A memory device includes an array of memory cells, a bit line connected to the memory cells, and a power supply voltage input terminal configured to receive a power supply voltage at a first voltage level to operate the memory cells at the first voltage level. A bit line precharge circuit has an input terminal configured to receive the power supply voltage at the first voltage level, and the bit line precharge circuit is configured to precharge the bit lines to a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level.

A memory device includes an array of memory cells, a bit line connected to the memory cells, and a power supply voltage input terminal configured to receive a power supply voltage at a first voltage level to operate the memory cells at the first voltage level. A bit line precharge circuit has an input terminal configured to receive the power supply voltage at the first voltage level, and the bit line precharge circuit is configured to precharge the bit lines to a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level.

A six-transistor memory cell based upon a thyristor for an SRAM integrated circuit is described together with methods of operation. Methods of increasing the operational speed in reading the contents of a selected memory cell in an array of such memory cells while lowering power consumption, and of avoiding an indeterminate memory cell state when a memory cell is “awakened” from Standby are described.

A memory system includes a semiconductor storage device, a power supply circuit that generates a first power, and a memory controller that operates based on the first power and transmits a command to the semiconductor storage device. The semiconductor storage device includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a word line, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The first power is input to the first terminal. A second power that can be used even after a voltage of the first terminal decreases is input to the second terminal. The word line is connected to a control gate of a memory cell transistor. The first circuit applies a voltage according to the command to the word line based on the first power input to the first terminal. The second circuit discharges charges of the word line by using the second power input to the second terminal when a voltage of the first terminal decreases.

A memory system includes a semiconductor storage device, a power supply circuit that generates a first power, and a memory controller that operates based on the first power and transmits a command to the semiconductor storage device. The semiconductor storage device includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a word line, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The first power is input to the first terminal. A second power that can be used even after a voltage of the first terminal decreases is input to the second terminal. The word line is connected to a control gate of a memory cell transistor. The first circuit applies a voltage according to the command to the word line based on the first power input to the first terminal. The second circuit discharges charges of the word line by using the second power input to the second terminal when a voltage of the first terminal decreases.

A memory device includes an array of memory cells, a bit line connected to the memory cells, and a power supply voltage input terminal configured to receive a power supply voltage at a first voltage level to operate the memory cells at the first voltage level. A bit line precharge circuit has an input terminal configured to receive the power supply voltage at the first voltage level, and the bit line precharge circuit is configured to precharge the bit lines to a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level.

A memory device includes an array of memory cells, a bit line connected to the memory cells, and a power supply voltage input terminal configured to receive a power supply voltage at a first voltage level to operate the memory cells at the first voltage level. A bit line precharge circuit has an input terminal configured to receive the power supply voltage at the first voltage level, and the bit line precharge circuit is configured to precharge the bit lines to a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level.

A memory device includes an array of memory cells, a bit line connected to the memory cells, and a power supply voltage input terminal configured to receive a power supply voltage at a first voltage level to operate the memory cells at the first voltage level. A bit line precharge circuit has an input terminal configured to receive the power supply voltage at the first voltage level, and the bit line precharge circuit is configured to precharge the bit lines to a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level.

A memory device includes an array of memory cells, a bit line connected to the memory cells, and a power supply voltage input terminal configured to receive a power supply voltage at a first voltage level to operate the memory cells at the first voltage level. A bit line precharge circuit has an input terminal configured to receive the power supply voltage at the first voltage level, and the bit line precharge circuit is configured to precharge the bit lines to a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level.

A memory device includes an array of memory cells, a bit line connected to the memory cells, and a power supply voltage input terminal configured to receive a power supply voltage at a first voltage level to operate the memory cells at the first voltage level. A bit line precharge circuit has an input terminal configured to receive the power supply voltage at the first voltage level, and the bit line precharge circuit is configured to precharge the bit lines to a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level.