Patent classifications
G11C29/808
Memory repair using external tags
A memory device (100) includes an extra column (114) of repair memory tiles. These repair memory tiles are accessed at the same time, and in the same manner as the main array of memory tiles. The output of the repair column is substituted for the output of a column of the main array (112). The main array column that is substituted is determined by tags (121) stored externally to the memory device. The external tags are queried with a partial address of the access. If the address of the access corresponds to an address in the external tags, the tag information is supplied to the memory device. The tag information determines which column in the main array is replaced by the output of the repair column. Since each column of the main array supplies one bit during the access, the repair column enables cell-by-cell replacement of main array cells.
MEMORY DEVICE WITH FAILED MAIN BANK REPAIR USING REDUNDANT BANK
In certain aspects, a memory device includes an array of memory cells, an input/output (I/O) circuit, and control logic coupled to the I/O circuit. The array of memory cells includes a plurality of banks including a plurality of main banks and a redundant bank. The I/O circuit is coupled to each pair of adjacent banks of the plurality of banks and configured to direct a piece of data to or from either bank of each pair of adjacent banks. The control circuit is configured to select one bank of each pair of adjacent banks based on bank fail information indicative of a failed main bank of the plurality of main banks. The control circuit is further configured to control the I/O circuit to direct the piece of data to or from the selected bank of each pair of adjacent banks.
MEMORY DEVICE WITH FAILED MAIN BANK REPAIR USING REDUNDANT BANK
In certain aspects, a memory device includes an array of memory cells, an input/output (I/O) circuit, and I/O control logic coupled to the I/O circuit. The array of memory cells includes P groups of banks. P redundant banks are included in and shared by the P groups of banks. The I/O circuit is coupled to the P groups of banks and configured to direct P×N pieces of data to or from P×N working banks, respectively. The I/O control logic is configured to determine the P×N working banks from the P groups of banks based on bank fail information indicative of K failed main banks from the P groups of banks. The P×N working banks include K redundant banks of the P redundant banks. The I/O control logic is also configured to control the I/O circuit to direct P×N pieces of data to or from the P×N working banks, respectively.
TAGGED MEMORY OPERATED AT LOWER VMIN IN ERROR TOLERANT SYSTEM
A memory array arranged as a plurality of memory cells. The memory cells are configured to operate at a determined voltage. A memory management circuitry coupled to the plurality of memory cells tags a first set of the plurality of memory cells as low-voltage cells and tags a second set of the plurality of memory cells as high-voltage cells. A power source provides a low voltage to the first set of memory cells and provides a high voltage to the second set of memory cells based on the tags.
SINGLE AND DOUBLE CHIP SPARE
Techniques are provided for overcoming failures in a memory. One portion of the memory may operate in a single chip spare mode. Upon detection of an error in a single chip in the portion of the memory, a region of the portion of the memory may be converted to operate in a double chip spare mode. The memory may be accessed in both single and double chip spare modes.
Memory repair scheme
Memory devices and methods of repairing a memory are provided. A first array includes normal memory cells, and a second array includes repair memory cells. The repair memory cells are configured to be used in place of the normal memory cells. A look-up table comprises memory bitcells configured to store a set of entries including addresses of defective memory cells of the normal memory cells. A match circuit is configured to evaluate whether an input memory address is stored as a defective address in the memory bitcells. The match circuit is also configured to generate a selection signal for selecting the normal memory cells or the repair memory cells based on the evaluation.
MEMORY DEVICE WITH A MEMORY REPAIR MECHANISM AND METHODS FOR OPERATING THE SAME
Methods, apparatuses and systems related to managing repair assets are described. An apparatus stores a repair segment locator and a repair address for each defect repair. The apparatus may be configured to selectively apply a repair asset to one of multiple sections according to the repair segment locator.
GROWN BAD BLOCK MANAGEMENT IN A MEMORY SUB-SYSTEM
A replacement block pool for a memory device is established. The replacement block pool comprises one or more valid blocks from a set of valid blocks in the memory device determined based on a constraint defining a minimum number of valid blocks for the memory device. A grown bad block is detected in the memory device. The grown bad block is replaced with a replacement block from the replacement block pool in response to detecting the grown bad block.
Semiconductor memory device
A plurality of memory cells are arranged along a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of word lines. A sense amplifier is connected to each of the bit lines. Arranged along each bit line are at least four memory cells including first to fourth memory cells that are either connected to or disconnected from one of the bit lines by means of first to fourth switching elements according to an active or inactive state of first to fourth word lines. The first memory cell stores a first bit value, the second memory cell stores a second bit value, and the third and fourth memory cells each store a third bit value. A memory cell array control circuit activates and then deactivates the third and fourth word lines, subsequently activates the first and second word lines, and then activates the sense amplifier.
Memory devices having spare column remap storages and methods of remapping column addresses in the memory devices
A memory device includes a data storage region and a spare column remap storage. The data storage region includes a plurality of sub-arrays, and each of the plurality of sub-arrays has a plurality of main columns and a plurality of spare columns. The spare column remap storage includes a plurality of storage units storing column address information of a repaired main column of one of the plurality of sub-arrays and address information of a repaired main column of another of the plurality of sub-arrays into at least one of the plurality of storage units included in the spare column remap storage.