U.S. patent application number 12/054263 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for semiconductor memory device.
This patent application is currently assigned to MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Wataru Abe, Mitsuaki HAYASHI, Masakazu Kurata, Shuji Nakaya.
Application Number | 20080175076 12/054263 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35772790 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080175076 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HAYASHI; Mitsuaki ; et
al. |
July 24, 2008 |
SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE
Abstract
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a
charge circuit which compensates for OFF leakage current developed
at selected bit lines, a reset circuit having a ground potential
corresponding to a potential at non-selected bit lines, a read
circuit constituted by a plurality of transistors whose gates are
connected to the bit lines, and a bit line precharge circuit which
charges the selected bit lines for a fixed time period. As a result
of adopting such a configuration, there is no need to provide a
transmission gate, such as a column decoder, to a charging path
between the read circuit and the bit lines, so that a low-power
supply voltage operation can be effected without the influence of a
substrate bias effect.
Inventors: |
HAYASHI; Mitsuaki; (Kyoto,
JP) ; Abe; Wataru; (Hirakata, JP) ; Nakaya;
Shuji; (Kobe, JP) ; Kurata; Masakazu; (Osaka,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKINSON WRIGHT PLLC
1901 L STREET NW, SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO.,
LTD.
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
35772790 |
Appl. No.: |
12/054263 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11151639 |
Jun 14, 2005 |
7382657 |
|
|
12054263 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
365/189.15 ;
365/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11C 7/12 20130101; G11C
17/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
365/189.15 ;
365/203 |
International
Class: |
G11C 7/12 20060101
G11C007/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 17, 2004 |
JP |
2004-179287 |
Claims
1. A semiconductor memory device comprising: a memory cell array
which has a plurality of memory cells arranged in matrix form, a
plurality of word lines connected to the memory cells, and a
plurality of bit lines connected to the memory cells; a charge
circuit which includes a plurality of charging transistors which
charge the bit lines, respectively; a bit line reset circuit which
includes a plurality of resetting transistors respectively forcing
potentials of the bit lines to a ground potential, and a read
circuit which includes a plurality of reading transistors whose
gates are each connected directly to the bit lines and which
outputs information according to the on and off states of the
reading transistors.
2. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, wherein:
the charge circuit has a configuration in which the gates of the
charging transistors are each connected to one of a plurality of
decode signal lines for selecting the bit lines, and the bit line
reset circuit has a configuration in which the gates of the
resetting transistors are each connected to one of a plurality of
reset signal lines.
3. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 having a
bit line precharge circuit which includes a plurality of
precharging transistors which charge the bit lines for a fixed time
period.
4. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 3, wherein:
the charge circuit has a configuration in which the gates of the
charging transistors are each connected to one of a plurality of
decode signal lines for selecting the bit lines; the bit line
precharge circuit has a configuration in which the gates of the
precharging transistors are each connected to one of the precharge
signal lines; and the bit line reset circuit has a configuration in
which the gates of the resetting transistors are each connected to
one of a plurality of reset signal lines.
5. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 3, wherein
the charging transistors, the precharging transistors, the
resetting transistors, and the reading transistors are N-type MOS
transistors.
6. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 3, wherein:
the charge circuit includes a plurality of first operation
controlling transistors which allow the charging transistors to
effect charging operation, and the precharge circuit includes a
plurality of second operation controlling transistors which allow
the precharging transistors to effect charging operation.
7. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 6, wherein:
the charge circuit has a configuration in which the charging
transistors and the first operation controlling transistors are
each connected to the bit lines in a state in which the individual
charging transistors and the individual first operation controlling
transistors are connected in series with each other, the gates of
the first operation controlling transistors are connected to an
operation control signal line, and the gates of the charging
transistors are connected to a plurality of decode signal lines,
the bit line precharge circuit has a configuration in which the
precharging transistors and the second operation controlling
transistors are each connected to the bit lines in a state in which
the individual precharging transistors and the individual second
operation controlling transistors are connected in series with each
other, the gates of the second operation controlling transistors
are connected to the operation control signal line, and the gates
of the precharging transistors are each connected to a plurality of
precharge signal lines, and the bit line reset circuit has a
configuration in which the gates of the resetting transistors are
connected to a plurality of reset signal lines.
8. A semiconductor storage system comprising: a plurality of memory
blocks which each comprise a single semiconductor memory device and
a logic circuit which logically synthesizes outputs from the memory
blocks, block selection signals being inputted to the individual
operation control signal lines of the memory blocks as operation
control signals, wherein the single semiconductor memory device
comprises: a memory cell array which has a plurality of memory
cells arranged in matrix form, a plurality of word lines connected
to the memory cells, and a plurality of bit lines connected to the
memory cells; a charge circuit which includes a plurality of
charging transistors which charge the bit lines, respectively; a
bit line reset circuit which includes a plurality of resetting
transistors respectively forcing potentials of the bit lines to a
ground potential, a read circuit which includes a plurality of
reading transistors whose gates are each connected directly to the
bit lines and which outputs information according to the on and off
states of the reading transistors, and a bit line precharge circuit
which includes a plurality of precharging transistors which charge
the bit lines for a fixed time period, wherein the charge circuit
includes a plurality of first operation controlling transistors
which allow the charging transistors to effect charging operation,
and the bit line precharge circuit includes a plurality of second
operation controlling transistors which allow the precharging
transistors to effect charging operation.
9. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 including:
a bit line precharge circuit which includes a common precharging
transistor, which charges the bit lines for a fixed time period,
and a plurality of selecting transistors which select the bit lines
to be precharged from among the bit lines.
10. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 9, wherein:
the charge circuit has a configuration in which the gates of the
charging transistors are each connected to one of a plurality of
decode signal lines for selecting the bit lines, the bit line
precharge circuit has a configuration in which the gates of the
selecting transistors are each connected to one of the decode
signal lines for selecting the bit lines and in which the gate of
the precharging transistor is connected to a precharge signal line,
and the bit line reset circuit has a configuration in which the
gates of the resetting transistors are each connected to one of a
plurality of reset signal lines.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/151,639 filed Jun. 14, 2005, which is based on Japanese
application number 2004-179287 filed Jun. 17, 2004, the entire
contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory
device and to a circuit technology through which a low-voltage
operation is implemented.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Conventional art semiconductor memory devices include, for
example, a semiconductor memory device disclosed in Patent Document
1, the configuration of a contact-type mask ROM is disclosed.
[0006] FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of
the contact-type mask ROM. With the contact-type mask ROM, whether
the drains of memory cell transistors are connected to bit lines
corresponds to the "1" and "0" states of storage data.
[0007] The conventional art semiconductor memory device shown in
FIG. 12 includes a memory cell array 1, a column decoder 15, and a
read circuit 16.
[0008] The memory cell array 1 includes memory cells M(i, j) (i=1
to m, and j=1 to n) each composed of a N-type MOS transistor and
arranged in matrix form. As for the memory cells M (i, j), the
gates of the memory cells M(i, j) whose positional symbols (i)
represent the same numeric value, that is, the gates of the memory
cells M(i, j) aligned in the row direction are together connected
to common word line selection signal lines WLi (i=1 to m). Also,
the sources of the memory cells M (i, j) are connected to a wiring
having a ground potential.
[0009] When the drains of the memory cells M(i, j) (i=1 to m, and
j=1 to n) are connected to bit lines BLj (j=1 to n), output data
read from the memory cells M(i, j) (i=1 to m, and j=1 to n) to an
output terminal MDATA becomes "1", while in a floating state in
which the connections are not made, output data read to the output
terminal MDATA becomes "0".
[0010] The column decoder 15 includes N-type MOS transistors QNCj
(j=1 to n). The drains of the N-type MOS transistors QNCj (j=1 to
n) are connected with one another, their sources are connected to
the bit lines BLj (j=1 to n), and their gates are each connected to
column selection signal lines CDj (j=1 to n).
