U.S. patent application number 14/882942 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-22 for semiconductor devices and semiconductor systems including the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is SK hynix Inc.. Invention is credited to Hun Sam JUNG, Chang Hyun KIM, Min Chang KIM, Do Yun LEE, Jae Jin LEE.
Application Number | 20160372173 14/882942 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57588305 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160372173 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Min Chang ; et
al. |
December 22, 2016 |
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AND SEMICONDUCTOR SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE
SAME
Abstract
A semiconductor device may include a buffer control signal
generation circuit, an input control signal generation circuit and
an internal data generation circuit. The buffer control signal
generation circuit may be configured to generate a buffer control
signal. The buffer control signal may be enabled in synchronization
with a point of time that a predetermined section elapses from a
point of time that a write command signal is generated. The input
control signal generation circuit may be configured to receive a
data strobe signal to generate an input control signal, in response
to the buffer control signal. The internal data generation circuit
may be configured to receive a data signal to generate internal
data.
Inventors: |
KIM; Min Chang; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Chang Hyun; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; Do
Yun; (Yongin-si Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; LEE; Jae Jin;
(Gwangju-si Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; JUNG; Hun Sam;
(Icheon-si Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SK hynix Inc. |
Icheon-si Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
57588305 |
Appl. No.: |
14/882942 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11C 7/10 20130101; G11C
7/109 20130101; G11C 7/1093 20130101; G11C 7/222 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G11C 7/22 20060101
G11C007/22; G11C 7/10 20060101 G11C007/10; G11C 7/12 20060101
G11C007/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 16, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0085162 |
Claims
1. A semiconductor device comprising: a buffer control signal
generation circuit configured for generating a buffer control
signal which is enabled in synchronization with a point of time
that a predetermined section elapses from a point of time that a
write command signal is generated; an input control signal
generation circuit configured for receiving a data strobe signal to
generate an input control signal, in response to the buffer control
signal; and an internal data generation circuit configured for
receiving a data signal to generate internal data, in
synchronization with the input control signal.
2. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined
section is set to be a period that remains after subtracting a
write preamble section from a write latency (WL) section.
3. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the buffer control
signal generation circuit includes: a pull-up signal generator
configured for generating a pull-up signal in response to the write
command signal and an external clock signal; a pull-down signal
generator configured for generating a pull-down signal in response
to the write command signal; and a buffer control signal output
unit configured for driving and outputting the buffer control
signal in response to the pull-up signal and the pull-down
signal.
4. The semiconductor device of claim 3, wherein the pull-up signal
is enabled in synchronization with a point of time that the
predetermined section elapses from a point of time that the write
command signal is generated; and wherein the pull-down signal is
enabled in synchronization with a point of time that the write
command signal is generated.
5. The semiconductor device of claim 3, wherein the pull-up signal
generator includes: a command delay unit configured for shifting
the write command signal to generate at least two delayed write
command signals, in synchronization with the external clock signal;
and a selection output unit configured for selecting one of the
delayed write command signals to output the selected signal as the
pull-up signal, in response to a selection signal.
6. The semiconductor device of claim 3, wherein the pull-down
signal generator includes: a level signal generator configured for
generating a level signal in synchronization with the write command
signal; and a pull-down signal output unit configured for
generating the pull-down signal in response to the level
signal.
7. The semiconductor device of claim 3, wherein the buffer control
signal output unit generates and outputs the buffer control signal,
the buffer control signal enabled in response to the pull-up signal
and disabled in response to the pull-down signal.
8. The semiconductor device of claim 3, wherein the buffer control
signal output unit includes: a driver configured for driving an
internal node in synchronization with the pull-up signal and the
pull-down signal; and a latch unit configured for latching a signal
of the internal node to generate the buffer control signal.
9. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the input control
signal generation circuit is configured for receiving first and
second data strobe signals to generate first to fourth input
control signals, in response to the buffer control signal, wherein
the internal data generation circuit is configured for receiving
the data signal to generate the internal data, in synchronization
with the first to fourth input control signals. and wherein the
input control signal generation circuit includes: a data strobe
signal buffer configured for buffering the first and second data
strobe signals to generate a first internal data strobe signal and
a second internal data strobe signal, in response to the buffer
control signal; a reset signal generator configured for generating
a reset signal, the reset signal enabled in synchronization with a
point of time that the predetermined section elapses from a point
of time that the write command signal is generated; and a data
strobe signal divider configured for dividing the first and second
internal data strobe signals to generate the first to fourth input
control signals, in response to the reset signal.
10. The semiconductor device of claim 9, wherein the reset signal
generator includes: a command delay unit configured for shifting
the write command signal to generate two or more delayed write
command signals, in synchronization with the external clock signal;
and a selection output unit configured for selecting one of delayed
write command signals to output the selected signal as the reset
signal, in response to a selection signal.
11. The semiconductor device of claim 9, wherein the data strobe
signal divider includes: a first divider configured for generating
the third and fourth input control signals from the first and
second input control signals in synchronization with the first
internal data strobe signal; and a second divider configured for
generating the first and second input control signals from the
third and fourth input control signals in synchronization with the
second internal data strobe signal.
12. The semiconductor device of claim 9, wherein if the reset
signal is enabled, the first and second input control signals are
initialized to have opposite phases to each other and the third and
fourth input control signals are initialized to have opposite
phases to each other.
13. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the input control
signal generation circuit is configured for receiving first and
second data strobe signals to generate first to fourth input
control signals, in response to the buffer control signal, wherein
the internal data generation circuit is configured for receiving
the data signal to generate the internal data, in synchronization
with the first to fourth input control signals. and wherein the
input control signal generation circuit includes: a data strobe
signal buffer configured for buffering the first and second data
strobe signals to generate a first internal data strobe signal and
a second internal data strobe signal, in response to the buffer
control signal; a reset signal generator configured for detecting
phases of the first and second data strobe signals to generate a
reset signal; and a data strobe signal divider configured for
dividing the first and second internal data strobe signals to
generate the first to fourth input control signals, in response to
the reset signal.
14. The semiconductor device of claim 13, wherein the reset signal
generator generates the reset signal, the reset signal enabled if
the first and second data strobe signals have opposite phases to
each other.
