Common Read And Write Mode Signal Patents (Class 365/233.19)
  • Patent number: 10818344
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for artificial neural network functionality within dynamic random-access memory. A plurality of dynamic random-access cells is accessed within a memory block. Data within the plurality of dynamic random-access cells is sensed using a plurality of sense amplifiers associated with the plurality of dynamic random-access cells. A plurality of select lines coupled to the plurality of sense amplifiers is activated to facilitate the sensing of the data within the plurality of dynamic random-access cells, wherein the activating is a function of inputs to a layer within a neural network, and wherein a bit within the plurality of dynamic random-access cells is sensed by a first sense amplifier and a second sense amplifier within the plurality of sense amplifiers. Resulting data is provided based on the activating wherein the resulting data is a function of weights within the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Green Mountain Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hokenmaier, Jacob Bucci, Ryan Jurasek
  • Patent number: 9042188
    Abstract: A memory controller transmits a data signal, a data strobe signal and a mask signal to a memory, wherein each transition of the data strobe signal indicates a sample point for the data signal and the mask signal indicates a validity of the data signal. A mask signal training procedure is carried out comprising three steps. Writing first and second values to the memory for a predetermined plurality of transitions of the data strobe signal with the mask signal set to indicate that the first data signal is valid and the second data signal is valid except for a selected transition of the predetermined plurality. Reading from the memory for the predetermined plurality of transitions of the data strobe signal. Determining a timing offset for the mask signal for which the value read at the selected transition matches the first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: ARM Limited
    Inventors: Gyan Prakash, Nidhir Kumar
  • Patent number: 8953410
    Abstract: The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a command decoder, a shift register unit and a command address latch unit. The command decoder is responsive to an external command defining write and read modes and configured to provide a write command or a read command according to the external command using a rising or falling clock. The shift register unit is configured to shift an external address and the write command by a write latency in response to the write command. The column address latch unit is configured to latch and provide the external address as a column address in the read mode, and to latch a write address, which is provided from the shift register unit, and provide the write address as the column address in the write mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Kyong Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 8937846
    Abstract: A write leveling calibration system and method for double data-rate dynamic random access memory includes performing write leveling at two different frequencies to determine to which of two successive rising clock cycle edges each data strobe signal would be aligned as a result of applying the write leveling delay determined by the write-leveling procedure. The determination can then be used to ensure that the data strobe signals of all source synchronous groups are aligned with the same edge of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Barbara Jean Duffner, David Linam
  • Patent number: 8908467
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a shared pad which is configured to output a read operation control signal in a read operation and receive a write operation control signal in a write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Wook Kwack
  • Patent number: 8854916
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide a semiconductor memory device that may include: a cell array arranged in pluralities of rows and columns; and a sense amplifier conducting writing and reading operations to the cell array in response to writing and reading commands in correspondence with an access time, which may be variable in period. The sense amplifier adjusts pulse widths of write-in and read-out data in accordance with a period of the access time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Hyun Kim, Kwang-il Park, Kyoung-Ho Kim, Hyun-Jin Kim, Hye-Ran Kim
  • Patent number: 8797823
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing faster-cycle-time and lower-energy write operations for Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. A first RAS (row address strobe) to CAS (column address strobe) command delay (tRCD) is provided to the SDRAM for a read operation. A second delay tRCD is provided for a write operation that is substantially shorter than the first delay tRCD for the read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Connolly, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Warren E. Maule
  • Patent number: 8730748
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a plurality of memory banks, wherein each memory bank includes a bank control unit configured to reduce a voltage level of a first node to a ground voltage level when the memory bank is selected to perform a predetermined operation; an error control unit configured to supply an external voltage to the first node when the memory bank is not selected to perform the predetermined operation; and a signal generation unit configured to generate a bank operation signal in response to the voltage level of the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Young Han Jeong
  • Patent number: 8724423
