Patent classifications
G11C11/4099
MEMORY CELL AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME
A memory cell includes a memory circuit and a multiplier circuit. The multiplier circuit includes an output node configured to output the output signal, a first transistor and an initialization circuit. The first transistor is coupled to the output node and the memory circuit, and is configured to receive at least the second signal. The initialization circuit is coupled to the first transistor by the output node, and is configured to initialize the multiplier circuit in response to at least a third signal or a fourth signal. The memory circuit is configured to store a first value of a first signal of a first storage node. The multiplier circuit is coupled to the memory circuit. The multiplier circuit is configured to generate an output signal in response to the first signal and a second signal. The output signal corresponds to a product of the first signal and the second signal.
Method of counting number of cells in nonvolatile memory device and nonvolatile memory device with cell counter performing the same
In a method of counting the number of memory cells in a nonvolatile memory device, a measurement range and a plurality of measurement intervals of a measurement window for a cell counting operation are set to a first range and a plurality of first intervals, respectively. The plurality of measurement intervals are included in the measurement range. A first sensing operation is performed on first memory cells included in a first region of a memory cell array based on the measurement window. A first shifting operation for shifting the measurement window is performed while a width of the measurement range and a width of each of the plurality of measurement intervals are maintained. A second sensing operation is performed on the first memory cells based on the measurement window shifted by the first shifting operation. A final count value for the first memory cells is obtained based on a result of the first sensing operation and a result of the second sensing operation.
Integrated circuit including cell array with write assist cell
An integrated circuit includes: a cell array including a plurality of memory cells in a plurality of first rows and a plurality of write assistance cells in at least one second row; a plurality of word lines respectively extending on the plurality of first rows; at least one write assistance line respectively extending on the at least one second row; and a row driver connected to the plurality of word lines and the at least one write assistance line, the row driver being configured to, during a write operation, activate at least one of the plurality of write assistance cells through the at least one write assistance line, wherein each of the plurality of write assistance cells includes the same transistor configuration as each of the plurality of memory cells and has the same footprint as each of the plurality of memory cells.
Integrated circuit including cell array with write assist cell
An integrated circuit includes: a cell array including a plurality of memory cells in a plurality of first rows and a plurality of write assistance cells in at least one second row; a plurality of word lines respectively extending on the plurality of first rows; at least one write assistance line respectively extending on the at least one second row; and a row driver connected to the plurality of word lines and the at least one write assistance line, the row driver being configured to, during a write operation, activate at least one of the plurality of write assistance cells through the at least one write assistance line, wherein each of the plurality of write assistance cells includes the same transistor configuration as each of the plurality of memory cells and has the same footprint as each of the plurality of memory cells.
Memory array with reduced leakage current
An apparatus for reading a bit of a memory array includes a bit cell column, voltage enhancement circuitry, and control circuitry. The voltage enhancement circuitry is configured to couple a bitline to a reference node. The control circuitry is configured to, in response to a read request for a bitcell element of a plurality of bitcell elements, couple a current source to the bitcell column such that a read current from the current source flows from the source line, through the bitcell column and the voltage enhancement circuitry, to the reference node and determine a state for the bitcell element based on a voltage between the source line and the reference node. The voltage enhancement circuitry is configured to generate, when the read current flows through the voltage enhancement circuitry, a voltage at the bitline that is greater than a voltage at the reference node.
Memory array with reduced leakage current
An apparatus for reading a bit of a memory array includes a bit cell column, voltage enhancement circuitry, and control circuitry. The voltage enhancement circuitry is configured to couple a bitline to a reference node. The control circuitry is configured to, in response to a read request for a bitcell element of a plurality of bitcell elements, couple a current source to the bitcell column such that a read current from the current source flows from the source line, through the bitcell column and the voltage enhancement circuitry, to the reference node and determine a state for the bitcell element based on a voltage between the source line and the reference node. The voltage enhancement circuitry is configured to generate, when the read current flows through the voltage enhancement circuitry, a voltage at the bitline that is greater than a voltage at the reference node.
STORAGE DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
A storage device includes: a controller that exchanges data with a host through an interface; memory devices that store the data; a power supply circuit that outputs internal voltages, required for the controller and the memory devices, using an external voltage received through the interface; a distribution circuit that provides an operating voltage to the memory devices; and a discharge circuit including a first comparator that compares a first internal voltage, among the internal voltages, with a reference voltage and a second comparator that compares a second internal voltage, different from the first internal voltage, with the reference voltage, and including an operating circuit that computes an output of the first comparator and an output of the second comparator to output a discharge control signal determining whether the operating voltage has been discharged.
STORAGE DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
A storage device includes: a controller that exchanges data with a host through an interface; memory devices that store the data; a power supply circuit that outputs internal voltages, required for the controller and the memory devices, using an external voltage received through the interface; a distribution circuit that provides an operating voltage to the memory devices; and a discharge circuit including a first comparator that compares a first internal voltage, among the internal voltages, with a reference voltage and a second comparator that compares a second internal voltage, different from the first internal voltage, with the reference voltage, and including an operating circuit that computes an output of the first comparator and an output of the second comparator to output a discharge control signal determining whether the operating voltage has been discharged.
INTERNAL VOLTAGE GENERATION CIRCUIT AND SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME
An internal voltage generation circuit includes an enable control circuit configured to generate a final enable signal by limiting an activation time point of an enable signal to a point in time after a reset time, after the enable signal is inactivated. The internal voltage generation circuit also includes a start-up control circuit configured to perform a reset operation during the reset time and generate a start-up signal based on the final enable signal, a reference voltage generation circuit configured to generate a reference voltage based on the start-up signal, a current generation circuit configured to generate a reference current based on the reference voltage, and a voltage generation circuit configured to generate an internal voltage based on the reference current.
INTERNAL VOLTAGE GENERATION CIRCUIT AND SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME
An internal voltage generation circuit includes an enable control circuit configured to generate a final enable signal by limiting an activation time point of an enable signal to a point in time after a reset time, after the enable signal is inactivated. The internal voltage generation circuit also includes a start-up control circuit configured to perform a reset operation during the reset time and generate a start-up signal based on the final enable signal, a reference voltage generation circuit configured to generate a reference voltage based on the start-up signal, a current generation circuit configured to generate a reference current based on the reference voltage, and a voltage generation circuit configured to generate an internal voltage based on the reference current.