15. A semiconductor device comprising: a reset signal generator
configured for generating a reset signal, the reset signal enabled
in synchronization with a point of time that a predetermined
section elapses from a point of time that a write command signal is
generated; a first divider configured for generating third and
fourth input control signals from first and second input control
signals in synchronization with a first internal data strobe
signal; and a second divider configured for generating the first
and second input control signals from the third and fourth input
control signals in synchronization with a second internal data
strobe signal.
16. The semiconductor device of claim of claim 15, wherein the
predetermined section is set to be a period that remains after
subtracting a write preamble section from a write latency (WL)
section.
17. The semiconductor device of claim 15, wherein the reset signal
generator includes: a command delay unit configured for shifting
the write command signal to generate a first delayed write command
signal and a second delayed write command signal, in
synchronization with an external clock signal; and a selection
output unit configured for selecting one of the first and second
delayed write command signals to output the selected signal as the
reset signal, in response to a selection signal.
18. The semiconductor device of claim 17, wherein the command delay
unit includes: a first shifter configured for shifting the write
command signal by a first section to generate the first delayed
write command signal, in synchronization with the external clock
signal; and a second shifter configured for shifting the write
command signal by a second section to generate the second delayed
write command signal, in synchronization with the external clock
signal.
19. The semiconductor device of claim 17, wherein the selection
signal is set by a mode register setting operation.
20. The semiconductor device of claim 15, wherein the first divider
includes: a latch signal generator configured for receiving and
latching the first and second input control signals to generate a
latch signal and an inverse latch signal, in synchronization with
the first internal data strobe signal; and an input control signal
output unit configured for driving and outputting the third and
fourth input control signals in response to the latch signal and
the inverse latch signal, wherein the third and fourth input
control signals have opposite phases to each other if the reset
signal is enabled.
21. The semiconductor device of claim 15, wherein the second
divider includes: a latch signal generator configured for receiving
and latching the third and fourth input control signals to generate
a latch signal and an inverse latch signal, in synchronization with
the second internal data strobe signal; and an input control signal
output unit configured for driving and outputting the first and
second input control signals in response to the latch signal and
the inverse latch signal, wherein the first and second input
control signals have opposite phases to each other if the reset
signal is enabled.
22. The semiconductor device of claim 15, further comprising a data
strobe signal buffer configured for buffering first and second data
strobe signals to generate the first internal data strobe signal
and the second internal data strobe signal, in response to a buffer
control signal.
23. A semiconductor device comprising: a data strobe signal buffer
configured for buffering first and second data strobe signals to
generate a first internal data strobe signal and a second internal
data strobe signal, in response to a buffer control signal; a reset
signal generator configured for detecting phases of the first and
second data strobe signals to generate a reset signal; a first
divider configured for generating third and fourth input control
signals from first and second input control signals in
synchronization with the first internal data strobe signal; and a
second divider configured for generating the first and second input
control signals from the third and fourth input control signals in
synchronization with the second internal data strobe signal.
24. The semiconductor device of claim 23, wherein the reset signal
generator generates the reset signal, the reset signal enabled if
the first and second data strobe signals have opposite phases to
each other.
25. The semiconductor device of claim 23, wherein the first divider
includes: a latch signal generator configured for receiving and
latching the first and second input control signals to generate a
latch signal and an inverse latch signal, in synchronization with
the first internal data strobe signal; and an input control signal
output unit configured for driving and outputting the third and
fourth input control signals in response to the latch signal and
the inverse latch signal, wherein the third and fourth input
control signals have opposite phases to each other if the reset
signal is enabled.
26. The semiconductor device of claim 23, wherein the second
divider includes: a latch signal generator configured for receiving
and latching the third and fourth input control signals to generate
a latch signal and an inverse latch signal, in synchronization with
the second internal data strobe signal; and an input control signal
output unit configured for driving and outputting the first and
second input control signals in response to the latch signal and
the inverse latch signal, wherein the first and second input
control signals have opposite phases to each other if the reset
signal is enabled.
27. A semiconductor system comprising: a first semiconductor device
configured for outputting an external command signal, an external
clock signal, a first data strobe signal, a second data strobe
signal and a data signal; and a second semiconductor device
configured for decoding the external command signal to generate a
write command signal and configured for generating a buffer control
signal, the buffer control signal enabled in synchronization with a
point of time that a predetermined section elapses from a point of
time that the write command signal is generated.
28. The semiconductor system of claim 27, wherein the predetermined
section is set to be a period that remains after subtracting a
write preamble section from a write latency (WL) section.
29. The semiconductor system of claim 27, wherein the second
semiconductor device includes: a pull-up signal generator
configured for generating a pull-up signal in response to the write
command signal and the external clock signal; a pull-down signal
generator configured for generating a pull-down signal in response
to the write command signal; and a buffer control signal output
unit configured for driving and outputting the buffer control
signal in response to the pull-up signal and the pull-down
signal.
30. The semiconductor system of claim 27, wherein the second
semiconductor device receives the first and second data strobe
signals to generate first to fourth input control signals, in
response to the buffer control signal.
31. The semiconductor system of claim 30, wherein the second
semiconductor device generates a reset signal, the reset signal
enabled in synchronization with a point of time that the
predetermined section elapses from a point of time that the write
command signal is generated.
32. The semiconductor system of claim 31, wherein if the reset
signal is enabled, the first and second input control signals are
initialized to have opposite phases to each other and the third and
fourth input control signals are initialized to have opposite
phases to each other.
33. The semiconductor system of claim 30, wherein the second
semiconductor device generates the reset signal, the reset signal
enabled if the first and second data strobe signals have opposite
phases to each other.
34. The semiconductor system includes: a data strobe signal buffer
configured for buffering the first and second data strobe signals
to generate a first internal data strobe signal and a second
internal data strobe signal, in response to the buffer control
signal; a first divider configured for generating third and fourth
input control signals from first and second input control signals
in synchronization with the first internal data strobe signal; and
a second divider configured for generating the first and second
input control signals from the third and fourth input control
signals in synchronization with the second internal data strobe
signal.
