U.S. patent number RE44,632 [Application Number 13/538,130] was granted by the patent office on 2013-12-10 for semiconductor memory device and driving method thereof.
This patent grant is currently assigned to 658868 N.B. Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Young-Hoon Oh, Kwang-Myoung Rho. Invention is credited to Young-Hoon Oh, Kwang-Myoung Rho.
United States Patent |
RE44,632 |
Oh , et al. |
December 10, 2013 |
Semiconductor memory device and driving method thereof
Abstract
A semiconductor memory device includes: a variable delay for
delaying a delay locked loop (DLL) clock by a predetermined delay
time to output a delayed DLL clock; an output driver for outputting
data and data strobe signal in response to the delayed DLL clock;
and a calibration controller for controlling the predetermined
delay time of the variable delay in response to output AC
parameters.
Inventors: |
Oh; Young-Hoon (Kyoungki-do,
KR), Rho; Kwang-Myoung (Kyoungki-do, KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Oh; Young-Hoon
Rho; Kwang-Myoung |
Kyoungki-do
Kyoungki-do |
N/A
N/A |
KR
KR |
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|
Assignee: |
658868 N.B. Inc. (St. John, NB,
CA)
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Family
ID: |
38876482 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/538,130 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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11647402 |
Feb 10, 2009 |
7489586 |
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Reissue of: |
12354158 |
Jan 15, 2009 |
7746723 |
Jun 29, 2010 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 29, 2006 [KR] |
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10-2006-0059735 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
365/233.1;
365/189.05; 365/194; 365/199 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11C
11/4076 (20130101); G11C 7/1051 (20130101); G11C
29/023 (20130101); G11C 7/222 (20130101); G11C
7/22 (20130101); G11C 29/028 (20130101); G11C
29/02 (20130101); G11C 7/1069 (20130101); G11C
2207/2254 (20130101); G11C 11/401 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G11C
8/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;365/233.1,194,185.05,199,193 ;327/156,158 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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10-2005-0020359 |
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Mar 2005 |
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KR |
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10-2005-0048755 |
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May 2005 |
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KR |
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10-2005-0109813 |
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Nov 2005 |
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KR |
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Primary Examiner: Lam; David
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Auerback; Harvey
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
11/647,402, filed on Dec. 29, 2006 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
7,489,586 on Feb. 10, 2009, claiming priority of Korean Application
No. 10-2006-0059736 filed on Jun. 29, 2006, the entire contents of
each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A .[.semiconductor.]. memory .[.device.]. .Iadd.system.Iaddend.,
comprising: a variable delay configured to delay a clock; an output
driver configured to transfer data to a chipset in response to a
calibration command received from the chipset and the delayed
clock; an output buffer configured to transfer a data strobe signal
to the chipset in response to the calibration command and the
.[.delayed.]. clock; and a calibration controller configured to
control the delay time of the variable delay according to .Iadd.an
.Iaddend.output AC .[.parameters.]. .Iadd.parameter
.Iaddend.measured by the chipset.
2. The .[.semiconductor.]. memory .[.device.]. .Iadd.system
.Iaddend.of claim 1, wherein the output driver comprises: a
pre-driver configured to pre-drive an output data signal; and a
main driver configured to drive a data output terminal in response
to an output signal of the pre-driver.
3. The .[.semiconductor.]. memory .[.device.]. .Iadd.system
.Iaddend.of claim 1, wherein the output AC .[.parameters include at
least.]. .Iadd.parameter is a selected .Iaddend.one of a parameter
representing skew between the data strobe signal and the data, a
parameter representing skew between the data strobe signal and a
clock, and a parameter representing skew between the data and the
clock.
4. A .[.semiconductor.]. memory .[.device.]. .Iadd.system.Iaddend.,
comprising: a variable delay configured to delay a clock; an output
driver configured to receive and output data in response to the
delayed clock; and a calibration controller configured to measure
.Iadd.an .Iaddend.AC .[.parameters.]. .Iadd.parameter .Iaddend.of
data and data strobe signal .[.received from a chipset.]. in
response to a calibration command received from the chipset, and
control the delay time of the variable delay according to measured
values of the output AC .[.parameters.].
.Iadd.parameter.Iaddend..