    Abstract: A memory operative to provide concurrent two-port read and two-port write access functionality includes a memory array comprising first and second pluralities of single-port memory cells organized into a plurality of rows of memory banks, and multiple checksum modules. The second plurality of memory cells are operative as spare memory banks. Each of the checksum modules is associated with a corresponding one of the rows of memory banks. The memory further includes a first controller and multiple mapping tables. The first controller and at least a portion of the first and second pluralities of memory cells enable the memory array to support two-port read or single-port write operations. A second controller is operative to receive read and write access requests, and to map logical and spare memory bank identifiers to corresponding physical memory bank identifiers via the mapping tables to thereby emulate concurrent two-port read and two-port write access functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Ting Zhou, Sheng Liu
  • Patent number: 8717795
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device that includes first and second ports arranged in a first direction and first and second circuits arranged between the first and second ports. The first and second ports are coupled to the first and second circuits, respectively. The first and second circuits include first and second sub circuits that control an operation timing thereof based on a timing signal, respectively. The control signal is transmitted through a control line extending in a second direction. Distances between the control line and the first and second sub circuits in the first direction are the same as each other. A coordinate of the control line in the first direction is different from an intermediate coordinate between coordinates of the first and second ports in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hayato Oishi, Hisayuki Nagamine
  • Patent number: 8705313
    Abstract: A double data rate pseudo SRAM (DDR PSRAM) is provided. The DDR PSRAM includes a data receiver, a memory and an address decoder. The data receiver receives a first single data rate data from a controller via a common bus according to a clock. The address decoder decodes the first single data rate data to obtain an address of the memory. The data receiver stores the double data rate data into the address of the memory. The DDR PSRAM also includes a data transmitter and a data strobe generating unit. The data transmitter obtains data stored in the address of the memory and provides a double data rate data to the controller according to the obtained data, and the data strobe generating unit a data strobe signal to the controller and toggling the data strobe signal in response to the double data rate data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsin Lin, Tsung-Huang Chen, Bing-Shiun Wang, Jen-Pin Su
  • Patent number: 8649233
    Abstract: A first data amplifier connects to a first memory cell identified by an X-address signal and a selection signal obtained by predecoding a Y-address signal. A second data amplifier connects to a second memory cell identified by the X-address signal and a delayed selection signal obtained by delaying the selection signal. A generator generates a delayed operation clock signal by delaying an operation clock signal of the first data amplifier. A timing controller receives a first control signal for controlling an operation of the first data amplifier and a second control signal for controlling an operation of the second data amplifier, outputs the first control signal to the first data amplifier at a timing according to the operation clock signal, and outputs the second control signal to the second data amplifier at a timing according to the delayed operation clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Noriaki Mochida
  • Patent number: 8630128
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a serial peripheral interface memory device. In an embodiment, the memory device includes a clock signal, a plurality of pins, and a configuration register. In an embodiment, the configuration register includes a wait cycle count. The method includes transmitting a read address to the memory device using a first input/output pin and a second input/output pin concurrently. In an embodiment, the read address includes at least a first address bit and a second address bit, the first address bit being transmitted using the first input/output pin, and the second address bit being transmitted using the second input/output pin. The method includes accessing the memory device for data associated with the address and waiting a predetermined number clock cycles associated with the wait cycle count. The method includes transferring the data from the memory device using the first input/output pin and the second input/output pin concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Kuen-Long Chang, Chia-He Liu
  • Patent number: 8593889
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 8582348
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure in which stored data can be held even when power is not supplied, and does not have a limitation on the number of writing operations. A semiconductor device includes a plurality of memory cells each including a transistor including a first semiconductor material, a transistor including a second semiconductor material that is different from the first semiconductor material, and a capacitor, and a potential switching circuit having a function of supplying a power supply potential to a source line in a writing period. Thus, power consumption of the semiconductor device can be sufficiently suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Inoue, Kiyoshi Kato, Takanori Matsuzaki, Shuhei Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 8477558
    Abstract: Low supply voltage memory apparatuses are presented. In one embodiment, a memory apparatus comprises a memory and a memory controller. The memory controller includes a read controller. The read controller prevents a read operation to a memory location from being completed, for at least N clock cycles after a write operation to the memory location, where N is the number of clock cycles for the memory location to stabilize after the write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jaume Abella, Xavier Vera, Javier Carretero Casado, Pedro Chaparro Monferrer, Antonio González
  • Patent number: 8432769
