Integrated memory with row access control to activate and precharge row lines, and method of operating such a memory

US6396755B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Infineon Technologies AG · DE

Inventors

• Stefan Dietrich · Potsdam, DE
• Sabine Schoniger · Hersbruck, DE
• Peter Schrogmeier · Hersbruck, DE
• Christian Weis · Scheidegg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 24, 2001
• Grant date: May 28, 2002
• Expiry date: May 24, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G11C8/00
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An integrated memory has memory cells which are each connected to a row line to select one of the memory cells and to a column line to read or write a data signal. A row access controller is used to activate one of the row lines to select one of the memory cells and to control a precharging operation to precharge one of the row lines. A precharge command initiates a precharging operation. The precharging operation for an activated row line is triggered by the row access controller when the reading or writing of a data signal has been finished and when a defined time interval, during which the row line must at least be activated, has elapsed since the activation. As a result, a precharging operation of the activated row line is controlled in a self-adjusting manner. A method of operating an integrated memory is also provided.