Patent ID: 6735133
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A semiconductor memory circuit having a normal operation mode and a burn-in test mode, comprising:a memory cell array which includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix, a plurality of bit lines provided in rows of the matrix and a plurality of word lines provided in columns of the matrix; first and second sense amplifier circuits which are, respectively, provided at opposite sides of the memory cell array in a direction of the bit lines and include a plurality of first sense amplifiers each connected to first bit line pair in the bit lines and a plurality of second sense amplifiers each connected to second bit line pair in the bit lines, respectively; first and second bit line and sense amplifier interconnecting circuits for coupling the first and second bit line pairs to the first and second sense amplifier circuits, respectively; first and second bit line equalizing circuits for setting the first and second bit line pairs to first and second identical potentials, respectively during standby; a first short-circuiting transistor circuit for coupling first and second potentials to the first bit line pair; and a second short-circuiting transistor circuit for coupling third and fourth potentials to the second bit line pair; wherein the first bit line and sense amplifier interconnecting circuit, the first bit line equalizing circuit and the first short-circuiting transistor circuit are provided between the memory cell array and the first sense amplifier circuit, while the second bit line and sense amplifier interconnecting circuit, the second bit line equalizing circuit and the second short-circuiting transistor circuit are provided between the memory cell array and the second sense amplifier circuit such that the first and second short-circuiting transistor circuits are, respectively, disposed more adjacent to the memory cell array than the first and second bit line and sense amplifier interconnecting circuits are; wherein each of the first and second sense amplifiers is formed by a first transistor having a first gate insulation film, while each of the first and second bit line and sense amplifier interconnecting circuits, the first and second bit line equalizing circuits and the first and second short-circuiting transistor circuits is formed by a second transistor having a second gate insulation film thicker than the first gate insulation film.