Patent · US Expired

Semiconductor device

US6424590B1 · kind B1 · utility

22Cited by
6References
1Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 21, 2001
Grant dateJul 23, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 21, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C7/1096
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

In a semiconductor device having a data input buffer capable of inputting write data to each of memory units, the data input buffer is changed from an inactive state to an active state after the reception of instruction for a write operation effected on the memory unit. The data input buffer is a differential input buffer having interface specs based on SSTL, for example, which is brought to an active state by the turning on of a power switch to thereby cause a through current to flow and receives a signal therein while immediately following a small change in small-amplitude signal. Since the input buffer is brought to the active state only when the write operation's instructions for the memory unit is provided, the data input buffer is rendered active in advance before the instructions for the write operation is provided, whereby wastefully consumed power is reduced.

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