US5930197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Semiconductor memory device
Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corp
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Filing: 1997-07-28
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Granted: 1999-07-27
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Expires: 2017-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A semiconductor memory device is provided which is able to supply data at high speed to a microprocessor (MPU) without being affected by the dispersion of power supply voltage, temperature and production process conditions. A semiconductor chip includes an address buffer, a decoder, a word driver, data lines, a sense amplifier, a main amplifier, an output buffer, and a PLL to which an external clock is applied. The PLL generates controls signals Φ 1 through Φ 7 with their phases shifted in turn, and supplies them to those internal circuits ranging from the address buffer to the output buffer. The PLL can control the phases of these control signals to be constant without being affected by the variations of temperature and power supply voltage. Thus, the internal circuits are precharged or equalized by the control signals, and then operated by the control signals to amplify data signal in turn. Therefore, the operating cycle time can be shortened as compared with the access time, and the access time can be kept constant.
Inventors
- 👤 Koichiro Ishibashi
- 👤 Kunihiro Komiyaji
- 👤 Kiyotsugu Ueda
- 👤 Hiroshi Toyoshima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:16
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C7/00; G11C7/22; G11C7/222; G11C7/10; G11C7/1072
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
A semiconductor memory device of a synchronous type comprising: a plurality of word lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of memory cells connected to said plurality of word lines and said plurality of data lines; an address buffer supplied with an address signal; a decoder which decodes an address signal from said address buffer; a word driver which amplifies the output of said decoder and drives said word line; a sense amplifier which senses a signal on said data line; a main amplifier which amplifies the signal sensed by said sense amplifier; and an output buffer which outputs the signal amplified by said main amplifier externally, wherein the data signal is outputted based on an external clock signal inputted externally, and further comprising an oscillator circuit generating a plurality of control pulse signals of different phases based on the external clock signal inputted externally, said oscillator circuit including buffers two-dimensionally arranged in row and column directions, the buffers in each row being connected in a ring shape and the rows of buffers being further connected to each other in the column direction so that the output signals of buffers of a row are respectively fed one input end of those of another row, and wherein said control pulse signals of different phases are supplied to said address buffer, said decoder, said data lines, the sense amplifier, said main amplifier and said output buffer for control, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
A semiconductor memory device of a synchronous type comprising: a plurality of word lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of memory cells connected to said plurality of word lines and said plurality of data lines; an address buffer supplied with an address signal; a decoder which decodes an address signal from said address buffer; a word driver which amplifies the output of said decoder and drives said word line; a sense amplifier which senses a signal on said data line; a main amplifier which amplifies the signal sensed by said sense amplifier; and an output buffer which outputs the signal amplified by said main amplifier externally, wherein the data signal is outputted based on an external clock signal inputted externally, and further comprising an oscillator circuit generating a plurality of control pulse signals of different phases based on the external clock signal inputted externally, said oscillator circuit including buffers two-dimensionally arranged in row and column directions, the buffers in each row being connected in a ring shape and the rows of buffers being further connected to each other in the column direction so that the output signals of buffers of a row are respectively fed one input end of those of another row, and wherein said control pulse signals of different phases are supplied to said address buffer, said decoder, said data lines, the sense amplifier, said main amplifier and said output buffer for control, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
237 words
A semiconductor memory device of a synchronous type comprising: a plurality of word lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of memory cells connected to said plurality of word lines and said plurality of data lines; an address buffer supplied with an address signal; a decoder which decodes an address signal from said address buffer; a word driver which amplifies the output of said decoder and drives said word line; a sense amplifier which senses a signal on said data line; and an output buffer which outputs the signal amplified by said main amplifier externally, wherein the address signal is inputted and the data signal is outputted in synchronism with an external clock signal inputted externally, and a circuit which generates a first control signal pulse and a second control signal pulse delayed in phase than said first control signal pulse based on said external clock signal, said circuit being an oscillator circuit including amplifiers two-dimensionally arranged in row and column directions, the amplifiers in each row being connected in a ring shape and the rows of amplifiers being further connected to each other in the column direction so that the output signals of amplifiers of a row are respectively fed one input end of those of another row, wherein said first control signal pulse is supplied to said address buffer, and said second control signal pulse is supplied to said output buffer for control.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
237 words
A semiconductor memory device of a synchronous type comprising: a plurality of word lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of memory cells connected to said plurality of word lines and said plurality of data lines; an address buffer supplied with an address signal; a decoder which decodes an address signal from said address buffer; a word driver which amplifies the output of said decoder and drives said word line; a sense amplifier which senses a signal on said data line; and an output buffer which outputs the signal amplified by said main amplifier externally, wherein the address signal is inputted and the data signal is outputted in synchronism with an external clock signal inputted externally, and a circuit which generates a first control signal pulse and a second control signal pulse delayed in phase than said first control signal pulse based on said external clock signal, said circuit being an oscillator circuit including amplifiers two-dimensionally arranged in row and column directions, the amplifiers in each row being connected in a ring shape and the rows of amplifiers being further connected to each other in the column direction so that the output signals of amplifiers of a row are respectively fed one input end of those of another row, wherein said first control signal pulse is supplied to said address buffer, and said second control signal pulse is supplied to said output buffer for control.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A semiconductor memory device of a synchronous type according to claim 2, wherein a cycle time of from fetching to one address signal to outputting of the next address signal is set shorter than an access time of from fetching of one address signal to outputting of a data signal corresponding to said address signal.
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) | 2002-07-26 | 2003-01-25 | 2003-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-26 | 2007-01-25 | 2007-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-26 | 2011-01-25 | 2011-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |