Patent Publication Number: US-11024375-B2

Title: Semiconductor storage device and control method of semiconductor storage device with detecting levels of a multi-ary signal

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/965,127, filed on Dec. 10, 2015, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/216,011, filed on Sep. 9, 2015; the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a semiconductor storage device and a control method of the semiconductor storage device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In cross-point-type semiconductor storage devices such as ReRAMs, memory cells are placed at positions where word lines and bit lines intersect. In the semiconductor storage device, the word line and bit line corresponding to a to-be-selected memory cell are selected, and a current output from the memory cell via the bit line is detected in signal level. In this case, it is desired to reduce the power consumption of the semiconductor storage device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a semiconductor storage device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a memory cell array in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a memory cell in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a decoding circuit in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 4B  is a diagram showing control signals supplied to the decoding circuit in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a sense amplifier in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing the operation of a row decoder in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a waveform diagram showing the operation of the decoding circuit in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 8A  is a graph showing the sense levels of the sense amplifier in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 8B  is a diagram showing the operation of the sense amplifier in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing the relation between read values from the sense amplifier and values stored in memory cells in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a data recovery circuit in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram showing the operation of the data recovery circuit in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart showing the operation of the semiconductor storage device according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a sense amplifier in a modified example of the embodiment; 
         FIG. 14A  is a graph showing the sense levels of the sense amplifier in the modified example of the embodiment; and 
         FIG. 14B  is a diagram showing the operation of the sense amplifier in the modified example of the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In general, according to one embodiment, there is provided a semiconductor storage device including N word lines, M bit lines, multiple memory cells, and a read circuit. N is an integer of four or greater. M is an integer of two or greater. The M bit lines intersect with the word lines. The multiple memory cells are placed at positions where the word lines and the bit lines intersect. The memory cell stores binary data. The read circuit is connected to the M bit lines. The read circuit is able to detect levels of a multi-ary signal. 
     Exemplary embodiments of a semiconductor storage device will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. 
     Embodiment 
     A semiconductor storage device  100  according to the embodiment will be described using  FIGS. 1 to 3 .  FIG. 1  is a diagram showing the configuration of the semiconductor storage device  100 .  FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the configuration of a memory cell array  1 .  FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a memory cell MC. 
     The semiconductor storage device  100  has the memory cell array  1 , N number of word lines WL- 1  to WL-N, a row-related circuit (control circuit)  2 , M number of bit lines BL- 1  to BL-M, a column-related circuit (read circuit)  3 , an address receiver  4 , an address register  5 , a power generation circuit  6  for write/read/erase operation, a power drive circuit  7 , a control circuit  83 , a write data storing register  8 , a bit line (BL) write control circuit  84 , a hold circuit  9 , a data recovery circuit  10 , a data input circuit  81 , and a data output circuit  82 , where N is an integer of four or greater and M is an integer of two or greater. 
     In the memory cell array  1 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , multiple memory cells MC( 1 , 1 ) to MC(N,M) are arranged. For example, the multiple memory cells MC( 1 , 1 ) to MC(N,M) are arranged two-dimensionally at positions where N word lines WL- 1  to WL-N and M bit lines BL- 1  to BL-M intersect. In the memory cell array  1 , by laying two-dimensional arrangements (memory layers) of memory cells MC one over another, a three-dimensional arrangement of memory cells MC may be realized. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in a memory cell MC placed at the position where a word line WL and a bit line BL intersect, a rectifier element D and a variable resistance element R are connected in series. The rectifier element D is, for example, a diode, and its cathode is connected to the variable resistance element R and its anode is connected to the bit line BL. The variable resistance element R is connected at one end to the word line WL, and the other end is connected to the rectifier element D. 
     The variable resistance element R is an element that transitions between two resistance value states, e.g., a low resistance state and a high resistance state. For example, when a specified set voltage is applied across the both ends of the memory cell MC so that the diode D is forward-biased, the variable resistance element R transitions from the high resistance state to the low resistance state (written/set). Further, when a specified reset voltage is applied across the both ends of the memory cell MC so that the diode D is forward-biased, the variable resistance element R transitions from the low resistance state to the high resistance state (erased/reset). Thus, each memory cell MC can store binary data. 
     In this way, the semiconductor storage device  100  may be an ReRAM (Resistance Random Access Memory) having a cross-point-type memory cell array  1 . 
     It should be noted that, although  FIG. 3  illustrates a configuration where the direction from the bit line BL toward the word line WL is the forward direction of the rectifier element D as the configuration of the memory cell MC, the memory cell may be configured such that the direction from the bit line BL toward the word line WL is the reverse direction of the rectifier element D. Or in each memory cell MC, the rectifier element D and the variable resistance element R may be exchanged in placement. 
     The address receiver  4  shown in  FIG. 1  stores an address signal supplied externally into an address register  5 . The control circuit  83  receives a command supplied externally to issue an instruction corresponding to the command to each circuit. The control circuit  83  issues, e.g., an instruction to control the operation voltage, operation timing, and the like in write/read/erase operation. The address register  5  sends an address signal to the row-related circuit  2  and column-related circuit  3  according to the instruction from the control circuit  83 . 
