IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,031,507
Granted Patent B2
US 8,031,507 · App. 12/510,959 · Granted Oct 4, 2011

Semiconductor memory device

Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,031,507
App. No.
12/510,959
Granted
Oct 4, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

The sense amplifier detects and amplifies a signal read via bit lines from the ferroelectric capacitor of the memory cell. The dummy capacitor provides a reference voltage to bit lines. The dummy capacitor includes a first dummy capacitor and a second dummy capacitor. The first dummy capacitor is provided with a first dummy plate potential at one end to set the reference voltage to a certain potential. The other end is connected to the bit line. The second dummy capacitor is provided with a second dummy plate potential at one end to fine-tune the reference voltage from the certain potential. The other end thereof is connected to the bit line.

Claims (29)

1. A semiconductor memory device comprising:

a memory cell array comprising memory cells, each of the memory cells comprising a cell transistor and a ferroelectric capacitor;

a sense amplifier circuit configured to detect and amplify a signal read from the ferroelectric capacitor via a bit line pair; and

a dummy capacitor configured to provide a reference voltage to the bit line pair, the dummy capacitor further comprising:

a first dummy capacitor comprising a first end with a first dummy plate potential configured to set the reference voltage to a predetermined voltage, and a second end configured to connect to the bit line pair; and

a second dummy capacitor comprising a first end with a second dummy plate potential configured to fine-tune the reference voltage from the predetermined voltage and a second end configured to connect to the bit line pair,

wherein a capacitance of the first dummy capacitor is larger than a capacitance of the second dummy capacitor.

2. The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein the dummy capacitor is a paraelectric capacitor.

3. The semiconductor memory device of claim 2 , wherein

the second dummy capacitor is provided per batch portion from which data is read; and

the first dummy capacitor is shared by a plurality of the batch portions.

4. The semiconductor memory device of claim 3 , wherein a fuse circuit for adjusting the second dummy plate potential is provided per batch portion from which data is read.

5. The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein

the second dummy capacitor is provided per batch portion from which data is read; and

the first dummy capacitor is shared by a plurality of the batch portions.

6. The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein a fuse circuit for adjusting the second dummy plate potential is provided per batch portion from which data is read.

7. The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first dummy plate line drive circuit configured to supply the first dummy plate potential to the first dummy capacitor; and

a second dummy plate line drive circuit configured to supply the second dummy plate potential to the second dummy capacitor.

8. The semiconductor memory device of claim 7 , wherein

the second dummy plate line drive circuit is provided per batch portion from which data is read; and

the first dummy plate line drive circuit is shared by a plurality of the batch portions.

9. The semiconductor memory device of claim 8 , wherein the second dummy plate line drive circuit comprises a fuse circuit for adjusting the second dummy plate potential.

10. The semiconductor memory device of claim 9 , wherein the fuse circuit is located outside of the memory cell array.

11. The semiconductor memory device of claim 7 , wherein the second dummy plate line drive circuit is configured to switch the second dummy plate potential to either:

a signal having the same phase as the first dummy plate potential;

a reversed signal of the first dummy plate potential; or

a ground potential.

12. The semiconductor memory device of claim 7 , wherein the dummy capacitor comprises a paraelectric capacitor.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2009
From: DOUMAE, SUMIKO; TAKASHIMA, DAISABURO
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Reel/Frame 023017/0822 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2008-193133 · Jul 28, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100020589A1 · Jan 28, 2010