IP Library Granted Patent US 9,373,385
Granted Patent B2
US 9,373,385 · App. 14/490,354 · Granted Jun 21, 2016

Semiconductor memory and method for operating the same

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,373,385
App. No.
14/490,354
Granted
Jun 21, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor memory may include: a bank control signal generation unit suitable for sequentially generating a plurality of bank control signals for controlling a memory bank based on an active command, a signal detection unit suitable for detecting a firstly activated signal and a lastly activated signal among the bank control signals, and a bank enable control unit suitable for controlling an active period of the memory bank in response to the detected signals.

Claims (33)

1. A semiconductor memory comprising:

a bank control signal generation unit suitable for sequentially generating a plurality of bank control signals for controlling a memory bank, in response to an active command;

a signal detection unit suitable for detecting a firstly activated signal and a lastly activated signal among the bank control signals; and

a bank enable control unit suitable for generating a bank enable signal for controlling an active period of the memory bank in response to the detected signals,

wherein the bank enable signal is activated in response to the firstly activated signal, and is deactivated in response to the lastly activated signal.

2. The semiconductor memory of claim 1 , wherein the signal detection unit comprises:

a set signal detector suitable for detecting the firstly activated signal, among the bank control signals, as a set signal; and

a reset signal detector suitable for detecting the lastly activated signal, among the bank control signals, as a reset signal.

3. The semiconductor memory of claim 2 , wherein the bank enable control unit comprises an SR-latch suitable for activating the active period of the memory bank in response to the set signal, and deactivating the active period of the memory bank in response to the reset signal.

4. The semiconductor memory of claim 2 , wherein the bank enable control unit outputs an enable signal corresponding to the active period of the memory bank in response to the set signal and the reset signal.

5. The semiconductor memory of claim 1 , further comprising a delay unit suitable for delaying the bank control signals by a predetermined time.

6. A semiconductor memory comprising:

a bank control signal generation unit suitable for sequentially generating a plurality of bank control signals for controlling a refresh operation of a memory bank, based on an active command;

a signal detection unit suitable for detecting a firstly activated signal and a lastly activated signal among the bank control signals; and

a refresh operation control unit suitable for adjusting a refresh operation period of a refresh signal, in response to the detected signals,

wherein the refresh signal is activated in response to the firstly activated signal, and is deactivated in response to the lastly activated signal.

7. The semiconductor memory of claim 6 , wherein the signal detection unit comprises:

a set signal detector suitable for detecting the firstly activated signal, among the bank control signals, as a set signal; and

a reset signal detector suitable for detecting the lastly activated signal, among the bank control signals, as a reset signal.

8. The semiconductor memory of claim 7 , wherein the refresh operation control unit comprises an SR-latch suitable for activating the refresh operation period in response to the set signal, and deactivating the refresh operation period in response to the reset signal.

9. The semiconductor memory of claim 7 , wherein the refresh operation control unit outputs an enable signal corresponding to the refresh operation period in response to the set signal and the reset signal.

10. The semiconductor memory of claim 6 , wherein the refresh operation period comprises a target row refresh operation period for a word line of the memory bank.

11. The semiconductor memory of claim 6 , wherein the refresh operation period comprises a refresh operation period for a redundancy word line of the memory bank.

12. The semiconductor memory of claim 6 , further comprising a delay unit suitable for delaying the bank control signals by a predetermined time.

13. A method for operating a semiconductor memory, comprising:

sequentially generating a plurality of control signals for controlling a memory bank, based on an active command;

generating a set signal in response to a firstly activated signal among the control signals;

generating a reset signal in response to a lastly activated signal among the control signals; and

generating a bank enable signal for controlling an active period of the memory bank in response to the control signals,

wherein the bank enable signal is activated in response to the firstly activated signal, and is deactivated in response to the lastly activated signal.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the active period of the memory bank comprises a refresh operation period for a word line of the memory bank.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the refresh operation period of the word line comprises a target row refresh operation period for a word line of the memory bank.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising delaying the bank control signals by a predetermined time.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 7, 2024
From: SK HYNIX INC.
To: MIMIRIP LLC
Reel/Frame 067335/0246 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2014
From: PARK, BYOUNG-KWON
To: SK HYNIX INC.
Reel/Frame 033771/0621 →