5. The .[.semiconductor.]. memory .[.device.]. .Iadd.system
.Iaddend.of claim 4, wherein the calibration controller comprises:
a feedback input buffer configured to feed back the data and the
data strobe signal, which are transferred to the chipset, in
response to a calibration test mode signal generated when the
calibration command is received; and a timing measurer configured
to receive the data and the data strobe signal from the feedback
input buffer, measure the AC .[.parameters.]. .Iadd.parameter
.Iaddend.of data and data strobe signal, and control the delay time
of the variable delay according to measured values of the output AC
.[.parameters.]. .Iadd.parameter.Iaddend..
6. The .[.semiconductor.]. memory .[.device.]. .Iadd.system
.Iaddend.of claim 4, wherein the calibration controller comprises:
a real-time monitor configured to monitor the data and the data
strobe signal being transferred to the chipset; and a timing
measurer configured to receive the data and the data strobe signal
from the real-time monitor, measure the AC .[.parameters.].
.Iadd.parameter .Iaddend.of data and data strobe signal, and
control the delay time of the variable delay according to measured
values of the output AC .[.parameters.].
.Iadd.parameter.Iaddend..
7. The .[.semiconductor.]. memory .[.device.]. .Iadd.system
.Iaddend.of claim 4, wherein the output driver comprises: a
pre-driver configured to pre-drive an output data signal; and a
main driver configured to drive a data output terminal in response
to an output signal of the pre-driver.
8. The .[.semiconductor.]. memory .[.device.]. .Iadd.system
.Iaddend.of claim 4, wherein the output AC .[.parameters include at
least.]. .Iadd.parameter is a selected .Iaddend.one of a parameter
representing skew between the data strobe signal and the data, a
parameter representing skew between the data strobe signal and the
clock, and a parameter representing skew between the data and the
clock.
9. A method for driving a .[.semiconductor.]. memory .[.device.].
.Iadd.system.Iaddend., comprising: receiving a calibration command
from a chipset; transferring a first data and a first data strobe
signal to the chipset in response to the calibration command;
receiving .Iadd.a .Iaddend.measured .[.values.]. .Iadd.value
.Iaddend.of .Iadd.an .Iaddend.output AC .[.parameters.].
.Iadd.parameter .Iaddend.from the chipset, wherein the measured
.[.values.]. .Iadd.value .Iaddend.of .Iadd.an .Iaddend.output AC
.[.parameters are.]. .Iadd.parameter is .Iaddend.measured at the
chipset by using the .Iadd.first .Iaddend.data and the .Iadd.first
.Iaddend.data strobe signal; setting a delay value with respect to
a clock in response to the measured values of the output AC
.[.parameters.]. .Iadd.parameter.Iaddend.; delaying the clock by
the delay value to output a delayed clock; and transferring a
second data .[.and a second data strobe signal.]. having .Iadd.a
.Iaddend.calibrated output AC .[.parameters.]. .Iadd.parameter
.Iaddend.to the chipset in response to the delayed clock .Iadd.and
transferring a second data strobe signal to the chipset in response
to the clock.Iaddend..
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: after transferring
the second data and the second data strobe signal, remeasuring the
output AC .[.parameters.]. .Iadd.parameter .Iaddend.at the chipset
based on the second data and the second data strobe signal having
the calibrated output AC .[.parameters.]. .Iadd.parameter.Iaddend.;
and when the remeasured output AC .[.parameters.]. .Iadd.parameter
.Iaddend.comply with a specification, completing a calibration
operation.
11. A method for driving a .[.semiconductor.]. memory .[.device.].
.Iadd.system.Iaddend., comprising: receiving a calibration command
from a chipset; receiving a first data and a first data strobe
signal from the chipset; measuring .Iadd.an .Iaddend.AC
.[.parameters.]. .Iadd.parameter .Iaddend.of the first data and the
first data strobe signal in response to the calibration command;
controlling the delay time of a clock according to measured values
of the AC .[.parameters.]. .Iadd.parameter.Iaddend.; and
transferring a second data .[.and a second data strobe signal.].
having .Iadd.a .Iaddend.calibrated output AC .[.parameters.].
.Iadd.parameter .Iaddend.to the chipset in response to the delayed
clock .Iadd.and transferring a second data strobe signal to the
chipset in response to the clock.Iaddend..
.Iadd.12. The memory system of claim 1, wherein the memory system
is a synchronous memory system..Iaddend.