35-38. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C
119(a) to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0085162, filed on
Jun. 16, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as set forth in
full.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to
semiconductor devices having an input control signal generation
circuit and semiconductor systems including the same.
2. Related Art
[0003] Recently, for fast operation of semiconductor systems
including semiconductor devices a plurality of input/output (I/O)
control signals generated from data strobe signals have been used.
The I/O control signals may be set to have different phases from
each other and may be used in the I/O of data. The semiconductor
devices may generate four I/O control signals between which a phase
difference of 90 degrees exists and may receive or output the data
using the four I/O control signals. In such a case, the
semiconductor devices may operate at a higher speed than other
semiconductor devices that receive or output the data using a data
strobe signal.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device may be
provided. The semiconductor device may include a buffer control
signal generation circuit, an input control signal generation
circuit and an internal data generation circuit. The buffer control
signal generation circuit may be configured to generate a buffer
control signal enabled in synchronization with a point of time that
a predetermined section elapses from a point of time that a write
command signal is generated. The input control signal generation
circuit may be configured to receive a data strobe signal to
generate an input control signal, in response to the buffer control
signal. The internal data generation circuit may be configured to
receive a data signal to generate internal data, in synchronization
with the input control signal.
[0005] According to an embodiment, there may be provided a
semiconductor device. The semiconductor device may include a reset
signal generator configured for generating a reset signal enabled
in synchronization with a point of time that a predetermined
section elapses from a point of time that a write command signal is
generated. The semiconductor device may include a first divider
configured for generating third and fourth input control signals
from first and second input control signals in synchronization with
a first internal data strobe signal. The semiconductor device may
include a second divider configured for generating the first and
second input control signals from the third and fourth input
control signals in synchronization with a second internal data
strobe signal.
[0006] According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device may be
provided. The semiconductor device may include a data strobe signal
buffer configured for buffering first and second data strobe
signals to generate a first internal data strobe signal and a
second internal data strobe signal in response to a buffer control
signal. The semiconductor device may include a reset signal
generator configured for detecting phases of the first and second
data strobe signals to generate a reset signal, and a first divider
configured for generating third and fourth input control signals
from first and second input control signals in synchronization with
the first internal data strobe signal. The semiconductor device may
include a second divider configured for generating the first and
second input control signals from the third and fourth input
control signals in synchronization with the second internal data
strobe signal.
[0007] According to an embodiment, a semiconductor system may be
provided. The semiconductor system may include a first
semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. The first
semiconductor device may be configured to output an external
command signal, an external clock signal, a first data strobe
signal, a second data strobe signal and a data signal. The second
semiconductor device may be configured to decode the external
command signal to generate a write command signal and to generate a
buffer control signal enabled in synchronization with a point of
time that a predetermined section elapses from a point of time that
the write command signal is generated.
[0008] According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device may be
provided. The semiconductor device may include a buffer control
signal generation circuit configured to generate a buffer control
signal in synchronization with a point of time that a predetermined
section elapses from a point of time that a write command signal is
generated. The semiconductor device may include an internal data
generation circuit configured to receive a data signal to generate
internal data, in synchronization with the buffer control
signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of a semiconductor system according to an
embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of an input control signal generation circuit included
in the semiconductor system of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of a reset signal generator included in the input
control signal generation circuit of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a representation of
an example of a selection output unit included in the reset signal
generator of FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of a data strobe signal divider included in the input
control signal generation circuit of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of a first divider included in the data strobe signal
divider of FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of a second divider included in the data strobe signal
divider of FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of an operation of a semiconductor system illustrated in
FIGS. 1 to 7.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of a buffer control signal generation circuit included
in the semiconductor system illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of a pull-up signal generator included in the buffer
control signal generation circuit of FIG. 9.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of a pull-down signal generator included in the buffer
control signal generation circuit of FIG. 9.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a timing diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of an operation of a semiconductor system employing a
buffer control signal generation circuit illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10
and 11.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of an input control signal generation circuit that can
replace the input control signal generation circuit illustrated in
FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a logic circuit diagram illustrating a
representation of an example of a reset signal generator included
in the input control signal generation circuit of FIG. 13.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a timing diagram illustrating a representation of
an example of an operation of a semiconductor system employing the
input control signal generation illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.
[0024] FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a
representation of a system employing a semiconductor device and or
semiconductor system in accordance with the various embodiments
discussed above with relation to FIGS. 1-15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However,
the embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0026] Various embodiments may be directed to semiconductor devices
and semiconductor systems including the same.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a semiconductor system according to an
embodiment may include a first semiconductor device 11 and a second
semiconductor device 12. The second semiconductor device 12 may
include a command decoder 121, a buffer control signal generation
circuit 122, an input control signal generation circuit 123 and an
internal data generation circuit 124.
[0028] The first semiconductor device 11 may apply an external
command signal CMD, an external clock signal CLK, a first data
strobe signal DQS_t, a second data strobe signal DQS_c and a data
signal DATA to the second semiconductor device 12.
[0029] The command decoder 121 may decode the external command
signal CMD to generate a write command signal WT for executing a
write operation.
[0030] The buffer control signal generation circuit 122 may
generate a buffer control signal BUFF_EN in response to the write
command signal WT and the external clock signal CLK. The buffer
control signal BUFF_EN may be enabled in synchronization with a
point of time that the write command signal WT is generated or in
synchronization with a point of time that a predetermined section
elapses after the write command signal WT is generated, according
to the various embodiments. The predetermined section may be set to
a duration corresponding to a positive integer times a cycle of the
external clock signal CLK. In an embodiment, the predetermined
section may be set to be a period that remains after subtracting a
write preamble section from a write latency (WL) section. The write
latency (WL) section may be set to be a period from a point of time
that the write command signal WT is generated till a point of time
that the data signal DATA is inputted to the second semiconductor
device 12. The write preamble section may be set to be a period
that is necessary for stabilization of the first and second data
strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c after generation of the first and
second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c.
