Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/JP2006294103A/en
Timestamp: 2020-06-02 11:17:18
Document Index: 525553339

Matched Legal Cases: ['in fine', 'in fine', 'in fine', 'in fine', 'in fine', 'in fine', 'in fine', 'in fine']

JP2006294103A - Semiconductor memory apparatus - Google Patents
JP2006294103A
JP2006294103A JP2005111351A JP2005111351A JP2006294103A JP 2006294103 A JP2006294103 A JP 2006294103A JP 2005111351 A JP2005111351 A JP 2005111351A JP 2005111351 A JP2005111351 A JP 2005111351A JP 2006294103 A JP2006294103 A JP 2006294103A
JP2005111351A
JP2006294103A5 (en
Toshio Kuraki
敏夫 椋木
2005-04-07 Application filed by Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd, 松下電器産業株式会社 filed Critical Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd
2005-04-07 Priority to JP2005111351A priority Critical patent/JP2006294103A/en
2006-10-26 Publication of JP2006294103A publication Critical patent/JP2006294103A/en
2008-04-03 Publication of JP2006294103A5 publication Critical patent/JP2006294103A5/ja
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a semiconductor memory apparatus in which high functions such as improving reliability , improving yield, or the like can be achieved without increasing chip area. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory apparatus in which data can be written and erased and data can be held even while voltage is not supplied, the apparatus is provided with a memory cell including a first and a second electric charges localizing parts in which electrostatic charges corresponding to data can be accumulated, the second electric charge localizing part complements the first electric charges localizing part by accumulating electrostatic charges corresponding to electrostatic charges to be accumulated in the first electric charge localizing part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device such as a flash EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) capable of holding data even when no voltage is supplied, and more specifically, a MNOS (Metal Nitride Oxide Semiconductor) type memory cell. As described above, the present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device including a memory cell of a plurality of bits / cell capable of storing a plurality of data in one cell.
Semiconductor memory devices that store data by integrating elements on a semiconductor substrate can be broadly divided into volatile semiconductor memory devices that can hold data only while voltage is supplied, and data even when voltage is not supplied. There are two types of semiconductor memory devices that can hold the memory, and further classified according to the method and usage.
Among the latter semiconductor memory devices, one of the most commonly used systems is a flash EEPROM that can be electrically written and erased. The flash EEPROM currently uses a floating memory cell in which a floating gate is formed that is insulated on the channel of a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistor by an oxide film or the like. A floating memory cell stores data by changing a gate voltage threshold value (hereinafter referred to as Vt) at which a source-drain current of a MOS transistor starts flowing by injecting or extracting electrons into a floating gate.
On the other hand, in recent years, MNOS type memory cells have begun to attract attention again. Unlike the floating memory cell, the MNOS type memory cell changes the Vt by forming an ONO film on the channel of the MOS transistor and injecting electrons or holes into the trap at the interface of the ONO film. The MNOS type memory cell has a feature that trapped electrostatic charges (electrons and holes) hardly move. For this reason, the MNOS type memory cell does not release all the stored static charge even if there is an oxide film defect like the floating type memory cell. Such a feature of the MNOS type memory cell is advantageous for the data loss problem (retention problem) due to the passage of time, which has become a big problem in recent years as the oxide film becomes thinner.
Further, since the injected electrostatic charge does not move in the MNOS type memory cell, the electrostatic charge can be localized on the channel. In general, the injection of electrostatic charges occurs near the drain where hot electrons are generated. Therefore, in the MNOS type memory cell, the electrostatic charge is localized at the ON film interface near the drain. Further, since the source and drain of the MNOS type memory cell depend on the bias condition, the bias condition between the source and drain can be reversed during use of the semiconductor memory device. Therefore, in the MNOS type memory cell, two charge localized portions can be formed on both sides of the channel of the memory cell. For this reason, the MNOS memory cell can store two data in one cell by assigning one data to each of two charge localized portions. Due to the above features, expectations for MNOS memory cells are increasing.
FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of a general MNOS type memory cell. In FIG. 15A, a LOCOS 101, an ONO film 102, and a gate 103 for element isolation are formed on a semiconductor substrate Sub, and a diffusion layer 104 and a diffusion layer 105 are formed under the LOCOS 101. . The gate 103 is generally formed of polysilicon, and is used as a word line when a memory array is assembled. The diffusion layer 104 and the diffusion layer 105 are drains or sources of memory cells, and are used as embedded bit lines when a memory array is assembled. The charge localized portions 106 and 107 are locations where charges are localized.
FIG. 15B is a simplified schematic diagram of the MNOS type memory cell of FIG. 15A, and components having the same assigned numbers indicate the same parts. In all the drawings, the gate 103, the diffusion layers 104 and 105 (one corresponds to the drain and the other corresponds to the source), and the electron localized portions 106 and 107 are represented by the symbols shown in FIG. I will decide.
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a peripheral portion of a memory array configured using conventional memory cells. In FIG. 16, only a part of the array is described for the sake of space, but an actual array generally has many memory cells in the vertical and horizontal directions. As shown in FIG. 16, the plurality of memory cells M01 to M06 are arranged in an array in the horizontal direction of the drawing. The gate of each memory cell is connected to the word line WL0 which is a common node in the horizontal direction. That is, the control gates of the memory cells M01 to M06 are connected to the word line WL0. The source or drain of each memory cell is connected to bit lines BL0 to BL6 which are common nodes in the vertical direction of the drawing. For example, the drain or source of the memory cell M01 is connected to the bit lines BL0 and BL1, respectively. The drain or source of the memory cell M02 is connected to the bit lines BL1 and BL2, respectively.
Each bit line is selectively connected to one input of a sense amplifier 109 by a changeover switch 108. The other input of the sense amplifier 109 is connected to the drain of the reference cell R01 through the reference bit line RBL. The reference cell R01 is a CMOS transistor designed so that a current just between the memory cell current in the data 1 state and the memory cell current in the data 0 state flows. The reference cell R01 includes a source line RSL and a word line RWL. The gate of the reference cell R01 is connected to the word line RWL. The side of the reference cell R01 that is not connected to the sense amplifier 109 is the source and is connected to the source line RSL.
In the case of the conventional example shown in FIG. 16, at the time of reading, the current of the memory cells M01 to M06 is compared with the current of the reference cell R01, and the data stored in the memory cells M01 to M06 is determined according to the magnitude relationship. Which memory cell data is to be read is selected by switching the bit line connected to the sense amplifier 109. At this time, when selecting the bit line, it is necessary to pay attention to which of the two charge localized portions 106 or 107 in each memory cell is read out.
For example, when reading the static charge stored in the right local charge portion 107 of the memory cell M02, the bit line BL1 is connected to the sense amplifier 109, and the bit line BL2 is connected to the ground level. Further, when reading the left local charge portion 106, the bit line BL2 is connected to the sense amplifier 109, and the bit line BL1 is connected to the ground level. The bit line connected to the sense amplifier 109 is precharged to Hi level immediately before reading. That is, by reversing the direction of the bias voltage of the bit line connected to the memory cell, the source and drain of the memory cell are changed, and the charge localized portion on the reading side is switched.
As described above, it is possible to store and read 2-bit data in one cell. However, in some cases, it is better to store only 1-bit data in one cell. This may be advantageous. In that case, a configuration is proposed in which the opposite charge localized portion in the same cell is not normally used. For example, in the case of the above-described example, only the charge localized portion 107 is used while the use of the charge localized portion 106 is abandoned, and only one bit of data is stored in one cell. When this memory cell configuration is adopted, the storage capacity is halved, but the superiority to the retention problem is not changed as compared with the floating type.
When the MNOS type memory cell shown in FIG. 15 is used as 1 bit / cell, for example, the charge localizing portion for data storage is only 107, and charges are taken in and out, and the charges in the charge localizing portion 106 are not taken in and out. To. Therefore, the charge localized portion 106 is always in a neutral state. At the time of reading, the bit line to which the changeover switch 108 in FIG. 16 is connected to the sense amplifier 109 is a bit line for reading data. The bit line used for data reading differs depending on which of the charge localized portions for storing data is used.
FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory. The conventional semiconductor memory device replaces the memory sector MS0 to MS3 normally used for storing data and the memory sector in which the malfunction occurs when the malfunction occurs in the memory sector normally used due to a manufacturing problem or the like. Redundant memory sector MS4. The conventional semiconductor memory device also includes a row decoder 110 (X-DEC) for driving a word line common to all memory sectors including the redundant memory sector MS4, and a column decoder 111 independent for each memory sector. -115 (Y-DEC) and I / O circuits 116-120.
A memory sector is a unit of a collection of memory cells. In the case of a flash memory, a memory sector is usually used as a memory cell aggregate that performs batch erasing. However, a memory cell aggregate having a common source line, bit line, or word line is used as one memory cell aggregate. It may be a sector. The row decoder 110 is an assembly of a decoder that selects one word line in accordance with an address designation and a driver that supplies a potential to the word line in accordance with the selection. Similarly, the column decoders 111 to 115 are decoders that select one bit line in accordance with address designation. Specifically, the column decoder is an aggregate of the changeover switches 108 shown in FIG. The I / O circuits 116 to 120 are a collection of circuits including the sense amplifier 109, the reference cell R01, and other drivers shown in FIG.
Next, a conventional redundancy repair method will be described with reference to FIG. In the inspection before shipping the product, if a defective portion is found in the memory sectors MS0 to MS3 that are normally used, the semiconductor memory device inspected as it is becomes a defective product. Therefore, the semiconductor memory device can be made non-defective by substituting the function of the found defective portion with a spare portion (redundant memory sector) created in advance. Such handling is called redundant relief.
For example, when a defect occurs in a memory cell in the memory sector MS1, when the address of the memory sector MS1 is designated, the access destination is switched to the redundant memory sector MS4 so that the memory sector MS1 is not used. With the above configuration, even if a defective portion exists in the memory sector MS1, there is no problem in actual use, and this semiconductor memory device can be shipped as a non-defective product (see Patent Document 1).
The area occupied by the prepared redundant memory can be reduced by switching the unit of the memory for performing the redundancy repair as small as possible. Therefore, conventionally, in a DRAM or the like, every word line or bit line is sometimes used as a switching unit. However, in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, defective memory cells often hinder the operation of non-defective memory cells around them, and it may not be sufficient to switch only defective memory cells.
For example, in the case of a flash memory, even after switching, a defective memory cell is erased together when a good memory cell is erased. For this reason, the erasing operation of the defective memory cell is repeatedly performed as data is rewritten, and a problem occurs that the defective memory cell in the over-erased state shorts the bit line. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to ensure reliability only by switching only defective memory cells. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, the flash memory often performs switching for redundancy relief for each memory sector, which is an erasing unit.
With the above-described method, the conventional semiconductor memory device replaces a defect occurring in a memory cell (memory sector) normally used with the defective memory cell (memory sector) and a redundant memory cell (redundant memory sector). Bail out and improve yield.
Also, the configuration of the memory sector, row decoder, column decoder, etc. shown in FIG. 17 is only one example, and various configurations have been proposed conventionally. However, both configurations are common in that redundant memory cells (memory sectors) exist in addition to the memory cells (memory sectors) that are normally used.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-40702
However, in the conventional method, an increase in the chip area necessarily occurs, and the chip cost increases. When the cost increase becomes large, the cost reduction due to the yield improvement, which is an effect of redundant relief, is offset. For example, if the cost increase due to the increase in chip area exceeds the cost reduction due to yield improvement, the redundant repair method does not make any sense. Moreover, even if the cost increase due to the increase in chip area is less than the cost reduction due to the yield improvement, the cost reduction effect due to the yield improvement is reduced, and as a result, the cost reduction of the product is difficult.
There are other factors that increase the chip area. For example, if a semiconductor memory device frequently rewrites data, the characteristics of bits storing data are deteriorated (endurance deterioration) due to stress during use, and data is lost in the worst case. Therefore, a counter for counting the number of times data is rewritten in the memory cell is provided in the semiconductor memory device, and a predetermined number of times of rewrite is detected, or endurance deterioration of the memory cell itself is detected and stored in the predetermined memory cell. A technique (BISR: Built-In Self-Repairing) for automatically rewriting data stored in another memory cell has been proposed. However, if a new memory cell is provided in the semiconductor memory device for the BISR, the chip area is increased and the chip cost is increased, as in the case of the above-described redundant relief.
An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor memory device that achieves high functions such as improved reliability and yield without increasing the chip area.
The above object is achieved by the following semiconductor memory device. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device capable of writing and erasing data and capable of holding the data even when no voltage is supplied, and first and second charges capable of storing electrostatic charges corresponding to the data, respectively The memory cell includes a localized portion, and the second charge localized portion stores the first charge localized portion by storing an electrostatic charge corresponding to the electrostatic charge to be stored in the first charge localized portion. Complement.
With the above configuration, it is possible to achieve high functions such as improved reliability and improved yield without effectively using the second charge localized portion and increasing the chip area.
Preferably, when it is difficult for the first charge localized portion to store an electrostatic charge due to manufacturing defects, the charge localized portion to store the electrostatic charge corresponding to the data is changed from the first charge localized portion to the first charge localized portion. And a switching means for switching to the two local charge portions. With the configuration described above, the second charge localized portion can be effectively utilized, and a defective chip can be relieved by redundant relief. At this time, the memory cell used for redundancy relief is not added for redundancy relief but originally exists, so that the chip area is not increased.
Preferably, a plurality of memory cells and a flag circuit for outputting a flag signal for switching the charge localized portion for the plurality of memory cells as a whole are provided. With the above configuration, redundant relief can be performed on the entire memory cell.
As an example, the flag circuit includes an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory and a latch circuit. With the above configuration, it is possible to simplify the inspection process when performing redundant relief, and it is possible to reduce costs.
As another example, a plurality of bit lines connected to each memory cell, and a plurality of power supply lines for supplying a power supply voltage to each memory cell, the switching means is further based on the output from the lag circuit, A switch element capable of switching a combination of connection between the bit line and the power supply line is included. With the above configuration, the switching means can be configured easily.
As yet another example, a plurality of power supply lines for supplying a power supply voltage to each memory cell and a plurality of power supply circuits to be connected to each memory cell are provided, and the switching means is further based on an output from the flag circuit. The switch element includes a switchable combination of connection between the power supply line and the power supply circuit. With the above configuration, the switching means can be configured easily.
Preferably, it further includes a plurality of memory sectors including a plurality of memory cells, and a plurality of flag circuits for outputting a flag signal for switching the charge localized portion for each memory sector. With the above configuration, redundancy repair can be performed for each memory sector, and repair can be performed in finer units.
As an example, a plurality of power supply lines for supplying a power supply voltage to each memory cell and a plurality of power supply circuits to be connected to each memory cell are provided, and the switching means further includes a power supply based on an output from the flag circuit. The switch element includes a switchable combination of connection between the line and the power supply circuit. With the above configuration, the switching means can be configured easily.
Preferably, further comprising a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell is specified by a row address determined by a bit line and a column address determined by a word line, and for each row address, A plurality of flag circuits for outputting a flag signal for switching the charge localized portion are provided. With the above configuration, redundant repair can be performed for each row address, and repair can be performed in finer units.
Preferably, further comprising a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell is specified by a row address determined by a bit line and a column address determined by a word line, and for each column address, A plurality of flag circuits for outputting a flag signal for switching the charge localized portion are provided. With the above configuration, redundancy repair can be performed for each column address, and repair can be performed in finer units.
Preferably, further comprising a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell is specified by a row address determined by a bit line and a column address determined by a word line, and for each column address, A plurality of first flag circuits for outputting a flag signal for switching the charge localized portion; a plurality of second flag circuits for outputting a flag signal for switching the charge localized portion for each row address; And a circuit for calculating a logical product of the output of the first flag circuit and the output of the second flag circuit. With the above configuration, redundancy repair can be performed for each memory cell, and repair can be performed in finer units.
Preferably, when the characteristics of the first charge localized portion deteriorate due to actual use, the charge localized portion to store the electrostatic charge corresponding to the data is changed from the first charge localized portion to the second charge localized portion. Switching means for switching to the unit is provided. With the above configuration, reliability can be improved and market defects can be relieved.
Preferably, further, the number of rewrites is counted, and when the counted number of rewrites exceeds a predetermined value, the charge localizing unit is provided based on a counter circuit that outputs a signal and a signal output from the counter circuit. And a flag circuit that outputs a flag signal for switching. With the above configuration, it is possible to remedy a defective market and double the number of guaranteed rewrites.
As an example, the counter circuit includes a plurality of memory sectors including a predetermined number of memory cells, each memory sector is responsible for counting different digits, and when a carry occurs in the lower digit memory sector, the upper digit The number of rewrites is counted by erasing the lower memory sector while performing additional writing of 1 bit in the memory sector. With the above configuration, the counter circuit can be configured with a small number of memory cells, and the chip area is not increased.
As another example, the counter circuit includes a plurality of memory cells, and counts the number of rewrites by changing the threshold voltage Vt of the memory cells. With the above configuration, the counter circuit can be configured with a small number of memory cells, and the chip area is not increased.
Preferably, further, when a predetermined phenomenon is detected during the write or erase operation, a control circuit for outputting a signal and a flag signal for switching the charge localized portion based on the signal output from the control circuit Is provided. With the above configuration, it is possible to remedy market defects and to cope with variations among individual memory cells.
Preferably, when the first charge localized portion stores an electrostatic charge, the second charge localized portion stores data in the second charge localized portion after storing the electrostatic charge in the second charge localized portion in the same memory cell. Before reading out, the first charge localized portion is erased. With the above configuration, it is not necessary to take a waiting time for erasing before rewriting, and it is possible to cope with a sudden rewriting command.
The above object is achieved by the following semiconductor memory device. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device capable of writing and erasing data and capable of holding the data even when no voltage is supplied, and first and second charges capable of storing electrostatic charges corresponding to the data, respectively A memory cell including a localized portion, wherein the first charge localized portion is used to store an electrostatic charge that stores normal data that can be written and erased, while the second charge localized portion is This is used to store an electrostatic charge for storing data for specifying and correcting the first charge localizing portion when the electric charge localizing portion cannot normally store the electrostatic charge. With the above configuration, the second charge localized portion stores data (so-called ECC) for detecting and correcting whether or not the first charge localized portion can normally store an electrostatic charge. It is not necessary to prepare a separate memory cell for storing.
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a semiconductor memory device that achieves high functions such as improved reliability and improved yield without increasing the chip area.
FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of an MNOS type memory cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows the relationship between the source and the drain when reading data stored in the charge localized portion 107, and FIG. 1B shows the case where data stored in the charge localized portion 106 is read. The relationship between the source and drain of is shown. The MNOS type memory cell shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) has the same structure as the conventional MNOS type memory cell described with reference to FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b). have.
The MNOS memory cell according to the first embodiment is a memory cell that can store 2-bit data per cell. The MNOS type memory cell according to the first embodiment is a 2-bit / cell type memory cell, but one charge localized portion is used for normally storing an electrostatic charge, and the other charge localized portion is used as one charge. It is used to supplement the electrostatic charge stored in the localized part. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the charge localized portion 107 is used for normally storing an electrostatic charge corresponding to data, and the charge localized portion 106 is used for complementing the electrostatic charge stored in the charge localized portion 107.
In the MNOS memory cell according to the first embodiment, data is read by reading the electrostatic charge stored in the charge localizing portion 107. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1A, a bias voltage is applied so that the buried diffusion layer 105 on the charge localized portion 107 side serves as a source and the buried diffusion layer 104 on the opposite side serves as a drain. By applying the bias voltage in this way, it is possible to determine whether or not a current flows to the memory cell depending on the presence or absence of an electrostatic charge stored in the charge localized portion 107, so that the data of the charge localized portion 107 is read out. be able to.
In the MNOS type memory cell according to the first embodiment, data is written by storing an electrostatic charge in the charge localized portion 107. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1B, a bias voltage is applied so that the buried diffusion layer 105 on the charge localized portion 107 side serves as the drain and the buried diffusion layer 104 on the opposite side serves as the source. By applying a bias voltage in this way, hot electrons generated around the charge localized portion 107 in the vicinity of the drain are injected into the charge localized portion 107, and data is written to the charge localized portion 107.
Here, let us consider a case where a failure occurs in the charge localized portion 107 due to a manufacturing problem or the like. Such a defect is caused, for example, when the oxide film around the charge localized portion 107 becomes thicker than specified, so that the specifications of the write time and the erase time are not satisfied, or the oxide film around the charge localized portion 107 This occurs when there are many crystal defects and the retention characteristics of nonvolatile data are poor. If the occurrence location of the phenomenon causing the failure is local, a failure may occur only in the charge localized portion 107, and there may be no problem in the charge localized portion 106 in the same memory cell. In particular, when the cause of the malfunction of the charge localized portion 107 is accidental, there is often no problem in the operation of the charge localized portion 106.
Therefore, in the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment, when such a problem occurs, the charge localized portion used for data storage is switched by inverting the bias condition applied to the memory cell. That is, as shown in FIG. 1B, the bias condition used at the time of reading is such that the buried diffusion layer 104 on the charge localized portion 106 side is the source and the buried diffusion layer 105 on the opposite side is the drain. Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, the bias condition used at the time of writing is such that the buried diffusion layer 104 on the charge localized portion 106 side is the drain and the buried diffusion layer 105 on the opposite side is the source. In addition, the local charge portion 107 that is no longer used for data storage is put into an erased state.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the entire semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment includes memory sectors MS0 to MS3 that are normally used for storing data. Further, the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment includes a row decoder 110 (X-DEC) for driving a word line common to the memory sectors, and column decoders 111 to 114 (Y that are independent for each memory sector). -DEC), independent I / O circuits 116 to 119 for each memory sector, and flag circuit 1.
A memory sector is a unit of a collection of memory cells. In the case of a flash memory, a memory sector is usually used as a memory cell aggregate that performs batch erasing. However, a memory cell aggregate having a common source line, bit line, or word line is used as one memory cell aggregate. It may be a sector. The row decoder 110 is an assembly of a decoder that selects one word line in accordance with an address designation and a driver that supplies a potential to the word line in accordance with the selection. Similarly, the column decoders 111 to 114 are decoders that select one bit line in accordance with address designation.
Each of the memory sectors MS0 to MS3 includes a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell is the MNOS type memory cell described with reference to FIG. 1, and can store an electrostatic charge corresponding to 2-bit information in one cell. As described above, each memory cell has two parts, that is, a charge localized part that is normally used to store an electrostatic charge corresponding to data and a charge localized part that is used to complement the stored electrostatic charge. Have. The flag circuit 1 can hold a predetermined flag bit.
The semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment outputs the output of the flag circuit 1 when a failure occurs in any of the localized charge portions used to normally store the static charges of the memory cells included in the memory sectors MS0 to MS3. Based on the above, switching of the local charge portion to hold the electrostatic charge is performed for all the memory cells. That is, in the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment, the charge localized portion used for data storage is switched by switching the bias voltage of the memory cell in all the memory sectors MS0 to MS3 according to the output of the flag circuit 1. To relieve defective memory cells.
3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of a memory array included in the memory sector of the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and its peripheral portion. In each figure, taking memory cells M01, M11, and M21 as an example, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a memory array in the case where an electrostatic charge is stored in a charge localized portion on the right side of the paper, and FIG. 4 is a charge station on the left side of the paper. It is a schematic diagram of a memory array when an electrostatic charge is stored in a local part. In FIGS. 3 and 4, only a part of the memory array is described for the sake of space. 3 and 4 show a state in which the memory array has nine memory cells arranged on a grid and connected. The memory cells M01 to M03 are arranged in an array in the horizontal direction on the paper surface. The gate of each memory cell is connected to the word line WL0 which is a common node in the horizontal direction. That is, the control gates of the memory cells M01 to M03 are connected to the word line WL0. Similarly, the control gates of the memory cells M11 to M13 are connected to the word line WL1, and the control gates of the memory cells M12 to M23 are connected to the word line WL2, respectively.
Further, the source or drain of each memory cell is connected to bit lines BL0 to BL3 which are common nodes in the vertical direction of the drawing. For example, the drains or sources of the memory cells M01 to M21 are connected to the bit lines BL0 and BL1, respectively. The drains or sources of the memory cells M02 to M22 are connected to the bit lines BL1 and BL2, respectively. The drains or sources of the memory cells M03 to M23 are connected to the bit lines BL2 and BL3, respectively.
Each bit line BL0 to BL3 is selectively connected to one input of a sense amplifier 109 by a changeover switch 108. The other input of the sense amplifier 109 is connected to the drain of the reference cell R01 through the reference bit line RBL. The reference cell R01 is a CMOS transistor designed so that a current just between the memory cell current in the data 1 state and the memory cell current in the data 0 state flows. The reference cell R01 includes a source line RSL and a word line RWL. The gate of the reference cell R01 is connected to the word line RWL. The side of the reference cell R01 that is not connected to the sense amplifier 109 is the source and is connected to the source line RSL.
The bit lines BL0 to BL3 are connected to the power supply line PL0 connected to the power supply circuit PS0 or the power supply line PL1 connected to PS1 through the switch elements SWB0 to SWB3, respectively. The switch elements SWB0 to SWB3 are switches that can be switched integrally.
In the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment, at the time of reading, the current of each memory cell is compared with the current of the reference cell R01, and the data stored in each memory cell is determined based on the magnitude relationship. Which memory cell data is to be read is selected by switching the bit line connected to the sense amplifier 109.
In the above configuration, first, the switch elements SWB0 to SWB3 are initially set so that the bit lines BL0 and BL2 are connected to the power supply line PL0 and the bit lines BL1 and BL3 are connected to the power supply line PL1, as shown in FIG. Is set. In the above configuration, when a read operation is performed, the power supply circuit PS1 supplies a ground potential to the power supply line PL1, and the power supply circuit PS0 supplies a Hi level potential to the power supply line PL0. As a result, the ground potential is supplied to the bit lines BL1 and BL3, and the Hi potential is supplied to the bit lines BL0 and BL2.
Under the above bias conditions, the data stored in the local charge portion 107 on the right side of the memory cell is read from the memory cells M01, M11, M21, M03, M13, and M23. On the other hand, from the memory cells M02, M12, and M22, data stored in the charge localized portion 106 on the left side of the memory cell is read. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the charge localized portion on the side from which the data is read is expressed by adding a circle mark or a triangle mark.
For example, let us consider a case where a defect occurs in the left local charge portion 106 of the memory cell M12. Here, as described above, the defect means that the oxide film around the charge localized portion 106 of the memory cell M12 becomes thicker than specified, so that the specification of the writing time and the erasing time is not satisfied, or the memory For example, there are many crystal defects in the oxide film around the charge localized portion 106 of the cell M12, and the retention characteristics of nonvolatile data are poor. When a malfunction of the memory cell M12 is detected, the flag signal of the flag circuit 1 is inverted and a flag signal is output.
When a malfunction occurring in the left local charge portion 106 of the memory cell M12 is detected and a flag signal is output from the flag circuit 1, the switch elements SWB0 to SWB3 are inverted so as to be in the connection state shown in FIG. Change the bias condition. By changing the bias condition, the bias voltage supplied to the bit line is inverted, the ground potential is supplied to the bit lines BL0 and BL2, and the Hi potential is supplied to the bit lines BL1 and BL3.
As a result, the charge localized portion on the side from which data is read is switched in all the memory cells, and the memory cells M01, M11, M21, M03, M13, and M23 store the data in the charge localized portion 106 on the left side of the memory cell. The data stored in the local charge portion 107 on the right side of the memory cell is read from the memory cells M02, M12, and M22. As for the memory cell M12, the charge localized portion 106 on the left side of the drawing where the problem has occurred can be excluded from the read target.
In addition, when switching the charge locality part which should store an electrostatic charge, it is necessary to change the connection method of the changeover switch 108 with inversion of switch element SWB0-SWB3. In addition, it is necessary to switch the charge localized portion where the electrostatic charge is to be stored in the write and erase operations.
As described above, the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment can use the localized charge portion 106 in place of the failed localized charge portion 107, so that the memory cell can be used as a non-defective product. A chip that should originally be a defective product can be relieved as a non-defective product. At this time, the memory cell used for redundancy relief is not added for redundancy relief but uses a memory cell that has existed from the beginning, so that the chip area does not increase. Since the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment does not require the redundant memory sector MS4 unlike the conventional example, the yield can be improved without increasing the chip area.
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a first configuration of flag circuit 1 in the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As the output of the flag circuit 1, a binary signal indicating whether or not to switch the local charge portion where the electrostatic charge for storing data is to be stored is sufficient. Here, as an example, the case where no switching is performed corresponds to data 0 (Low level), and the case where switching is performed corresponds to data 1 (Hi level).
For example, the first configuration flag circuit 1 can be used when redundant relief is performed at the time of inspection after the manufacturing process. In FIG. 5, the flag circuit 1 includes a physical fuse 2 and a pull-up resistor 3. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the fuse is cut only when switching is performed using the common node of the physical fuse 2 connected to the ground and the pull-up resistor 3 connected to the power supply line as the output of the flag circuit 1. With this configuration, the output of the flag circuit 1 is also at the Hi level only when switching is performed.
As a second configuration, the flag circuit 1 can be configured by combining a memory cell and a latch circuit. In particular, a part of a memory cell for storing an electrostatic charge corresponding to normal data is diverted to a memory cell included in the flag circuit 1, so that the semiconductor memory device can be flagged without adding a new circuit configuration. Circuit 1 can be formed.
FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a memory array showing a second configuration of flag circuit 1 in the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The memory array shown in FIG. 6 is different from the semiconductor memory device of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in that the memory cells MF1 to MF3 for the flag circuit 1 and the word lines connected to the gates of the memory cells. A circuit in which WLF is formed in the row address direction and the latch circuit 4 is connected to the sense amplifier 109 is shown. The other configuration of the memory array of FIG. 6 is the same as that of the memory array shown in FIGS.
In FIG. 6, when the power is turned on, the flag signal is read from the memory cells MF1 to MF3, the result is stored in the latch circuit 4, and the output is used as the output for switching the local charge portion. Note that the charge storage portions for storing data in the memory cells MF1 to MF3 corresponding to the flag circuit 1 perform the read operation before reading the flag information, and therefore cannot be switched. One memory cell corresponding to the flag circuit 1 is sufficient, but a plurality of memory cells need to be added due to the configuration of the memory array. However, a memory cell other than holding the flag signal may be used for storing the flag signal used for other purposes.
As described above, by applying the flag circuit 1 having the second configuration, the flag signal for performing the switching output of the charge localized portion is stored by using the memory cell itself. Redundant relief can be performed without increasing the cost by complicating the inspection process.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the memory array included in the memory sector of the semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment of the present invention and its peripheral portion. Since the semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment has the same schematic configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, only the differences will be described below, and the description of the same components will be omitted. . Moreover, in FIG. 7, about the structure which attached | subjected the code | symbol same as the code | symbol used in Embodiment 1, it has shown that it is the same component.
The semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment is different from the device according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 in connection portions between the bit lines BL0 to BL3 and the power supply lines PL0 and PL1. The semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment does not have switch elements SWB0 to SWB3. Instead, the semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment has select word lines SWL0 and SWL1, the bit line BL0 is selected through the select transistor ST00, the select word line SWL0, and the bit line BL1 is selected through the select transistor ST11 and the select word line SWL1. The bit line BL2 is connected to the select word line SWL0 through the select transistor ST02, and the bit line BL3 is connected to the select word line SWL1 through the select transistor ST13.
In the semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment, the power supply line PL0 is connected to the power supply circuit PS0 via the switch element SW0 and the power supply circuit PS1 via the switch element SW2, and the power supply line PL1 is connected via the switch element SW1. The power supply circuit PS0 is connected to the power supply circuit PS1 via the switch element SW3. The changeover switch 108, the sense amplifier 109, the flag circuit 1 and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment and are not shown.
In the semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment, the potential supplied to power supply line PL0 and power supply line PL1 can be controlled by the states of switch elements SW0 to SW3. As in the case of the first embodiment, the power supply circuit PS1 supplies a ground potential, and the power supply circuit PS0 supplies a high level potential.
For example, when the switch elements SW0 and SW3 are in an on state and the switch elements SW1 and SW2 are in an off state, a high level potential is supplied to the power supply line PL0, and the bit line BL0 connected through the select transistors ST00 and ST02 BL2 is at a Hi level potential. The power supply line PL1 is supplied with a ground level potential, and the bit lines BL1 and BL3 connected through the select transistors ST11 and ST13 are at the ground level.
Conversely, when the switch elements SW0 and SW3 are off and the switch elements SW1 and SW2 are on, the potentials supplied to the power supply lines PL0 and PL1 are reversed, and the potentials of the bit lines BL0 to BL3 are also reversed. By switching the bias voltage condition as described above, the charge localized portion that stores the electrostatic charge corresponding to the data can be switched as in the first embodiment.
In the above configuration, when a read operation is performed, the switch elements SW0 and SW3 are initially turned on and the switch elements SW1 and SW2 are initially turned off, and the power supply circuit PS1 supplies the ground potential to the power supply line PL1. PS0 supplies a Hi level potential to the power supply line PL0. As a result, the ground potential is supplied to the bit lines BL1 and BL3, and the Hi potential is supplied to the bit lines BL0 and BL2.
Under the above bias conditions, the data stored in the local charge portion 107 on the right side of the memory cell is read from the memory cells M01, M11, M21, M03, M13, and M23. On the other hand, from the memory cells M02, M12, and M22, data stored in the charge localized portion 106 on the left side of the memory cell is read.
As in the first embodiment, when a failure occurring in the left local charge portion 106 of the memory cell M12 is detected and a flag signal is output from the flag circuit 1, the switch elements SW0 and SW3 are turned off, and the switch element The bias condition is changed by inverting so that SW1 and SW2 are turned on. By changing the bias condition, the bias voltage supplied to the bit line is inverted, the ground potential is supplied to the bit lines BL0 and BL2, and the Hi potential is supplied to the bit lines BL1 and BL3.
As described above, the semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment can use the localized charge portion 106 instead of the failed localized charge portion 107, so that the memory cell can be used as a non-defective product. A chip that should originally be a defective product can be relieved as a non-defective product. At this time, the memory cell used for redundancy relief is not added for redundancy relief but uses a memory cell that has existed from the beginning, so that the chip area does not increase.
According to the semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment, the redundant memory sector MS4 is not required unlike the conventional example, so that the yield can be improved without increasing the chip area. Further, the semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment can minimize a circuit such as a switch element added for switching the bias voltage by arranging a switch for switching the bias voltage in the vicinity of the power supply circuit. .
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the entire semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Since the semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment has the same schematic configuration as that of the first embodiment, only the differences will be described below, and the description of the same components will be omitted. Further, in FIG. 8, the components given the same reference numerals as those used in the first and second embodiments are the same constituent elements.
The semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment includes flag circuits 5 to 8 corresponding to memory sectors MS0 to MS3. Unlike the first and second embodiments, the semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment has a defect in one of the local charge portions used to normally store the static charges of the memory cells included in the memory sectors MS0 to MS3. When this occurs, the charge localized portion is switched for each memory sector based on the output of the flag circuit corresponding to the memory sector including the memory cell. For example, when a memory cell in which a problem has occurred is included in the memory sector MS1, the semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment sets the bias voltage of the memory cell included in the memory sector MS1 according to the output of the flag circuit 6. By switching, the charge localized portion used for data storage is switched to repair the defective memory cell. In the semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment, the operation for switching the bias voltage can use the method of the second embodiment described with reference to FIG.
Since the semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment has the above configuration, the bias voltage can be inverted for each memory sector based on the output from the flag circuit existing for each memory sector. Therefore, in the semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment, it is possible to switch the bias voltage for each sector by a small circuit change in which a flag circuit is added for each memory sector, and redundant repair can be effectively performed in finer units. Is possible.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the entire semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Since the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment has the same schematic configuration as that of the first embodiment, only the differences will be described below, and the description of the same components will be omitted. Further, in FIG. 9, components having the same reference numerals as those used in Embodiments 1 and 2 are the same constituent elements.
The semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment is characterized in that a flag circuit is provided for each row address of the memory cell included in each of the memory sectors MS0 to MS3. The flag circuit corresponding to each row address is shown in the flag circuit group 9 in FIG. The flag circuit group 9 is connected between a memory cell and a row decoder 110 for driving a word line common to the memory sector.
Unlike the first and second embodiments, the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment has a problem when a defect occurs in any of the charge localized portions used to normally store the static charge of the memory cell. Based on the output of the flag circuit corresponding to the row address of the word line of the memory cell, the charge localized portion is switched for each row address. For example, when a memory cell in which a problem occurs is included in the memory sector MS1 and is connected to the word line WL1, the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment outputs to the output of the flag circuit corresponding to the word line WL1. Therefore, by switching the bias voltage of the memory cell connected to the word line WL1, the charge localized portion used for data storage is switched to rescue the defective memory cell. In the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment, the operation for switching the bias voltage can use the method of the second embodiment described with reference to FIG.
In the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment, inversion of the bias condition for switching the charge localized portion for storing data is performed by the output from the flag circuit as in the first to third embodiments described above. Decide whether to do it. However, in the first to third embodiments, once the switching is determined, there is no change during the operation. In contrast, the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment inverts the bias condition only when the flag circuit group 9 accesses the memory cell at the row address to be switched in the local charge portion. That is, the semiconductor memory device of the fourth embodiment controls the switching of the bias voltage in real time according to the output of the flag circuit group 9.
Since the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment has the above configuration, the bias voltage can be inverted for each row address based on the output from the flag circuit existing for each row address. Therefore, in the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to switch the bias voltage in units of word lines by a small circuit change in which a flag circuit is added for each row address, and redundancy repair is effectively performed in finer units. Can be done. Further, the semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment can switch the bias voltage in real time.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the entire semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Since the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment has the same schematic configuration as that of the first embodiment, only the differences will be described below, and the description of the same components will be omitted. Further, in FIG. 10, components having the same reference numerals as those used in Embodiments 1 and 2 are the same constituent elements.
The semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment is characterized in that a flag circuit is provided for each column address of a memory cell included in each of the memory sectors MS0 to MS3. The flag circuit corresponding to each column address is shown in the flag circuit group 10 in FIG. The flag circuit group 10 is connected between the column decoders 111 to 114 for driving bit lines common to the memory sectors and the memory cells.
Unlike the first and second embodiments, the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment has a problem when a defect occurs in one of the local charge portions used to normally store the static charge of the memory cell. Based on the output of the flag circuit corresponding to the column address of the bit line of the memory cell, the charge localized portion is switched for each column address. For example, when a memory cell in which a problem has occurred is included in the memory sector MS1 and is connected to the bit line BL1, the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment outputs to the output of the flag circuit corresponding to the bit line BL1. Therefore, by switching the bias voltage of the memory cell connected to the bit line BL1, the charge localized portion used for data storage is switched to rescue the defective memory cell. In the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment, the operation for switching the bias voltage can use the method of the second embodiment described with reference to FIG.
In the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment, inversion of the bias condition for switching the charge localized portion for storing data is performed by the output from the flag circuit as in the first to third embodiments described above. Decide whether to do it. However, in the first to third embodiments, once the switching is determined, there is no change during the operation. In contrast, the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment inverts the bias condition only when the flag circuit group 10 accesses the memory cell at the column address to be switched in the local charge portion. That is, the semiconductor memory device of the fifth embodiment controls the switching of the bias voltage in real time according to the output of the flag circuit group 10.
Since the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment has the above configuration, the bias voltage can be inverted for each column address based on the output from the flag circuit existing for each column address. Therefore, in the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to switch the bias voltage in units of bit lines by changing a small number of circuits in which a flag circuit is added for each column address, and redundancy repair is effectively performed in finer units. Can be done. Further, the semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment can switch the bias voltage in real time.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the entire semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Since the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment has the same schematic configuration as that of the first embodiment, only the differences will be described below, and the description of the same components will be omitted. In addition, in FIG. 11, components having the same reference numerals as those used in Embodiments 1 and 2 are the same constituent elements.
The semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment is characterized in that a flag circuit is provided for each row address and each column address of the memory cells included in each of the memory sectors MS0 to MS3. The flag circuit corresponding to each row address is shown in the flag circuit group 9 in FIG. The flag circuit group 9 is connected between a memory cell and a row decoder 110 for driving a word line common to the memory sector. The flag circuit corresponding to each column address is shown in the flag circuit group 10 in FIG. The flag circuit group 10 is connected between the column decoders 111 to 114 for driving bit lines common to the memory sectors and the memory cells.
Unlike the first and second embodiments, the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment has a problem when a defect occurs in one of the local charge portions used to normally store the static charge of the memory cell. Based on the logical product of the output of the flag circuit corresponding to the row address of the word line of the memory cell and the output of the flag circuit corresponding to the column address of the bit line, switching of the local charge portion is performed for each memory cell. For example, when a memory cell in which a problem has occurred is included in the memory sector MS1 and is connected to the word line WL1 and the bit line BL1, the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment corresponds to the word line WL1. A logical product is obtained by a logical product circuit of the output of the flag circuit and the output of the flag circuit corresponding to the bit line BL1, and according to the result, the bias voltage of the memory cell is switched to thereby localize the charge used for data storage. Is switched to repair the defective memory cell. In the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment, the operation for switching the bias voltage can use the method of the second embodiment described with reference to FIG.
In the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment, inversion of the bias condition for switching the charge localized portion for storing data is performed by the output from the flag circuit as in the first to third embodiments described above. Decide whether to do it. However, in the first to third embodiments, once the switching is determined, there is no change during the operation. In contrast, the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment inverts the bias condition only when accessing a specific memory cell. That is, the semiconductor memory device of the sixth embodiment controls the switching of the bias voltage in real time according to the logical product of the output of the flag circuit group 9 and the output of the flag circuit group 10.
Since the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment has the above configuration, it is based on the logical product of the output from the flag circuit that exists for each row address and the output from the flag circuit that exists for each column address. The bias voltage can be inverted for each memory cell. Therefore, in the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to switch the bias voltage in units of memory cells by changing a small number of circuits in which a flag circuit is added for each row address and each column address, and redundancy is performed in finer units. Relief can be performed effectively. Further, the semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment can switch the bias voltage in real time.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the entire semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Since the semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment has the same schematic configuration as that of the first embodiment, only the differences will be described below, and the description of the same components will be omitted. In addition, in FIG. 12, the components denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in Embodiments 1 and 2 are the same constituent elements.
In general, when data is frequently rewritten in a semiconductor memory device, the characteristics of bits storing data deteriorate due to stress during use (endurance deterioration), and in the worst case, data cannot be written or erased. . Therefore, in order to improve the reliability of the semiconductor device according to the seventh embodiment, the charge localization used to normally store the static charge of the memory cell before data writing or erasure becomes impossible due to endurance deterioration. The memory cell is protected by switching the part.
The semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment includes flag circuits 5 to 8 provided for the memory sectors MS0 to MS3, and counter circuits 11 to 14 provided for the memory sectors MS0 to MS3, respectively. It is characterized in that a counter circuit and a flag circuit are connected for each sector.
The semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment is shipped in a state in which one of the localized charge portions used to normally store an electrostatic charge is specified. The counter circuits 11 to 14 count up each time the corresponding memory sector is rewritten. Each counter circuit writes to the flag circuit of the memory sector corresponding to each counter circuit when the number of times of rewriting exceeds a predetermined number of times, and outputs the output from the flag circuit to the charge localized portion switching Change to what you want.
For example, when the counter circuit 11 counts that the number of times of rewriting exceeds a predetermined number, the counter circuit 11 writes a signal in the flag circuit 5 and sets a flag signal. Thereafter, the semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment switches the bias voltage of the memory cell MS0 according to the output of the flag circuit 5, thereby switching the local charge portion used for data storage and writing data due to endurance degradation. And prevent erasure. In the semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment, the operation for switching the bias voltage can use the method of the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. The operation is the same for other memory sectors.
In the semiconductor device according to the seventh embodiment, some of the memory cells of the nonvolatile memory can be used as each counter circuit. By making the counter circuit a memory cell, it is possible to prevent data from being written or erased due to endurance deterioration without adding a circuit. However, when the semiconductor memory device is applied to a flash memory, since the flash memory cannot be rewritten bit by bit, additional writing must be performed for the counter circuit each time rewriting occurs.
Therefore, in the semiconductor device according to the seventh embodiment, the counter circuit may be composed of a plurality of small-scale memory sectors including a predetermined number of memory cells. In this configuration, when each small memory sector is responsible for counting different digits, and a carry occurs in the lower digit memory sector, the lower memory sector is written while an additional bit is written to the upper digit memory sector. Erase. By the above method, the number of rewrites can be counted without additional rewriting of the counter circuit.
FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing another example of the counter circuit according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. The counter circuit includes memory cells MC1 to MC3 and an A / D converter 15. The memory cells MC1 to MC3 each perform writing little by little as the number of times of rewriting increases to change the Vt of the memory cell. Thereafter, Vt of the memory cell is converted into the number of rewrites by the A / D converter 15. At this time, the number of times of rewriting does not need to be accurately grasped, and it is only necessary to know the approximate number of times. Thus, the number of rewrites can be counted by changing the threshold voltage Vt of the memory cell. If this method is combined with the handling of different digits and carry processing as described above, a larger number of counts can be handled. Thus, by using the threshold voltage Vt of the memory cell for counting, the number of memory cells used in the counter circuit can be reduced and the chip area can be saved.
Since the semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment has the above-described configuration, it is possible to prevent data from being written or erased due to endurance deterioration and to use the two localized charge portions by switching them. The number of rewrite guarantees can be doubled.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the entire semiconductor memory device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. Since the semiconductor memory device according to the eighth embodiment is a modification of the seventh embodiment described above, only the differences will be described below, and the description of the same components will be omitted. In addition, in FIG. 12, the components denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in Embodiments 1 and 2 are the same constituent elements.
The semiconductor device according to the eighth embodiment controls the memory cell not by managing the number of rewrites by the counter circuit but by detecting the endurance deterioration of the memory cell by the write / erase control circuit.
The semiconductor memory device according to the eighth embodiment is characterized in that it includes flag circuits 5 to 8 provided for each of the memory sectors MS0 to MS3, and a write / erase control circuit connected to the flag circuit.
In the semiconductor memory device according to the eighth embodiment, each flag circuit is shipped in a state where the charge localized portion for storing data is not switched. The write / erase control circuit 16 performs a predetermined phenomenon, for example, when the time for completing writing or erasing exceeds the specification or when writing or erasing is executed during the writing or erasing operation of the corresponding memory sector. When a case where the bias voltage deviates from a predetermined value is detected, a flag is set in the flag circuit of the memory sector in which the problem phenomenon has occurred.
For example, when the write / erase control circuit 16 detects that the write time of a specific memory sector included in the memory sector MS0 exceeds a predetermined time, the write / erase control circuit 16 writes to the flag circuit 5 And set a flag signal. Thereafter, the semiconductor memory device according to the eighth embodiment switches the bias voltage of the memory cell MS0 in accordance with the output of the flag circuit 5, thereby switching the local charge portion used for data storage and writing data due to endurance degradation. And prevent erasure. In the semiconductor memory device according to the eighth embodiment, the operation for switching the bias voltage can use the method of the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. The operation is the same for other memory sectors.
Since the semiconductor memory device according to the eighth embodiment has the above-described configuration, it is possible to prevent data from being written or erased due to endurance deterioration and to use the two charge localized portions by switching them. The number of rewrite guarantees can be doubled. In particular, since the semiconductor memory device according to the eighth embodiment detects the state of each memory cell, it is effective as a countermeasure against variations in memory cell characteristics. In addition, the semiconductor memory device according to the eighth embodiment not only prevents the data from being written and erased due to endurance deterioration, but also has a problem that the static charge stored in the charge localized portion for a long time disappears (retention failure). Also effective.
Next, a semiconductor memory device according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention will be described. The semiconductor memory device according to the ninth embodiment has the same schematic configuration as that of the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment. In the semiconductor memory device according to the ninth embodiment, an error correct code (ECC) is stored in the charge localization unit 106 that is not normally used for data storage of a predetermined memory cell.
When the static charge that should have been stored in the charge localizing portion 107 is lost, the ECC is a redundant addition that is added separately from the original data in order to correct data errors when reading the static charge. Means data. In the semiconductor memory device according to the ninth embodiment, when data is read by accessing the charge localized portion 107 of the memory cell in any memory sector, reading becomes impossible due to the malfunction of the charge localized portion 107. In preparation for this, an ECC is generated and stored in the charge localization unit 106.
Since the semiconductor memory device according to the ninth embodiment has the above configuration, the ECC can be held without separately providing a configuration of a memory cell or the like for holding the ECC. Therefore, the semiconductor memory device according to the ninth embodiment can improve the function of the semiconductor memory device without increasing the chip area.
Next, a semiconductor memory device according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention will be described. The semiconductor memory device according to the tenth embodiment has the same schematic configuration as the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment. The semiconductor memory device according to the tenth embodiment is used as a temporary area for temporarily writing data in the charge local area 106 that is not normally used for data storage of a predetermined memory cell.
Normally, in the flash memory, data is erased at once for each memory sector, so that new data cannot be written into the memory sector unless the entire memory sector is erased. However, when receiving a large amount of communication data, etc., it may be considered that the erasing time becomes a time lag and the writing and erasing of the memory are not in time. Therefore, the semiconductor memory device according to the tenth embodiment stores data in the localized charge portion 106 when the data stored in the localized charge portion 107 is erased and written. Then, the semiconductor memory device according to the tenth embodiment erases the data in the charge localized portion 107 and removes the charge in the charge localized portion 107, and then reads the data written in the charge localized portion 106 .
Since the semiconductor memory device according to the tenth embodiment has the above configuration, it is not necessary to take a waiting time for erasing before rewriting data, and it is possible to cope with a sudden rewrite command.
The present invention can be applied to general devices using a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device such as a program memory of a mobile device such as a mobile phone terminal and a data memory of a digital camera.
