Patent · US Expired

Semiconductor memory with test circuit

US6002623A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
1References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 22, 1999
Grant dateDec 14, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 22, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2029/2602
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A test circuit and method for a semiconductor memory array such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or static random access memory (SRAM) array that reduces the required testing time. A row of memory cells is concurrently written to a logic level, then read. Any faulty memory cells will discharge both true and complementary data lines through a diode or a diode-connected FET. The resulting voltage on the data line is less than its precharged high logic level, allowing detection of any faulty memory cell in the row of memory cells.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.