     The data input circuit  81  temporarily stores data (write data) input externally into the write data storing register  8 . The write data storing register  8  sends the data to the bit line write control circuit  84  according to the instruction from the control circuit  83 . The bit line write control circuit  84  controls a voltage being transferred from the power drive circuit  7 . 
     The data output circuit  82  is connected to an external host (not shown) via external I/O lines and outputs read data to the host, notifies write completion, or notifies erase completion. 
     The power generation circuit  6  for write/read/erase operation generates power supply voltages for write/read/erase operation respectively to supply to the power drive circuit  7 . 
     The power drive circuit  7  supplies the power supply voltages for write/read/erase operation to the row-related circuit  2  and column-related circuit  3  according to an instruction from the control circuit  83 . 
     The N word lines WL- 1  to WL-N shown in  FIG. 2  extend in a direction along rows between the multiple memory cells MC( 1 , 1 ) to MC(N,M). 
     The row-related circuit  2  shown in  FIG. 1  is provided at a position adjacent to the memory cell array  1  in a direction in which the word lines WL extend. The row-related circuit  2  has a row decoder  21 , a current limiting block  22 , and a word line selector (WL selector)  23 . The row decoder  21  receives the address signal from the address register  5  and drives the word lines WL via the word line selector  23  according to the address signal. At this time, the current limiting block  22  limits a current flowing through the selected word line WL so that the value of the current is at a predetermined value. 
     Correspondingly to the N word lines WL- 1  to WL-N, the row decoder  21  has N number of decoding circuits  211 - 1  to  211 -N; the current limiting block  22  has N number of current limiting elements  221 - 1  to  221 -N; and the word line selector  23  has N number of word line drivers  231 - 1  to  231 -N. For example, the decoding circuit  211 - p  selects the word line WL-p via the word line driver  231 - p , and applies voltages necessary to erase data therein, write data into them, and read data from them to selected ones of the memory cells MC(p, 1 ) to MC(p,M) of the pth row. Each current limiting element  221 - 1  to  221 -N is, for example, an NMOS transistor, and such a bias is supplied to its gate that the transistor operates in a linear region, so that it operates as an active load. Thus, when memory cells MC corresponding to each word line WL are turned on so that currents flow, the currents even for each word line WL can flow. 
     The M bit lines BL- 1  to BL-M shown in  FIG. 2  extend in a direction along columns between the multiple memory cells MC( 1 , 1 ) to MC(N,M). 
     The column-related circuit  3  shown in  FIG. 1  is provided at a position adjacent to the memory cell array  1  in a direction in which the bit lines BL extend. The column-related circuit  3  is connected to the M bit lines BL- 1  to BL-M. 
     For example, the column-related circuit  3  has a column decoder  31 , a sense amplifier block  32 , and a bit line selector (BL selector)  33 . The column decoder  31  receives the address signal from the address register  5  and selects a bit line BL via the bit line selector  33  according to the address signal. 
     Correspondingly to the M bit lines BL- 1  to BL-M, the sense amplifier block  32  has M sense amplifiers (S/A)  321 - 1  to  321 -M, and the bit line selector  33  has M bit line drivers  331 - 1  to  331 -M. For example, the column decoder  31  selects the bit line BL-k via the bit line driver  331 - k  and erases data therein, writes data into them, and reads data from them for selected ones of the memory cells MC( 1 , k ) to MC(N,k) of the kth column. Further, the column decoder  31  amplifies read data by the sense amplifiers  321  so as to be output to the hold circuit  9 . Each sense amplifier  321  outputs the detecting result to the hold circuit  9 . 
     In the semiconductor storage device  100 , one bit line BL and one word line WL may be selected so as to read information in the memory cell MC located at the position where the two intersect. For example, cell information is read by sensing (detecting) the magnitude of current flowing through the variable resistance element R in the memory cell array  1  by the sense amplifier  321 . If cell integration in the memory cell array  1  is improved, word lines WL/bit lines BL become high in resistance, so that voltage drops across the word lines WL/bit lines BL are likely to occur. As a result, a desired voltage may not be applied to the selected memory cell MC, and the bit value stored in the selected memory cell MC may not be able to be read correctly. 
     For example, it can be thought that in order to avoid the word lines WL/bit lines BL becoming high in resistance (that is, to shorten the lengths of the word lines WL/bit lines BL), the memory cell array  1  is divided into multiple sub-memory cell arrays, which are arranged in a chip. In this case, if the array is divided into sub-memory cell arrays to increase the number of bits to be read at a time, the number of cells from which to read in one sub-memory cell array decreases. As a result, the number of sub-memory cell arrays to drive needs to be increased, so that the consumption current of the semiconductor storage device  100  may increase. 
     Further, if, without dividing into sub-memory cell arrays, one bit line BL and one word line WL are selected so as to read information in the memory cell MC located at the position where the two intersect, then an equal number of times of read operation to the number of memory cells from which to read binary information are needed. Thus, as the number of memory cells from which to read information increases, the number of times of read processing increases, so that the consumption current of the semiconductor storage device  100  tends toward increasing. 
