Abstract: A memory circuit has: a real cell array; a parity generating circuit for generating a parity bit from data of the real cell array; a parity cell array; a refresh control circuit, which sequentially refreshes the real cell array, and when an internal refresh request and a read request coincide, prioritizes a refresh operation; a data recovery section, which, in accordance with the parity bit read out from the parity cell array, recovers data read out from the real cell array; and an output circuit for outputting data from the real cell array. Further, the memory circuit has a test control circuit, which, at a first test mode, prohibits a refresh operation for the real cell array to output data read out from the real cell array, and, at a second test mode, controls the output circuit so as to output data read out from the parity cell array.

Abstract: A memory device is provided which has: a memory cell to store data; a word line to select the memory cell; a bit line connectable to the selected memory cell; a precharge power supply to supply a precharge voltage to the bit line; a precharge circuit to connect or disconnect the precharge power supply to or from the bit line; and a current limiting element to control the magnitude of a current flowing between the precharge power supply and the bit line at least by two steps according to an operation status.

Abstract: When a test command is received n times, any one of a plurality of tests is started. After the first test is started, any one of the tests is started or terminated every time the test command is received a predetermined number of times which is less than the n times. The number of times of the test command supplied to start or terminate the second and subsequent tests can be less than that of the first test. Accordingly, the time of the second and subsequent tests can be shortened. Since the first test is started only when the test command is received n times, the test is not started accidentally due to noise or the like in normal operation. Namely, the test time can be shortened without decreasing the operation reliability of an integrated circuit. Particularly, when a plurality of tests is executed successively, great benefit can be obtained.

Abstract: An internal voltage generator when activated, generates an internal voltage to be supplied to an internal circuit. Operating the internal voltage generator consumes a predetermined amount of the power. In response to a control signal from the exterior, an entry circuit inactivates the internal voltage generator. When the internal voltage generator is inactivated, the internal voltage is not generated, thereby reducing the power consumption. By the control signal from the exterior, therefore, a chip can easily enter a low power consumption mode. The internal voltage generator is exemplified by a booster for generating the boost voltage of a word line connected with memory cells, a substrate voltage generator for generating a substrate voltage, or a precharging voltage generator for generating the precharging voltage of bit lines to be connected with the memory cells.

Abstract: A command register holding a decoded result of information relating to an access request supplied from an outside and an address register are provided, and decode of the information relating to an access request from the outside in a processing circuit, namely, a chip control circuit and an address decoder, and an operation corresponding to the external access request in a memory cell array by an access control circuit are made executable independently in parallel, whereby access requests from the outside can be inputted in multiple, and a pipelined operation can be realized for decode and an operation corresponding to the external access request in the memory cell array, thus making it possible to speed up the access operation to a semiconductor memory device without causing any problem.

Abstract: An internal voltage generator when activated, generates an internal voltage to be supplied to an internal circuit. Operating the internal voltage generator consumes a predetermined amount of the power. In response to a control signal from the exterior, an entry circuit inactivates the internal voltage generator. When the internal voltage generator is inactivated, the internal voltage is not generated, thereby reducing the power consumption. By the control signal from the exterior, therefore, a chip can easily enter a low power consumption mode. The internal voltage generator is exemplified by a booster for generating the boost voltage of a word line connected with memory cells, a substrate voltage generator for generating a substrate voltage, or a precharging voltage generator for generating the precharging voltage of bit lines to be connected with the memory cells.

Abstract: A word control circuit activates word lines corresponding to a start row address and a next row address overlappingly in the continuous mode. Accordingly, even in the case where the start address indicates an end memory cell connected to a word line, the switching operation of the word line becomes unnecessary. Memory cells connected to different word lines can be thus accessed in a sequential manner. That is, a controller accessing a semiconductor memory device can access the memory without data interruption. This can prevent the data transfer rate from lowering. Furthermore, it is made unnecessary to form a signal and a control circuit for informing a controller of the fact that a word line is being switched so that the construction of a semiconductor memory device and a control circuit of the controller can be simplified. This results in reduction of the system cost.

Abstract: A data transfer method and system are provided that prevent the length of a time required for writing to a flash memory from appearing on the surface as a system operation when the flash memory is used in place of an SRAM. The method of transferring data includes the steps of writing data from a controller to a volatile memory, placing the volatile memory in a transfer state, transferring the data from the volatile memory in the transfer state to a nonvolatile memory, and releasing the volatile memory from the transfer state in response to confirming completion of the transfer of the data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor memory device of a twin-storage type having an operation control method and a circuit structure that achieve a higher process rate, a less power consumption, and a smaller chip area. This semiconductor memory device includes bit lines in pairs, a sense amplifier connected to each pair of the bit lines, a first memory cell connected to one bit line of each pair of the bit lines, a second memory cell that is connected to the other bit line of each pair of the bit lines and stores the inverted data of the data stored in the first memory cell. This semiconductor memory device is characterized by not having means to pre-charge the bit lines to a predetermined potential. The semiconductor memory device of the present invention is also characterized by including a control circuit that controls the sense amplifier to start a pull-down operation after starting a pull-up operation.