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes an internal clock signal generator configured to generate an internal clock signal by dividing a frequency of an external clock signal; a default latency determiner configured to determine a default latency in outputting a signal; and a latency reflector configured to, for each of consecutive commands, selectively add a half latency equal to a half cycle of the internal clock signal to the default latency in response to a half latency selection information signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Jinyeong Moon
  • Patent number: 8422333
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide a semiconductor memory device that may include: a cell array arranged in pluralities of rows and columns; and a sense amplifier conducting writing and reading operations to the cell array in response to writing and reading commands in correspondence with an access time, which may be variable in period. The sense amplifier adjusts pulse widths of write-in and read-out data in accordance with a period of the access time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Hyun Kim, Kwang-il Park, Kyoung-Ho Kim, Hyun-Jin Kim, Hye-Ran Kim
  • Patent number: 8422332
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a voltage includes a first voltage outputting circuit configured to receive an input voltage and adjust and output a first voltage in accordance with a temperature, a buffer circuit configured to receive the first voltage and output the received first voltage as a second voltage at an output node of the buffer circuit, and a second voltage outputting circuit configured to receive the second voltage at an input terminal and output a third voltage by dividing a driving voltage in accordance with a resistance ratio, wherein the second voltage outputting circuit includes a sub-voltage outputting circuit and a controlling circuit configured to adjust a voltage level of the third voltage through a feedback of the third voltage to the input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: In Soo Wang, Yu Jong Noh, Lee Hyun Kwon, Bon Kwang Koo
  • Patent number: 8391098
    Abstract: A first timing control unit controls an active timing of a first control signal to output a first driving control signal. A first data input/output unit transmits write data from a data input/output buffer to a global input/output line or transmits read data from the global input/output line to the data input/output buffer, in response to the first driving control signal. A second timing control unit controls an active timing of a second control signal to output a second driving control signal. A second data input/output unit transmits the write data from the global input/output line to a local input/output line or transmits the read data from the local input/output line to the global input/output line, in response to the second driving control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Seung-Lo Kim
  • Patent number: 8355294
    Abstract: A synchronous data processing system includes a memory module to store data and a memory controller coupled to the memory module. The memory controller includes a clock inverter to receive an input clock signal and to transmit an inverted clock signal to the memory module. The inverted clock signal incurs a first propagation delay prior to reaching the memory module as a memory clock signal. A write data buffer is coupled to the memory module. The write data buffer transmits data to the memory module in response to the input clock signal. An asynchronous first-in-first-out (ASYNC FIFO) buffer is coupled to the memory module. The ASYNC FIFO buffer reads data from the memory module in response to a feedback signal generated by feeding back the memory clock signal to the ASYNC FIFO buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc
    Inventors: Prakash Makwana, Prabhjot Singh
  • Patent number: 8274854
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device comprises a timing control circuit that generates a signal for controlling at least one of a read operation and a write operation; an input-signal pad; a plurality of control-signal pads; and a switch circuit coupled to at least one of the plurality of control-signal pads. The switch circuit generates a first control signal to be supplied to the timing control circuit based on a signal from the input-signal pad in a first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Kota Hara
  • Patent number: 8270227
    Abstract: A method of reading a nonvolatile memory device comprises sensing data stored in memory cells adjacent to selected memory cells to identify adjacent aggressor cells, and performing separate precharge operations on bitlines connected to selected memory cells having adjacent aggressor cells and on bitlines connected to selected memory cells having adjacent non-aggressor cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Woo Park, Ohsuk Kwon
  • Patent number: 8254202
    Abstract: The internal command generation circuit includes a burst pulse generation unit and a pulse shifting unit. The burst pulse generation unit is configured to receive a command for a read or write operation, and generate a first burst pulse. The pulse shifting unit is configured to shift the first burst pulse and generate an internal command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Kyong Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 8248868
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 8248866
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device, in which successive reading and successive writing of data having a predetermined length from and to a memory cell specified by a certain address are performed, includes a plurality of memory cells, address input terminals through which the address is input, data output terminals through which read data having the predetermined length is output, and data input terminals through which write data having the predetermine length is input. Part of the address input terminals are also used as the data output terminals. In this way, the operation of successive reading and successive writing performed in succession at the same address can be made faster without increasing the number of terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 8223562