     Thus, in the present embodiment, in the semiconductor storage device  100 , the number of times of read processing is reduced with respect to the number of memory cells from which to read binary information so as to reduce the consumption current of the semiconductor storage device  100  by configuring the column-related circuit  3  to be able to detect the levels of a multi-ary signal and implementing tactics in read processing as follows. 
     Specifically, letting K be an integer of three or greater that is smaller than N, the row-related circuit  2  determines (K+1) word lines WL from among the N word lines WL to be candidates for selection. The N word lines WL may include multiple sets of (K+1) word lines WL as candidates for selection. The row-related circuit  2  performs selection operation to select K word lines WL from among the (K+1) word lines WL as candidates for selection K times while the non-selected word line WL is different for the K times. In each of K times of selection operation, one word line WL of the (K+1) word lines WL is selected fixedly while (K−1) word lines are selected from among the remaining K word lines WL. 
     The column-related circuit  3  selects one bit line BL. With the one bit line BL being selected, the column-related circuit  3  detects the level of a signal output from K selected memory cells in each of K times of selection operation. The column-related circuit  3  can detect the level of a K-ary signal. In each of K times of selection operation, the column-related circuit determines (K+1) memory cells MC corresponding to word lines WL as candidates for selection to be candidates for selection and detects the level of a signal output from K memory cells MC, which are selected from among the (K+1) memory cells MC as candidates for selection while the non-selected memory cell MC is different for the K times. 
     That is, the column-related circuit  3  sets the one bit line (selected bit line) BL to be at a selecting potential (e.g., a power supply potential) while the K selected word lines WL are set to be at a selecting potential (e.g., ground potential). Thus, currents do not flow through memory cells MC in the high resistance state from among the K memory cells MC while currents flow through memory cells MC in the low resistance state. Letting the low resistance state of the memory cell MC be the state where a bit of “1” is written and the high resistance state be the state where a bit of “0” is written, the current flowing through the selected bit line BL takes on the sum of currents flowing through memory cells MC into which a bit of “1” is written. Thus, the semiconductor storage device  100  can find out into how many memory cells MC from among the K memory cells MC a bit of “1” is written by the column-related circuit  3  detecting the level of the current flowing through the selected bit line BL. Then the memory bits of the (K+1) memory cells MC as candidates for selection can be identified from the sense results of K times of selection operation because, from among the (K+1) memory cells MC as candidates for selection, the non-selected memory cell MC is different for the K times. That is, the number of times of read processing is reduced to K with respect to the number (K+1) of memory cells from which to read binary information. 
     For example, the row decoder  21  of the row-related circuit  2  has the N decoding circuits  211 - 1  to  211 -N. Where the N word lines WL include multiple sets of (K+1) word lines WL as candidates for selection, the N decoding circuits  211 - 1  to  211 -N include multiple sets of (K+1) decoding circuits  211  corresponding to the (K+1) word lines WL as candidates for selection. The (K+1) decoding circuits  211  of each set can receive control signals that are the same for each decoding circuit  211  (e.g., control signals B 0  to B 3  shown in  FIG. 4A ). Control signals received by the decoding circuit  211  may be different between different sets. 
     Each decoding circuit  211  has (K+1) sub-decoding circuits  2111 - 1  to  2111 -(K+1) and a combining circuit  2112 . For example, where K=3, the decoding circuit  211  has the configuration shown in  FIG. 4A .  FIG. 4A  is a diagram showing the configuration of the decoding circuit  211 . The decoding circuit  211  has four sub-decoding circuits  2111 - 1  to  2111 - 4  and a combining circuit  2112 . The sub-decoding circuit  2111 - 1  has a logical product operator AND 0 . The logical product operator AND 0  computes the logical product of address signals A 0-0  to A 0-2  and the control signal B 0  to supply the operation result to the combining circuit  2112 . The sub-decoding circuit  2111 - 2  has a logical product operator AND 1 . The logical product operator AND 1  computes the logical product of address signals A 1-0  to A 1-2  and the control signal B 1  to supply the operation result to the combining circuit  2112 . The sub-decoding circuit  2111 - 3  has a logical product operator AND 2 . The logical product operator AND 2  computes the logical product of address signals A 2-0  to A 2-2  and the control signal B 2  to supply the operation result to the combining circuit  2112 . The sub-decoding circuit  2111 - 4  has a logical product operator AND 3 . The logical product operator AND 3  computes the logical product of address signals A 3-0  to A 3-2  and the control signal B 3  to supply the operation result to the combining circuit  2112 . The combining circuit  2112  has a logical sum operator OR 1 . The logical sum operator OR 1  computes the logical sum of the operation results of the logical product operators AND 0  to AND 3  to supply the operation result as an output signal to the gate of a word line driver  231 . 
     The sense amplifier block  32  of the column-related circuit  3  has M sense amplifiers  321 - 1  to  321 -M. Each sense amplifier  321  is configured to be able to detect the levels of a multi-ary signal corresponding to the value of the current flowing through the selected bit line BL. Where the row-related circuit  2  performs selection operation of K word lines WL from among the (K+1) word lines WL as candidates for selection K times while the non-selected word line WL is different for the K times, the sense amplifier block  32  is configured to be able to detect the levels of a (K+1)-ary signal. 
