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 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 multi-bit output configuration memory circuit comprises: a memory core having a normal cell array and a redundant cell array, which have a plurality of memory cells; N output terminals which respectively output N-bit output read out from the memory core; an output circuit provided between the output terminals and the memory core, which detects whether each L-bit output of the N-bit output (N=L×M) read out from said memory core matches or not and outputs a compressed output which becomes the output data in the event of a match while becomes a third state in the event of a non-match, to a first output terminal of the N output terminals. Responding to each of a plurality of test commands or the test control signals of the external terminals, the compressed output of the M groups of L-bit output is outputted in time shared.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes isolation circuits disconnecting cell arrays from sense amplifiers, and isolation signal generating circuits generating isolation signals that control the isolation circuits. The isolation signal generating circuits are hierarchically divided into main isolation signal generating circuits and sub isolation signal generating circuits. The sub isolation signal generating circuits generate sub isolation signals having a first potential on a high-potential side. The main isolation signal generating circuits generate main isolation signals having a second potential on the high-potential side, the second potential being lower than the first potential.

Abstract: Upon receiving a level of a second node through a third switch in the first half of a first period, a holding circuit outputs it as a fuse signal indicating a blown-out state of a fuse. Since the third switch turns off in the second half of the first period, a change in level of the second node occurring thereafter will not affect data in the holding circuit, whereby prevents malfunction of a fuse circuit. With the fuse blown, a level of a first node gets fixed at that of a second power supply line after the first period. This eliminates a voltage difference between both ends of the fuse, thereby preventing a growback. No occurrence of growback makes just one fuse blowing sufficient for the fuse circuit even with the fuse not completely cut off. This consequently shortens a time for blowing the fuse in a test process.

Abstract: Upon receiving a level of a second node through a third switch in the first half of a first period, a holding circuit outputs it as a fuse signal indicating a blown-out state of a fuse. Since the third switch turns off in the second half of the first period, a change in level of the second node occurring thereafter will not affect data in the holding circuit, whereby prevents malfunction of a fuse circuit. With the fuse blown, a level of a first node gets fixed at that of a second power supply line after the first period. This eliminates a voltage difference between both ends of the fuse, thereby preventing a growback. No occurrence of growback makes just one fuse blowing sufficient for the fuse circuit even with the fuse not completely cut off. This consequently shortens a time for blowing the fuse in a test process.

Abstract: A redundancy memory circuit stores a defect address indicating a defective memory cell row. A redundancy control circuit disables the defective memory cell row corresponding to the defect address stored in the redundancy memory circuit and enables a redundancy memory cell row in the memory block containing the defective memory cell row. Moreover, in the other memory blocks, the redundancy control circuit disables memory cell rows corresponding to the defective memory cell row and enables redundancy memory cell rows instead of these memory cell rows. Consequently, not only the memory block having the defective memory cell row but one of the memory cell rows in the other memory blocks is always also relieved. Thus, the redundancy memory circuit can be shared among all the memory blocks with a reduction in the number of redundancy memory circuits. As a result, the semiconductor memory can be reduced in chip size.

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 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: A semiconductor memory device having a self-refresh function includes a detection circuit detecting a change of an output enable signal and generating a state transition detection signal, and a decision circuit comparing the state transition detection signal and a refresh request signal internally generated and generating a signal that indicates a corresponding circuit operation.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device, such as a DRAM, which needs to be refreshed for retaining data, is provided with a storing portion for storing data therein, and a busy signal outputting portion outputting a busy signal during the refresh operation.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes isolation circuits disconnecting cell arrays from sense amplifiers, and isolation signal generating circuits generating isolation signals that control the isolation circuits. The isolation signal generating circuits are hierarchically divided into main isolation signal generating circuits and sub isolation signal generating circuits. The sub isolation signal generating circuits generate sub isolation signals having a first potential on a high-potential side. The main isolation signal generating circuits generate main isolation signals having a second potential on the high-potential side, the second potential being lower than the first potential.

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.

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: The invention relates to a clock synchronous type semiconductor device that accepts an input signal inputted from the exterior in synchronization with a clock signal. The semiconductor device according to the invention includes an input signal receiving unit that receives an input signal inputted from the exterior, where the receiving is done in synchronization with a clock signal; a clock timing selecting unit for outputting a clock selecting signal; and a clock generating unit that, in response to receiving a clock selecting signal and an external clock signal, generates a clock signal at a predetermined timing which corresponds to a signal level of the clock selecting signal, and outputs the clock signal to the input signal receiving unit, wherein it is possible to securely accept an input signal regardless of the frequency of the external clock signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device which includes at least two memory cell arrays, a sense amplifier shared by the memory cell arrays and at least two transfer gates connected respectively between each of the memory cell arrays and the sense amplifier. The semiconductor memory device further includes a first voltage supplier supplying a first voltage to the transfer gates, and a second voltage supplier supplying a second voltage to the transfer gates, with second voltage being higher than the first voltage.

Abstract: An address signal is transmited to a decoder before the activation of a control signal operating a memory cell. Here, the decoder is inactivated. Subsequently, after the activation of the control signal, the reception of a new address signal is inhibited, and the decoder is activated at the same time. Therefore, the decoder starts operating at an earlier timing of the operating cycle, outputting a decoding signal. This means reduction in access time. Moreover, the reception of a new address signal is inhibited after the activation of the control signal. This prevents the decoder from decoding incorrect address signals ascribable to noises and the like, thereby avoiding malfunctions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of word lines selectable in a predetermined mode, and a circuit that precharges the plurality of word lines selected in the predetermined mode in a time division manner.

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: The present invention is aimed at providing a semiconductor memory device which performs a row-address pipe-line operation in accessing different row addresses so as to achieve high-speed access. The semiconductor memory device according to the present invention includes a plurality of sense-amplifiers which store data when the data is received via bit lines from memory cells corresponding to a selected word line, a column decoder which reads parallel data of a plurality of bits from selected sense amplifiers by simultaneously selecting a plurality of column gates in response to a column address, a data-conversion unit which converts the parallel data into serial data, and a precharge-signal-generation unit which generates an internal precharge signal a first delay-time period after generation of a row-access signal for selecting the selected word line so as to reset the bit lines and said plurality of sense-amplifiers.