Abstract:
Multi-chip package includes first through Nth semiconductor chips, each of which includes an input/output pad, an input/output driver coupled to the input/output pad, and an internal circuit. Each of the first through Nth semiconductor chips includes an internal pad for coupling the internal input/output driver and the internal circuit. The internal pads of the first through Nth semiconductor chips are coupled to each other such as via a common pad installed at a substrate. The input/output pad of the first semiconductor chip directly receives an input/output signal transmitted via a corresponding pin of the multi-chip package. The second through Nth semiconductor chips indirectly receive the input/output signal via the internal pads coupled to each other. The multi-chip package can improve signal compatibility by maintaining a parasitic load of a pin to at least the level of a single chip, when a signal is transmitted to the pin at high speed. Also, when a signal that is not necessarily transmitted at high speed is applied to a pin, semiconductor chips can be packaged according to the preexisting methods.
Abstract:
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory core unit, N data output buffers, N data output ports, and a plurality of test logic circuits. The memory core unit stores test data through N data lines. The N data output buffers are respectively connected to the corresponding N data lines. The N data output ports are connected to the corresponding N data output buffers, and exchange the test data with an external tester respectively. The plurality of test logic circuits receives the test data through the K data lines from the N data lines, performs test logic operation on the received test data, and provides a data output buffer control signal that determines activation of K data output buffers of the N data output buffers in test mode. The semiconductor memory device reduces test cycle.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device is provided having an input driver and an output receiver connected by a bus line, the bus line including pulse generating and driver circuitry responsive to threshold levels of voltage change so as to perform high speed switching which compensates for the load of the bus line.
Abstract:
A self refresh circuit for an integrated circuit memory device includes a programmable refresh circuit, a plurality of counters, and a refresh cycle selection circuit. The programmable refresh circuit can be electrically programmed to generate one of a plurality of refresh control signals. A first one of the counters generates a first oscillating output signal having a first predetermined period and each successive counter generates a respective oscillating output signal having a respective period twice that of a respective preceding counter. The refresh cycle selection circuit selects a self refresh cycle from one of the oscillating output signals in response to the refresh control signal generated by the at least one programmable refresh circuit. Related methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A semiconductor memory device has the skew between the individual transmission lines of a parallel transmission bus minimized by the addition of respective load transmission lines to each of the individual transmission lines in the parallel bus. A first circuit unit including a first parallel bank of internal circuits for generating internal control signals is formed adjacent to a predetermined region within a chip. A second circuit unit includes a second parallel bank of internal circuits for performing a predetermined operation in response to an output of the first circuit unit. The second circuit transmits signals to the first circuit over a parallel bus comprised of a plurality of transmission lines connected respectively between the individual internal circuits of the first and second circuit units. A plurality of load transmission lines are connected respectively to predetermined portions of the individual transmission lines to thereby equalize the loads of the transmission lines.
Abstract:
A synchronous dynamic random access memory capable of accessing data in a memory cell array therein in synchronism with a system clock from an external system such as a central processing unit (CPU). The synchronous DRAM receives an external clock and includes a plurality of memory banks each including a plurality of memory cells and operable in either an active cycle or a precharge cycle, a circuit for receiving a row address strobe signal and latching a logic level of the row address strobe signal in response to the clock, an address input circuit for receiving an externally generated address selecting one of the memory banks, and a circuit for receiving the latched logic level and the address from the address input circuit and for outputting an activation signal to the memory bank selected by the address and an inactivation signals to unselected memory banks when the latched logic level is a first logic level, so that the selected memory bank responsive to the activation signal operates in the active cycle while the unselected memory banks responsive to the inactivation signals operate in the precharge cycle.
Abstract:
A semiconductor memory device for alternately selecting two groups of input/output lines according to a predetermined column address. A first group of a number of the input/output line pairs is driven by activation of any one of the selection signals within the first group, and a second group of a number of the input/output line pairs is driven by activation of any one of the selection signals within the second group. Furthermore, the input/output line pairs within the second group are precharged and equalized when the input/output line pairs within the first group are driven, and the input/output line pairs within the first group are precharged and equalized when the input/output line pairs within the second group are driven.
Abstract:
The invention is to provide a data input buffer which can attain stably an input trip level regardless of a variation of power source voltage, for use in a semiconductor memory device, and particularly to provide a data input buffer which is not affected by a variation of power source voltage. The data input buffer circuit comprises a conductive passage, coupled between the power source voltage and a level sensing node, for adjusting the amount of an current according to a level of input voltage; and an insulation gate field effect transistor, with one end of channel of the transistor connected to the conductive passage, other end of channel of the transistor connected to ground voltage terminal and a gate of the transistor to which voltage is applied according to a level of the power source voltage.
Abstract:
A method of testing a semiconductor memory device includes writing first data to a memory cell array in the semiconductor memory device, loading second data from the memory cell array onto a plurality of data pads of the semiconductor memory device, rewriting the second data to the memory cell array, and outputting test result data through one or more test pads. The first data is received from an external device through the one or more test pads, which correspond to one or more of the plurality of data pads. The test result data is based on the rewritten data in the memory cell array.
Abstract:
A method of testing a semiconductor memory device includes writing first data to a memory cell array in the semiconductor memory device, loading second data from the memory cell array onto a plurality of data pads of the semiconductor memory device, rewriting the second data to the memory cell array, and outputting test result data through one or more test pads. The first data is received from an external device through the one or more test pads, which correspond to one or more of the plurality of data pads. The test result data is based on the rewritten data in the memory cell array.