[0031] The input control signal generation circuit 123 may receive
the first and second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c to
generate a first input control signal IDQS, a second input control
signal QDQS, a third input control signal IDQSB and a fourth input
control signal QDQSB, in response to the buffer control signal
BUFF_EN. The first input control signal IDQS may be generated to
precede the second input control signal QDQS by a phase of 90
degrees, the second input control signal QDQS may be generated to
precede the third input control signal IDQSB by a phase of 90
degrees, and the third input control signal IDQSB may be generated
to precede the fourth input control signal QDQSB by a phase of 90
degrees. For example, the first input control signal IDQS may be
delayed by a phase of 90 degrees to generate the second input
control signal QDQS, the second input control signal QDQS may be
delayed by a phase of 90 degrees to generate the third input
control signal IDQSB, and the third input control signal IDQSB may
be delayed by a phase of 90 degrees to generate the fourth input
control signal QDQSB. Ordinal numbers of the input control signals
IDQS, QDQS, IDQSB and QDQSB may be set to be different according to
the various embodiments.
[0032] The internal data generation circuit 124 may receive the
data signal DATA to generate first to fourth internal data
IDATA<1:4>, in synchronization with the first to fourth input
control signals IDQS, QDQS, IDQSB and QDQSB.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, the input control signal generation
circuit 123 may include a data strobe signal buffer 21, a reset
signal generator 22 and a data strobe signal divider 23.
[0034] The data strobe signal buffer 21 may receive the first and
second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c to generate a first
internal data strobe signal DQS and a second internal data strobe
signal DQSB, in response to the buffer control signal BUFF_EN. For
example, the data strobe signal buffer 21 may buffer the first and
second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c to generate the first
and second internal data strobe signals DQS and DQSB if the buffer
control signal BUFF_EN is enabled.
[0035] The reset signal generator 22 may generate a reset signal
RST in response to the write command signal WT, the external clock
signal CLK, and first to N.sup.th selection signals SEL<1:N>.
The reset signal generator 22 may generate the reset signal RST
which is enabled in synchronization with a point of time that a
predetermined section elapses from a point of time that the write
command signal WT is generated. The predetermined section may be
set to a duration corresponding to a positive integer times a cycle
of the external clock signal CLK. In an embodiment, the
predetermined section may be set to be a period that remains after
subtracting a write preamble section from a write latency (WL)
section. Logic levels of the first to N.sup.th selection signals
SEL<1:N> may be set by a mode register setting operation
which is performed during an initialization operation of the second
semiconductor device 12. In an embodiment, N regarding selection
signals SEL<1:N> may be an integer greater than one.
[0036] The data strobe signal divider 23 may divide the first and
second internal data strobe signals DQS and DQSB to generate the
first to fourth input control signals IDQS, QDQS, IDQSB and QDQSB.
A cycle of the first to fourth input control signals IDQS, QDQS,
IDQSB and QDQSB may be set to be twice a cycle of the first and
second internal data strobe signals DQS and DQSB. If the reset
signal RST is enabled, the data strobe signal divider 23 may
initialize the first to fourth input control signals IDQS, QDQS,
IDQSB and QDQSB so that the third input control signal IDQSB has an
opposite phase to the first input control signal IDQS and the
fourth input control signal QDQSB has an opposite phase to the
second input control signal QDQS.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, the reset signal generator 22 may
include a command delay unit 31 and a selection output unit 32.
[0038] The command delay unit 31 may include first to N.sup.th
shifters 31(1:N). In an embodiment, N may be an integer greater
than one. The first shifter 31(1) may shift the write command
signal WT by a phase of one cycle of the external clock signal CLK
to generate a first delayed write command signal WTD1. The second
shifter 31(2) may shift the write command signal WT by a phase of
two cycles of the external clock signal CLK to generate a second
delayed write command signal WTD2. The N.sup.th shifter 31(N) may
shift the write command signal WT by a phase of "N" times a cycle
of the external clock signal CLK to generate an N.sup.th delayed
write command signal WTDN.
[0039] The selection output unit 32 may select one of the first to
N.sup.th delayed write command signals WTD1, WTD2, . . . and WTDN
to output the selected signal as the reset signal RST, in response
to the first to N.sup.th selection signals SEL<1:N>. Each of
the first to N.sup.th shifters 31(1:N) may be realized using a flip
flop. Logic levels of the first to N.sup.th selection signals
SEL<1:N>may be set by a mode register setting operation.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, the selection output unit 32 may
include inverters IV4(1:N), transfer gates T4(1:N) and a buffer 41
(where N may be an integer greater than 1). The selection output
unit 32 may transmit the first delayed write command signal WTD1 to
a node ND41 through the transfer gate T4(1) which is turned on if
the first selection signal SEL<1> is enabled to have a logic
"high" level. The selection output unit 32 may transmit the second
delayed write command signal WTD2 to the node ND41 through the
transfer gate T4(2) which is turned on if the second selection
signal SEL<2> is enabled to have a logic "high" level. The
selection output unit 32 may transmit the N.sup.th delayed write
command signal WTDN to the node ND41 through the transfer gate
T4(N) which is turned on if the N.sup.th selection signal
SEL<N> is enabled to have a logic "high" level. The buffer 41
may buffer a signal of the node ND41 to output the buffered signal
as the reset signal RST.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, the data strobe signal divider 23 may
include a first divider 51 and a second divider 52.
[0042] The first divider 51 may generate the first and third input
control signals IDQS and IDQSB from the second and fourth input
control signals QDQS and QDQSB, in synchronization with the first
internal data strobe signal DQS. If the reset signal RST is
enabled, the first divider 51 may initialize the first and third
input control signals IDQS and IDQSB so that the third input
control signal IDQSB has an opposite phase to the first input
control signal IDQS.
[0043] The second divider 52 may generate the second and fourth
input control signals QDQS and QDQSB from the first and third input
control signals IDQS and IDQSB, in synchronization with the second
internal data strobe signal DQSB. If the reset signal RST is
enabled, the second divider 52 may initialize the second and fourth
input control signals QDQS and QDQSB so that the fourth input
control signal QDQSB has an opposite phase to the second input
control signal QDQS.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 6, the first divider 51 may include a
first latch signal generator 61 and a first input control signal
output unit 62.