.Iadd.13. The memory system of claim 1, wherein the memory system
is a synchronous DDR memory system..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. The memory system of claim 1, further comprising a DLL
configured to provide the clock..Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. The memory system of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of output drivers configured to transfer data to a
chipset in response to a calibration command received from the
chipset..Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. The memory system of claim 15, further comprising a
plurality of variable delays corresponding to respective output
drivers configured to delay the clock in response to the
calibration controller to control the delay time of the plurality
of variable delays according to the output AC parameter measured by
the chipset..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. The memory system of claim 15, wherein the output AC
parameter measured by the chipset is a parameter representing skew
between two signals..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. The memory system of claim 17, wherein the output AC
parameter measured by the chipset is a selected one of a skew
between the data strobe signal and the data, a skew between the
data strobe signal and a system clock, and a skew between data and
the system clock..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. The memory system of claim 4, wherein the memory system
is a synchronous memory system..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The memory system of claim 4, wherein the memory system
is a synchronous DDR memory system..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The memory system of claim 4, further comprising a DLL
configured to provide the clock..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The memory system of claim 4, further comprising a
plurality of output drivers configured to transfer data to a
chipset in response to a calibration command received from the
chipset..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The memory system of claim 22, further comprising a
plurality of variable delays corresponding to respective output
drivers configured to delay the clock in response to the
calibration controller to control the delay time of the plurality
of variable delays according to the output AC parameter measured by
the chipset..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The memory system of claim 22, wherein the output AC
parameter measured by the chipset is a parameter representing skew
between two signals..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The memory system of claim 24, wherein the output AC
parameter measured by the chipset is a selected one of a skew
between the data strobe signal and the data, a skew between the
data strobe signal and a system clock, and a skew between data and
the system clock..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The method of claim 9, wherein the memory system is a
synchronous memory system..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The method of claim 9, wherein the memory system is a
synchronous DDR memory system..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The method of claim 9, wherein setting a delay value with
respect to a clock comprises setting a delay value with respect to
a DLL..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The method of claim 9, wherein: transferring a first data
and a first data strobe signal to the chipset comprises
transferring a plurality of first data and first data strobe
signals to the chipset; and receiving a measured value of an output
AC parameter from the chipset comprises receiving a plurality of
measured values of output AC parameters from the chipset
corresponding to the plurality of first data and first data strobe
signals..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The method of claim 29, wherein: setting a delay value
with respect to a clock in response to the measured values of the
output AC parameter comprises setting a plurality of delay values
with respect to the clock in response to the measured values of the
output AC parameters corresponding to the plurality of first data
and first data strobe signals; and delaying the clock by the delay
value to output a delayed clock comprises delaying the clock by the
plurality of delay values to output a plurality of delayed clocks
corresponding to the plurality of first data and first data strobe
signals..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The method of claim 29, wherein receiving a measured
value of an output AC parameter from the chipset comprises
receiving a parameter representing skew between two
signals..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The method of claim 31, wherein the output AC parameter
measured by the chipset is a selected one of a skew between the
data strobe signal and the data, a skew between the data strobe
signal and a system clock, and a skew between data and the system
clock..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The method of claim 11, wherein the memory system is a
synchronous memory system..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The method of claim 11, wherein the memory system is a
synchronous DDR memory system..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the delay
time of a clock comprises controlling the delay time of a
DLL..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The method of claim 11, wherein: receiving a first data
and a first data strobe signal from the chipset comprises receiving
a plurality of first data and first data strobe signals from the
chipset; and measuring an AC parameter of the first data and the
first data strobe signal in response to the calibration command
comprises measuring a plurality of AC parameters corresponding to
the plurality of first data and first data strobe
signals..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The method of claim 36, wherein controlling the delay
time of a clock according to measured values of the AC parameter
comprises controlling a plurality of delay times of a clock in
response to the measured values of the AC parameters corresponding
to the plurality of first data and first data strobe
signals..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The method of claim 36, wherein measuring an AC parameter
of the first data and the first data strobe signal in response to
the calibration command comprises measuring a parameter
representing skew between two signals..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. The method of claim 38, wherein the measured AC parameter
is a selected one of a skew between the data strobe signal and the
data, a skew between the data strobe signal and a system clock, and
a skew between data and the system clock..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, and
more particularly, to a synchronous semiconductor device and a
method for controlling output AC parameters thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
A synchronous semiconductor memory device shares a system clock
output from a clock generator with a chipset and receives or
transfers command, address and data in synchronization with the
system clock.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication scheme between a
synchronous dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and a chipset.
In a write operation, the chipset transfers command CMD, address
ADD, and data DQ to the DRAM. The chipset also transfers a data
strobe signal DQS to the DRAM together with the data DQ.
