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US 6,636,447 B2Granted
Memory module, method for activating a memory cell, and method for repairing a defective memory cell
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorPeter Beer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In the memory module, depending on the configuration chosen, the number of redundant memory cells which is assigned to a defective address is also adapted to the configuration chosen. It is thus possible to repair more defective addresses for a given number of redundant memory cells.
Claims10
A memory module, comprising:
- a plurality of memory cells and a predetermined number of redundant memory cells for repairing defective memory cells;
- a first address circuit configured for activating a predeterminable number of memory cells via address lines in dependence on a predetermined address;
- a second address circuit connected to said redundant memory cells via second address lines;
- said second address circuit, upon receiving a defect address of at least one defective memory cell, activating redundant memory cells assigned to the defect address;
- and
- a selection circuit connected to said first address circuit and to said second address circuit, said selection circuit defining the predeterminable number of memory cells to be activated by said first address circuit in event of an address being supplied, and said selection circuit prescribing for said second address circuit how many redundant memory cells are to be activated under a defect address.
3 more elements
A method of activating memory cells, which comprises:
- activating a defined number of memory cells via an address;
- providing redundant memory cells for defective memory cells and, after a repair, activating the redundant memory cells instead of the defective memory cells with the address of the defective memory cells;
- checking a number datum to thereby define the number of memory cells that can be activated under an address, and wherein, when redundant memory cells are activated, checking the number datum and activating a predeterminable number of redundant memory cells in dependence on the number datum.
A method for repairing defective memory cells of a memory module, which comprises:
- providing a memory module with memory cells and redundant memory cells, wherein a predeterminable number of memory cells are activatable via an address, and the predeterminable number is predetermined in dependence on a number datum;
- checking the memory cells for correct functioning;
- identifying defective memory cells and replacing the defective memory cells by redundant memory cells, the redundant memory cells being activated when an address of defective memory cells is present;
- and
- defining a number of redundant memory cells that are addressed for an address instead of the defective memory cells in accordance with the number datum.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.