Memory Device Boot-Up Control and Repair Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory devices face challenges in efficiently transmitting data stored in E-fuse arrays to multiple parts of an integrated circuit or memory device, particularly due to size and space limitations, and the need for a boot-up operation to facilitate data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A memory device configuration that includes a boot-up control unit, a nonvolatile memory unit for storing repair data, a plurality of registers to store and output this data, and a verification unit to generate a complete signal upon successful data transmission, allowing for efficient data replacement of normal cells with redundant cells and optimizing the boot-up operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If laser fuses are used to store repair data, then data can be stored in wafer state, but the fuse size cannot be reduced due to pitch limits and cannot be programmed after mounting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewafer state programmingVSAvoidfuse size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical laser fuse system with an electrical E-fuse system using transistors and capacitors. This substitution allows programming flexibility after mounting while enabling smaller device dimensions, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and size constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and programming parameters from laser-based mechanical fusing to electrical parameter manipulation in E-fuses. This allows post-mounting programming and reduces the area required for storing repair data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If E-fuse size is increased to directly recognize data, then no separate sensing operation is needed, but the transistor size must be enlarged increasing space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect data recognitionVSAvoidtransistor size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sensing circuit as an intermediary component that reads the resistance state of small E-fuse transistors. This mediator enables data recognition without requiring large transistor sizes, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and area constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If an amplifier is provided for each E-fuse to sense current, then data can be sensed without increasing transistor size, but the device size and space increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent sensing capabilityVSAvoiddevice space

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a single shared sensing circuit that can read data from multiple E-fuses sequentially. This consolidation provides the necessary measurement precision while avoiding the space penalty of having dedicated amplifiers for each E-fuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If repair data is stored in a nonvolatile memory unit, then data can be transmitted to multiple parts, but a boot-up operation is required to facilitate data transmission increasing operation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission to multiple partsVSAvoidboot-up operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by loading repair data from nonvolatile memory into registers during the boot-up operation. This preliminary loading enables subsequent direct access to repair data without requiring repeated boot-up operations, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

5Ease of operation

If initialization signals are continuously processed, then the system remains responsive, but repetitive or imperfect boot-up operations may occur after completion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem responsivenessVSAvoidboot-up operation completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through a complete signal that monitors boot-up operation status. When repair data is successfully loaded into all registers, the complete signal is activated to prevent further boot-up operations, ensuring reliability while maintaining system responsiveness through controlled initialization signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9235487B2Integrated circuit and memory device

Publication Date: 2016.01.12 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A memory device includes a boot-up control unit configured to control a start of boot-up operation by starting the boot-up operation when an initialization signal is activated, and ignore the initialization signal after a complete signal is activated, a nonvolatile memory unit configured to store repair data, and output the stored repair data during the boot-up operation, a plurality of registers configured to store the repair data outputted from the nonvolatile memory unit, a plurality of memory banks configured to replace a normal cell with a redundant cell, using the repair data stored in the corresponding registers among the plurality of resistors, and a verification unit configured to generate the complete signal to notify that the boot-up operation is completed.