    Abstract: Dual I/O data read is performed in an integrated circuit which includes a serial peripheral interface memory device. In one example, a second page read address is transmitted to the memory device using a first input pin and a second input pin concurrently, while transferring data from the memory device associated with a first page read address using a first output pin and a second output pin concurrently. The first page read address is associated with a first location in the memory device and the second page read address is associated with a second location in the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Kuen-Long Chang, Chia-He Liu
  • Patent number: 8169851
    Abstract: A method for operating a memory device with pseudo double clock signals comprises the steps of: generating an even clock signal and an odd clock signal, wherein the clock rates of both the even clock signal and the odd clock signal are half that of the input clock signal, and the even clock signal is the inverse signal of the odd clock signal; if the logic level of the even clock signal is 1 when receiving a trigger of a control signal, applying the even clock signal to a memory device; and if the logic level of the odd clock signal is 1 when receiving another trigger of the control signal, applying the odd clock signal to the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology
    Inventor: Min Chung Chou
  • Patent number: 8125847
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide a semiconductor memory device that may include: a cell array arranged in pluralities of rows and columns; and a sense amplifier conducting writing and reading operations to the cell array in response to writing and reading commands in correspondence with an access time, which may be variable in period. The sense amplifier adjusts pulse widths of write-in and read-out data in accordance with a period of the access time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Hyun Kim, Kwang-il Park, Kyoung-Ho Kim, Hyun-Jin Kim, Hye-Ran Kim
  • Patent number: 8120988
    Abstract: A delay locked loop circuit includes a delay locked loop receiving an external clock, a frequency detector delaying an input frequency signal to generate a plurality of strobe signals and outputting a check signal indicating that the frequency of the input frequency signal is equal to or lower than a reference frequency when all of the strobe signals are positioned within a first-status section of one cycle of the input frequency signal, a delay lock reset unit generating a reset signal to reset the frequency detector and an activation signal to enable the delay locked loop to perform a delay lock process, and a direct phase detector controlling a coarse locking window on the basis of the check signal and generating a pair of phase detection signals indicating logic levels of the external clock. According to this configuration, since the coarse locking window is controlled as per a frequency band, it is possible to prevent a failure of a coarse locking and to achieve an improved circuit performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung-Tae Kang, In-Dal Song
  • Patent number: 8081538
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes output enable signal generation means configured to be reset in response to an output enable reset signal, count a DLL clock signal and an external clock signal, and generate an output enable signal in correspondence to a read command and an operating frequency; and activation signal generation means configured to generate an activation signal for inactivating the output enable signal generation means during a write operation interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Kyu Noh
  • Patent number: 8078821
    Abstract: An asynchronously pipelined SDRAM has separate pipeline stages that are controlled by asynchronous signals. Rather than using a clock signal to synchronize data at each stage, an asynchronous signal is used to latch data at every stage. The asynchronous control signals are generated within the chip and are optimized to the different latency stages. Longer latency stages require larger delays elements, while shorter latency states require shorter delay elements. The data is synchronized to the clock at the end of the read data path before being read out of the chip. Because the data has been latched at each pipeline stage, it suffers from less skew than would be seen in a conventional wave pipeline architecture. Furthermore, since the stages are independent of the system clock, the read data path can be run at any CAS latency as long as the re-synchronizing output is built to support it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Mosaid Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: Ian Mes
  • Publication number: 20110286286
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a write-read clock control signal generating unit that activates a read clock control signal and a write clock control signal in response to one of a write operational mode and a read operational mode after maintaining the read clock control signal and the write clock control signal at a deactivation state in response to one of an idle mode and a refresh operational mode, and a clock buffer that generates a read clock signal and a write clock signal in response to a clock signal, the read clock control signal, and the write clock control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Ki-Tae Kim
  • Publication number: 20110286285
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a write-read clock control signal generating unit that activates a read clock control signal and a write clock control signal in response to one of a write operational mode and a read operational mode after maintaining the read clock control signal and the write clock control signal at a deactivation state in response to one of an idle mode and a refresh operational mode, and a clock buffer that generates a read clock signal and a write clock signal in response to a clock signal, the read clock control signal, and the write clock control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Ki-Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 8064268
