Multi-bank memory input/output line selection

A memory comprising:

• an array of memory cells arranged in separately addressable banks;
• input/output lines for communicating data between the memory cells and external connections;
• a column decoder for providing column select signals, each column select signal for selecting columns of memory cells in more than one bank for coupling to one of the input/output lines;
• a bank decoder for individually selecting each of the banks for coupling columns of memory cells in the selected bank to ones of the input/output lines, and for isolating columns of memory cells in other banks from ones of the input/output lines;
• bank switches controlled by the bank decoder, each bank switch coupling one of the input/output lines to one of the banks;
• digit lines in each bank that are coupled to memory cells therein;
• and
• input/output switches, each input/output switch controlled by a column select signal for coupling one of the digit lines in one of the banks to one of the input/output lines through one of the bank switches;
• word lines in each bank that are coupled to ones of the memory cells therein, each word line defining a row of memory cells;
• and
• a row decoder, controlling each word line for selecting a row of memory cells for coupling to ones of the digit lines in one of the banks.

A method of using a memory cell array including memory cells arranged in separately addressable banks that share column select signals for addressing the memory cells, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting a first bank;
• performing a memory operation upon memory cells in the first bank;
• coupling memory cells in the first bank to input/output lines using the column select signals that are shared between the separately addressable banks;
• selecting a second bank;
• and
• initiating a memory operation upon memory cells in the second bank while the first bank is coupled to the input/output lines.

A method of coupling memory cells in a multi-bank memory to input/output lines, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting columns of memory cells in multiple banks based upon a column select signal that is shared between the banks;
• coupling the selected columns of memory cells in the multiple banks through respective input/output switches to input/output lines;
• selecting a bank of memory cells based upon a bank select signal that is decoded from an address;
• and
• coupling the selected columns of memory cells in only the selected bank through respective bank switches to input/output lines.

An electronic system, comprising:

• a memory, including:
• an array of memory cells arranged in separately addressable banks;
• input/output lines for communicating data between the memory cells and external connections;
• and
• a column decoder for providing column select signals, each column select signal for selecting columns of memory cells in more than one bank for coupling to one of the input/output lines;
• a bank decoder for individually selecting each of the banks for coupling columns of memory cells in the selected bank to input/output lines, and for isolating columns of memory cells in other banks from input/output lines;
• bank switches controlled by the bank decoder, each bank switch coupling one of the input/output lines to one of the banks;
• digit lines in each bank that are coupled to memory cells therein;
• input/output switches, each input/output switch controlled by a column select signal for coupling one of the digit lines in one of the banks to one of the input/output lines through one of the bank switches;
• word lines in each bank that are coupled to ones of the memory cells therein, each word line defining a row of memory cells;
• and
• a row decoder, controlling each word line for selecting a row of memory cells for coupling to ones of the digit lines in one of the banks;
• and
• an external circuit, providing address signals to the memory that include the address signal received by the bank decoder, providing control signals to the memory, and communicating data to and from the memory.