[0045] The first latch signal generator 61 may receive the second
and fourth input control signals QDQS and QDQSB to generate a first
latch signal LAT1 and a first inverse latch signal LAT1B, in
synchronization with the first internal data strobe signal DQS. If
the second input control signal QDQS having a logic "low" level and
the fourth input control signal QDQSB having a logic "high" level
are inputted to the first latch signal generator 61 while the first
internal data strobe signal DQS has a logic "high" level, the first
latch signal generator 61 may drive the first latch signal LAT1 to
a logic "high" level corresponding to a power supply voltage VDD
and may drive the first inverse latch signal LAT1B to a logic "low"
level corresponding to a ground voltage VSS. If the second input
control signal QDQS having a logic "high" level and the fourth
input control signal QDQSB having a logic "low" level are inputted
to the first latch signal generator 61 while the first internal
data strobe signal DQS has a logic "high" level, the first latch
signal generator 61 may drive the first latch signal LAT1 to a
logic "low" level corresponding to the ground voltage VSS and may
drive the first inverse latch signal LAT1B to a logic "high" level
corresponding to the power supply voltage VDD.
[0046] If the reset signal RST is enabled to have a logic "high"
level and an inverse reset signal RSTB is enabled to have a logic
"low" level, the first input control signal output unit 62 may
initialize the first and third input control signals IDQS and IDQSB
so that the first input control signal IDQS has a logic "low" level
corresponding to the ground voltage VSS and the third input control
signal IDQSB has a logic "high" level corresponding to the power
supply voltage VDD. If the first latch signal LAT1 having a logic
"high" level and the first inverse latch signal LAT1B having a
logic "low" level are inputted to the first input control signal
output unit 62, the first input control signal output unit 62 may
drive the first input control signal IDQS to a logic "high" level
corresponding to the power supply voltage VDD and may drive the
third input control signal IDQSB to a logic "low" level
corresponding to the ground voltage VSS. If the first latch signal
LAT1 having a logic "low" level and the first inverse latch signal
LAT1B having a logic "high" level are inputted to the first input
control signal output unit 62, the first input control signal
output unit 62 may drive the first input control signal IDQS to a
logic "low" level corresponding to the ground voltage VSS and may
drive the third input control signal IDQSB to a logic "high" level
corresponding to the power supply voltage VDD.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 7, the second divider 52 may include a
second latch signal generator 71 and a second input control signal
output unit 72.
[0048] The second latch signal generator 71 may receive the first
and third input control signals IDQS and IDQSB to generate a second
latch signal LAT2 and a second inverse latch signal LAT2B, in
synchronization with the second internal data strobe signal DQSB.
If the first input control signal IDQS having a logic "high" level
and the third input control signal IDQSB having a logic "low" level
are inputted to the second latch signal generator 71 while the
second internal data strobe signal DQSB has a logic "high" level,
the second latch signal generator 71 may drive the second latch
signal LAT2 to a logic "high" level corresponding to the power
supply voltage VDD and may drive the second inverse latch signal
LAT2B to a logic "low" level corresponding to the ground voltage
VSS. If the first input control signal IDQS having a logic "low"
level and the third input control signal IDQSB having a logic
"high" level are inputted to the second latch signal generator 71
while the second internal data strobe signal DQSB has a logic
"high" level, the second latch signal generator 71 may drive the
second latch signal LAT2 to a logic "low" level corresponding to
the ground voltage VSS and may drive the second inverse latch
signal LAT2B to a logic "high" level corresponding to the power
supply voltage VDD.
[0049] If the reset signal RST is enabled to have a logic "high"
level and the inverse reset signal RSTB is enabled to have a logic
"low" level, the second input control signal output unit 72 may
initialize the second and fourth input control signals QDQS and
QDQSB so that the second input control signal QDQS has a logic
"low" level corresponding to the ground voltage VSS and the fourth
input control signal QDQSB has a logic "high" level corresponding
to the power supply voltage VDD. If the second latch signal LAT2
having a logic "high" level and the second inverse latch signal
LAT2B having a logic "low" level are inputted to the second input
control signal output unit 72, the second input control signal
output unit 72 may drive the second input control signal QDQS to a
logic "high" level corresponding to the power supply voltage VDD
and may drive the fourth input control signal QDQSB to a logic
"low" level corresponding to the ground voltage VSS. If the second
latch signal LAT2 having a logic "low" level and the second inverse
latch signal LAT2B having a logic "high" level are inputted to the
second input control signal output unit 72, the second input
control signal output unit 72 may drive the second input control
signal QDQS to a logic "low" level corresponding to the ground
voltage VSS and may drive the fourth input control signal QDQSB to
a logic "high" level corresponding to the power supply voltage VDD.
FIGS. 6 and 7 also illustrate an inverse reset signal RSTB.
[0050] An operation of the semiconductor system having an
aforementioned configuration will be described hereinafter with
reference to FIG. 8.
[0051] At a point of time "t81", if the write command signal WT is
generated, the buffer control signal BUFF_EN may be enabled to have
a logic "high" level. While the buffer control signal BUFF_EN has a
logic "high" level, the first and second data strobe signals DQS_t
and DQS_c may be buffered to generate the first and second internal
data strobe signals DQS and DQSB. Since the first and second data
strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c have unstable levels during a
section from the point of time "t81" till a point of time "t82",
the first and second internal data strobe signals DQS and DQSB may
also have unstable levels during the section from the point of time
"t81" till the point of time "t82". Accordingly, each of the first
and second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c and the first and
second internal data strobe signals DQS and DQSB is illustrated
with slanting lines in a section between the point of time "t81"
and the point of time "t82" of FIG. 8.
[0052] The reset signal RST may be enabled to have a logic "high"
level in synchronization with the point of time "t82" that a
predetermined section lapses after the point of time "t81" that the
write command signal WT is generated. The predetermined section may
be set to be a period that remains after subtracting a write
preamble section tWPRE from a write latency (WL) section. In an
embodiment, it may be assumed that the write latency (WL) section
may be set to be four times a cycle of the external clock signal
CLK and the write preamble section tWPRE may be set to be twice a
cycle of the external clock signal CLK.