     Each sense amplifier  321  has a current mirror circuit group  3211  and K detection circuits  3212 - 1  to  3212 -K. The K detection circuits  3212 - 1  to  3212 -K have current sources and are configured to detect different signal levels by making the drive capabilities of the current sources different so as to make the levels of voltages on charged input nodes different. For example, where K=3, the sense amplifier  321  has the configuration shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a diagram showing the configuration of the sense amplifier  321 . The sense amplifier  321  has a current mirror circuit group  3211  and three detection circuits  3212 - 1  to  3212 - 3 . The current mirror circuit group  3211  is connected to a bit line BL via a load transistor Tr and a bit line driver  331 . The three detection circuits  3212 - 1  to  3212 - 3  are connected to the current mirror circuit group  3211 . The three detection circuits  3212 - 1  to  3212 - 3  can detect different signal levels according to the current received from the current mirror circuit group  3211 . 
     The current mirror circuit group  3211  has load transistors Tr 1  to Tr 4 . A pair of load transistors Tr 1  and Tr 2 , a pair of load transistors Tr 1  and Tr 3 , and a pair of load transistors Tr 1  and Tr 4  each constitute a current mirror circuit. Currents I BL1 , I BL2 , I BL3  proportional to a bit line current I BL , according to their mirror ratio, flow through the load transistors Tr 2  to Tr 4  respectively. 
     The three detection circuits  3212 - 1  to  3212 - 3  have input nodes N 1  to N 3 , capacitance elements C 1  to C 3 , current sources CS 1  to CS 3 , amplifiers AM 1  to AM 3 , and output nodes N 4  to N 6 . The input nodes N 1  to N 3  are connected to the current mirror circuit group  3211 , and currents I BL1 , I BL2 , I BL3  flow from the current mirror circuit group  3211  through them. The capacitance elements C 1  to C 3  are connected at their one end to the input nodes N 1  to N 3  and connected to the output nodes N 4  to N 6  via the amplifiers AM 1  to AM 3 . The capacitance elements C 1  to C 3  are connected at their other end to a reference potential (e.g., ground potential). The current sources CS 1  to CS 3  are connected between the input nodes N 1  to N 3  and the reference potential (e.g., ground potential). 
     The capacitance values of the capacitance elements C 1  to C 3  are substantially even between the three detection circuits  3212 - 1  to  3212 - 3 , and the drive capabilities of the current sources CS 1  to CS 3  are different. The current sources CS 1  to CS 3  have bias transistors BT 1  to BT 3 . The bias transistors BT 1  to BT 3  have dimensions even for them, for example. Reference voltages Vref 1 , Vref 2 , Vref 3  are supplied as bias to the gates of the bias transistors BT 1  to BT 3 . If the magnitude relation between the reference voltages is given by:
 
Vref1&lt;Vref2&lt;Vref3,
 
then the magnitude relation between currents I 1  to I 3  sunk by the current sources CS 1  to CS 3  is given by:
 
I1&lt;I2&lt;I3,
 
and thus the magnitude relation between currents I 11  to I 13  flowing through one ends of the capacitance elements C 1  to C 3  is given by:
 
I11&gt;I12&gt;I13.
 
     Hence, because voltages on the three charged capacitance elements C 1  to C 3  can be different according to the level of the current I BL  flowing through the bit line BL, the levels of a four-ary signal can be detected. 
     The operation of reading a signal from the memory cell MC in the case where K=3 will be described using  FIG. 6 . Where K=3, three times of selection operation (read operation) are performed. In the case of  FIG. 6 , four word lines WL-p, WL-q, WL-r, WL-s from among N word lines WL are determined to be candidates for selection. The row-related circuit  2  performs selection operation of three word lines WL from among the four word lines WL-p, WL-q, WL-r, WL-s as candidates for selection three times while the non-selected word line WL is different for the three times. In each of three times of selection operation, one word line WL of the four word lines WL is selected fixedly while two word lines WL are selected from among the remaining three word lines WL. The word line WL-p is selected fixedly from among the four word lines WL-p, WL-q, WL-r, WL-s as candidates for selection while two word lines WL are selected from among the remaining three word lines WL-q, WL-r, WL-s. 
     In the first time of selection operation (read operation), the word line WL-s is non-selected from among the word lines WL-p, WL-q, WL-r, WL-s as candidates for selection. That is, the address signals A 0-0  to A 3-2  are rendered active in level simultaneously for decoding circuits  211 - p ,  211 - q ,  211 - r ,  211 - s  as candidates for selection. At this time, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the control signal B 3  is rendered non-active (low) in level from among the control signals B 0  to B 3  to switch the non-selected.  FIG. 4B  is a diagram showing the control signals supplied to the decoding circuit  211 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the decoding circuit  211 - s  outputs a signal of a non-active level (low level) while the other decoding circuits  211 - p ,  211 - q ,  211 - r  output a signal of an active level (high level).  FIG. 7  is a waveform diagram showing the operation of the decoding circuit  211 . According to this, the word line driver  231 - s  is maintained in an off state while the word line drivers  231 - p ,  231 - q ,  231 - r  are maintained in an on state. As a result, a non-selecting potential (high impedance) is set on the word line WL-s while a selecting potential (ground potential) is set on the word lines WL-p, WL-q, WL-r. Thus, if the bit line BL-k is selected, the memory cell MC(s,k) from among memory cells MC(p,k), MC(q,k), MC(r,k), MC(s,k) as candidates for selection is determined to be non-selected, and the memory cells MC(p,k), MC(q,k), MC(r,k) are selected. 