Abstract: A method for controlling a semiconductor memory in which mode register can be set in burst mode. To set an operation mode in burst mode, the semiconductor memory is changed first from the burst mode, through power-down mode, to standby mode of non-burst mode. Then the semiconductor memory is changed to mode register set mode to set the mode register when commands are input in the same predetermined sequence that is used in the non-burst mode.

Abstract: A refresh control circuit generates a refresh request in a predetermined cycle. A first burst control circuit outputs a predetermined number of strobe signals in accordance with an access command. A burst access operation is executed by an access command. A data input/output circuit successively inputs data to be transferred to a memory cell array or successively outputs data supplied from the memory cell array, in synchronization with the strobe signals. An arbiter determines which of a refresh operation or a burst access operation is to be executed first, when the refresh request and the access command conflict with each other. Therefore, the refresh operation and burst access operation can be sequentially executed without being overlapped. As a result, read data can be outputted at a high speed, and write data can be inputted at a high speed. That is, the data transfer rate can be improved.

Abstract: A dual-port semiconductor memory apparatus constructed by a core circuit and a plurality of ports, different row blocks of which in the same column block of the core circuit are simultaneously accessible. Since each of the ports is provided with a global data bus, different row blocks of the same column block can be accessed via both ports by selectively activating a column line corresponding to a port and another column line corresponding to another port.

Abstract: An internal voltage generator when activated, generates an internal voltage to be supplied to an internal circuit. Operating the internal voltage generator consumes a predetermined amount of the power. In response to a control signal from the exterior, an entry circuit inactivates the internal voltage generator. When the internal voltage generator is inactivated, the internal voltage is not generated, thereby reducing the power consumption. By the control signal from the exterior, therefore, a chip can easily enter a low power consumption mode. The internal voltage generator is exemplified by a booster for generating the boost voltage of a word line connected with memory cells, a substrate voltage generator for generating a substrate voltage, or a precharging voltage generator for generating the precharging voltage of bit lines to be connected with the memory cells.

Abstract: A refresh control circuit generates a refresh request in a predetermined cycle. A first burst control circuit outputs a predetermined number of strobe signals in accordance with an access command. A burst access operation is executed by an access command. A data input/output circuit successively inputs data to be transferred to a memory cell array or successively outputs data supplied from the memory cell array, in synchronization with the strobe signals. An arbiter determines which of a refresh operation or a burst access operation is to be executed first, when the refresh request and the access command conflict with each other. Therefore, the refresh operation and burst access operation can be sequentially executed without being overlapped. As a result, read data can be outputted at a high speed, and write data can be inputted at a high speed. That is, the data transfer rate can be improved.

Abstract: A method for controlling a semiconductor memory in which mode register can be set in burst mode. To set an operation mode in burst mode, the semiconductor memory is changed first from the burst mode, through power-down mode, to standby mode of non-burst mode. Then the semiconductor memory is changed to mode register set mode to set the mode register when commands are input in the same predetermined sequence that is used in the non-burst mode.

Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a first NMOS-type current mirror circuit which compares a first potential with a second potential, a second NMOS-type current mirror circuit which compares the first potential with a third potential, and a potential setting circuit which adjusts the first potential in response to outputs of the first and second NMOS-type current mirror circuits, such that the first potential falls between the second potential and the third potential.

Abstract: A method for controlling a semiconductor memory in which mode register can be set in burst mode. To set an operation mode in burst mode, the semiconductor memory is changed first from the burst mode, through power-down mode, to standby mode of non-burst mode. Then the semiconductor memory is changed to mode register set mode to set the mode register when commands are input in the same predetermined sequence that is used in the non-burst mode.

Abstract: A semiconductor storage device conducts a late-write operation. The semiconductor storage device comprises: a memory core circuit storing data; a data latch circuit storing preceding data corresponding to a preceding write-operation; an address compare circuit comparing a preceding address corresponding to the preceding write-operation and a present address corresponding to a present read-operation so as to determine whether the preceding address and the present address match each other; and a control circuit. The control circuit controls a test read-operation to read data from the memory core circuit regardless of whether the preceding address and the present address match each other.

Abstract: Operating margins of a semiconductor integrated circuit are reliably tested at low power consumption by switching power supply circuits between normal operation mode wherein a first step-up power supply serves both memory core and a step-down power supply, and testing mode wherein the memory core is powered by an external testing power supply that provides a fluctuating voltage for testing, and the step-down power supply is served by a second step-up power supply.

Abstract: A plurality of first memory blocks and a second memory block for reproducing data of the first memory blocks are formed. When a read command and a refresh command conflict with each other, a read control circuit accesses the first memory block according to the refresh command and reproduces read data by using the second memory block. When a write command and the refresh command conflict with each other, a write control circuit operates the memory block according to an order of command reception. Therefore, it is possible to perform refresh operation without being recognized by users. Namely, a user-friendly semiconductor memory can be provided.