[0053] At the point of time "t82", the first and second input
control signals IDQS and QDQS may be initialized to have a logic
"low" level and the third and fourth input control signals IDQSB
and QDQSB may be initialized to have a logic "high" level, in
synchronization with the reset signal RST which is enabled to have
a logic "high" level.
[0054] From a point of time "t83" that the data signal DATA is
inputted, the first and second internal data strobe signals DQS and
DQSB may be divided to generate the first to fourth input control
signals IDQS, QDQS, IDQSB and QDQSB.
[0055] At the point of time "t83", since the first internal data
strobe signal DQS having a logic "high" level is inputted to the
first divider 51 and the second input control signal QDQS having a
logic "low" level and the fourth input control signal QDQSB having
a logic "high" level are inputted to the first divider 51, the
first input control signal IDQS may be driven to a logic "high"
level and the third input control signal IDQSB may be driven to a
logic "low" level.
[0056] At a point of time "t84", since the second internal data
strobe signal DQSB having a logic "high" level is inputted to the
second divider 52 and the first input control signal IDQS having a
logic "high" level and the third input control signal IDQSB having
a logic "low" level are inputted to the second divider 52, the
second input control signal QDQS may be driven to a logic "high"
level and the fourth input control signal QDQSB may be driven to a
logic "low" level.
[0057] At a point of time "t85", since the first internal data
strobe signal DQS having a logic "high" level is inputted to the
first divider 51 and the second input control signal QDQS having a
logic "high" level and the fourth input control signal QDQSB having
a logic "low" level are inputted to the first divider 51, the first
input control signal IDQS may be driven to a logic "low" level and
the third input control signal IDQSB may be driven to a logic
"high" level.
[0058] At a point of time "t86", since the second internal data
strobe signal DQSB having a logic "high" level is inputted to the
second divider 52 and the first input control signal IDQS having a
logic "low" level and the third input control signal IDQSB having a
logic "high" level are inputted to the second divider 52, the
second input control signal QDQS may be driven to a logic "low"
level and the fourth input control signal QDQSB may be driven to a
logic "high" level.
[0059] At the point of time "t83", first data D1 of the data signal
DATA may be outputted as first internal data DATA<1> in
synchronization with the first input control signal IDQS. At the
point of time "t84", second data D2 of the data signal DATA may be
outputted as second internal data DATA<2> in synchronization
with the second input control signal QDQS. At the point of time
"t85", third data D3 of the data signal DATA may be outputted as
third internal data DATA<3> in synchronization with the third
input control signal IDQSB. At the point of time "t86", fourth data
D4 of the data signal DATA may be outputted as fourth internal data
DATA<4> in synchronization with the fourth input control
signal QDQSB.
[0060] As described above, the semiconductor system according to an
embodiment may initialize the first and second input control
signals IDQS and QDQS to a logic "low" level and the third and
fourth input control signals IDQSB and QDQSB to a logic "high"
level, using the reset signal RST which is enabled in
synchronization with a point of time that a predetermined section
elapses from a point of time that the write command signal WT is
generated. The first to fourth input control signals IDQS, QDQS,
IDQSB and QDQSB may be generated to have stable levels from the
write preamble section tWPRE because of the initialization
operation.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 9, the buffer control signal generation
circuit 122 may include a pull-up signal generator 91, a pull-down
signal generator 92 and a buffer control signal output unit 93.
[0062] The pull-up signal generator 91 may generate a pull-up
signal PU in response to the write command signal WT, the external
clock signal CLK and the first to N.sup.th selection signals
SEL<1:N>. The pull-up signal generator 91 may generate the
pull-up signal PU in synchronization with a point of time that a
predetermined section elapses from a point of time that the write
command signal WT is generated. The predetermined section may be
set to a duration corresponding to a positive integer times a cycle
of the external clock signal CLK. In an embodiment, the
predetermined section may be set to be a period that remains after
subtracting a write preamble section from a write latency (WL)
section. Logic levels of the first to N.sup.th selection signals
SEL<1:N>may be set by a mode register setting operation which
is performed during an initialization operation of the second
semiconductor device 12.
[0063] The pull-down signal generator 92 may generate a pull-down
signal PD in response to the write command signal WT. The pull-down
signal generator 92 may generate the pull-down signal PD which is
enabled in synchronization with a point of time that the write
command signal WT is generated.
[0064] The buffer control signal output unit 93 may include a
driver 931 and a latch unit 932. The driver 931 may drive a node
ND91 to a logic "high" level corresponding to the power supply
voltage VDD if the pull-up signal PU is enabled and may drive the
node ND91 to a logic "low" level corresponding to the ground
voltage VSS if the pull-down signal PD is enabled. The latch unit
932 may latch and buffer a signal of the node ND91 to output the
latched and buffered signal as the buffer control signal
BUFF_EN.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 10, the pull-up signal generator 91 may
include a command delay unit 101 and a selection output unit
102.
[0066] The command delay unit 101 may include first to N.sup.th
shifters 103(1:N) (where N may be an integer greater than one). The
first shifter 103(1) may shift the write command signal WT by a
phase of one cycle of the external clock signal CLK to generate a
first delayed write command signal WTD1. The second shifter 103(2)
may shift the write command signal WT by a phase of two cycles of
the external clock signal CLK to generate a second delayed write
command signal WTD2. The N.sup.th shifter 103(N) may shift the
write command signal WT by a phase of "N" times a cycle of the
external clock signal CLK to generate an N.sup.th delayed write
command signal WTDN.
