Patent · US Active

Semiconductor memory device and refresh period controlling method

US7493531B2 · kind B2 · utility

45Cited by
18References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 15, 2005
Grant dateFeb 17, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 5, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2211/4062
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is a memory device including an error rate measurement circuit and a control circuit. The error rate measurement circuit, carrying a BIST circuit, reads out and writes data for an area for monitor bits every refresh period to detect an error rate (error count) with the refresh period. The control circuit performs control for elongating and shortening the refresh period so that a desired error rate will be achieved. The BIST circuit issues an internal command and an internal address and drives the DRAM from inside. The BIST circuit writes and reads out desired data, compares the monitor bits to expected values (error decision) and counts the errors.

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