Memory Repair Circuit Using Bit Group Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional memory repair methods waste good bits by replacing entire rows or columns, which is inefficient as memory size decreases and capacity increases, leading to a higher space requirement for redundancy rows or columns.
Innovation Solution
Divide general bits and redundancy bits into groups, using a decoder and selection circuit to determine which redundancy groups replace defective bit groups, allowing for more efficient use of memory space and faster processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional row or column replacement is used to repair defective bits, then defective bits can be replaced, but good memory bits in the replaced row or column are wasted and vast added area is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the memory array into multiple bit groups, where each group contains multiple bits. Instead of replacing entire rows or columns, the repair circuit only replaces the specific bit groups containing defective bits. This segmentation approach allows selective replacement of only the necessary portions, avoiding waste of good bits and reducing the area required for redundancy.
2Reliability
If conventional row or column replacement is used to repair defective bits, then defective bits can be replaced, but vast added area is required for redundancy rows or columns
Solution Approach 1:
The memory is divided into multiple bit groups with group identification information. The repair circuit uses this group ID to selectively activate only the necessary redundancy resources for each defective group, rather than requiring complete redundancy rows or columns. This reduces the overall complexity of the repair circuit while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-organizes redundancy bits into multiple groups and assigns group identification information to both general and redundancy bits. This preliminary organization allows the repair circuit to quickly identify and activate the appropriate redundancy group without complex real-time decision-making, simplifying the repair circuit design.
3Productivity
If bit groups are used as repair units, then area is reduced and processing speed is accelerated, but group management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-assigns group identification information to each bit group during memory design and organization. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time group identification and management during operation, allowing fast processing while keeping the management mechanism simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Each bit group carries its own identification information, allowing the repair circuit to automatically identify and process the correct groups without requiring complex external management or control logic. The groups essentially self-identify, reducing the management overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A repair method of a memory includes dividing a plurality of general bits into a plurality of first groups and dividing a plurality of redundancy bits into a plurality of second groups. When one of the plurality of first groups has a defective bit, one of the plurality of second groups is selected to replace the first group which has the defective bit. Because the repair method uses a group as a repair unit, a repair circuit is simpler and smaller and a processing speed of the repair circuit is faster.