[0067] The selection output unit 102 may select one of the first to
N.sup.th delayed write command signals WTD1, WTD2, . . . and WTDN
to output the selected signal as the pull-up signal PU, in response
to the first to N.sup.th selection signals SEL<1:N>. Each of
the first to N.sup.th shifters 103(1:N) may be realized using a
flip flop. Logic levels of the first to N.sup.th selection signals
SEL<1:N> may be set by a mode register setting operation.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 11, the pull-down signal generator 92 may
include a level signal generator 111 and a pull-down signal output
unit 112. The level signal generator 111 may generate a level
signal LEV which is enabled to have a logic "low" level if the
write command signal WT is generated. The pull-down signal output
unit 112 may be configured to include inverters IV111 and IV112, a
delay unit 113 and a NAND gate NAND111. The pull-down signal output
unit 112 may output a pulse of the pull-down signal PD which is
enabled to have a logic "high" level in synchronization with a
point of time that the level signal LEV having a logic "low" level
is inputted thereto.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 12, an operation of a semiconductor system
including the buffer control signal generation circuit 122
illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 may be confirmed. At a point of
time "t121", if the write command signal WT is generated, the
buffer control signal BUFF_EN may be enabled to have a logic "high"
level in synchronization with a point of time "t122" that a
predetermined section elapses from a point of time that the write
command signal WT is generated. The predetermined section may be
set to be a period that remains after subtracting a write preamble
section tWPRE from a write latency (WL) section. From the point of
time "t122" that the buffer control signal BUFF_EN is generated to
have a logic "high" level, the first and second data strobe signals
DQS_t and DQS_c may be buffered to generate the first and second
internal data strobe signals DQS and DQSB.
[0070] If the buffer control signal generation circuit 122
illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 is employed in the semiconductor
system illustrated in FIG. 1, the first to fourth input control
signals IDQS, QDQS, IDQSB and QDQSB may be stably generated after a
predetermined section elapses from a point of time that the write
command signal WT is generated.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 13, an input control signal generation
circuit 123a may include a data strobe signal buffer 131, a reset
signal generator 132 and a data strobe signal divider 133.
[0072] The data strobe signal buffer 131 may receive the first and
second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c to generate the first
internal data strobe signal DQS and the second internal data strobe
signal DQSB, in response to the buffer control signal BUFF_EN. For
example, the data strobe signal buffer 131 may buffer the first and
second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c to generate the first
and second internal data strobe signals DQS and DQSB if the buffer
control signal BUFF_EN is enabled.
[0073] The reset signal generator 132 may generate the reset signal
RST in response to the first and second data strobe signals DQS_t
and DQS_c. The reset signal generator 132 may generate the reset
signal RST which is enabled in synchronization with a point of time
that the first and second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c have
opposite phases to each other.
[0074] The data strobe signal divider 133 may divide the first and
second internal data strobe signals DQS and DQSB to generate the
first to fourth input control signals IDQS, QDQS, IDQSB and QDQSB.
A cycle of the first to fourth input control signals IDQS, QDQS,
IDQSB and QDQSB may be set to be twice a cycle of the first and
second internal data strobe signals DQS and DQSB. If the reset
signal RST is enabled, the data strobe signal divider 133 may
initialize the first to fourth input control signals IDQS, QDQS,
IDQSB and QDQSB so that the third input control signal IDQSB has an
opposite phase to the first input control signal IDQS and the
fourth input control signal QDQSB has an opposite phase to the
second input control signal QDQS. Since the data strobe signal
divider 133 has substantially the same configuration as the data
strobe signal divider 23 described in detail with reference to
FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, a detailed description of the data strobe signal
divider 133 will be omitted hereinafter.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 14, the reset signal generator 132 may be
realized using a logic unit XNOR14 configured for receiving the
first and second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c. The logic
unit XNOR14 may be configured to execute, for example, an exclusive
OR operation of the first and second data strobe signals DQS_t and
DQS_c. The reset signal generator 132 may generate the reset signal
RST which is enabled in synchronization with a point of time that
the first and second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c have
opposite phases to each other.
[0076] An operation of a semiconductor system including the input
control signal generation circuit 123a will be described
hereinafter with reference to FIG. 15.
[0077] At a point of time "t151", if the write command signal WT is
generated, the buffer control signal BUFF_EN may be enabled to have
a logic "high" level. While the buffer control signal BUFF_EN has a
logic "high" level, the first and second data strobe signals DQS_t
and DQS_c may be buffered to generate the first and second internal
data strobe signals DQS and DQSB. Since the first and second data
strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c have unstable levels during a
section from the point of time "t151" till a point of time "t152",
the first and second internal data strobe signals DQS and DQSB may
also have unstable levels during the section from the point of time
"t151" till the point of time "t152". Accordingly, each of the
first and second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c and the first
and second internal data strobe signals DQS and DQSB is illustrated
with slanting lines in a section between the point of time "t151"
and the point of time "t152" of FIG. 15.
[0078] Since the first and second data strobe signals DQS_t and
DQS_c have opposite phases to each other from the point of time
"t152", the reset signal RST may be enabled to have a logic "low"
level at the point of time "t152".
[0079] At the point of time "t152", the first and second input
control signals IDQS and QDQS may be initialized to have a logic
"low" level and the third and fourth input control signals IDQSB
and QDQSB may be initialized to have a logic "high" level, in
synchronization with the reset signal RST which is enabled to have
a logic "low" level.
[0080] From a point of time "t153" that the data signal DATA is
inputted, the first and second internal data strobe signals DQS and
DQSB may be divided to generate the first to fourth input control
signals IDQS, QDQS, IDQSB and QDQSB.
[0081] At the point of time "t153", since the first internal data
strobe signal DQS having a logic "high" level is inputted to the
first divider 51 and the second input control signal QDQS having a
logic "low" level and the fourth input control signal QDQSB having
a logic "high" level are inputted to the first divider 51, the
first input control signal IDQS may be driven to a logic "high"
level and the third input control signal IDQSB may be driven to a
logic "low" level.
[0082] At a point of time "t154", since the second internal data
strobe signal DQSB having a logic "high" level is inputted to the
second divider 52 and the first input control signal IDQS having a
logic "high" level and the third input control signal IDQSB having
a logic "low" level are inputted to the second divider 52, the
second input control signal QDQS may be driven to a logic "high"
level and the fourth input control signal QDQSB may be driven to a
logic "low" level.
[0083] At a point of time "t155", since the first internal data
strobe signal DQS having a logic "high" level is inputted to the
first divider 51 and the second input control signal QDQS having a
logic "high" level and the fourth input control signal QDQSB having
a logic "low" level are inputted to the first divider 51, the first
input control signal IDQS may be driven to a logic "low" level and
the third input control signal IDQSB may be driven to a logic
"high" level.
