Semiconductor Memory Device Data Masking via Address Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor memory devices require separate data masking pads to receive data masking signals, which complicates the data masking operation and increases the number of pads needed, leading to inefficiencies in data input/output operations.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor memory device that performs data masking by generating pad masking signals using address signals inputted through address pads, eliminating the need for separate data masking pads by integrating a mode entry controlling unit, signal classifying unit, and pad masking signal generating unit to control data masking operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate data masking pads are used to receive data masking signals, then data masking operation can be performed, but the number of pads increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The address pads are designed to serve dual purposes: receiving address signals during normal operations and receiving data masking signals when the data masking mode is activated. The mode entry controlling unit detects specific signal patterns on these pads to determine whether they represent address signals or data masking signals, allowing the same physical pads to fulfill multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated pads for data masking.
2Reliability
If separate data masking pads are used, then data masking operation can be performed, but ease of operation decreases due to complicated pad management
Solution Approach 1:
The mode entry controlling unit automatically detects and determines the nature of signals received on the address pads by analyzing specific signal patterns. This self-detection mechanism eliminates the need for external control logic or additional control signals to indicate whether data masking is intended, as the system autonomously identifies the signal type based on predefined patterns, thereby simplifying the operational interface.
3Device complexity
If address pads are used for both address signals and data masking signals, then pad quantity is reduced, but signal classification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mode entry controlling unit is pre-configured with knowledge of specific signal patterns that indicate data masking mode. Before processing the signals, the system checks whether the received signals match these predefined patterns. This preliminary pattern recognition allows the system to quickly and reliably distinguish between address signals and data masking signals without requiring complex real-time analysis, thereby reducing the difficulty of signal classification.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of address pads, a plurality of data pads, a mode entry controlling unit configured to control the entry to a data masking mode in response to a write command signal and signals inputted through predetermined pads among the plurality of address pads, a signal classifying unit configured to classify signals inputted sequentially and in parallel through the plurality of address pads into column address signals and data masking signals in response to an output signal of the mode entry controlling unit and a write latency signal, and a pad masking signal generating unit configured to generate pad masking signals to control the masking of data inputted through the plurality of data pads, where the pad masking signals are generated by converting the data masking signals in response to the output signal of the mode entry controlling unit.