Semiconductor device having variable parameter selection based on temperature and test method
View Patent ↗A semiconductor device that may include temperature sensing circuits is disclosed. The temperature sensing circuits may be used to control various parameters, such as internal regulated supply voltages, internal refresh frequency, a word line low voltage, or the like. In this way, operating specifications of a semiconductor device at worst case temperatures may be met without compromising performance at normal operating temperatures. Each temperature sensing circuit may include a selectable temperature threshold value as well as a selectable temperature hysteresis value. In this way, temperature performance characteristics may be finely tuned. Furthermore, a method of testing the temperature sensing circuits is disclosed in which a current value may be monitored and temperature threshold values and temperature hysteresis values may be thereby determined.
1. A semiconductor device, comprising:
a first temperature sensing circuit including a first temperature threshold value and providing a first temperature indication signal;
an output circuit coupled to receive the first temperature indication signal at a first input terminal and provide a first output based on the first temperature indication signal;
a second temperature sensing circuit including a second temperature threshold value and providing a second temperature indication signal; and the output circuit coupled to receive the second temperature indication signal at a second input terminal and provide a second output based on the second temperature indication signal; and
a multiplexer circuit coupled in between the first and second temperature sensing circuits and the output circuit, the multiplexer receives the first temperature indication signal at a first multiplexer input, receives the second temperature indication signal at a second input, and having a first multiplexer output coupled to the first input terminal of the output circuit for outputting data.
2. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein:
the first temperature sensing circuit includes a first latch circuit providing the first temperature indication signal.
3. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein:
the output circuit provides the first output based on the first temperature indication signal in response to a temperature read mode of operation.
4. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein: the multiplexer has a third multiplexer input coupled to receive a data signal.
5. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein:
the second temperature sensing circuit includes a second latch circuit providing the second temperature indication signal.
6. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein:
the semiconductor device is a semiconductor memory device.
7. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein:
the semiconductor device is a dynamic random access memory device.
8. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein:
the first temperature threshold value is programmable.
9. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , further including:
the first temperature sensing circuit includes a first temperature hysteresis value.
10. The semiconductor device of claim 9 , further including:
the first temperature hysteresis value is programmable.