     Likewise, in the second time of selection operation (read operation), the word line WL-r is non-selected from among the word lines WL-p, WL-q, WL-r, WL-s as candidates for selection. That is, the non-selecting potential (high impedance) is set on the word line WL-r while the selecting potential (ground potential) is set on the word lines WL-p, WL-q, WL-s. Thus, if the bit line BL-k is selected, the memory cell MC(r,k) from among memory cells MC(p,k), MC(q,k), MC(r,k), MC(s,k) as candidates for selection is determined to be non-selected, and the memory cells MC(p,k), MC(q,k), MC(s,k) are selected. 
     In the third time of selection operation (read operation), the word line WL-q is non-selected from among the word lines WL-p, WL-q, WL-r, WL-s as candidates for selection. That is, the non-selecting potential (high impedance) is set on the word line WL-q while the selecting potential (ground potential) is set on the word lines WL-p, WL-r, WL-s. Thus, if the bit line BL-k is selected, the memory cell MC(q,k) from among memory cells MC(p,k), MC(q,k), MC(r,k), MC(s,k) as candidates for selection is determined to be non-selected, and the memory cells MC(p,k), MC(r,k), MC(s,k) are selected. 
     At this time, the sense amplifier  321 - k  in the sense amplifier block  32  corresponding to the bit line BL-k detects the level of a (K+1)-ary signal. For example, where K=3, each sense amplifier  321  in the sense amplifier block  32  detects the level of a four-ary signal as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B .  FIG. 8A  is a graph showing the sense levels of the sense amplifier  321 .  FIG. 8B  is a diagram showing the operation of the sense amplifier  321 . 
     For example, if a bit of “0” is written into each of the three selected memory cells MC, so that all the three memory cells MC are off, then the level of the current I BL  flowing through the bit line BL can become smaller than Is 1  shown in  FIG. 8A . Thus, because all the capacitance elements C 1  to C 3  shown in  FIG. 5  are hardly charged with electric charge, all of output signals OUT 1  to OUT 3  become the low level as shown in  FIG. 8B . At this time, the value read by the sense amplifier  321  is “0”, and its bit representation is “000” which corresponds to (OUT 1 , OUT 2 , OUT 3 )=(low, low, low). 
     If a bit of “1” is written into one of the three selected memory cells MC, and a bit of “0” is written into the remaining two memory cells MC, so that the one memory cell MC is selectively on, then the level of the current I BL  flowing through the bit line BL can become greater than or equal to Is 1  and smaller than Is 2  shown in  FIG. 8A . Thus, because the capacitance element C 1  shown in  FIG. 5  is charged while the capacitance elements C 2 , C 3  are hardly charged with electric charge, the output signal OUT 1  becomes the high level, and the output signals OUT 2 , OUT 3  both become the low level as shown in  FIG. 8B . At this time, the value read by the sense amplifier  321  is “1”, and its bit representation is “100” which corresponds to (OUT 1 , OUT 2 , OUT 3 )=(high, low, low). 
     If a bit of “1” is written into two of the three selected memory cells MC, and a bit of “0” is written into the remaining one memory cell MC, so that the two memory cells MC are selectively on, then the level of the current I BL  flowing through the bit line BL can become greater than or equal to Is 2  and smaller than Is 3  shown in  FIG. 8A . Thus, because the capacitance elements C 1 , C 2  shown in  FIG. 5  are charged while the capacitance element C 3  is hardly charged with electric charge, the output signals OUT 1 , OUT 2  become the high level, and the output signal OUT 3  becomes the low level as shown in  FIG. 8B . At this time, the value read by the sense amplifier  321  is “2”, and its bit representation is “110” which corresponds to (OUT 1 , OUT 2 , OUT 3 )=(high, high, low). 
     If a bit of “1” is written into each of the three selected memory cells MC, so that all the three memory cells MC are on, then the level of the current I BL  flowing through the bit line BL can become greater than or equal to Is 3  shown in  FIG. 8A . Thus, because the capacitance elements C 1  to C 3  shown in  FIG. 5  are charged with electric charge, all the output signals OUT 1  to OUT 3  become the high level as shown in  FIG. 8B . At this time, the value read by the sense amplifier  321  is “3”, and its bit representation is “111” which corresponds to (OUT 1 , OUT 2 , OUT 3 )=(high, high, high). 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the semiconductor storage device  100  can identify the memory bits of the four memory cells MC as candidates for selection from the sense results (read values) of three times of selection operation because, from among the four memory cells MC as candidates for selection, the non-selected memory cell MC is different for the three times.  FIG. 9  is a diagram showing the relation between the read values from the sense amplifier and the values stored in the memory cells. 
