US5673231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Semiconductor memory device in which leakage current from defective memory cell can be suppressed during standby
Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corp
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Filing: 1996-06-21
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Granted: 1997-09-30
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Expires: 2016-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A bit line precharge potential supply interconnection and a bit line pair are connected via N channel MOS transistors in which the gate potentials are controlled by an equalizing signal and a P channel MOS transistor which is in connection with the connection point of N channel MOS transistors. The P channel MOS transistor has its gate connected to a column selecting line. When there is a failure due to short-circuit between a bit line and a word line, the column selecting line is set such that it would be at "H" level during the standby period by disconnecting a fuse element. Accordingly, the connection between the bit line pair and the precharge potential supply interconnection is cut off during the standby period, preventing generation of leakage current and thus suppressing increase in power consumption.
Inventors
- 👤 Kiyohiro Furutani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:15
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C29/00; G11C29/70; G11C29/78; G11C29/02; G11C29/025; G11C29/04; G11C29/50; G11C11/00; G11C11/21; G11C11/34; G11C11/40; G11C11/401; G11C2029/5006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A semiconductor memory device, comprising: a memory cell array including a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit line pairs crossing said plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells connected to these word lines and bit line pairs; a precharge potential supply interconnection for supplying precharge potential of said bit line pairs; power supply interconnections arranged parallel to said bit line pairs, there being at least one of said power supply interconnections for every set of a predetermined number of said bit line pairs; power supply interconnection potential setting means existing in every one of said power supply interconnection for setting the supplying potential at either one of first and second potential according to whether there is a defective bit in the corresponding one of said bit line pairs; and a plurality of bit line equalizing means provided corresponding to said bit line pair for openinglosing the connection between said bit line pair and said precharge power supply in response to external bit line equalizing signal when said power supply interconnection potential is set at the first potential and for rendering the connection non-conductive when said power supply interconnection potential is set at said second potential level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A semiconductor memory device, comprising: a memory cell array including a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit line pairs crossing said plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells connected to these word lines and bit line pairs; a precharge potential supply interconnection for supplying precharge potential of said bit line pairs; power supply interconnections arranged parallel to said bit line pairs, there being at least one of said power supply interconnections for every set of a predetermined number of said bit line pairs; power supply interconnection potential setting means existing in every one of said power supply interconnection for setting the supplying potential at either one of first and second potential according to whether there is a defective bit in the corresponding one of said bit line pairs; and a plurality of bit line equalizing means provided corresponding to said bit line pair for openinglosing the connection between said bit line pair and said precharge power supply in response to external bit line equalizing signal when said power supply interconnection potential is set at the first potential and for rendering the connection non-conductive when said power supply interconnection potential is set at said second potential level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, wherein each said power supply interconnection potential setting means includes a defective bit address storing means for storing information on whether there is a defective bit in the set of the predetermined number of said bit line pairs in a non-volatile manner; and a driving means for setting said power supply interconnection potential at either one of the first and second potentials according to the stored information in said defective address storing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
192 words
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further including: a row selecting means activated upon activation of row decoder activation signal for selecting said word line in accordance with a row address signal; a plurality of sense amplifiers arranged corresponding to said bit line pairs, each activated upon activation of a sense amplifier activation signal for amplifying the potential difference of said bit line pair in accordance with data of memory cell connected to said selected word line; and control means for outputting said bit line equalizing signal, said row decoder activation signal and said sense amplifier activation signal in accordance with an external control signal, wherein said control means provide a longer delay time between the time when said bit line equalizing signal is inactivated to cut off the connection of said bit line pair and said precharging power supply and the time when said row decoder activation signal and said sense amplifier activation signal are activated for a period in which test mode is designated, as compared to a delay time provided for a period in which test mode is not designated in accordance with said external control signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, wherein said set of bit line pairs is formed of two pairs of bit lines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 4, wherein each said power supply interconnection potential setting means includes a defective address storing means for storing information on whether there is a defective bit in the set of said bit line pairs in a non-volatile manner; and a driving means for setting said power supply interconnection potential at either one of the first and second potentials according to the stored information in said defective address storing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 4, wherein each said bit line equalizing means includes first and second MOSFETs connected in series between said bit line pair for receiving said bit line equalizing signal commonly at their gates; and a third MOSFET connected between a connection node of said first and second MOSFETs and said precharge potential supply interconnection having its gate connected to said power supply interconnection.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-29 | 2001-03-31 | 2001-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-29 | 2005-03-31 | 2005-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-29 | 2009-03-31 | 2009-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |