Patent ID: 10140176

Abstract:
An error correcting method of a semiconductor memory device includes receiving first data from outside the semiconductor memory device. First check bits are generated based on the first data and a first parity generator matrix. The first parity generator matrix includes a plurality of columns of bits. The plurality of columns of bits are arranged in a plurality of parity generator matrix groups. An error correcting code (ECC) code word including a plurality of ECC code word groups is stored in the plurality of memory cell groups. Each of the plurality of ECC code word groups have the first data and the first check bits. The plurality of ECC code word groups correspond to the plurality of parity generator matrix groups, respectively. For each parity generator matrix group of the first parity generator matrix, a result value of a bit-by-bit exclusive OR (XOR) operation performed on any two columns included in the parity generator matrix group is equal to a column number of a column that is not included in the parity generator matrix group. Thus, when a first ECC code word group, from among the plurality of ECC code word groups, includes error bits, a miscorrected bit that would be caused by the error bits as a result of performing an error correction operation on the first ECC code word group is located in an ECC code word group other than the first ECC code word group.