US 10,311,927 B2 · Apparatuses and methods for providing word line voltages

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses of providing word line voltages are disclosed. An example method includes: activating and deactivating a word line. Activating the word line includes: rendering the first, second and third transistors conductive, non-conductive and non-conductive, respectively, wherein the first transistor is rendered conductive by supplying a gate of the first transistor with a first voltage; and supplying the first node with an active voltage. Deactivating the word line includes: changing a voltage of the first node from the active voltage to an inactive voltage; changing a voltage of the gate of the first transistor from the first voltage to a second voltage, wherein the first transistor is kept conductive by the second voltage; rendering the third transistor conductive during the gate of the first transistor being at the second voltage; and rendering the first and second transistors non-conductive and conductive, respectively, after the third transistor has been rendered conductive.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of driving a word line by a driver that includes a first transistor coupled between the word line and a first node and second and third transistors coupled in parallel between the word line and a voltage node, the method comprising:

activating the word line, wherein the activating the word line comprises:
rendering the first, second and third transistors conductive, non-conductive and non-conductive, respectively, wherein the first transistor is rendered conductive by supplying a gate of the first transistor with a first voltage;
and
supplying the first node with an active voltage;
and
deactivating the word line, wherein the deactivating the word line comprises:
changing a voltage of the first node from the active voltage to an inactive voltage;
changing a voltage of the gate of the first transistor from the first voltage to a second voltage, wherein the first transistor is kept conductive by the second voltage;
rendering the third transistor conductive during the gate of the first transistor being at the second voltage;
and
rendering the first and second transistors non-conductive and conductive, respectively;
wherein the first and second transistors are rendered non-conductive and conductive, respectively, after the third transistor has been rendered conductive.

9 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a first transistor coupled between a word line and a first node and configured to turn on responsive to a first voltage and to a second voltage at a gate thereof, and further configured to turn off responsive to a third voltage at the gate thereof;
and
a second transistor coupled between the word line and a voltage node and configured to turn off responsive to the first voltage at the gate of the first transistor and further configured to turn on responsive to the third voltage at the gate of the first transistor,
wherein the word line is configured to be active responsive, at least in part, to the first voltage at the gate of the first transistor and the first node having the active voltage,
wherein the word line is configured to be inactive responsive, at least in part, to the first node having the inactive voltage, and further to the second voltage at the gate of the first transistor at a first time, and further responsive to the third voltage at a second node configured to be coupled to the gate of the first transistor and the gate of the second transistor at a second time later than the first time;
and
wherein the third voltage is provided via the second node to the gate of the first transistor and the gate of the second transistor after the second voltage is provided at the gate of the first transistor.

4 more elements

An apparatus comprising a word line, comprising:

a first transistor having a drain coupled to the word line and a gate configured to receive a control signal and a source configured to receive a first phase signal, wherein the first transistor is configured to turn on responsive to the control signal having a first voltage;
a second transistor having a gate configured to receive the control signal and a drain coupled to the word line;
wherein the first phase signal is at a first level at a first time, and the gate of the first transistor is configured to receive the control signal having a second voltage lower than the first voltage at the gate of the first transistor at the first time;
and
wherein the gate of the first transistor and the gate of the second transistor are configured to receive the control signal having a third voltage, and the first and second transistors are configured to turn off and on, respectively, responsive to the control signal after the gate of the first transistor is configured to receive the second voltage.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatuses and methods for providing word line voltages

Life of this patent

Apparatuses and methods for providing word line voltages

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20