Patent · US Expired

Circuits for testing memory devices having direct access test mode and methods for testing the same

US6141271A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
13References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 24, 1998
Grant dateOct 31, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 24, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C29/14
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An integrated circuit memory device includes a test mode. Data is written to and read from the integrated circuit memory device in the test mode. The integrated circuit memory device includes a memory array that includes memory cells that store data. A test control circuit generates control signals that control the data read from the memory cells. A data output circuit outputs data read from the memory cells from the integrated circuit memory device in response to the test column address strobe signal. In particular, the test column address strobe signal includes a series of high to low and low to high transitions, wherein the data output circuit outputs data read from the memory cells in response to the series of high to low and low to high transitions. The high to low and low to high transitions of the test column address strobe signal may be used to output the data read from the memory cells, thereby reducing the need for an external test clock signal to be supplied to the integrated circuit memory device during testing.

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