In a read operation, the DRAM receives the command CMD and the
address ADD from the chipset and transfers the corresponding data
DQ to the chipset together with the data strobe signal DQS.
The chipset transfers the data strobe signal DQS to the DRAM in the
write operation, while the DRAM transfers the data strobe signal
DQS to the chipset in the read operation.
The data strobe signal DQS is used for source synchronization and
is also called "echo clock". If the data DQS is strobed in
synchronization with the data strobe signal DQS, skew between the
clock CLK and the data DQS can be reduced.
FIG. 2 is a diagram relating AC parameters in a read operation of a
DDR SDRAM.
Timing of data DQ and data strobe signal DQS is illustrated in FIG.
2. In FIG. 2, "tDQSQ" is a parameter representing skew between the
data strobe signal DQS and the data DQ, "tDQSCK" is a parameter
representing skew between the data strobe signal DQS and clock CLK,
and "tAC" is a parameter representing skew between the data DQ and
the clock CLK.
In order to enable a chipset to receive the data DQ, a DRAM sets
the data strobe signal DQS to a low-Z state during tRPRE (read DQS
preamble time). When data (DQ) transmission is completed, the DRAM
sets the data strobe signal DQS to a high-Z state after tRPST (read
DQS postamble time). In this manner, the read operation is
completed.
If any one of the above-described parameters does not meet the
specification, operation error will occur because the chipset
receives incorrect data. However, the conventional DRAM module and
chipset do not actively control the output AC parameters, e.g.,
tDQSQ, tDQSCK, etc. Thus, the system will shut down when the output
AC parameters are distorted by fluctuation of a board power supply
or ambient temperature characteristic. Moreover, as the operation
speed of the DRAM increases, the specification requirements of the
output AC parameters become narrower. Consequently, the development
of high-speed DRAMs becomes increasingly more difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a
semiconductor memory device that can actively control the output AC
parameters, and a driving method thereof.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
semiconductor memory device includes: a variable delay for delaying
a delay locked loop (DLL) clock by a predetermined delay time to
output a delayed DLL clock; an output driver for outputting data
and data strobe signal in response to the delayed DLL clock; and a
calibration controller for controlling the predetermined delay time
of the variable delay in response to output AC parameters.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a
method for driving a semiconductor memory device includes:
measuring output AC parameters; setting a delay value with respect
to a delay locked loop (DLL) clock in response to the measured
values of the output AC parameters; delaying the DLL clock by the
delay value to output a delayed DLL clock; and outputting data
strobe signal and data having calibrated output AC parameters in
response to the delayed DLL clock.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects and features of the present invention
will become apparent from the following description of the
preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication scheme between a
Synchronous DRAM and a chipset;
FIG. 2 is a diagram relating AC parameters in a read operation of a
DDR SDRAM;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a DRAM in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a calibration operation of the DRAM of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a DRAM in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a DRAM in accordance with a third
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A semiconductor memory device and a driving method thereof in
accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention will
be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a DRAM in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention.
The DRAM in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention includes a variable delay 30, a pre-driver 32, a main
driver 34, and a calibration controller 36. The variable delay 30
delays a delay locked loop (DLL) clock DLL_CLK to output a delayed
DLL clock DLL_CLKD, and the pre-driver 32 pre-drives an output data
signal in response to the delayed DLL clock DLL_CLKD. The main
driver 34 drives a data output terminal DQ in response to an output
signal of the pre-driver 32. The calibration controller 36 controls
a delay time (.tau..sub.d) of the variable delay 30 in response to
measured values of output AC parameters. The measured values of the
output AC parameters are received from a chipset.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a calibration operation of the DRAM of
FIG. 3.
When the chipset inputs a calibration command to the DRAM in step
S10, the DRAM transfers data strobe signal DQS and data DQ to the
chip set in step S12.
In step S14, the chipset measures the output AC parameters (e.g.,
tDQSCK, tDQSQ, etc.) in the data strobe signal DQS and the data DQ,
and transfers the measured values of the output AC parameters to
the DRAM. In step S16, the calibration controller 36 sets the delay
time (.tau..sub.d) of the variable delay 30 in response to the
measured values.
In this case, the variable delay 30 delays the DLL clock DLL_CLK by
+.tau..sub.d or -.tau..sub.d, and the pre-driver 32 is driven in
response to the delayed DLL clock DLL_CLKD in step S18. In step
S20, the calibrated data strobe signal DQS and the calibrated data
DQ are transferred to the chipset.
