Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for dynamically repairing a semiconductor memory

US6879530B2 · kind B2 · utility

13Cited by
43References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 18, 2002
Grant dateApr 12, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 1, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2029/4002
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An architecture for dynamically repairing a semiconductor memory, such as a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), includes circuitry for dynamically storing memory element remapping information. Memory is tested for errors by writing, then reading a plurality of memory blocks, such as rows or columns, in parallel. Memory is dynamically reprogrammed in order to remap unused spare memory elements for failed memory elements when errors are detected. Unused spare memory elements are remapped utilizing a circuit that overrides unblown fuses or antifuses.

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