[0011] The read circuit 16 includes P-type MOS transistors QPPS and
QPL, a N-type MOS transistor QNRS, and an inverter INVA. With the
P-type MOS transistor QPPS, its gate is connected to a precharge
control signal line PCLK, its source is connected to a power supply
potential line, and its drain is connected to the drains of the
N-type MOS transistors QNCj (j=1 to n) constituting the column
decoder 15.
[0012] With the N-type MOS transistor QNRS, its gate is connected
to a reset control signal line RSTS, its source is connected to a
ground potential line, and its drain is connected to the drains of
the N-type MOS transistors QNCj (j=1 to n) constituting the column
decoder 15.
[0013] With the inverter circuit INVA, its input end is connected
to the drains of the N-type MOS transistors QNCj (j=1 to n)
constituting the column decoder 15, and its output end is connected
to the output terminal MDATA.
[0014] With the P-type MOS transistor QPL, its gate is connected to
the output end of the inverter INVA, its source is connected to the
power supply potential line, and its drain is connected to the
drains of the N-type MOS transistors QNCj (j=1 to n) constituting
the column decoder 15.
[0015] The ON-state current of the P-type MOS transistor QPL is set
so as to become smaller than those of the memory cells M(i, j) (i=1
to m, and j=1 to n) and to become equal to or larger than the total
OFF leakage current of all the memory cells aligned on the single
bit line.
[0016] The reading operation of data of, for example, the memory
cell M(1, 1) of the semiconductor memory device having such a
configuration will be described with reference to a FIG. 13 timing
chart.
[0017] Among the column selection signal lines CDj (j=1 to n), the
column selection signal line CD1 is brought high and the column
selection signal lines CD2 to CDn are brought low. As a result,
among the transistors constituting the column decoder 15, the
transistor QNC1 is turned on and the other transistors QNC2 to QNCn
are turned off.
[0018] Also, the reset control signal line RSTS is brought low and
the transistor QNRS is turned off. Furthermore, all the word lines
WL1 to WLm are brought low and all the memory cell transistors M(i,
j) (i=1 to m, and j=1 to n) are turned off.
[0019] Then the precharge control signal line PCLK is held high for
a fixed time period and the transistor QPPS is held on for a fixed
time period, thereby the bit line BL1 is charged to the high
level.
[0020] After the bit line BL1 has brought to high, the word line
WL1 is shifted from the low level, which means a non-selected
state, to the high level which means a selected state.
[0021] As a consequence, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1)
is connected to the bit line BL1, electric charge supplied to the
bit line BL1 is discharged by the memory cell M(1, 1), so that the
bit line BL1 is brought low. In contrast to this, the drain of the
memory cell M(1, 1) is not connected to the bit line BL1, the
electric charge supplied to the bit line BL1 is not discharged by
the memory cell M(1, 1), so that the bit line BL1 is held high.
[0022] Because of this, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1)
is connected to the bit line BL1 to brought the bit line BL1 low,
the low-level signal is inputted to the inverter INVA via the
on-state transistor QNC1. As a result, the inverter INVA inputs a
high-level signal to the gate of the transistor QPL to turn the
transistor QPL off, thereby charging to the bit line BL1 is stopped
and the high-level signal is outputted to the output terminal
MDATA.
[0023] In contrast to this, when the drain of the memory cell M(1,
1) is not connected to the bit line BL1 to brought the bit line BL1
high, the high-level signal is inputted to the inverter INVA via
the on-state transistor QNC1. As a consequence, the inverter INVA
inputs a low-level signal to the gate of the transistor QPL to turn
the transistor QPL on, thereby charging is effected to compensate
for electric charge discharged from the bit line BL1 due to the OFF
leakage currents of the memory cells M(i, 1) (i=1 to m) connected
to the bit line BL1. As a result, the bit line BL1 is held high and
a low-level signal is outputted to the output terminal MDATA.
[0024] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
H06-176592. (page 2, paragraphs 0002 to 0006 and FIG. 2)
[0025] Problems brought about by the conventional art semiconductor
memory device will be described below. With the configuration of
the conventional art semiconductor memory device, the drains and
sources of the transistors QNCj (j=1 to n) constituting the column
decoder 15 are each connected to the read circuit 16 and the bit
lines BLj (j=1 to n) without ground connections. Because of this,
the threshold voltages at the transistors QNCj (j=1 to n) are
increased by the substrate bias effect. The influence of the
increased threshold voltages resulting from the substrate bias
effect becomes large as the power supply voltage is decreased, so
that the ON-state current of the transistors QNCj constituting the
column decoder 15 is decreased greatly. Therefore, the supply of
the electric charge to the bit lines BLj cannot be provided
sufficiently by the transistor QPL provided to the read circuit 16
to compensate for the OFF leakage currents developed at the memory
cells connected to the bit lines. As a consequence, the potentials
at the drains of the transistors QNCj, which constitute the column
decoder 15 connected to the read circuit 16, cannot be shifted to
the low level, so that the potentials are held at the high level.
Therefore, the function of the semiconductor memory device is
impaired.
[0026] In recent years, as a need for operation effected with low
power supply voltage has been increased rapidly with the advance of
techniques for manufacturing smaller semiconductor devices, it has
been particularly required that apparatus provided with
semiconductor memory devices feature low power consumption to
pursue their portability and so on. However, because of the
suppression of power consumption increased by the OFF leakage
current of transistors, it is difficult to lower the threshold
voltage at the transistors; hence, this not only exists as a
determinant of the range of the power supply voltage with which the
semiconductor memory devices operate but brings about a big problem
in the implementation of low-power semiconductor memory
devices.
[0027] As a result, methods for lowering only the threshold voltage
at some transistors during their manufacture and for reducing the
substrate bias effect through the boost of the gate voltage at some
transistors have been proposed. To lower the threshold voltage
during their manufacture, however, there is a necessity to provide
special manufacturing steps in addition to normal ones. In
addition, to boost the gate voltage, there is a necessity to
provide a booster circuit having a relatively large area, which
brings about increases in not only the size of semiconductor memory
devices but their production cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The present invention is provided for the purpose of solving
the problem associated with the conventional art and hence, it is
an object of the invention to provide a semiconductor memory device
in which a read circuit and bit lines can be connected with each
other without the provision of such a column decoder constituted by
the transistors, whose drains are connected to the read circuit and
whose sources are connected to the bit lines, and in which a
low-voltage operation can be performed without the influence of the
substrate bias effect.
[0029] To achieve the object, the semiconductor memory device
according to the invention has a configuration in which bit lines
and a read circuit are direct-connected with each other without
using the medium of a column decoder and in which transistors,
which compensate for OFF leakage current developed at memory cells,
are direct-connected to the bit lines.
[0030] A semiconductor memory device according to a first invention
includes a memory cell array, a charge circuit, a bit line reset
circuit, and a read circuit. The memory cell array includes a
plurality of memory cells arranged in matrix form, a plurality of
word lines connected to the memory cells, and a plurality of bit
lines connected to the memory cells. The charge circuit includes a
plurality of charging transistors which charges the corresponding
bit lines. The bit line reset circuit includes a plurality of
resetting transistors respectively forcing potentials of the bit
lines to a ground potential. The read circuit includes a plurality
of reading transistors, whose gates are connected to the
corresponding bit lines, and outputs information according to the
on and off states of the reading transistors.
[0031] According to the semiconductor memory device of the first
invention, the charging transistors are direct-connected to the bit
lines, and with the connection between the bit lines and the read
circuit, the bit lines are direct-connected to the gates of the
transistors constituting the read circuit without using the medium
of the transistors constituting the column decoder described in the
explanation of the conventional art. Because of this, in the
compensation for the OFF leakage current developed at the bit
lines, a low-voltage operation can be effected without the
influence of the substrate bias effect of the transistors.
[0032] In the semiconductor memory device according to the first
invention, it is preferable that the charge circuit have a
configuration, in which the gates of the charging transistors are
each connected to a plurality of decode signal lines for selecting
the bit lines, and the bit line reset circuit have a configuration
in which the gates of the resetting transistors are each connected
to a plurality of reset signal lines.
