IP Library Granted Patent US 8,335,116
Granted Patent B2
US 8,335,116 · App. 13/014,510 · Granted Dec 18, 2012

Semiconductor storage device

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 8,335,116
App. No.
13/014,510
Granted
Dec 18, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor storage device includes: a plurality of memory cell arrays; a plurality of bidirectional data buses provided in correspondence with respective ones of the plurality of memory cell arrays; a plurality of bidirectional buffer circuits, which are provided in correspondence with respective ones of the memory cell arrays, capable of connecting adjacent bidirectional data buses serially so as to relay data in the bidirectional data buses; and a control circuit for controlling activation of the bidirectional buffer circuits. The bidirectional buffer circuit is arranged so as to invert logic and the bidirectional buffer circuit is arranged so as not to invert logic.

Claims (16)

1. A semiconductor storage device, comprising:

a plurality of memory cell arrays;

a plurality of bidirectional data buses provided in correspondence with respective ones of said plurality of memory cell arrays;

a plurality of bidirectional buffer circuits, which are provided in correspondence with respective ones of said plurality of memory cell arrays, capable of connecting adjacent bidirectional data buses serially so as to relay data in said bidirectional data buses; and

a control circuit for exercising control in such a manner that in a case where a desired memory cell array is accessed, all bidirectional buffer circuits included in a path from the bidirectional data bus provided in correspondence with said desired memory cell array to an access source are activated in one direction in accordance with the access direction;

wherein some of said plurality of bidirectional buffer circuits are arranged so as to invert logic and the others are arranged so as not to invert logic.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of bidirectional buffer circuits are arranged in such a manner that a circuit section based upon inversion of logic and a circuit section based upon non-inversion of logic are disposed alternately on the path.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said control circuit exercises control in such a manner that a bidirectional buffer circuit(s) not included in the path is (are) deactivated.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said control circuit exercises control in such a manner that, in a case where the desired memory cell array is written, all bidirectional buffer circuits included in the path are activated in a direction from the access source to said desired memory cell array, and in a case where the desired memory cell array is read, all bidirectional buffer circuits included in the path are activated in a direction from said desired memory cell array to the access source.

5. The device according to claim 3 , wherein said control circuit exercises control in such a manner that, in a case where the desired memory cell array is written, all bidirectional buffer circuits included in the path are activated in a direction from the access source to said desired memory cell array, and in a case where the desired memory cell array is read, all bidirectional buffer circuits included in the path are activated in a direction from said desired memory cell array to the access source.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein each of said bidirectional buffer circuits has first and second buffer circuits whose inputs and outputs are mutually connected;

wherein said control circuit deactivates both said first and second buffer circuits in a case where said bidirectional buffer circuit is deactivated, and activates only either one of said first and second buffer circuits in accordance with the access direction in a case where said bidirectional buffer circuit is activated.

7. The device according to claim 3 , wherein each of said bidirectional buffer circuits has first and second buffer circuits whose inputs and outputs are mutually connected;

wherein said control circuit deactivates both said first and second buffer circuits in a case where said bidirectional buffer circuit is deactivated, and activates only either one of said first and second buffer circuits in accordance with the access direction in a case where said bidirectional buffer circuit is activated.

8. The device according to claim 4 , wherein each of said bidirectional buffer circuits has first and second buffer circuits whose inputs and outputs are mutually connected;

wherein said control circuit deactivates both said first and second buffer circuits in a case where said bidirectional buffer circuit is deactivated, and activates only either one of said first and second buffer circuits in accordance with the access direction in a case where said bidirectional buffer circuit is activated.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Nov 29, 2017
From: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044533/0739 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Nov 29, 2017
From: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044928/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2011
From: MATSUSHIGE, MUNEAKI; HIROBE, ATSUNORI; KIKUCHI, KAZUTAKA; FUKUSHI, TETSUO
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025712/0671 →