Integrated circuit memory device with bit line pre-charging based upon partial address decoding

Abstract

An integrated circuit memory device has an array of memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows and columns and a plurality of row lines and a plurality of column lines. Cells arranged in the same row are connected by a common row line, and cells arranged in the same column are connected by a common column line. Each cell in the array is addressed by an address signal which has a plurality of bits. A sense amplifier circuit is connectable to one or more of the plurality of column lines of the array. An address input terminal receives in series the plurality of bits of the address signal. Each of the column lines is connectable to a pre-charge voltage, in response to a read command. A decoder circuit receives the address signal and decodes the address signal as each of the plurality of bits is received and disconnects certain of the column lines to the pre-charge voltage in response to the decoding, and activates the sense amplifier circuit after all of the plurality of bits of the address signal are received.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.