[0033] A semiconductor memory device according to a second
invention corresponds to the semiconductor memory device according
to the first invention having an additional bit line precharge
circuit which includes a plurality of precharging transistors used
for charging the bit lines for a fixed time period.
[0034] According to the semiconductor memory device of the second
invention, as in the case of the semiconductor memory device
according to the first invention, it is possible to effect a
low-voltage operation and furthermore, the provision of the
precharging transistors to the bit lines allows a time taken to
charge the bit lines to be reduced greatly, thereby a high-speed
reading operation can be implemented.
[0035] In the semiconductor memory device according to the second
invention, it is preferable that the charge circuit have a
configuration in which the gates of the charging transistors are
each connected to the decode signal lines for selecting the bit
lines, the bit line precharge circuit have a configuration in which
the gates of the precharging transistors are each connected to a
plurality of precharge signal lines, and the bit line reset circuit
have a configuration in which the gates of the resetting
transistors are each connected to the reset signal lines.
[0036] Furthermore, in the semiconductor memory device according to
the second invention, it is preferable that the charging
transistors, the precharging transistors, the resetting
transistors, and the reading transistors are N-type MOS
transistors.
[0037] By adopting such a configuration, not only a low-voltage
operation and a high-speed reading operation are effected, but the
following effects are achieved: by using the same N-type MOS
transistors as the memory cells as the charging transistors
provided to the bit lines, that is, the transistors for
compensating for the OFF leakage current, the precharging
transistors, the resetting transistors, and the reading
transistors, these transistors can be placed in the same well on
the semiconductor substrate; therefore, the transistors can be
formed without the provision of regions for well isolation; and the
ON-state current of the N-type MOS transistor is larger than that
of the P-type MOS transistor, so that the widths of the charging
transistors, that is, the transistors for compensating for the off
leakage current, and the precharging transistors can be narrowed,
thereby a smaller semiconductor memory device can be
implemented.
[0038] A semiconductor memory device according to a third invention
corresponds to the semiconductor memory device according to the
first invention whose charge circuit includes a plurality of first
operation controlling transistors allowing the charging transistors
to effect the charging operation and whose precharge circuit
includes a plurality of second operation controlling transistors
allowing the precharging transistors to effect the charging
operation.
[0039] According to the semiconductor memory device of the third
invention, a low-voltage operation and a high-speed reading
operation can be effected as in the case of the semiconductor
memory device according to the second invention. Moreover, it
becomes possible to control whether the bit lines are charged by
the charging transistors, that is, the transistors for compensating
for the OFF leakage current, provided to the bit lines and by the
precharging transistors also provided to the bit lines. As a
result, when a semiconductor storage system having the plurality of
semiconductor memory devices as memory blocks is built, the bit
lines can be charged selectively at each memory block. Because of
this, the bit lines are not charged at the memory blocks where no
reading is performed, so that power consumption can be reduced.
[0040] In the semiconductor memory device according to the third
invention, it is preferable that the charge circuits have a
configuration in which the charging transistors and the first
operation controlling transistors are each connected to the bit
lines in a state in which the charging transistors and the first
operation controlling transistors are connected in series with each
other, the gates of the first operation controlling transistors are
connected to operation control signal lines, and the gates of the
charging transistors are connected to the decode signal lines.
Also, it is preferable that the bit line precharge circuit have a
configuration in which the precharging transistors and the second
operation controlling transistors are each connected to the bit
lines in a state in which the precharging transistors and the
second operation controlling transistors are connected in series
with each other, the gates of the second operation controlling
transistors are connected to the operation control signal lines,
and the gates of the precharging transistors are each connected to
the precharge signal lines. Furthermore, it is preferable that the
bit line reset circuit have a configuration in which the gates of
the resetting transistors are connected to the reset signal
lines.
[0041] A semiconductor storage system according to a fourth
invention has a plurality of memory blocks and each of the memory
blocks is composed of the single semiconductor memory device
according to third invention. The semiconductor storage system
according to the fourth invention also has a logic circuit which
logically synthesizes outputs from the memory blocks, and to the
operation control signal line of the individual memory blocks,
selection signals are inputted as operation control signals.
[0042] According to the semiconductor storage system of the fourth
invention, a low-voltage operation and a high-speed reading
operation can be effected as in the case of the semiconductor
memory device according to the second invention. Furthermore, the
bit lines can be charged selectively at each memory block by the
charging transistors, that is, the transistors for compensating for
the OFF leakage current, provided to the bit lines and by the
precharging transistors also provided to the bit lines. Because of
this, the bit lines are not charged at the memory block where no
reading is performed, so that power consumption can be reduced
further.
[0043] A semiconductor memory device according to a fifth invention
corresponds to the semiconductor memory device according to the
first invention whose charge circuit has a configuration in which
at least two charging transistors are provided to the individual
bit lines, at least one of at least two charging transistors are
connected to the individual bit lines, and the remaining charging
transistors are in a floating state in relation to the individual
bit lines.
[0044] According to the semiconductor memory device of the fifth
invention, a low-voltage operation and a high-speed reading
operation can be effected as in the case of the semiconductor
memory device according to the second invention and furthermore,
the following process can be conducted: when the amount of the OFF
leakage current developed at the bit line is large because the
memory cells, whose drains are connected to the bit line, are high
in number, from among the charging transistors, i.e., the
transistors for compensating for the OFF leakage current, provided
to the bit line, for example, the transistor having the largest
ON-state current is selected and then the selected transistor is
connected to the bit line by using the same mask as that used for
connecting the drains of the memory cells and the bit lines; but in
contrast to this, when the amount of the OFF leakage current
developed at bit line is small because the memory cells, whose
drains are connected to the bit line, are low in number, of the two
charging transistors, i.e., the transistors for compensating for
the OFF leakage current, provided to the bit line, for example, the
transistor having a smaller ON-state current is selected and the
selected transistor is connected to the bit line by using the same
mask as that used for connecting the drains of the memory cells and
the bit lines. As a result, electric charge supplied to the bit
line is not supplied to an excessive degree in relation to electric
charge discharged from the bit line as the OFF leakage current.
Because of this, when the drain of the memory cell to be read is
connected to the bit line, it is possible to shorten a time taken
to discharge the electric charge supplied by the bit line precharge
circuit and to effect the high-speed reading operation.
[0045] In the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth
invention, it is preferable that the charge circuit have a
configuration in which the gates of the charging transistors are
each connected to the decode signal lines for selecting the bit
lines, and the bit line reset circuit have a configuration in which
the gates of the resetting transistors are each connected to the
reset signal lines.
[0046] Furthermore, in the semiconductor memory device according to
the fifth invention, it is preferable that the connect structure of
the charging transistors to the bit lines be the same as that of
the memory cells to the bit lines. Such a configuration allows the
charging transistors and the bit lines to be connected with each
other through the use of the same mask as that used for connecting
the drains of the memory cells and the bit lines, so that no
additional manufacturing steps are required.
[0047] A semiconductor memory device according to a sixth invention
corresponds to the semiconductor memory device according to the
first invention further having a bit line precharge circuit which
includes a common precharging transistor, which charges the bit
lines for a fixed time period, and a plurality of selecting
transistors which select the bit lines to be precharged.
[0048] According to the semiconductor memory device of the sixth
invention, a low-voltage operation and a high-speed reading
operation can be effected as in the case of the semiconductor
memory device according to the second invention. Moreover, instead
of the provision of the precharging transistor to each bit line,
the provision of, for instance, the single and common precharging
transistor to the bit lines makes it possible to secure a large
mask layout region for the precharging transistor. As a
consequence, the width of the precharging transistors can be
expanded; therefore it is possible to increase the ON-state current
greatly and to shorten a time taken to precharge the bit lines
more, thereby a higher-speed reading operation can be effected.