     For example, if all the read values of the first to third times are “0”, then all the stored bits of the four memory cells MC(p,k), MC(q,k), MC(r,k), MC(s,k) can be identified as “0”. For example, if the read value of the first time is “0”, and the read values of the second and third times are each “1”, then the stored bit of the memory cell MC(s,k), which is non-selected in the first time of selection operation, can be identified as “1”, and the stored bits of the other memory cells MC(p,k), MC(q,k), MC(r,k) as “0”, and so on. For example, if all the read values of the first to third times are “3”, then all the stored bits of the four memory cells MC(p,k), MC(q,k), MC(r,k), MC(s,k) can be identified as “1”. 
     The semiconductor storage device  100  further has the hold circuit  9  and the data recovery circuit  10  in order to recover the stored bits of the selected memory cells from the sense results (signal level detecting results) of the sense amplifier block  32 . The hold circuit  9  holds the results of detecting the signal level K times. The hold circuit  9  includes K registers  91 - 1  to  91 -K. The K registers  91 - 1  to  91 -K correspond to K times of selection operation. Each register  91 - 1  to  91 -K stores the sense result (read value) of corresponding selection operation from among K times of selection operation. For example, where K=3, the hold circuit  9  includes three registers  91 - 1  to  91 - 3  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The register  91 - 1  stores the read value of the first time; the register  91 - 2  stores the read value of the second time; and the register  91 - 3  stores the read value of the third time. Each register  91  stores, e.g., a three-bit read value. 
     When K times of selection operation finish, the data recovery circuit  10  reads the sense results (read values) of K times of selection operation from the hold circuit  9 . The data recovery circuit  10  recovers data of (K+1) memory cells based on the results of detecting the signal level K times. The data recovery circuit  10  converts a combination of K times of the signal level into (K+1)-bit data to recover data of (K+1) memory cells MC. For example, where K=3, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the data recovery circuit  10  converts a combination of three times of the read value (three bits×three times) into four-bit data OUT-a, OUT-b, OUT-c, OUT-d to recover data of four memory cells MC.  FIG. 10  is a diagram showing the configuration of the data recovery circuit  10 . The data recovery circuit  10  has built therein a logic circuit for recovering data of memory cells MC from three times of the read value as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Although any way that the read value is represented in bits can be used, for example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , a read value of “0” can be represented by “000”; a read value of “1” by “100”; a read value of “2” by “110”; and a read value of “3” by “111”. In this case, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the logic circuit of the data recovery circuit  10  receives a combination of three times of the read value (three bits×three times) and converts the combination into four-bit data OUT-a, OUT-b, OUT-c, OUT-d, which corresponds to data of memory cells MC shown in  FIG. 9 . That is, the logic circuit shown in  FIG. 10  is a circuit which realizes logics LG- 1  to LG- 16  shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     For example, the logic circuit corresponding to the logic LG- 1  includes an input converter  101 - 1 , a negative AND operator NAND- 1 , a bias generator  102 - 1 , and a bit generator  103 - 1 . The input converter  101 - 1  logically inverts the bits of three times of the read value (three bits×three times) to input to the negative AND operator NAND- 1 . The negative AND operator NAND- 1  computes the negative AND of the inputs to output the low (L) level to the bias generator  102 - 1  if all the bits of three times of the read value are “0” and to output the high (H) level to the bias generator  102 - 1  if otherwise. If receiving the L level from the negative AND operator NAND- 1 , the bias generator  102 - 1  generates a bias of the H level (VDD) to supply to the bit generator  103 - 1  and, if receiving the H level from the negative AND operator NAND- 1 , generates a bias of the L level (GND) to supply to the bit generator  103 - 1 . When the bias of the H level is supplied, the bit generator  103 - 1  is activated to cause all the signal lines of four-bit data OUT-a, OUT-b, OUT-c, OUT-d to be at the L level (bit of 0). When the bias of the L level is supplied, the bit generator  103 - 1  is deactivated. 
     For example, the logic circuit corresponding to the logic LG- 16  includes an input converter  101 - 16 , a negative AND operator NAND- 16 , a bias generator  102 - 16 , and a bit generator  103 - 16 . The input converter  101 - 16  inputs the bits of three times of the read value (three bits×three times), as they are, to the negative AND operator NAND- 1 . The negative AND operator NAND- 16  computes the negative AND of the inputs to output the L level to the bias generator  102 - 16  if all the bits of three times of the read value are “1” and to output the H level to the bias generator  102 - 16  if otherwise. If receiving the L level from the negative AND operator NAND- 16 , the bias generator  102 - 16  generates a bias of the H level (VDD) to supply to the bit generator  103 - 16  and, if receiving the H level from the negative AND operator NAND- 16 , generates a bias of the L level (GND) to supply to the bit generator  103 - 16 . When the bias of the H level is supplied, the bit generator  103 - 16  is activated to cause all the signal lines of four-bit data OUT-a, OUT-b, OUT-c, OUT-d to be at the H level (bit of 1). When the bias of the L level is supplied, the bit generator  103 - 1  is deactivated. 
     The data recovery circuit  10  supplies recovered (K+1)-bit data (e.g., four-bit data) to the data output circuit  82 . The data output circuit  82  outputs the (K+1)-bit data as data read from the memory cell array  1  to the outside. 
