Memory system including an on-chip temperature sensor for regula

Details Memory system including an on-chip temperature sensor for regula Memory system including an on-chip temperature sensor for regula

1996-12-23

1998-07-21

Nelms, David C.

Static information storage and retrieval

Read/write circuit

Data refresh

365211, 365149, G11C 700

Patent

active

057843287

ABSTRACT:
A DRAM memory array including a temperature sensor for adjusting a refresh rate depending upon temperature. The DRAM memory array includes a plurality of memory cells, each configured to allow storage and retrieval of more than two discrete memory states. A refresh circuit is coupled to the memory array for periodically refreshing the discrete storage state of each memory cell. The temperature sensor is situated on the same semiconductor die upon which the memory array is fabricated, and generates a signal indicative of the temperature of the semiconductor die. A control circuit receives the signal from the temperature sensor and responsively generates a refresh rate signal which is provided to control the refresh rate of the refresh circuit. In one specific implementation, a ROM look-up table is coupled to the control circuit and includes a plurality of entries which indicate the desired refresh rates for particular temperatures. By controlling the refresh rate dependent upon the temperature of the semiconductor die, proper state retention is ensured within each of the memory cells while allowing performance to be optimized.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4057788 (1977-11-01), Sage
patent: 4633438 (1986-12-01), Kume et al.
patent: 4661929 (1987-04-01), Aoki et al.
patent: 4715014 (1987-12-01), Tuvell et al.
patent: 4910709 (1990-03-01), Dhong et al.
patent: 4935896 (1990-06-01), Matsumura et al.
patent: 5021999 (1991-06-01), Kohda et al.
patent: 5119330 (1992-06-01), Tanagawa
patent: 5159570 (1992-10-01), Mitchell et al.
patent: 5172338 (1992-12-01), Mehrotra et al.
patent: 5276843 (1994-01-01), Tillinghast et al.
patent: 5278796 (1994-01-01), Tillinghast et al.
patent: 5282162 (1994-01-01), Ochii
patent: 5283761 (1994-02-01), Gillingham
patent: 5351210 (1994-09-01), Saito
patent: 5357464 (1994-10-01), Shukuri et al.
patent: 5394362 (1995-02-01), Banks
patent: 5459686 (1995-10-01), Saito
patent: 5521865 (1996-05-01), Ohuchi et al.
patent: 5532955 (1996-07-01), Gillingham
patent: 5596534 (1997-01-01), Manning
patent: 5600591 (1997-02-01), Takagi
patent: 5652729 (1997-07-01), Iwata et al.
Abbott, et al., "A 4K MOS Dynamic Random-Access Memory," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. SC-8, No. 5, Oct. 1973, pp. 292-298.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Memory system including an on-chip temperature sensor for regula does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Memory system including an on-chip temperature sensor for regula, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Memory system including an on-chip temperature sensor for regula will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1653608