[0049] In the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth
invention, it is preferable that the charge circuit have a
configuration in which the gates of the charging transistors are
each connected to the decode signal lines for selecting the bit
lines, the bit line precharge circuit have a configuration in which
the gates of the selecting transistors are each connected to the
decode signal lines for selecting the bit lines and in which the
gate of the precharging transistor is connected to a precharge
signal line, and the bit line reset circuit have a configuration in
which the gates of the resetting transistors are each connected to
the reset signal lines.
[0050] As described above, according to the inventions, the bit
lines and the read circuit are connected with each other without
the use of the column decoder including the transistors shown in
the explanation of the conventional art. As a result, a
semiconductor memory device can be implemented in which a stable
reading operation can be effected even with the low power supply
voltage without the influence of a high threshold resulting from
the substrate bias effect developed at the transistors constituting
the column decoder.
[0051] Furthermore, unlike the methods for lowering only the
threshold voltage of the some transistors during manufacturing and
for reducing the substrate bias effect through the boost of the
gate voltage of the some transistors, there is no need to provide
special steps of lowering the threshold voltage and to provide a
booster circuit having a large area used to boost the gate voltage,
so that increases not only in the size of the semiconductor memory
device but its production cost can be suppressed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a
semiconductor memory device according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0053] FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the operation of the
semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of
the invention;
[0054] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a
semiconductor memory device according to a second embodiment of the
invention;
[0055] FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the
semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment of
the invention;
[0056] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a
semiconductor memory device according to a third embodiment of the
invention;
[0057] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the
semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment of
the invention;
[0058] FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the
semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment of
the invention;
[0059] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a
semiconductor memory device according to a fourth embodiment of the
invention;
[0060] FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the operation of the
semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment of
the invention;
[0061] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a
semiconductor memory device according to a fifth embodiment of the
invention;
[0062] FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the operation of the
semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment of
the invention;
[0063] FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of
the conventional art semiconductor memory device; and
[0064] FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing the operation of the
conventional art semiconductor memory device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0065] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a
semiconductor memory device according to a first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0066] The semiconductor memory device shown in FIG. 1 includes a
memory cell array 1, a bit line charge circuit 2, a bit line reset
circuit 3, a read circuit 4, and a bit line precharge circuit
5.
[0067] Since the memory cell array 1 is the same as that of the
conventional art semiconductor memory device, the explanation of
the same components will be omitted instead of giving the same
reference numerals.
[0068] The bit line charge circuit 2 includes P-type MOS
transistors QPDj (j=1 to n). With the P-type MOS transistors QPDj
(j=1 to n), their gates are each connected to charge selection
signal lines PDECj (j=1 to n), their sources are connected to power
supply potential lines, and their drains are each connected to bit
lines BLj (j=1 to n).
[0069] The ON-state currents of the P-type MOS transistors QPDj
(j=1 to n) are set so as to become smaller than those of memory
cells M(i, j) (i=1 to m, and j=1 to n) and to become equal to or
larger than the total OFF leakage current of the memory cells
aligned on the same bit lines.
[0070] The bit line reset circuit 3 includes N-type MOS transistors
QNRj (j=1 to n). As for the N-type MOS transistors QNRj (j=1 to n),
their gates are each connected to reset selection signal lines RSTj
(j=1 to n), their sources are connected to a ground potential line,
and their drains are each connected to the bit lines BLj (j=1 to
n).
[0071] The read circuit 4 includes a P-type MOS transistor QPS, a
N-type MOS transistor QNS, and N-type MOS transistors QNBj (j=1 to
n).
[0072] With the P-type MOS transistor QPS, its gate is connected to
a read signal line SEL, its source is connected to the power supply
potential line, and its drain is connected to an output terminal
MDATA.
[0073] With the N-type MOS transistor QNS, its gate is connected to
the read signal line SEL, its source is connected to the ground
potential line, and its drain is connected to the output terminal
MDATA.
[0074] With the N-type MOS transistors QNBj (j=1 to n), their gates
are each connected to the bit lines BLj (j=1 to n), their sources
are connected to the ground potential line, and their drains are
connected to the output terminal MDATA.
[0075] The bit line precharge circuit 5 includes P-type MOS
transistors QPCj (j=1 to n). As for the P-type MOS transistors QPCj
(j=1 to n), their gates are each connected to precharge selection
signal lines PCLKj (j=1 to n), their sources are connected to the
power supply potential line, and their drains are each connected to
the bit lines BLj (j=1 to n).
[0076] The reading operation of data of, for example, the memory
cell M(1, 1) included in the semiconductor memory device having
such a configuration will be described with reference to the FIG. 2
timing chart.
[0077] Among the reset selection signal lines RSTj (j=1 to n), the
reset selection signal line RST1 is brought low, and the reset
selection signal lines RST2 to RSTn are brought high. As a result,
among the transistors constituting the bit line reset circuit 3,
the transistor QNR1 is turned off, and the other transistors QNR2
to QNRn are turned on.
[0078] Also, among the charge selection signal lines PDECj (j=1 to
n), the charge selection signal line PDEC1 is brought low, and the
charge selection signal lines PDEC2 to PDECn are brought high. As a
result, among the transistors constituting the bit line charge
circuit 2, the transistor QPD1 is turned on, and the other
transistors QPD2 to QPDn are turned off.
[0079] Besides, the read signal line SEL is brought high, thereby
the transistor QNS is turned on, and the transistor QPS is turned
off.
[0080] Furthermore, all the word lines WL1 to WLm are brought low,
thereby all the memory cells M(i, j) (i=1 to m, and j=1 to n) are
turned off.
[0081] Then, among the precharge control signal lines PCLK1 to
PCLKn, the precharge control signal line PCLK1 is brought low for a
fixed time period; therefore, the transistor QPC1 is turned on, and
the bit line BL1 is charged high. Moreover, the precharge control
signal lines PCLK2 to PCLKn become high. Because of this, the
transistors QPC2 to QPCn are turned off, and the bit lines BL2 to
BLn become low without being charged.
[0082] After the bit line BL1 has become high, the word line WL1 is
shifted from the low level, which means a non-selected state, to
the high level which means a selected state, and the read signal
line SEL is brought low.
[0083] Because of this, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1)
is connected to the bit line BL1, electric charge supplied to the
bit line BL1 by the transistor QPC1 is discharged by the memory
cell M(1, 1), so that the bit line BL1 becomes low. When the drain
of the memory cell M(1, 1) is not connected to the bit line BL1,
the electric charge supplied to the bit line BL1 by the transistor
QPC1 is not discharged by the memory cell M(1, 1), so that the bit
line BL1 is held high; in contrast, the bit lines BL2 to BLn become
low because the transistors QNR2 to QNRn are on.
[0084] As a result, among the transistors QNB1 to QNBn, the
transistors QNB2 to QNBn whose gates are each connected with the
bit lines BL2 to BLn are turned off.
[0085] When the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1) is not connected
to the bit line BL1, the bit line BL1 becomes high, so that the
transistor QNB1 whose gate is connected with the bit line BL1 is
turned on. As a consequence, electric charge supplied to the output
terminal MDATA by the transistor QPS, whose gate is connected to
the read signal line SEL, is discharged by the transistor QNB1;
hence, the output terminal MDATA becomes low.
[0086] However, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1) is
connected to the bit line BL1, the bit line BL1 becomes low, so
that the transistor QNB1 is turned off. As a result, the electric
charge supplied to the output terminal MDATA by the transistor QPS
whose gate is connected with the read signal line SEL is not
discharged by the transistor QNB1. Therefore, the output terminal
MDATA becomes high.
[0087] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is
possible to connect the bit lines BLj (j=1 to n) and the read
circuit 4 without the use of a column decoder. Because of this,
unlike the conventional art semiconductor memory device, reading
operation can be performed without the influence of the high
threshold resulting from the substrate bias effect produced at from
the transistors which constitute the column decoder. The influence
of the substrate bias effect becomes great during the reading
operation; hence, the reading can be performed even in a
low-voltage state in which the reading cannot be performed.
[0088] In this embodiment, the bit line precharge circuit 5 is
provided to charge the bit lines rapidly; however, when there is no
need to charge the bit lines rapidly, the same effects can be
achieved even without the provision of the bit line precharge
circuit.
Second Embodiment
[0089] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a
semiconductor memory device according to a second embodiment of the
invention.
[0090] The semiconductor memory device shown in FIG. 3 includes the
memory cell array 1, the bit line reset circuit 3, the read circuit
4, a bit line precharge circuit 6, and a bit line charge circuit 7.
Since the memory cell array 1, the bit line reset circuit 3, and
the read circuit 4 are the same as those described in the first
embodiment, the explanation of the same components thereof will be
omitted instead of giving the same reference numerals.
[0091] The bit line precharge circuit 6 includes N-type MOS
transistors QNCj (j=1 to n). As for the N-type MOS transistors QNCj
(j=1 to n), their gates are each connected to precharge selection
signal lines PCLKj (j=1 to n), their drains are connected to power
supply potential lines, and their sources are each connected to bit
lines BLj (j=1 to n).
[0092] The bit line charge circuit 7 includes N-type MOS
transistors QNDj (j=1 to n). As for the N-type MOS transistors QNDj
(j=1 to n), their gates are each connected to charge selection
signal lines PDECj (j=1 to n), their drains are connected to the
power supply potential lines, and their sources are each connected
to the bit lines BLj (j=1 to n).
[0093] The ON-state currents of the N-type MOS transistors QNDj
(j=1 to n) are set so as to become smaller than those of the memory
cells M(i, j) (i=1 to m, and j=1 to n) and to become equal to or
larger than the total OFF leakage current of the memory cells
aligned on the same bit line.
[0094] The reading operation of data of, for instance, the memory
cell M(1, 1) included in the semiconductor memory device having
such a configuration will be described with reference to the FIG. 4
timing chart.
[0095] Among the reset selection signal lines RSTj (j=1 to n), the
reset selection signal line RST1 is brought low, and the reset
selection signal lines RST2 to RSTn are brought high. As a result,
among the transistors constituting the bit line reset circuit 3,
the transistor QNR1 is turned off, and the other transistors QNR2
to QNRn are turned on.
[0096] Besides, among the charge selection signal lines PDECj (j=1
to n), the charge selection signal line PDEC1 is brought high, and
the charge selection signal lines PDEC2 to PDECn are brought low.
As a consequence, among the transistors constituting the bit line
charge circuit 7, the transistor QND1 is turned on, and the other
transistors QND2 to QNDn are turned off.
[0097] Moreover, the read signal line SEL is brought high, thereby
the transistor QNS is turned on, and the transistor QPS is turned
off.
[0098] Furthermore, all the word lines WL1 to WLm are brought low,
thereby all the memory cells M(i, j) (i=1 to m, and j=1 to n) are
turned off.
[0099] Then, among the precharge control signal lines PCLK1 to
PCLKn, the precharge control signal line PCLK1 is brought high for
a fixed time period, thereby the transistor QNC1 is turned on, and
the bit line BL1 is charged high. In contrast to this, the
precharge control signal lines PCLK2 to PCLKn are brought low,
thereby the transistors QNC2 to QNCn are turned off, and the bit
lines BL2 to BLn become low without being charged.
[0100] After the bit line BL1 has become high, the word line WL1 is
shifted from the low level, which means the non-selected state, to
the high level which means the selected state, and the read signal
line SEL is brought low.
[0101] As a result, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1) is
connected to the bit line BL1, electric charge supplied to the bit
line BL1 by the transistor QNC1 is discharged by the memory cell
M(1, 1), so that the bit line BL1 becomes low. In contrast to this,
when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1) is not connected to the
bit line BL1, the electric charge supplied to the bit line BL1 by
the transistor QNC1 is not discharged by the memory cell M(1, 1),
so that the bit line BL1 is held high, while the bit lines BL2 to
BLn become low because the transistors QNR2 to QNRn are on.
[0102] As a consequence, among the transistors QNB1 to QNBn, the
transistors QNB2 to QNBn whose gates are each connected with the
bit lines BL2 to BLn are turned off.
[0103] When the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1) is not connected
to the bit line BL1, the bit line BL1 becomes high, so that the
transistor QNB1 whose gate is connected to the bit line BL1 is
turned on. As a result, electric charge supplied to the output
terminal MDATA by the transistor QPS, whose gate is connected to
the read signal line SEL, is discharged by the transistor QNB1;
therefore, the output terminal MDATA is becomes low.
[0104] In contrast to this, when the drain of the memory cell M(1,
1) is connected to the bit line BL1, the bit line BL1 becomes low,
so that the transistor QNB1 is turned off. As a consequence, the
electric charge supplied to the output terminal MDATA by the
transistor QPS, whose gate is connected with the read signal line
SEL, is not discharged by the transistor QNB1; therefore, the
output terminal MDATA becomes high.
[0105] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is
possible to perform the reading operation even in the low-voltage
state as in the case of the first embodiment, and the same effects
as those described in the first embodiment can be achieved.
[0106] Furthermore, by adopting such a configuration in which the
memory cell array 1, the bit line charge circuit 7, the bit line
precharge circuit 6, and the bit line reset circuit 3 are
constituted by the N-type MOS transistors, the individual circuits
can be placed in the same well on the semiconductor substrate;
therefore, there is no need to provide regions for well isolation.
In addition, since the ON-state current of the N-type MOS
transistor is larger than that of the P-type MOS transistor, it is
also possible to narrow the width of the transistors constituting
the bit line charge circuit 7 and the bit line precharge circuit 6.
As a result, the semiconductor memory device having a smaller area
can be implemented.
[0107] In this embodiment, the bit line precharge circuit 6 is
provided to charge the bit lines rapidly; however, when there is no
need to charge the bit lines rapidly, the same effects can be
achieved even without the provision of the bit line precharge
circuit.
Third Embodiment
[0108] FIGS. 5 and 6 are circuit diagrams showing the configuration
of a semiconductor memory device according to a third embodiment of
the invention.
[0109] As shown in FIG. 6, the semiconductor memory device
according to the fourth embodiment includes a memory block 10, a
memory block 11, and an output selection circuit 12.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 5, the memory blocks 10 and 11 are each
constituted by the memory cell array 1, the bit line reset circuit
3, the read circuit 4, a bit line precharge circuit 8, and a bit
line charge circuit 9. Since the memory cell array 1, the bit line
reset circuit 3, and the read circuit 4 are the same as those
described in the first embodiment, the explanation of the same
components thereof will be omitted instead of giving the same
reference numerals.
[0111] The bit line precharge circuit 8 includes P-type MOS
transistors QPUj (j=1 to n) and N-type MOS transistors QNUj (j=1 to
n).
[0112] As for the P-type MOS transistors QPUj (j=1 to n), their
gates are connected to a block selection signal line PSEL, their
sources are connected to power supply potential lines, and their
drains are each connected to the drains of the N-type MOS
transistors QNUj (j=1 to n).
[0113] As for the N-type MOS transistors QNUj (j=1 to n) their
gates are each connected to precharge selection signal lines PCLKj
(j=1 to n), their sources are each connected to the bit lines BLj
(j=1 to n), and their drains are each connected to the drains of
the P-type MOS transistors QPUj (j=1 to n).
[0114] The bit line charge circuit 9 includes P-type MOS
transistors QPBj (j=1 to n) and N-type MOS transistors QNBj (j=1 to
n).
[0115] As for the P-type MOS transistors QPBj (j=1 to n), their
gates are connected to a block selection signal line PSEL, their
sources are connected to the power supply potential lines, and
their drains are each connected to the drains of the N-type MOS
transistors QNBj (j=1 to n).
[0116] As for the N-type MOS transistors QNBj (j=1 to n), their
gates are each connected to charge selection signal lines PDECj
(j=1 to n), their sources are each connected to the bit lines BLj
(j=1 to n), and their drains are each connected to the drains of
the P-type MOS transistors QPBj (j=1 to n).