In step S22, the chipset remeasures the output AC parameters, based
on the calibrated data strobe signal DQS and the calibrated data
DQ, and determines if the AC parameters comply with the
specification. When the AC parameters comply with the
specification, the calibration operation is completed. When the AC
parameters do not comply with the specification, the process
returns to step S14 to transfer the remeasured values to the DRAM.
This loop is repeated until the AC parameters comply with the
specification. Since steps subsequent to step S22 are a verify
operation, they can be omitted.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a DRAM in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention.
The DRAM in accordance with the second embodiment of the present
invention includes a variable delay 50, a pre-driver 52, a main
driver 54, a feedback input buffer 56, and a timing measurer 58.
The variable delay 50 delays a DLL clock DLL_CLK to output a
delayed DLL clock DLL_CLKD, and the pre-driver 52 pre-drives an
output data signal in response to the delayed DLL clock DLL_CLKD.
The main driver 54 drives a data output terminal DQ in response to
an output signal of the pre-driver 52. The feedback input buffer 56
feeds back data DQ and data strobe signal DQS to the timing
measurer 58 in response to a calibration test mode signal TM_CAL.
The timing measurer 58 measures output AC parameters (e.g., tDQSCK,
tDQSQ, etc.) of the data DQ and the data strobe signal DQS, and
controls the delay time (.tau..sub.d) of the variable delay 30 in
response to the measurement values of the output AC parameters.
When a calibration command is input from the chipset, the DRAM
activates the calibration test mode signal TM_CAL in response to
the calibration command. When the calibration test mode signal
TM_CAL is activated, the feedback input buffer 56 is enabled to
receive the data DQ and the data strobe signal DQS. The timing
measurer 58 measures skew between the data DQ and the data strobe
signal DQS and controls the delay time (.tau..sub.d) of the DLL
clock DLL_CLK according to the measured skew. When the calibration
test mode signal TM_CAL is deactivated after the calibration
operation is completed, the DRAM transfers a calibration test mode
exit signal to the chipset.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a DRAM in accordance with a third
embodiment of the present invention.
The DRAM in accordance with the third embodiment of the present
invention includes a variable delay 60, a pre-driver 62, a main
driver 64, a real-time monitoring buffer 66, and a timing measurer
68. The variable delay 60 delays a DLL clock DLL_CLK to output a
delayed DLL clock DLL_CLKD, and the pre-driver 62 pre-drives an
output data signal in response to the delayed DLL clock DLL_CLKD.
The main driver 64 drives a data output terminal DQ in response to
an output signal of the pre-driver 62. The real-time monitoring
buffer 66 monitors data DQ and data strobe signal DQS, which is
being transferred to the chipset. The timing measurer 68 measures
output AC parameters (e.g., tDQSCK, tDQSQ, etc.) in data DQ and
data strobe signal DQS received from the real-time monitoring
buffer 66, and controls the delay time (.tau..sub.d) of the
variable delay 60 in response to the measured values.
In this embodiment, the DRAM itself performs the calibration
without calibration command provided from the chip set. Although
the real-time monitoring buffer 66 must be embedded into the DRAM,
it is possible to omit time taken to perform the calibration
through the communication between the DRAM and the chipset.
If undesired skew occurs during the operation of the DRAM, the skew
can be immediately adjusted to meet the specification without time
loss because the DRAM monitors the skew in real time.
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention
provide the timing control methods that can actively adjust the
output AC parameters in the memory device. In the first method, the
chipset transfers the calibration command and the measured values
of the output AC parameters to the memory device, and the memory
device performs the calibration operation. In the second method,
when the chipset transfers the calibration command to the memory
device, the memory device measures the output AC parameters and
performs the calibration operation. In the third method, the memory
device transfers the data strobe signal DQS and the data DQ to the
chipset while monitoring them in real time, without calibration
command of the chipset.
Therefore, the memory device can actively control the output AC
parameters, thus providing the decreased failure rate and the
improved reliability. In addition, the memory device can cope with
the narrowed specification requirements of the AC parameters,
attributing to the developments of high-speed memory devices.
Although the DRAM has been described, the present invention is not
limited to the DRAM. That is, the present invention can also be
applied to any memory device that communicates the chipset using
data strobe signal.
The present application contains subject matter related to Korean
patent application No. 2006-59735, filed in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office on Jun. 29, 2006, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
While the present invention has been described with respect to
certain preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled
in the art that various changes and modifications may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
following claims.
* * * * *