[0084] At a point of time "t156", since the second internal data
strobe signal DQSB having a logic "high" level is inputted to the
second divider 52 and the first input control signal IDQS having a
logic "low" level and the third input control signal IDQSB having a
logic "high" level are inputted to the second divider 52, the
second input control signal QDQS may be driven to a logic "low"
level and the fourth input control signal QDQSB may be driven to a
logic "high" level.
[0085] At the point of time "t153", first data D1 of the data
signal DATA may be outputted as first internal data DATA<1>
in synchronization with the first input control signal IDQS. At the
point of time "t154", second data D2 of the data signal DATA may be
outputted as second internal data DATA<2> in synchronization
with the second input control signal QDQS. At the point of time
"t155", third data D3 of the data signal DATA may be outputted as
third internal data DATA<3> in synchronization with the third
input control signal IDQSB. At the point of time "t156", fourth
data D4 of the data signal DATA may be outputted as fourth internal
data DATA<4> in synchronization with the fourth input control
signal QDQSB.
[0086] The semiconductor system according to an embodiment may
initialize the first and second input control signals IDQS and QDQS
to a logic "low" level and the third and fourth input control
signals IDQSB and QDQSB to a logic "high" level, using the reset
signal RST which is enabled in synchronization with a point of time
that the first and second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c have
opposite phases to each other. Thus, the first to fourth input
control signals IDQS, QDQS, IDQSB and QDQSB may be generated to
have stable levels because of the initialization operation even
while the first and second data strobe signals DQS_t and DQS_c have
unstable levels.
[0087] According to the above embodiments, input control signals
may be initialized by a reset signal which is enabled at a point of
time that a predetermined section elapses after a write command
signal is inputted. This initialization operation may prevent
malfunction that occurs due to the input control signals which are
unstably generated by data strobe signals inputted unstably.
[0088] In addition, according to the above embodiments, buffers for
buffering the data strobe signals may be activated at a point of
time that a predetermined section elapses after the write command
signal is generated or inputted to the buffer control signal
generation circuit. Thus, malfunction that occurs due to the input
control signals which are unstably generated by the data strobe
signals inputted unstably may be prevented.
[0089] Moreover, according to the above embodiments, a point of
time that the data strobe signals are stably inputted may be
detected to stably generate the input control signals.
[0090] The semiconductor devices and semiconductor systems
discussed above (see FIGS. 1-15) are particular useful in the
design of memory devices, processors, and computer systems. For
example, referring to FIG. 10, a block diagram of a system
employing a semiconductor device and or semiconductor system in
accordance with the various embodiments are illustrated and
generally designated by a reference numeral 1000. The system 1000
may include one or more processors (i.e., Processor) or, for
example but not limited to, central processing units ("CPUs") 1100.
The processor (i.e., CPU) 1100 may be used individually or in
combination with other processors (i.e., CPUs). While the processor
(i.e., CPU) 1100 will be referred to primarily in the singular, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that a system 1000
with any number of physical or logical processors (i.e., CPUs) may
be implemented.
[0091] A chipset 1150 may be operably coupled to the processor
(i.e., CPU) 1100. The chipset 1150 is a communication pathway for
signals between the processor (i.e., CPU) 1100 and other components
of the system 1000. Other components of the system 1000 may include
a memory controller 1200, an input/output ("I/O") bus 1250, and a
disk driver controller 1300. Depending on the configuration of the
system 1000, any one of a number of different signals may be
transmitted through the chipset 1150, and those skilled in the art
will appreciate that the routing of the signals throughout the
system 1000 can be readily adjusted without changing the underlying
nature of the system 1000.
[0092] As stated above, the memory controller 1200 may be operably
coupled to the chipset 1150. The memory controller 1200 may include
at least one semiconductor device and or semiconductor system as
discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-15. Thus, the memory
controller 1200 can receive a request provided from the processor
(i.e., CPU) 1100, through the chipset 1150. In alternate
embodiments, the memory controller 1200 may be integrated into the
chipset 1150. The memory controller 1200 may be operably coupled to
one or more memory devices 1350. In an embodiment, the memory
devices 1350 may include the at least one semiconductor device and
or semiconductor system as discussed above with relation to FIGS.
1-15, the memory devices 1350 may include a plurality of word lines
and a plurality of bit lines for defining a plurality of memory
cells. The memory devices 1350 may be any one of a number of
industry standard memory types, including but not limited to,
single inline memory modules ("SIMMs") and dual inline memory
modules ("DIMMs"). Further, the memory devices 1350 may facilitate
the safe removal of the external data storage devices by storing
both instructions and data.
[0093] The chipset 1150 may also be coupled to the I/O bus 1250.
The I/O bus 1250 may serve as a communication pathway for signals
from the chipset 1150 to I/O devices 1410, 1420, and 1430. The I/O
devices 1410, 1420, and 1430 may include, for example but are not
limited to, a mouse 1410, a video display 1420, or a keyboard 1430.
The I/O bus 1250 may employ any one of a number of communications
protocols to communicate with the I/O devices 1410, 1420, and 1430.
In an embodiment, the I/O bus 1250 may be integrated into the
chipset 1150.
[0094] The disk driver controller 1300 may be operably coupled to
the chipset 1150. The disk driver controller 1300 may serve as the
communication pathway between the chipset 1150 and one internal
disk driver 1450 or more than one internal disk driver 1450. The
internal disk driver 1450 may facilitate disconnection of the
external data storage devices by storing both instructions and
data. The disk driver controller 1300 and the internal disk driver
1450 may communicate with each other or with the chipset 1150 using
virtually any type of communication protocol, including, for
example but not limited to, all of those mentioned above with
regard to the I/O bus 1250.
[0095] It is important to note that the system 1000 described above
in relation to FIG. 16 is merely one example of a system 1000
employing a semiconductor device and or semiconductor system as
discussed above with relation to FIGS. 1-15. In alternate
embodiments, such as, for example but not limited to, cellular
phones or digital cameras, the components may differ from the
embodiments illustrated in FIG. 16.
* * * * *