[0117] As described above, the P-type MOS transistors QPBj (j=1 to
n) are each connected in series with the N-type MOS transistors
QNBj (j=1 to n) between the power supply potential lines and the
bit lines BLj (j=1 to n). Electric currents flowing through the
P-type MOS transistors QPBj (j=1 ton) and the N-type MOS
transistors QNBj (j=1 to n) are set so as to become smaller than
the ON-state currents of the memory cells M(i, j) (i=1 to m, and
j=1 to n) and to become equal to or larger than the total OFF
leakage current of the memory cells aligned on the same bit
lines.
[0118] The memory blocks 10 and 11 have such a configuration
respectively.
[0119] With the memory block 10, as shown in FIG. 6, a read signal
line SEL is connected to a read signal terminal TSELN, and the word
lines WLi (i=1 to m) are connected to word line terminals TWLi (i=1
to m). And further, the precharge selection signal lines PCLKj (j=1
to n) are connected to precharge selection signal terminals TPCLKj
(j=1 to n), and the charge selection signal lines PDECj (j=1 to n)
are connected to charge selection signal terminals TPDECj (j=1 to
n). Still further, the reset selection signal lines RSTj (j=1 to n)
are connected to reset selection signal terminals TRSTj (j-=1 to
n), the block selection signal line PSEL is connected to a block
selection signal terminal TPSELN, and the output terminal MDATA is
connected to an output signal line MDATAL.
[0120] With the memory block 11, the read signal line SEL is
connected to a read signal terminal TSELP, and the word lines WLi
(i=1 to m) are connected to the word line terminals TWLi (i=1 to
m). Further, the precharge selection signal lines PCLKj (j=1 to n)
are connected to the precharge selection signal terminals TPCLKj
(j=1 to n), and the charge selection signal lines PDECj (j=1 to n)
are connected to the charge selection signal terminals TPDECj (j=1
to n). Still further, the reset selection signal lines RSTj (j=1 to
n) are connected to the reset selection signal terminals TRSTj (j=1
to n), the block selection signal line PSEL is connected to a block
selection signal terminal TPSELP, and the output terminal MDATA is
connected to an output signal line MDATAR.
[0121] The output selection circuit 12 includes a NOT-OR element
NOR and an inverter INV.
[0122] With the NOT-OR element NOR, one input end is connected to
the output signal line MDATAL, the other is connected to the output
signal line MDATAR, and an output end is connected to the input end
of the inverter INV.
[0123] With the inverter INV, its input end is connected to the
output end of the NOT-OR element NOR and its output end is
connected to an output terminal TDATA.
[0124] The reading operation of data of, for instance, the memory
cell M(1, 1) in the memory block 10 included in the semiconductor
memory device having such a configuration will be described with
reference to the FIG. 7 timing chart.
[0125] Among the reset selection signal terminals TRSTj (j=1 to n),
the reset selection signal terminal TRST1 is brought low, and the
reset selection signal terminals TRST2 to TRSTn are brought high;
hence, among the reset selection signal lines RSTj (j=1 to n) of
the memory blocks 10 and 11, the reset selection signal line RST1
is brought low, and the reset selection signal lines RST2 to RSTn
are brought high. As a result, among the transistors constituting
the bit line reset circuits 3, the transistors QNR1 are turned off,
and the other transistors QNR2 to QNRn are turned on.
[0126] Furthermore, among the charge selection signal terminals
TPDECj (j=1 to n), the charge selection signal terminal TPDEC1 is
brought high, and the charge selection signal terminals TPDEC2 to
TPDECn are brought low; hence, the charge selection signal line
PDEC1 of the memory blocks 10 and 11 is brought high, and their
charge selection signal lines PDEC2 to PDECn are brought low. As a
consequence, among the transistors constituting the bit line charge
circuit 9, the transistors QNB1 are turned on, and the other
transistors QNB2 to QNBn are turned off.
[0127] Then the read signal terminals TSELN and TSELP are brought
high, thereby the read signal lines SEL of the memory blocks 10 and
11 are brought high. As a result, the transistors QNS of the memory
blocks 10 and 11 are turned on, and their transistors QPS are
turned off.
[0128] Also, the block selection signal terminal TPSELN is brought
low, thereby the block selection signal line PSEL of the memory
block 10 becomes low. As a consequence, the transistors QPUj (j=1
to n) constituting the bit line precharge circuit 8 and the
transistors QPBj (j=1 to n) constituting the bit line charge
circuit 9 are turned on. Moreover, the block selection signal
terminal TPSELP is brought high, thereby the block selection signal
line PSEL of the memory block 11 becomes high. As a result, the
transistors QPUj (j=1 to n) constituting the bit line precharge
circuit 8 and the transistors QPBj (j=1 to n) constituting the bit
line charge circuit 9 are turned off.
[0129] Furthermore, all the word line terminals TWL1 to TWLm are
brought low, thereby the word lines WL1 to WLm of the memory blocks
10 and 11 are brought low to turn off all the memory cells M(i, j)
(i=1 to m, and j=1 to n).
[0130] Then, among the precharge control signal terminals TPCLK1 to
TPCLKn, the precharge control signal terminal TPCLK1 is brought
high for a fixed time period, thereby the precharge control signal
line PCLK1 of the memory blocks 10 and 11 becomes high for a fixed
time period to turn on the transistors QNU1 for a fixed time
period.
[0131] Also, the precharge control signal terminals TPCLK2 to
TPCLKn are brought low, and the precharge control signal lines
PCLK2 to PCLKn are brought low.
[0132] Because of this, the transistors QNU2 to QNUn are turned
off; therefore, the bit line BL1 of the memory block 10 is charged
high and its bit lines BL2 to BLn become low without being charged.
Moreover, the bit line BL1 of the memory cell 11 is brought to a
floating state without being charged, and its bit lines BL2 to BLn
become low without being charged.
[0133] After the bit line BL1 of the memory block 10 has become
high, the word line terminal TWL1 is shifted from the low level,
which means a non-selected state, to the high level which means a
selected state. Furthermore, the read signal terminal TSELN is
brought low, and the read signal line SEL of the memory block 10 is
brought low.
[0134] As a consequence, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1)
in the memory block 10 is connected to the bit line BL1, electric
charge supplied to the bit line BL1 by the transistors QPU1 and
QNU1 is discharged by the memory cell M(1, 1), so that the bit line
BL1 becomes low. In contrast to this, when the drain of the memory
cell M(1, 1) in the memory block 10 is not connected to the bit
line BL1, the electric charge supplied to the bit line BL1 by the
transistors QPU1 and QNU1 is not discharged by the memory cell M(1,
1), so that the bit line BL1 is held high; the bit lines BL2 to BLn
of the memory cell block 10 become low because the transistors QNR2
to QNRn are on.
[0135] Because of this, among the transistors QNB1 to QNBn of the
read circuit 4 in the memory block 10, the transistors QNB2 to QNBn
whose gates are each connected with the bit lines BL2 to BLn are
turned off. In addition, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1)
is not connected to the bit line BL1, the bit line BL1 becomes
high, so that the transistor QNB1 whose gate is connected to the
bit line BL1 is turned on. As a result, electric charge supplied to
the output terminal MDATA by the transistor QPS whose gate is
connected to the read signal line SEL is discharged by the
transistor QNB1, so that the output signal line MDATAL connected to
the output terminal MDATA becomes low. In contrast to this, when
the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1) is connected to the bit line
BL1, the bit line BL1 becomes low. As a consequence, the electric
charge supplied to the output terminal MDATA by the transistor QPS
whose gate is connected with the read signal line SEL is not
discharged by the transistor QNB1, so that the output signal line
MDATAL connected with the output terminal MDATA becomes high.
[0136] As for the memory block 11, the read signal terminal TSELP
and the read signal line SEL are high, and the output terminal
MDATA and the output signal line MDATAR connected with each other
are low.