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a serial peripheral interface adapted for receiving a first command supporting an address of a first configuration, wherein the serial peripheral interface supports an address of a second configuration upon receipt of a second command, the second configuration being different from the first configuration. In a specific embodiment, the first and the second configurations are different in address length. In another embodiment, a second address cooperated with the second command has a first part and a second part, the second part comprising a plurality of byte addresses, each of the byte addresses being associated with a corresponding byte of data. In another embodiment, integrated circuit device also includes a mode logic circuit for controlling operations of the first command and the second command. Various other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Kuen-Long Chang, Chia-He Liu
  • Patent number: 8054699
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array divided into a plurality of areas, a common data bus connected to an input/output circuit, a plurality of individual data buses connected to different areas of the memory cell array through different paths respectively, and a bidirectional buffer connected to the common data bus and the individual data buses. In the semiconductor memory device, the bidirectional buffers transmit data bidirectionally between the common data bus and a selected one of the individual data buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Susumu Takahashi, Kanji Oishi
  • Patent number: 8050137
    Abstract: The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a command decoder, a shift register unit and a command address latch unit. The command decoder is responsive to an external command defining write and read modes and configured to provide a write command or a read command according to the external command using a rising or falling clock. The shift register unit is configured to shift an external address and the write command by a write latency in response to the write command. The column address latch unit is configured to latch and provide the external address as a column address in the read mode, and to latch a write address, which is provided from the shift register unit, and provide the write address as the column address in the write mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Kyong Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 8050087
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device having a block state confirmation cell that may store information indicating the number of data bits written to a plurality of memory cells, a method of reading memory data based on the number of the data bits written, and/or a memory programming method of storing the information indicating the number of the data bits written. The semiconductor device may include one or more memory blocks and a controller. Each of the memory blocks may include a plurality of memory cells each storing data, and a block state confirmation cell storing information indicating the number of data bits written to the memory cells. The controller may read the data bits from the memory blocks based on the number of data bits, which is indicated in the information in the block state confirmation cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-hee Park, Jae-woong Hyun, Kyoung-lae Cho, Yoon-dong Park, Seung-hoon Lee, Kee-won Kwon
  • Patent number: 8045357
    Abstract: A memory includes a memory cell array including destructive read-out type memory cells; a decoder selecting a cell; a sense amplifier configured to detect the data; and a read and write controller controlling a read operation and a write operation, wherein the read and write controller outputs a logical value of a write enable signal at the start of the read operation in a first period and makes the write enable signal invalid after the read operation starts during the first period, on the basis of the write enable signal and a restore signal keeping an activated state during the first period, the write enable signal being a signal allowing the write operation, the first period being a period from when the read operation starts to when a restore operation for writing the data back to the memory cell is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryu Ogiwara, Daisaburo Takashima
  • Patent number: 8040751
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device has a command decoder responsive to a plurality of commands to set the semiconductor memory device to a normal mode, for generating control signals corresponding to the commands, respectively, and a row address prelatch circuit for holding a row address except for a bank address input together with a precharge command, and outputting the row address to a row address latch circuit, when the semiconductor memory device is in a test mode. The row address latch circuit holds the row address output from the row address prelatch circuit in synchronism with a control signal which is generated when an active command is input. The column address latch circuit holds the column address which has already been input when the active command is input, in synchronism with a control signal which is generated when either a read command or a write command is input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 8004928
    Abstract: An active driver control circuit for a semiconductor memory apparatus includes an asynchronous decoding unit that can be activated in response to a bank selection signal, when an external command is a read or write command, can generate an enabled read/write enable signal, and when a precharge signal is enabled, disable the enabled read/write enable signal, a synchronous decoding unit that can be activated in response to the bank selection signal, can generate an enabled active enable signal when the external command is an active command, when the external command is a precharge command, can generate the precharge signal, and output the active enable signal and the precharge signal in synchronization with a clock, and an active driver control signal generating unit that can generate an active driver control signal in response to the active enable signal and the read/write enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Won Lee