     Next, the operation of the semiconductor storage device  100  will be described using  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12  is a flow chart showing the operation of the semiconductor storage device  100 . Although the case where the number of memory cells as candidates for selection, (K+1)=4, that is, the case where the number of times when selection operation is performed, K=3 will be illustrated below, the same applies to cases where K is another value. 
     When receiving a request to read data from the outside, the semiconductor storage device  100  determines the addresses of four memory cells MC from which to read in three times of selection operation according to addresses included in the read request (S 1 ). For example, four addresses (p,k), (q,k), (r,k), (s,k) that have the same bit line address (k) are extracted from addresses included in the read request, and the four extracted addresses are determined to be the addresses of four memory cells MC from which to read in three times of selection operation. For example, the addresses of the four memory cells MC(p,k), MC(q,k), MC(r,k), MC(s,k) are determined to be the addresses of four memory cells MC from which to read in three times of selection operation (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     The semiconductor storage device  100  determines a to-be-selected bit line BL according to the determination at S 1 . Further, the semiconductor storage device  100  determines a word line WL to be always selected from among four word lines WL as candidates for selection in three times of selection operation (three times of read operation) (S 2 ). For example, the word line WL-p of four word lines WL-p, WL-q, WL-r, WL-s is determined to be the word line WL to be always selected. 
     The semiconductor storage device  100  determines a word line WL of three word lines WL, each to be selected twice in three times of selection operation (three times of read operation), to be non-selected (S 3 ). For example, for the first time of read operation, the word line WL-s is determined to be non-selected; for the second time of read operation, the word line WL-r is determined to be non-selected; and for the third time of read operation, the word line WL-q is determined to be non-selected. 
     The semiconductor storage device  100  drives the selected word lines WL and the selected bit line BL according to the determinations at S 1  to S 3  (S 4 ). That is, in the semiconductor storage device  100 , a selecting voltage is supplied from the power drive circuit  7  to the selected word lines WL via the row-related circuit  2  while a selecting voltage is supplied to the selected bit line BL via the column-related circuit  3 . Thus, the selected word lines WL are set at the selecting potential with the selected bit line BL being set at the selecting potential, so that a bit line current according to the number of memory cells on the selected bit line BL, which are on, flows through the selected bit line BL. 
     The semiconductor storage device  100 , in this state, detects the level of the signal flowing through the selected bit line BL by the sense amplifier block  32  to output three signals (OUT 1 , OUT 2 , OUT 3 ) indicating the detecting result from the sense amplifier block  32  to the hold circuit  9  (S 5 ). The hold circuit  9  holds a three-bit read value (bit representation of the three signals) corresponding to the three signals. In the hold circuit  9 , for example, in the first time of read operation, the register  91 - 1  stores a three-bit read value; in the second time of read operation, the register  91 - 2  stores a three-bit read value; and in the third time of read operation, the register  91 - 3  stores a three-bit read value. 
     The semiconductor storage device  100  determines whether three times of selection operation (three times of read operation) have finished (S 6 ). For example, by referring to the hold circuit  9 , the semiconductor storage device  100  can determine whether three times of selection operation (three times of read operation) have finished. If three times of selection operation have not finished (No at S 6 ), the semiconductor storage device  100  lets the process return to S 3  and, if three times of selection operation have finished (Yes at S 6 ), lets the process proceed to S 7 . 
     The semiconductor storage device  100  converts data of three times of the read value (three bits×three times) into four-bit data OUT-a, OUT-b, OUT-c, OUT-d by the data recovery circuit  10  (S 7 ). Thus, the semiconductor storage device  100  recovers data of the four selected memory cells MC. 
     The semiconductor storage device  100  outputs the recovered four-bit data to the outside via the data output circuit  82  (S 8 ). 
     As described above, in the embodiment, in the semiconductor storage device  100 , where each memory cell MC of the memory cell array  1  stores binary information (one bit), the column-related circuit  3  is configured to be able to detect the levels of a multi-ary signal. And the row-related circuit  2  determines (K+1) word lines WL to be candidates for selection from among N word lines WL. The row-related circuit  2  performs selection operation to select K word lines WL from among the (K+1) word lines WL as candidates for selection K times while the non-selected word line WL is different for the K times. The column-related circuit  3  detects the level of the current flowing through the selected bit line BL in each of K times of selection operation. The memory bits of (K+1) memory cells MC as candidates for selection can be identified from the sense results of K times of selection operation. That is, the number of read processing times can be reduced to K with respect to the number (K+1) of memory cells from which to read binary information. By implementing tactics in read processing in this way, the number of read processing times can be reduced with respect to the number of memory cells from which to read binary information, and hence the consumption current of the semiconductor storage device  100  can be reduced. 
     It should be noted that, although the current limiting block  22  shown in  FIG. 1  is provided so that the current flowing from the selected memory cell MC, which is on, through the selected word line WL is almost even for each memory cell at the time of current detection by the sense amplifier  321 , if each memory cell MC includes a current limiting function, the current limiting block  22  may be omitted. 