[0137] Because of this, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1)
in the memory cell block 10 is not connected to the bit line BL1,
the NOT-OR element NOR in the output selection circuit 12 inputs a
high-level signal to the inverter INV, and the inverter INV outputs
a low-level signal to the output terminal TDATA. In contrast to
this, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1) in the memory cell
block 10 is connected to the bit line BL1, the NOT-OR element NOR
in the output selection circuit 12 inputs a low-level signal to the
inverter INV, and the inverter INV outputs a high-level signal to
the output terminal TDATA.
[0138] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is
possible to perform reading operation even in a low-voltage state
as in the case of the first embodiment, and the same effects as
those described in the first embodiment can be achieved.
[0139] Moreover, by controlling the bit line charge circuit 9 and
the bit line precharge circuit 8 at each memory block, the bit
lines can be selectively charged at each memory block. Because of
this, at the memory block where reading is not performed, the
charging to the bit lines can be stopped, so that it is possible to
reduce power consumption.
[0140] In this embodiment, the P-type MOS transistors and the
N-type MOS transistors constitute the bit line charge circuit 9 and
the bit line precharge circuit 8; however, even when only P-type or
N-type MOS transistors constitute them, the same effects can be
achieved.
[0141] Furthermore, at the bit line charge circuit 9 according to
this embodiment, the transistors QPBj (j=1 to n), whose gates are
connected to the block selection signal line PSEL, are connected to
the power supply potential lines, and the transistors QNBj (j=1 to
n), whose gates are connected to the charge selection signal lines
PDECj (j=1 to n), are connected to the bit lines. However, even
when the transistors QPBj (j=1 to n) and the transistors QNBj (j=1
to n) are interchanged in such a manner that the transistors QPBj
(j=1 to n) are connected to the bit lines and the transistors QNBj
(j=1 to n) are connected to the power supply potential lines, the
same effects can be achieved. Likewise, at the bit line precharge
circuit 8 too, even when the transistors QPUj (j=1 to n), whose
gates are connected to the block selection signal line PSEL, and
the transistors QNUj (j=1 to n), whose gates are connected to the
precharge selection signal lines PCLKj (j=1 to n), are interchanged
between the power supply potential lines and the bit lines, the
same effects can be achieved.
Fourth Embodiment
[0142] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a
semiconductor memory device according to a fourth embodiment of the
invention.
[0143] The semiconductor memory device shown in FIG. 8 includes the
memory cell array 1, the bit line reset circuit 3, the read circuit
4, the bit line precharge circuit 6, and a bit line charge circuit
13. Since the memory cell array 1, the bit line reset circuit 3,
the read circuit 4, and the bit line precharge circuit 6 are the
same as those described in the second embodiment, the explanation
of the same components thereof will be omitted instead of giving
the same reference numerals.
[0144] The bit line charge circuit 13 includes N-type MOS
transistors QNDAj (j=1 to n) and N-type MOS transistors QNDBj (j=1
to n).
[0145] With the N-type MOS transistors QNDAj (j=1 to n) and QNDBj
(j=1 to n), their gates are each connected to charge selection
signal lines PDECj (j=1 to n), and their drains are connected to
power supply potential lines. The sources of the N-type MOS
transistors QNDAj (j=1 to n) and QNDBj (j=1 to n) are set in such a
manner that the sources of the transistors QNDAj (j=1 to n) or the
sources of the transistors QNDBj (j=1 to n) are connected to the
bit lines BLj (j=1 to n) and the sources not connected to the bit
lines BLj (j=1 to n) are in a floating state. The N-type MOS
transistors QNDAj (j=1 to n) and the N-type MOS transistors QNDBj
(j=1 to n) differ in the amount of their ON-state current; the
transistors QNDAj (j=1 to n) and QNDBj (j=1 to n) are provided in
such a manner that the ON-state currents of the transistors QNDAj
(j=1 to n) or the ON-state currents of the transistors QNDBj (j=1
to n) become large.
[0146] The ON-state currents of both the N-type MOS transistors
QNDAj (j=1 to n) and the N-type MOS transistors QNDBj (j=1 to n)
are set so as to become smaller than those of the memory cells M(i,
j) (i=1 to m, and j=1 to n) and to become equal to or larger than
the total OFF leakage current of the memory cells aligned on the
same bit lines.
[0147] The reading operation of data of, for instance, the memory
cell M(1, 1) included in the semiconductor memory device having
such a configuration will be described with reference to the FIG. 9
timing chart.
[0148] Among the reset selection signal lines RSTj (j=1 to n), the
reset selection signal line RST1 is brought low and the reset
selection signal lines RST2 to RSTn are brought high. As a result,
among the transistors constituting the bit line reset circuit 3,
the transistor QNR1 is turned off and the other transistors QNR2 to
QNRn are turned on. Moreover, among the charge selection signal
lines PDECj (j=1 to n), the charge selection signal line PDEC1 is
brought high and the charge selection signal lines PDEC2 to PDECn
are brought low. As a consequence, among the transistors
constituting the bit line charge circuit 13, the transistors QNDA1
and QNDB1 are turned on and the other transistors QNDA2 to QNDAn
and QNDB2 to QNDBn are turned off. Further, the read signal line
SEL is brought high, the transistor QNS is turned on, and the
transistor QPS is turned off. Still further, all the word lines WL1
to WLm are brought low and all the memory cells M(i, j) (i=1 to m,
and j=1 to n) are turned off.
[0149] Then, among the precharge control signal lines PCLK1 to
PCLKn, the precharge control signal line PCLK1 is brought high for
a fixed time period, thereby the transistor QNC1 is turned on and
the bit line BL1 is charged high. In contrast to this, the
precharge control signal lines PCLK2 to PCLKn are brought low,
thereby the transistors QNC2 to QNCn are turned off and the bit
lines BL2 to BLn become low without being charged.
[0150] After the bit line BL1 has become high, the word line WL1 is
shifted from the low level, which means a non-selected state, to
the high level, which means a selected state, and the read signal
line SEL is brought low.
[0151] Therefore, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1) is
connected to the bit line BL1, electric charge supplied to the bit
line BL1 by the transistor QNC1 is discharged by the memory cell
M(1, 1), so that the bit line BL1 becomes low. In contrast to this,
when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1) is not connected to the
bit line BL1, the electric charge supplied to the bit line BL1 by
the transistor QNC1 is not discharged by the memory cell M(1, 1),
so that the bit line BL1 is held high; the bit lines BL2 to BLn
become low because the transistors QNR2 to QNRn are on.
[0152] As a consequence, among the transistors QNB1 to QNBn, the
transistors QNB2 to QNBn whose gates are each connected with the
bit lines BL2 to BLn are turned off. When the drain of the memory
cell M(1, 1) is not connected to the bit line BL1, the bit line BL
becomes high, so that the transistor QNB1 whose gate is connected
with the bit line BL1 is turned on. As a result, electric charge
supplied to the output terminal MDATA by the transistor QPS, whose
gate is connected to the read signal line SEL, is discharged by the
transistor QNB1, so that the output terminal MDATA becomes low. In
contrast to this, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1) is
connected to the bit line BL1, the bit line BL1 becomes low, so
that the transistor QNB1 is turned off. As a consequence, the
electric charge supplied to the output terminal MDATA by the
transistor QPS, whose gate is connected to the read signal line
SEL, is not discharged by the transistor QNB1, so that the output
terminal MDATA becomes high.
[0153] As described above, according to this embodiment, the
reading operation can be performed even in a low-voltage state as
in the case of the second embodiment, and the same effects as those
described in the second embodiment can be achieved.
[0154] And furthermore, when the memory cells whose drains are
connected to each bit line are high in number, the OFF leakage
current developed at the bit line becomes large as well. Because of
this, with the bit line charge circuit 13, of the two transistors
QNDAj (j=1 to n) and QNDBj (j=1 to n) provided to each bit line,
the transistor having a larger ON-state current is selected, and
then the transistor selected is connected to the bit line by using
the same mask as that used for connecting the drains of the memory
cells and the bit lines. In contrast, when the memory cells whose
drains are connected to each bit line are low in number, the OFF
leakage current developed at the bit line becomes small as well.
