Patent ID: 6418065
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A semiconductor memory having a plurality of memory cells and a booster for generating a boosted voltage on the basis of a source voltage supplied from the outside, for applying said boosted voltage to a selected memory cell when the voltage generated by the booster reaches a predetermined level, comprising:a voltage detecting circuit for detecting whether said boosted voltage has reached a predetermined potential or not; a control circuit capable of controlling start and stop of a boosting operation of said booster; and a timer capable of counting predetermined time, wherein said control circuit applies said boosted voltage to a selected memory cell when said voltage detecting circuit detects that said boosted voltage has reached the predetermined potential and, when it is detected on the basis of counting information of said timer that the predetermined time has elapsed since said booster started the boosting operation, said control circuit applies the boosted voltage to said selected memory cell even if the boosted voltage generated by said booster has not reached the predetermined potential yet.