Memory apparatus having multi-port architecture for supporting multi processor
View Patent ↗A memory apparatus for supporting a multiprocessor function enables data of different characteristics to be stored in one memory, thereby reducing the area of on the system board and decreasing delay margins on the data bus. The memory apparatus has an instruction memory unit arranged to be included in one memory chip and at least one data memory unit. The instruction memory unit includes cell array blocks having nonvolatile ferroelectric c stores instruction information required for operating a central processing unit of a system. The data memory unit is connected to the central processing unit by a data bus and is provided with cell array blocks having nonvolatile ferroelectric capacitors and stores execution data required for the execution of the instruction information.
1. A memory apparatus for supporting a multiprocessor function, comprising:
a first interface unit connected to a central processing unit of a system by an instruction bus and for inputting and outputting an instruction information required for the operation of the central processing unit and an instruction address signal;
at least one second interface unit connected to the central processing unit of the system by a data bus and for inputting and outputting an execution data required for the execution of the instruction information and a data address signal; and
a merged storage unit storing the instruction information and the execution data separately in the same cell array block and being selectively connected to either the first interface unit or the second interface unit according to the characteristics of a stored data for reading/writing the instruction information and the execution data,
the first interface unit, the second interface unit and the merged storage unit all being included in one memory chip.
2. The memory apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the merged storage unit comprises:
a cell array block comprised of unit cells having nonvolatile ferroelectric capacitors and storing the instruction information and the execution data separately in different regions
a merged sensing amplifier array unit sensing the instruction information or execution data corresponding to an applied address signal upon data reading;
a merged data buffer unit temporally storing the read data sensed in the merged sensing amplifier array unit and the execution data applied through the second interface units;
an input-output selector selectively connecting either the first interface unit or the second interface unit to the merged data buffer unit according to a data selection signal and transmitting data;
a merged address decoder unit decoding an applied address signal and designating the position of the instruction information or execution data in the cell array blocks; and
an address selector selectively connecting either the first interface unit or the second interface unit to the merged address decoder unit according to an address selection signal and transmitting the address signal.
3. The memory apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cell array block has a hierarchical bit line architecture in which a plurality of sub bit lines, each connected to a cell array block, are selectively connected to one main bit line and a voltage of the main bit line is changed according to a level of a voltage induced to the sub bit lines by cell data, thereby sensing the cell data.