Memory Device Repair Using Register-Based Address Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
During memory device repair, repeated repairs of error units on the same word line can lead to failure due to unified repair methods, causing reading/writing errors when redundant word lines are activated simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where error unit addresses are temporarily stored in registers, and a reference storage module determines whether each address is repaired, allowing only unrepaired units to be repaired, thereby avoiding repeated repairs on the same word line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple error units are repaired in a unified manner simultaneously, then repairing efficiency is improved, but repairing reliability deteriorates due to repeated repairs on the same word line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing row addresses of error units in a reference storage module before the unified repair process. This allows the system to check and identify which error units have already been repaired through row address repair, preventing repeated repairs on the same word line while maintaining efficient batch processing of multiple error units.
2Productivity
If unified repair method is applied to multiple error units, then detection efficiency is improved, but harmful factors increase due to reading/writing errors from simultaneous redundant word line activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the repair status of error units through the reference storage module during the unified repair process. When an error unit is successfully repaired through row address repair, its row address is recorded in the reference storage module, providing feedback that prevents subsequent repair attempts on the same unit, thereby avoiding reading/writing errors from simultaneous redundant word line activation.
3Device complexity
If all error units are repaired simultaneously without individual tracking, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to distinguish repaired and unrepaired units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - the reference storage module - that stores row addresses of error units that have been repaired through row address repair. This intermediary allows the system to maintain simple unified repair processes while precisely tracking which units have been repaired, enabling accurate distinction between repaired and unrepaired error units without increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for repairing a memory device includes: performing error detection on memory units of the memory device; temporarily storing each of unit addresses of detected error units in registers until the number of the detected error units reaches a first preset number, where the detected error units are damaged memory units, and each of the detected error unit occupies a respective one of the registers, and each of the unit addresses comprises a row address; successively selecting one of the registers as a target register; determining whether a row addresses in the target register exists in a reference storage module, where a repaired row address or an unrepaired row address is stored in the reference storage module; and repairing error units that are not repaired through the row addresses according to a result of the determination.