Patent ID: RE41379

Claim:
A semiconductor memory comprising: a plurality of first regions arranged in lattice fashion, each of which corresponds to a memory array including a plurality of main word lines extending in a first direction, a plurality of sets of sub-word lines extending in said first direction, a plurality of pairs of data lines extending in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction and a plurality of memory cells, each of which is coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of sub-word lines and a corresponding one of said data lines, one of said plurality of main word lines being allotted to one of said plurality of sets of sub-word lines; a plurality of second regions, each of which is arranged alternately with each of said first regions arranged along said first direction and each of which includes sub-word line drivers connected to said sub-word lines; a plurality of third regions, each of which is arranged alternately with each of said first regions arranged along said second direction and each of which includes sense amplifiers connected to said data lines; and a plurality of fourth regions, each of which is arranged alternately with each of said third regions arranged along said first direction, wherein each of said plurality of main word lines extends through one or more of said first regions arranged along said first direction; wherein said semiconductor memory further includes: a plurality of pairs of sub-common data lines, each of which extends through said third regions arranged along said first direction; first switching circuits formed in said third regions and connected interposingly between said plurality of pairs of data lines and a corresponding one of said pairs of sub-common data lines; a plurality of pairs of main-common data lines, each of which extends through one or more of second regions arranged along said second direction; and second switching circuits formed in said fourth regions and connected interposingly between a corresponding one of said pairs of main-common data lines and a corresponding one of said pairs of sub-common data lines.