Because of this, with the bit line charge circuit 13, of the two
transistors QNDAj (j=1 to n) and QNDBj (j=1 to n) provided to each
bit line, the transistor having a smaller ON-state current is
selected, and then the transistor selected is connected to the bit
line by using the same mask as that used for connecting the drains
of the memory cells and the bit lines.
[0155] As described above, the transistors QNDAj (j=1 to n) and
QNDBj (j=1 to n) can be selectively connected to the bit lines, so
that electric charge supplied to the bit lines by the bit line
charge circuit 13 is not supplied to an excessive degree in
relation to the electric charge discharged from the bit lines as
the OFF leakage current. Because of this, when the drains of the
memory cells at which reading is performed are connected to the bit
lines, the amount of the electric charge discharged can be reduced.
As a consequence, it becomes possible to shorten the discharging
time and to effect a high-speed reading operation.
[0156] The bit line charge circuit 13 according to the fourth
embodiment is constituted by the N-type MOS transistors, while even
by P-type MOS transistors, the same effect can be achieved.
Furthermore, with the bit line charge circuit 13 described in this
embodiment, although either the transistor QNDAj (j=1 to n) or the
transistor QNDBj (j=1 to n) is connected to each bit line, even
when both transistors QNDAj (j=1 to n) and QNDBj (j=1 to n) are
connected to each bit line in response to the OFF leak current
developed at the bit line, the same effect can be achieved.
Fifth Embodiment
[0157] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a
semiconductor memory device according to a fifth embodiment of the
invention.
[0158] The semiconductor memory device shown in FIG. 10 includes
the memory cell array 1, the bit line reset circuit 3, the read
circuit 4, the bit line charge circuit 7, and a bit line precharge
circuit 14. Since the memory cell array 1, the bit line reset
circuit 3, the read circuit 4, and the bit line charge circuit 7
are the same as those described in the second embodiment, the
explanation of the same components thereof will be omitted instead
of giving the same reference numerals.
[0159] The bit line precharge circuit 14 includes N-type MOS
transistors QNCPj (j=1 to n) and P-type MOS transistor QPP.
[0160] As for the N-type MOS transistors QNCPj (j=1 to n), their
gates are each connected to precharge selection signal lines DPCLKj
(j=1 to n), their sources are each connected to the bit lines BLj
(j=1 to n), and their drains are connected to the drain of the
P-type MOS transistor QPP.
[0161] As for the P-type MOS transistor QPP, its gate is connected
to a precharge signal line PCLK, its source is connected to a power
supply potential line, and its drain is connected to the drains of
the N-type MOS transistors QNCPj (j=1 to n).
[0162] The reading operation of data of, for instance, the memory
cells M(1, 1) included in the semiconductor memory device having
such a configuration will be described with reference to the FIG.
11 timing chart.
[0163] Among the reset selection signal lines RSTj (j=1 to n), the
reset selection signal line RST1 is brought low and the reset
selection signal lines RST2 to RSTn are brought high. As a result,
among the transistors constituting the bit line reset circuit 3,
the transistor QNR1 is turned off and the other transistors QNR2 to
QNRn are turned on. Further, among the charge selection signal
lines PDECj (j=1 to n), the charge selection signal line PDEC1 is
brought high and the charge selection signal lines PDEC2 to PDECn
are brought low. As a consequence, among the transistors
constituting the bit line charge circuit 7, the transistor QND1 is
turned on and the other transistors QND2 to QNDn are turned off.
Still further, the read signal line SEL is brought high, the
transistor QNS is turned on, and the transistor QPS is turned off.
Furthermore, all the word lines WL1 to WLm are brought low and all
the memory cells M(i, j) (i=1 to m, and j=1 to n) are turned
off.
[0164] Then, among the precharge selection signal lines DPCLK1 to
DPCLKn, the precharge selection signal line DPCLK1 is brought high
and the precharge selection signal lines DPCLK2 to DPCLKn are
brought low. As a result, among the transistors constituting the
bit line precharge circuit 14, the transistor QNCP1 is turned on
and the transistors QNCP2 to QNCPn are turned off. Further, the
precharge signal line PCLK is brought low for a fixed time, thereby
the transistor QPP is turned on and the bit line BL1 is charged
high via the on-state transistor QNCP1. Still further, since the
transistors QNCP2 to QNCPn are off, the bit lines BL2 to BLn are
brought low without being charged.
[0165] After the bit line BL1 has become high, the word line WL1 is
shifted from the low level, which means a non-selected state, to
the high level, which means a selected state, and the read signal
line SEL is brought low.
[0166] Because of this, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1)
is connected to the bit line BL1, electric charge supplied to the
bit line BL1 by the transistor QPP is discharged by the memory cell
M(1, 1), so that the bit line BL1 becomes low. In contrast to this,
when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1) is not connected to the
bit line BL1, the electric charge supplied to the bit line BL1 by
the transistor QPP is not discharged by the memory cell M(1, 1), so
that the bit line BL1 is held high; the bit lines BL2 to BLn become
low because the transistors QNR2 to QNRn are on.
[0167] As a consequence, among the transistors QNB1 to QNBn, the
transistors QNB2 to QNBn, whose gates are each connected to the bit
lines BL2 to BLn, are turned off. Moreover, when the drain of the
memory cell M(1, 1) is not connected to the bit line BL1, the bit
line BL1 becomes high, so that the transistor QNB1 whose gate is
connected to the bit line BL1 is turned on. As a result, electric
charge supplied to the output terminal MDATA by the transistor QPS,
whose gate is connected to the read signal line SEL, is discharged
by the transistor QNB1, so that the output terminal MDATA becomes
low. In contrast to this, when the drain of the memory cell M(1, 1)
is connected to the bit line BL1, the bit line BL1 becomes low, so
that the transistor QNB1 is turned off. As a consequence, the
electric charge supplied to the output terminal MDATA by the
transistor QPS, whose gate is connected to the read signal line
SEL, is not discharged by the transistor QNB1, so that the output
terminal MDATA becomes high.
[0168] As described above, according to this embodiment, the
reading operation can be performed even in a low-voltage stage as
in the case of the second embodiment, and the same effects as those
described in the second embodiment can be achieved.
[0169] Moreover, by providing the common, that is, single
transistor QPP used for precharging the bit lines to the plural bit
lines instead of providing the transistor QPP to the individual bit
lines, it is possible to secure a large mask layout region for the
transistor QPP used for precharging the bit lines. Because of this,
the amount of the ON-state current of the transistor QPP used for
precharging the bit lines can be increased greatly. As a result,
the time required for the bit lines to be precharged can be reduced
further, which allows a higher-speed reading operation.
[0170] Here, the reason why the amount of the ON-state current of
the transistor QPP can be increased greatly despite the addition of
the N-type MOS transistors QNCPj (j=1 to n) in consideration of the
provision of the single P-type MOS transistor QPP is as follows:
since the ability of the N-type MOS transistor to drive electric
current is generally higher than that of the P-type MOS transistor,
the provision of the N-type MOS transistor to the individual hit
lines can make precharge current larger than the provision of the
P-type MOS transistor.
[0171] In the bit line precharge circuit 14 of the semiconductor
memory device according to this embodiment, although the
transistors for selecting the bit lines QNCPj (j=1 to n), whose
sources are connected to the individual bit lines, are the N-type
MOS transistors and the transistors for precharging QPP, whose
drain is connected to the power supply potential line, is the
P-type MOS transistor, even when all the transistors are the P-type
MOS transistors or the N-type MOS transistors, the same effect can
be achieved.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0172] In the semiconductor memory device according to the present
invention, the transistors for supplying the electric charge
corresponding to the OFF leakage currents developed at memory cells
and the read circuit are direct-connected to the bit lines.
Therefore, the semiconductor memory device according to the
invention is useful as a circuit technology in which the reading
limit of memory cell data is placed to the lower voltage range
where the influence of the raised threshold value resulting from
the substrate bias effect becomes great.
* * * * *