     Or in each sense amplifier  321   i  of the sense amplifier block  32  shown in  FIG. 1 , K number of detection circuits  3212   i - 1  to  3212   i -K may be configured to make the drive capabilities of the current sources even so as to make the levels of voltages on charged input nodes even so that, with making comparison reference voltages different, they detect different signal levels. For example, where K=3, the sense amplifier  321   i  has the configuration shown in  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a diagram showing the configuration of the sense amplifier  321   i . Each sense amplifier  321   i  has a current mirror circuit group  3211  and K detection circuits  3212   i - 1  to  3212   i - 3 . The detection circuits  3212   i - 1  to  3212   i - 3  have input nodes N 1  to N 3 , current sources CS 1   i  to CS 3   i , comparators COMP 1  to COMP 3 , and output nodes N 4  to N 6  respectively. The input nodes N 1  to N 3  are connected to the current mirror circuit group  3211 , and currents I BL1 , I BL2 , I BL3  flow from the current mirror circuit group  3211  through them. The comparators COMP 1  to COMP 3  have their non-inverting input terminals connected to the input nodes N 1  to N 3 , reference voltages Vref 1  to Vref 3  supplied at their inverting input terminals, and their output terminals connected to the output nodes N 4  to N 6 . The current sources CS 1   i  to CS 3   i  are connected between the input nodes N 1  to N 3  and a reference potential (e.g., ground potential). 
     The drive capabilities of the current sources CS 1   i  to CS 3   i  are almost even between the three detection circuits  3212   i - 1  to  3212   i - 3 , and the levels of reference voltages Vref 1  to Vref 3  with which the comparators COMP 1  to COMP 3  compare are different. The current sources CS 1   i  to CS 3   i  have bias transistors BT 1   i  to BT 3   i . For example, the bias transistors BT 1   i  to BT 3   i  have dimensions even for each. The same bias V Gn  is supplied to the gates of the bias transistors BT 1   i  to BT 3   i . Thus, since potentials V 1  to V 3  on the input nodes N 1  to N 3  in the detection circuits  3212   i - 1  to  3212   i - 3  can become almost even in voltage (read voltage), if the magnitude relation between the reference voltages is given by:
 
Vref1&lt;Vref2&lt;Vref3,
 
the levels of the four-ary signal can be detected as shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B .  FIG. 14A  is a graph showing the sense levels of the sense amplifier  321   i .  FIG. 14B  is a diagram showing the operation of the sense amplifier  321   i.  
 
     For example, if a bit of “0” is written into each of the three selected memory cells MC, so that all the three memory cells MC are off, then the level of the read voltage can become smaller than Vref 1  shown in  FIG. 14A . Thus, all of output signals OUT 1  to OUT 3  become the low level according to the comparing results of the comparators COMP 1  to COMP 3  as shown in  FIG. 14B . At this time, the value read by the sense amplifier  321   i  is “0”, and its bit representation is “000” which corresponds to (OUT 1 , OUT 2 , OUT 3 )=(low, low, low). 
     If a bit of “1” is written into one of the three selected memory cells MC, and a bit of “0” is written into the remaining two memory cells MC, so that the one memory cell MC is selectively on, then the level of the read voltage can become greater than or equal to Vref 1  and smaller than Vref 2  shown in  FIG. 14A . Thus, the output signal OUT 1  becomes the high level, and the output signals OUT 2 , OUT 3  both become the low level according to the comparing results of the comparators COMP 1  to COMP 3  as shown in  FIG. 14B . At this time, the value read by the sense amplifier  321   i  is “1”, and its bit representation is “100” which corresponds to (OUT 1 , OUT 2 , OUT 3 )=(high, low, low). 
     If a bit of “1” is written into two of the three selected memory cells MC, and a bit of “0” is written into the remaining one memory cell MC, so that the two memory cells MC are selectively on, then the level of the read voltage can become greater than or equal to Vref 2  and smaller than Vref 3  shown in  FIG. 14A . Thus, the output signals OUT 1 , OUT 2  become the high level, and the output signal OUT 3  becomes the low level according to the comparing results of the comparators COMP 1  to COMP 3  as shown in  FIG. 14B . At this time, the value read by the sense amplifier  321   i  is “2”, and its bit representation is “110” which corresponds to (OUT 1 , OUT 2 , OUT 3 )=(high, high, low). 
     If a bit of “1” is written into each of the three selected memory cells MC, so that all the three memory cells MC are on, then the level of the read voltage can become greater than or equal to Vref 3  shown in  FIG. 14A . Thus, all the output signals OUT 1  to OUT 3  become the high level according to the comparing results of the comparators COMP 1  to COMP 3  as shown in  FIG. 14B . At this time, the value read by the sense amplifier  321   i  is “3”, and its bit representation is “111” which corresponds to (OUT 1 , OUT 2 , OUT 3 )=(high, high, high). 
     Or in the semiconductor storage device  100 , when converting read values of K times of selection operation (K times of read operation), that is, a combination of K times of the signal level into (K+1)-bit data to recover data of (K+1) memory cells MC, the data recovery circuit  10  may detect an incorrect combination to perform error processing. For example, if the read values of K times of selection operation (K times of read operation) are a combination of signal levels not recited in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , then the data recovery circuit  10  may determine that the combination of K times of the signal level is incorrect to stop data recovery processing and to set an error flag. The error flag may be output as a dedicated flag signal to the outside of the semiconductor storage device  100 . 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.