IP Library Granted Patent US 10,134,482
Granted Patent B2
US 10,134,482 · App. 15/408,272 · Granted Nov 20, 2018

Apparatuses and methods for high speed writing test mode for memories

Inventors: Stefan Dietrich (Türkenfeld, DE); Wolfgang Spirkl (Germering, DE)
Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
G11C29/38G11C29/18G11C29/36
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,134,482
App. No.
15/408,272
Granted
Nov 20, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

Apparatuses and methods are provided for a high speed writing test mode for memories. An example apparatus includes a memory core, a data terminal coupled to a data receiver, a read buffer coupled between the data terminal and the memory core, and a write buffer coupled between the data receiver and the memory core. The write buffer may include at least a first input coupled to the data receiver, and a second input. While in a test mode, the write buffer may be loaded with data from the second input instead of the first input.

Claims (13)

1. A apparatus comprising:

a memory core;

a data terminal;

a write buffer comprising a first input and a second input separate from the first input, the write buffer configured to receive at the first input first data transferred through a first path including the data terminal and supply the first data to the memory core, the write buffer being further configured to receive at the second input second data transferred through a second path excluding the data terminal and supply the second data to the memory core.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the write buffer temporarily stores data to be transferred to the memory core.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a read buffer temporarily stores data read out from the memory core in normal mode.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the read buffer is configured to be loaded with data via an address bus in test mode.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein data stored in the read buffer is provided via the address bus, and wherein a switch is provided to transfer the data stored in the read buffer into the write buffer via the second input.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second input is coupled to an address bus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the write buffer is a first in, first out buffer.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the write buffer has a FIFO depth of two.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein in test mode, the write buffer is configured to store at a first pointer location a first test data sequence, and at a second pointer location a second test data sequence.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first test data sequence and second test data sequence are written to the memory core in an alternating manner.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.; MICRON SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051028/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 9, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 050695/0825 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2018
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.; MICRON SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047540/0001 →
SUPPLEMENT NO. 3 TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 10, 2017
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 041675/0105 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 17, 2017
From: DIETRICH, STEFAN; SPIRKL, WOLFGANG
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 040993/0702 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180204630A1 · Jul 19, 2018