Semiconductor Memory Data Mask Common Driving Control Unit

Solution Overview

Problem

In semiconductor memory devices, the increasing number of data lines leads to higher current consumption and increased layout area due to the need for multiple write drivers for each data line, which complicates data mask operations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a common driving control unit that generates a shared driving control signal to selectively drive data across multiple data lines, reducing the number of driving units and control units required, and grouping driving units to manage data mask operations efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a write driver is arranged for each data line to control data transmission or mask for each data line, then data mask operation control precision is improved, but current consumption increases and layout area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata mask operation control precisionVSAvoidcurrent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple write drivers are merged into a single write driver by sharing the driving control unit and driving control signal among multiple data lines. The driving control unit generates a common driving control signal that is shared by multiple driving units, thereby reducing the total number of drivers and their associated control circuits while maintaining individual data line control capability through the mask signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The driving control unit is designed to serve multiple data lines simultaneously, making it a universal control unit that can control multiple driving units. This multi-functional approach allows a single control unit to manage data transmission and masking operations across multiple data lines, reducing the overall number of control units needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a write driver is arranged for each data line to control data transmission or mask for each data line, then data mask operation control precision is improved, but layout area occupied by control circuits increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata mask operation control precisionVSAvoidlayout area occupied by control circuits

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple write drivers are merged into a single write driver by sharing the driving control unit and driving control signal among multiple data lines. The driving control unit generates a common driving control signal that is shared by multiple driving units, thereby reducing the total number of drivers and their associated control circuits while maintaining individual data line control capability through the mask signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The driving control unit is designed to serve multiple data lines simultaneously, making it a universal control unit that can control multiple driving units. This multi-functional approach allows a single control unit to manage data transmission and masking operations across multiple data lines, reducing the overall number of control units needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7843759B2Semiconductor memory device having reduced current consumption during data mask function

Publication Date: 2010.11.30 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

The present invention describes a semiconductor memory device having a data mask function and includes a common driving control unit for generating a common driving control signal in response to a data mask signal and a write command signal supplied to the common driving control unit. A plurality of driving units are supplied with the common driving control signal and selectively drive data according to the common driving control signal and transmit the driven data to a plurality of data lines, respectively. Accordingly, a driving and data mask operation of the plurality of driving units is controlled by the common driving control unit, which reduces current consumption and a layout area of the circuit.