US5265054A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Semiconductor memory with precharged redundancy multiplexing
Assignee: STMicroelectronics lnc USA
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Filing: 1990-12-14
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Granted: 1993-11-23
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Expires: 2010-12-14
Abstract
Abstract An integrated circuit memory is disclosed which includes redundant columns associated with a sub-array, and in which multiple input/output terminals are placed in communication with multiple columns in the sub-array in read and write cycles. The number of redundant columns per sub-array is less than the number of input/output terminals. A multiplexer connects the selected redundant column to a selected sense amplifier and write circuit for the input/output with which the replaced column was associated. The multiplexer includes pass gates connected to the bit lines of the redundant column, and fuses connected between each of the pass gates and each of the sense/write circuits selectable for the redundant column. Those of the fuses which are not associated with the selected input/output are opened, and the fuses associated with the selected input/output are left intact. Precharge transistors are connected to the fuse sides of the pass gates, for precharging each of the floating nodes after the pass gates are turned off. This precharging negates the effect of any charge which may be trapped on the fuse side of the pass gates for those lines where the fuses are opened, so that the access time for the next cycle will not be degraded.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. McClure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:46
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C29/00; G11C29/70; G11C29/78; G11C29/84
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
An integrated circuit with a memory, comprising: an array of storage cells arranged in rows and columns; a plurality of redundant storage cells associated with said array; a plurality of data outputs; a plurality of sense circuits, each associated with an data output for communicating data thereto; a decoder, for selecting a plurality of storage cells for communication of the data stored therein to said sense circuits, said selecting according to an address presented to said memory; and a select circuit, coupled between said redundant storage cells and said sense circuits, for selecting one of said sense circuits for communication with said redundant storage cells, said select circuit comprising: a plurality of pass gates, each controlled by said decoder, each for connecting said redundant storage cells to one of said sense circuits; a plurality of fuses, each connected between an associated pass gate and its associated sense circuits; and means for discharging the nodes between each of said pass gates and its associated fuse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
An integrated circuit with a memory, comprising: an array of storage cells arranged in rows and columns; a plurality of redundant storage cells associated with said array; a plurality of data outputs; a plurality of sense circuits, each associated with an data output for communicating data thereto; a decoder, for selecting a plurality of storage cells for communication of the data stored therein to said sense circuits, said selecting according to an address presented to said memory; and a select circuit, coupled between said redundant storage cells and said sense circuits, for selecting one of said sense circuits for communication with said redundant storage cells, said select circuit comprising: a plurality of pass gates, each controlled by said decoder, each for connecting said redundant storage cells to one of said sense circuits; a plurality of fuses, each connected between an associated pass gate and its associated sense circuits; and means for discharging the nodes between each of said pass gates and its associated fuse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein said plurality of redundant storage cells are arranged in a column.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The integrated circuit of claim 2, further comprising: a redundant decoder, for selecting said column of redundant storage cells responsive to a column address presented to said decoder matching a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of data inputs; and a plurality of write circuits for presenting data received by said data inputs to selected storage cells in said array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The integrated circuit of claim 4, further comprising: an input/output bus, connected to said select circuit; wherein said sense circuits and said write circuits are connected to said input/output bus; and wherein said select circuit is for selecting lines in said input/output bus for communication with said redundant storage cells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The integrated circuit of claim 4, wherein said data inputs and said data outputs are the same terminals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The integrated circuit of claim 6, further comprising: an input/output bus, connected to said select circuit; wherein said sense circuits and said write circuits are connected to said input/output bus; and wherein said select circuit is for selecting lines in said input/output bus for communication with said redundant storage cells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The integrated circuit of claim 7, wherein each of said data inputs and data outputs are associated with a sense amplifier and a write circuit; and wherein the sense amplifier and the write circuit which are associated with the same data input and data output are connected to the same line in the input/output bus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein said select circuit has an output associated with each sense circuit; wherein said fuses are each connected in series between its associated pass gate and one of said outputs of said select circuit; and wherein those of said plurality of fuses not associated with the selected sense circuit are open.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein said redundant storage cells are arranged in a column; and further comprising a pair of bit lines for connecting said column of redundant storage cells to said select circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The integrated circuit of claim 7, further comprising: means for precharging said input/output bus responsive to a precharge signal; and wherein said discharging means comprises: a plurality of transistors, each having a conduction path connected between an associated node and a precharge voltage, and having a control terminal for receiving said precharge signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein said discharging means comprises: a plurality of transistors, each having a conduction path connected between an associated node and a precharge voltage, and having a control terminal for receiving a precharge signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: an output bus, coupled between said sense circuits and said select circuit, said output bus comprising a plurality of pairs of differential bus lines, and wherein said select circuit is coupled to said redundant storage cells by way of differential bit lines; and wherein said discharging means comprises: a plurality of equilibration transistors, each associated with one of said differential bus lines, and each having a control terminal for receiving an equilibration signal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of operating a memory in an integrated circuit, said memory having an array of storage cells arranged in rows and columns, and having a plurality of redundant storage cells which may be placed in communication with a plurality of outputs for communication of data thereto, comprising the steps of: selecting an output for communication with said plurality of redundant storage cells; responsive to an address value indicating selection of said redundant storage cells, connecting one of said redundant storage cells to the selected output by turning on a plurality of pass gates coupled between said redundant storage cells and a node, each of said nodes associated with one of said plurality of outputs; and after said connecting step, discharging the nodes associated with those of said plurality of outputs not selected in said selecting step.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of operating a memory in an integrated circuit, said memory having an array of storage cells arranged in rows and columns, and having a plurality of redundant storage cells which may be placed in communication with a plurality of outputs for communication of data thereto, comprising the steps of: selecting an output for communication with said plurality of redundant storage cells; responsive to an address value indicating selection of said redundant storage cells, connecting one of said redundant storage cells to the selected output by turning on a plurality of pass gates coupled between said redundant storage cells and a node, each of said nodes associated with one of said plurality of outputs; and after said connecting step, discharging the nodes associated with those of said plurality of outputs not selected in said selecting step.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said selecting step comprises: opening selected ones of a plurality of fuses, each of said plurality of fuses connected between a node and its associated output.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said opening step opens those of said plurality of fuses associated with those of said plurality of outputs not selected.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising: after said connecting step, sensing the state of said selected redundant storage cell; and presenting said sensed state at the selected output.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said discharging step is performed responsive to receipt of another address value after said connecting step.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising: responsive to an address value not indicating selection of said redundant storage cells, turning off said plurality of pass gates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said connecting step connects said selected redundant storage cell to a write circuit; and further comprising: after said connecting step, writing data to said selected redundant storage cell.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said connecting step connects differential bit lines to a sense circuit associated with said selected output.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said discharging step comprises biasing the nodes associated with those of said plurality of outputs not selected in said selecting step to a precharge voltage.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said redundant storage cells communicate with said outputs by way of differential signal lines, such that said connecting step comprises turning on differential pass gates between said redundant storage cells and each of said outputs; and wherein said discharging step comprises equilibrating the differential nodes associated with those of said plurality of outputs not selected by said selecting step.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-22 | 1997-05-24 | 1997-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-22 | 2001-05-24 | 2001-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-22 | 2005-05-24 | 2005-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |