IP Library Granted Patent US 7,379,345
Granted Patent B2
US 7,379,345 · App. 11/785,561 · Granted May 27, 2008

Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device that achieves speedup in read operation

Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,379,345
App. No.
11/785,561
Granted
May 27, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A plurality of first sub-bit lines are each connected to a common source line via a corresponding first sub-bit line reset transistor with NMOS structure, and a plurality of second sub-bit lines are each connected to the common source line via a corresponding second sub-bit line reset transistor with NMOS structure. The plurality of first and second sub-bit line reset transistors have their respective gates receiving a sub-bit line reset signal. This sub-bit line reset signal becomes “H” for a predetermined period of time after read data is obtained during a read period.

Claims (17)

1. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprising:

a plurality of memory transistors having nonvolatile storage capability;

a main bit line;

a plurality of sub-bit lines provided correspondingly to said main bit line, wherein

one side electrode of each one of said plurality of memory transistors is respectively connected to one of said plurality of sub-bit lines, and

wherein, during a read period, one selected sub-bit line among said plurality of sub-bit lines and said main bit line are electrically connected and precharged to a predetermined potential, and then one memory transistor among said plurality of memory transistors having said one side electrode connected to said selected sub-bit line enters a selected state, whereby read data is obtained based on the amount of current flowing thorough said main bit line,

wherein said nonvolatile semiconductor memory device further comprises:

resetting means resetting said main bit line and said selected sub-bit line to a standard potential after said read data is obtained during said read period, and

wherein said resetting means includes:

main bit line resetting means resetting said main bit line to said standard potential; and

sub-bit line resetting means resetting said plurality of sub-bit lines to said standard potential.

2. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein

said sub-bit line resetting means resets said plurality of sub-bit lines to said standard potential at a time.

3. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 2 , wherein

said plurality of sub-bit lines are classified into a plurality of first and second sub-bit lines,

said sub-bit line resetting means includes first sub-bit line resetting means resetting said plurality of first sub-bit lines to said standard potential, and second sub-bit line resetting means resetting said plurality of second sub-bit lines to said standard potential, and

said first and second sub-bit line resetting means have independent driving abilities of each other.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Nov 29, 2017
From: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044928/0001 →
MERGER Recorded Aug 27, 2010
From: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
To: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024892/0877 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 27, 2010
From: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024944/0437 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2004-133978 · Apr 28, 2004 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation 1111529800 · Apr 27, 2005
Related Publication 20070195601A1 · Aug 23, 2007