit configured to measure a value of at least one of standby currents between at least one of the plurality of bit lines and at least one of the plurality of dummy bit lines. Each of the standby currents is generated by each of the bias voltages applied by the bias application unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Myung-Jae Lee, Sang Seok Kang, Jong Hyoung Lim
  • Publication number: 20100165773
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory core unit including a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells and a sense amplifier to sense and amplify data of the plurality of memory cells, and a self refresh control unit to apply at least one first core voltage to the memory core unit and to control a self refresh operation to be performed at every first self refresh cycle, in a first self refresh mode, and to apply at least one second core voltage to the memory core unit and to control the self refresh operation to be performed at every second self refresh cycle, in a second self refresh mode. In the semiconductor memory, a level of the at least one first core voltage is higher than that of a corresponding one of the at least one second core voltage, and the first self refresh cycle is shorter than the second self refresh cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jong-Hyoung LIM, Sang Seok Kang
  • Publication number: 20100142291
    Abstract: A mobile System on Chip (SoC) comprises a microprocessor and a first memory controller configured to control a refresh of a first memory. A temperature sensor detects a temperature in the first memory. When first temperature information received from the temperature sensor indicates that the detected temperature deviates from a predetermined temperature range, the first memory controller controls the first memory so as not to perform a self refresh. When second temperature information received from the temperature sensor indicates that the detected temperature is in the predetermined temperature range, the first memory controller outputs a self refresh command to the first memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Jae Hoon Joo, Sang Seok Kang, Jong Hyoung Lim
  • Publication number: 20100118633
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having dummy sense amplifiers and a method of utilizing the same are provided. Embodiments of the semiconductor memory device may include at least one dummy cell block including dummy cells and memory cells. Normal bit lines connecting the memory cells in the dummy cell block in a first direction and dummy bit lines connecting the dummy cells in the first direction. A dummy sense amplifier is also included for connecting any two of the normal bit lines and the dummy bit lines. Some of the embodiments may improve the sensing margin and refresh margin in sensing memory cells in the dummy cell, as well as increasing the redundancy efficiency and utilization of the dummy cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Min-Ki HONG, Sang-Seok Kang, Dong-Min Kim
  • Publication number: 20100106900
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and method thereof are provided. The example method may be directed to performing a memory operation in a semiconductor memory device, and may include receiving data and a data masking signal corresponding to at least a portion of the received data, the received data scheduled to be written into memory in response to a write command and the data masking signal configured to block the at least a portion of the received data from being written into the memory and configuring timing parameters differently for each of the received data and the data masking signal so as to execute the write command without writing the at least a portion of the received data into the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Jong-Hyoung Lim, Sang-Seok Kang
  • Patent number: 7675316
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is provided. The device includes an on die termination circuit controlling a termination resistance value by detecting a phase change of a signal inputted through a pad. Additionally, the on die termination circuit changes the termination resistance value when an identical phase signal is inputted during n (n is positive integer) periods of a clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Hyoung Lim, Sang-Seok Kang
  • Publication number: 20100034031
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a voltage level selection unit configured to output a plurality of voltage level selection signals according to a fuse program in response to a self-refresh command signal and a reference voltage generator configured to receive a reference voltage and output a target reference voltage having a different voltage level depending on a normal mode or a self-refresh mode in response to the voltage level selection signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Sang-Seok Kang, Hyung-Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 7657800
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and method directed to performing a memory operation in a semiconductor memory device, which include receiving data and a data masking signal corresponding to a portion of the received data configured to be written into memory in response to a write command and the data masking signal configured to block the at least a portion of the received data from being written into the memory, and further configuring different timing parameters of the received data and the data masking signal for executing the write command without writing the at least a portion of the received data into the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Hyoung Lim, Sang-Seok Kang
  • Patent number: 7649760
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having dummy sense amplifiers and a method of utilizing the same are provided. Embodiments of the semiconductor memory device may include at least one dummy cell block including dummy cells and memory cells. Normal bit lines connecting the memory cells in the dummy cell block in a first direction and dummy bit lines connecting the dummy cells in the first direction. A dummy sense amplifier is also included for connecting any two of the normal bit lines and the dummy bit lines. Some of the embodiments may improve the sensing margin and refresh margin in sensing memory cells in the dummy cell, as well as increasing the redundancy efficiency and utilization of the dummy cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Min-Ki Hong, Sang-Seok Kang, Dong-Min Kim
  • Patent number: 7624317
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device performs a parallel bit test on a plurality of memory blocks by writing test pattern data into the plurality of memory blocks, outputting two bits from each memory block in parallel and comparing the two bits output from each memory block with each other in a first test mode, and outputting two bits from respectively different memory blocks and comparing the two bits output from the respectively different memory blocks with each other in a second test mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Man Byun, Sang-Seok Kang
  • Patent number: 7569904
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of banks, a plurality of control circuits, and a plurality of temperature sensors, wherein each of the plurality of temperature sensors is disposed near at least one of the plurality of banks for sensing the temperature of the area surrounding the at least one of the plurality of banks and for outputting a sense signal corresponding to a sensed temperature, and each of the plurality of control circuits outputs at least one control signal, for controlling an operation of the at least one of the plurality of banks, to the at least one of the plurality of banks based on the sense signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Boa-Yeong Oh, Sang-Seok Kang, Kyoung-Moo Kim
  • Patent number: 7558993
    Abstract: A test apparatus for a semiconductor memory device applies a test input pattern to the semiconductor memory device to produce a test output pattern. The test apparatus compares the test output pattern to an expected output pattern using a plurality of comparators to determine whether the semiconductor memory device is defective. The plurality of comparators are respectively controlled by a respective plurality of strobe signals having relative phase delays so that the test output pattern is compared to the expected output pattern at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheol-Hong Park, Sang-Seok Kang
  • Patent number: 7483320
    Abstract: In a method of inputting/outputting data in a semiconductor memory device, first data and second data are buffered and outputted to a first output node and a second output node, respectively, in a normal mode. In a test mode, the first data is buffered through a first transmission line and a second transmission line and outputted to the first output node and the second output node in response to at least one control signal. Also, in the test mode, the second data is buffered through the first transmission line and the second transmission line and outputted to the first output node and the second output node in response to the at least one control signal. Accordingly, test time may be reduced, and variations of operation characteristics caused by merging the data pins may also be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Man Byun, Soo-In Cho, Sang-Seok Kang