Simplified schematic diagram of an MNOS memory cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention Schematic of the whole semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram of a memory array and its peripheral part included in a memory sector of the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention Schematic diagram of a memory array and its peripheral part included in a memory sector of the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention 1 is a circuit diagram showing a first configuration of flag circuit 1 in a semiconductor memory device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a circuit diagram of a memory array showing a second configuration of flag circuit 1 in the semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram of a memory array and its peripheral part included in a memory sector of a semiconductor memory device according to a second embodiment of the present invention Schematic diagram of the entire semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Schematic of the whole semiconductor memory device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram of the entire semiconductor memory device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Schematic of the whole semiconductor memory device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram of the entire semiconductor memory device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The conceptual diagram which shows another example of the counter circuit based on Embodiment 7 of this invention Schematic of the whole semiconductor memory device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. Sectional view of a typical MNOS type memory cell Schematic diagram of the periphery of a memory array configured using conventional memory cells Schematic configuration diagram of a conventional semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory
101 LOCUS
102 ONO film 103 Gates 104 and 105 Buried diffusion layers 106 and 107 Charge localized region 108 Changeover switch 109 Sense amplifier 110 Row decoder 111 to 115 Column decoder 116 to 120 I / O circuit 1 Flag circuit 2 Physical fuse 3 Resistor 4 Latch circuit 5-8 Flag circuit 9, 10 Flag circuit group 11-14 Counter 15 A / D converter 16 Write / erase control circuit M01-M06 Memory cell BL0-BL6 Bit line WL0 Word line R01 Reference cell RSL Reference source line RBL Reference bit Line RWL Reference word lines SWB0 to SWB3 Switch elements PS0 and PS1 Power supply circuits PL0 and PL1 Power supply lines M11 to M13 Memory cells M21 to M23 Memory cells WL1 and WL2 Word line WLF Word MF1~MF3 memory cell SWL0, SWL1 selective word line ST00, ST11 select transistor ST02, ST13 select transistor SW01~SW04 switching element PL00, PL01 power line MC1~MC3 memory cell
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device capable of writing and erasing data and holding the data even when no voltage is supplied,
A memory cell including first and second charge localized portions capable of respectively storing electrostatic charges corresponding to the data;
The semiconductor memory device, wherein the second charge localized portion complements the first charge localized portion by storing an electrostatic charge corresponding to an electrostatic charge to be stored in the first charge localized portion.
When it is difficult for the first charge localized portion to store the electrostatic charge due to manufacturing failure, a charge localized portion to store the electrostatic charge corresponding to the data is changed from the first charge localized portion. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, comprising switching means for switching to the second charge localized portion.
A plurality of the memory cells;
3. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 2, further comprising: a flag circuit that outputs a flag signal for switching the local charge portion for the plurality of memory cells.
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 3, wherein the flag circuit includes an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory and a latch circuit.
A plurality of bit lines connected to each of the memory cells;
A plurality of power supply lines for supplying a power supply voltage to each of the memory cells,
4. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 3, further comprising a switch element capable of switching a combination of connection between the bit line and the power supply line based on an output from the flag circuit.
A plurality of power supply lines for supplying a power supply voltage to each of the memory cells;
A plurality of power supply circuits to be connected to each of the memory cells,
4. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 3, further comprising a switch element capable of switching a combination of connection between the power supply line and the power supply circuit based on an output from the flag circuit.
A plurality of memory sectors including a plurality of the memory cells;
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of flag circuits that output a flag signal for switching the charge localized portion for each memory sector.
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 7, further comprising a switch element that can switch a combination of connection between the power supply line and the power supply circuit based on an output from the flag circuit.
A plurality of the memory cells, each of the memory cells is specified by a row address determined by a bit line and a column address determined by a word line;
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of flag circuits that output a flag signal for switching the charge localized portion for each row address.
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 9, further comprising a switch element that can switch a combination of connection between the power supply line and the power supply circuit based on an output from the flag circuit.
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of flag circuits that output a flag signal for switching the charge localized portion for each column address.
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 11, further comprising a switch element capable of switching a combination of connection between the power supply line and the power supply circuit based on an output from the flag circuit.
Further, a plurality of first flag circuits for outputting a flag signal for switching the charge localized portion for each column address, and a flag signal for switching the charge localized portion for each row address The semiconductor memory device according to claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of second flag circuits configured to perform a logical product of an output of the first flag circuit and an output of the second flag circuit.
And a plurality of power supply circuits connected to each of the memory cells,
14. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 13, further comprising a switch element capable of switching a combination of connection between the power supply line and the power supply circuit based on an output from the circuit that takes the logical product.
When the characteristics of the first charge localized portion deteriorate due to actual use, the charge localized portion to store the electrostatic charge corresponding to the data is changed from the first charge localized portion to the second charge station. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for switching to an existing part.
A counter circuit that counts the number of rewrites, and outputs a signal when the counted number of rewrites exceeds a predetermined value;
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 15, further comprising: a flag circuit that outputs a flag signal for switching the local charge portion based on a signal output from the counter circuit.
The counter circuit includes a plurality of memory sectors including a predetermined number of memory cells, each of the memory sectors is responsible for counting different digits, and when a carry occurs in a lower digit memory sector, The semiconductor memory device according to claim 16, wherein the number of rewrites is counted by erasing a lower-order memory sector while performing 1-bit additional writing to the memory sector.
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 16, wherein the counter circuit includes a plurality of memory cells, and counts the number of rewrites by changing a threshold voltage Vt of the memory cells.
A control circuit that outputs a signal when a predetermined phenomenon is detected during a write or erase operation;
The semiconductor memory device according to claim 15, further comprising: a flag circuit that outputs a flag signal for switching the localized charge portion based on a signal output from the control circuit.
When the first charge localized portion stores an electrostatic charge, after the electrostatic charge is stored in the second charge localized portion in the same memory cell, the second charge localized portion The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1, wherein an erase operation of the first charge localized portion is executed before reading data.
The first charge localized portion is used for storing an electrostatic charge for storing normal data that can be written and erased, while the first charge localized portion is normal. A semiconductor memory device used to store an electrostatic charge for storing data for specifying and correcting the first charge localized portion when an electrostatic charge cannot be stored in the storage area.
JP2005111351A 2005-04-07 2005-04-07 Semiconductor memory apparatus Withdrawn JP2006294103A (en)
JP2005111351A JP2006294103A (en) 2005-04-07 2005-04-07 Semiconductor memory apparatus
US11/398,770 US7602638B2 (en) 2005-04-07 2006-04-06 Semiconductor memory device
CNA2006100741818A CN1845255A (en) 2005-04-07 2006-04-07 Semiconductor storage device
US12/555,600 US20090323427A1 (en) 2005-04-07 2009-09-08 Semiconductor memory device
JP2006294103A true JP2006294103A (en) 2006-10-26
JP2006294103A5 JP2006294103A5 (en) 2008-04-03
ID=37064181
JP2005111351A Withdrawn JP2006294103A (en) 2005-04-07 2005-04-07 Semiconductor memory apparatus
US (2) US7602638B2 (en)
JP (1) JP2006294103A (en)
CN (1) CN1845255A (en)
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2006-04-06 US US11/398,770 patent/US7602638B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
2006-04-07 CN CNA2006100741818A patent/CN1845255A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
2009-09-08 US US12/555,600 patent/US20090323427A1/en not_active Abandoned
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