  • Patent number: 8000156
    Abstract: A memory device and method of operating such a device are provided. The memory device has a plurality of sub-arrays arranged to form at least one sub-array column having a first end and a second end, with each sub-array comprising a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of memory cell rows and at least one memory cell column. Sub-array access circuitry is associated with each sub-array, for detecting read data from a selected memory cell column of the associated sub-array during a read operation, and global access circuitry then interfaces with the first end of the sub-array column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: ARM Limited
    Inventors: Nicolaas Klarinus Johannes Van Winkelhoff, Christophe Denis Lucien Frey
  • Patent number: 7952958
    Abstract: There is provided a non-volatile memory having electrically rewritable non-volatile memory cells arranged therein. A controller controls operation at the non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory comprises a status output section configured to output status information indicating a status of read operation, write operation or erase operation in the non-volatile memory cell. The controller comprises a control signal generating section configured to output a control signal for a certain operation in the non-volatile memory, and a control signal switching section configured to instruct the control signal generating section to switch the control signal based on the status information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kosuke Yanagidaira, Toshihiro Suzuki, Naoya Tokiwa
  • Patent number: 7944771
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes an input unit configured to receive address and command signals, an internal address generator configured to output an internal address signal by adjusting a timing of the input address signal to correspond to a predetermined internal signal processing timing margin, and an internal command generator configured to output an internal command having a predetermined time difference from the internal address signal by adjusting a timing of the input command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Seung-Wook Kwak
  • Patent number: 7929361
    Abstract: A transceiver (222) includes a receive circuit (320), a transmit circuit (340), a shared delay locked loop (DLL) (360), and a controller (210). The receive circuit (320) has a first input coupled to an external data terminal, a second input coupled to an external data strobe terminal, and an output coupled to an internal data terminal. The transmit circuit (340) has a first input coupled to the internal data terminal, a second input for receiving an internal clock signal, a first output coupled to the external data terminal, and a second output coupled to the external data strobe terminal. The controller (210) enables the shared DLL (360) for use by the receive circuit (320) during a receive cycle, and enables the shared DLL (360) for use by the transmit circuit (340) during a transmit cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Searles, Faisal A. Syed, Nicholas T. Humphries
  • Patent number: 7920431
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 7869287
    Abstract: A receive circuit (320) includes a DLL core (510), a latch (326), and a DLL control circuit (520). The DLL core (510) has a first input for receiving a DLL clock signal, a second input for receiving a delay line select signal, and an output for providing a delayed data strobe signal. The latch (326) has a signal input for receiving an external data signal, a control input coupled to the output of the DLL core (510), and an output for providing an internal data signal. The DLL control circuit (520) provides the DLL clock signal to the first input of the DLL core (510) responsive to a memory data strobe signal while the receive circuit is in a first mode, and provides the DLL clock signal to the first input of the DLL core (510) responsive to a processor clock signal while the receive circuit (320) is in a second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Searles, Faisal A. Syed, Nicholas T. Humphries
  • Patent number: RE44064
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a synchronous semiconductor memory device with double data rate, and more particularly, to a synchronous semiconductor memory device for inputting and outputting data using a free-running clock and inserting a preamble indicative of start of data into the outputted data. A semiconductor memory device of the present invention receives a data read command from the exterior of the memory device in response to a predetermined clock signal inputted from the exterior, and outputting data including a preamble in response to the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kye-hyun Kyung
  • Patent number: RE45366
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a synchronous semiconductor memory device with double data rate, and more particularly, to a synchronous semiconductor memory device for inputting and outputting data using a free-running clock and inserting a preamble indicative of start of data into the outputted data. A semiconductor memory device of the present invention receives a data read command from the exterior of the memory device in response to a predetermined clock signal inputted from the exterior, and outputting data including a preamble in response to the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kye-Hyun Kyung
  • Patent number: RE45378
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a synchronous semiconductor memory device with double data rate, and more particularly, to a synchronous semiconductor memory device for inputting and outputting data using a free-running clock and inserting a preamble indicative of start of data into the outputted data. A semiconductor memory device of the present invention receives a data read command from the exterior of the memory device in response to a predetermined clock signal inputted from the exterior, and outputting data including a preamble in response to the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kye-Hyun Kyung