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US6768693B2
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Integrated dynamic memory with control circuit for controlling a refresh mode of memory cells, and method for driving the memory
Assignee: Polaris Innovations Ltd
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Filing: 2003-02-18
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Granted: 2004-07-27
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Expires: 2023-02-18
Abstract
Abstract An integrated dynamic memory contains a control circuit for controlling a refresh mode in which the memory cells undergo refreshing of their contents. A controllable frequency generator serves for setting a refresh frequency. A temperature sensor circuit detects a temperature of the memory and outputs a first reference value, and an externally writable circuit is provided for outputting a second reference value. The temperature sensor circuit and the externally writable circuit are alternatively connectible to the control input of the frequency generator for setting the refresh frequency. If the externally writable circuit has been written, the second reference value, which corresponds to a temperature, is fed to the frequency generator; otherwise, the first reference value is supplied. In this manner, users of the memory that are unable to measure temperature can expediently optimize the power consumption that is necessary for standby mode and reduce it at low temperatures.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Feurle
- 👤 Thomas Borst
- 👤 Jens Egerer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:37
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C7/00; G11C7/04; G11C11/00; G11C11/21; G11C11/34; G11C11/40; G11C11/401; G11C11/406; G11C2207/00; G11C2207/22; G11C2207/2227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An integrated dynamic memory, comprising: memory cells; a control circuit for controlling a refresh mode of said memory cells in which said memory cells undergo a refreshing of their contents with a refresh frequency; a controllable frequency generator for setting the refresh frequency with an aid of a reference value, said controllable frequency generator having a control input from which the refresh frequency can be modified, and an output connected to said control circuit; a temperature sensor circuit for detecting a temperature of the integrated dynamic memory and outputting a first reference value received by said controllable frequency generator; and an externally writable circuit for outputting a second reference value received by said controllable frequency generator, said temperature sensor circuit and said externally writable circuit being alternatively coupled to said control input of said controllable frequency generator for setting the refresh frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
An integrated dynamic memory, comprising: memory cells; a control circuit for controlling a refresh mode of said memory cells in which said memory cells undergo a refreshing of their contents with a refresh frequency; a controllable frequency generator for setting the refresh frequency with an aid of a reference value, said controllable frequency generator having a control input from which the refresh frequency can be modified, and an output connected to said control circuit; a temperature sensor circuit for detecting a temperature of the integrated dynamic memory and outputting a first reference value received by said controllable frequency generator; and an externally writable circuit for outputting a second reference value received by said controllable frequency generator, said temperature sensor circuit and said externally writable circuit being alternatively coupled to said control input of said controllable frequency generator for setting the refresh frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The integrated dynamic memory according to claim 1 , wherein said externally writable circuit is a register circuit; further comprising a switching unit having two inputs and one output, a first of said two inputs is connected to said temperature sensor circuit, and a second of said two inputs is connected to said register circuit, said output of said switching unit connected to said control input of said controllable frequency generator; and further comprising a check circuit connected to and checking contents of said register circuit and further connected to and driving said switching unit in dependence on a check result.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The integrated dynamic memory according to claim 1 , wherein said controllable frequency generator contains an oscillator for sending a signal with a regular frequency and a load-side frequency divider connected to said oscillator, said load-side frequency divider connected to and programmed by way of said control input for dividing a frequency of the signal received from said oscillator, said load-side frequency divider having an output connected to said output of said controllable frequency generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The integrated dynamic memory according to claim 3 , wherein said temperature sensor circuit contains a temperature sensor and a load-side analog-digital converter connected to said temperature sensor, said load-side analog-digital converter coupled to and programming said load-side frequency divider.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method for driving the integrated dynamic memory according to claim 1 , which comprises the steps of: feeding the second reference value to the control input of the controllable frequency generator if the externally writable circuit has been written to, otherwise, feeding the first reference value to the control input of the controllable frequency generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 5 , which comprises: forming the externally writable circuit as a register circuit; and feeding the second reference value to the control input of the controllable frequency generator as soon as a programming of the register circuit has occurred.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 5 , which comprises: forming the externally writable circuit as a register circuit; and programming externally the register circuit with a reference value corresponding to a temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 5 , which comprises forming the first and second reference values to correspond to respective temperatures, and the refresh frequency for the refresh mode is increased by the controllable frequency generator as the temperature rises.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE19502557C2
Cited
US6504780B2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-07-27 | 2008-01-26 | 2008-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-07-27 | 2012-01-26 | 2012-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-07-27 | 2016-01-26 | 2016-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |