Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority of Korean Patent. Application No. 10-2013-0070379, filed on Jun. 19, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a semiconductor design technology, and more particularly, to a semiconductor device, a multichip package, and a semiconductor system using the same for detecting a data transmission error and transmitting a detected result. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In general, a semiconductor device such as a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM) receives data from an external controller and performs a plurality of operations. However, in case that an error occurs in a data transmission, the semiconductor device receives erroneous data, and this may deteriorate the reliability of the semiconductor devices Recently, as a data processing speed of the semiconductor device is increased, the amount of data received from the external controller is increased and a transmission speed is increased. As a result, the number of errors, which occur in the data transmission, may be increased. Thus, schemes for overcoming the above-described problem have been developed. One of the schemes is to use a cyclic redundancy check code (CRC) code. 
         [0006]    The CRC code is generated based on data to be transmitted from the external controller. The external controller transmits the data with the CRC code to the semiconductor device. Subsequently, the semiconductor device performs an operation based on the CRC code and the data transmitted from the external device, and generates an operated result. An error, which occurs during a data transmission, may be detected using the operated result. 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a conventional semiconductor device. 
         [0008]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a semiconductor device includes a controller  110  and a semiconductor device  120 . 
         [0009]    The controller  110  transmits data DAT and a CRC code corresponding to the data DAT to the semiconductor device  120 . The semiconductor device  120  performs an operation based on the CRC code and the data DAT, and detects an error, which occurs in a data transmission. The semiconductor device  120  transmits detected error information INF_ERR to the controller  110 . The controller  110  determines whether or not an error occurred in the data transmission based on the detected error information INF_ERR. If the error occurred in the data transmission, the controller  110  re-transmits the data to the semiconductor device  120 . 
         [0010]    Recently, a semiconductor device has been developed in view of a manufacturing process or a design technology thereof. As a result, a size of a semiconductor device has been minimized and a power consumption has been lowered while an operation speed of a semiconductor device has been increased. Such a development of a semiconductor device provides an environment for operating more data with a less consumed power. However, since such a low power at a high speed may cause a noise to an operation of a semiconductor device, a complementary technology to the noise is needed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a semiconductor device, a multichip package and a semiconductor system using the same for detecting an error in a data transmission and transmitting a detected result stably. 
         [0012]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device includes an error detection unit suitable for receiving data and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code, and for outputting a detection signal by detecting a transmission error of the data, and a signal change unit suitable for generating error information based on the detection signal while changing a signal form of the error information based on a signal transmission environment of the data. 
         [0013]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor system includes a plurality of semiconductor devices suitable for receiving data and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code corresponding to the data, for detecting a transmission error of the data, and for generating error information, a controller suitable for providing the data and the CRC code to the semiconductor devices, for receiving the error information through a common transmission line, and for re-transmitting the data, and a loading value detection unit suitable for detecting a loading value of the common transmission line, and generating a control signal, wherein each of the semiconductor devices change a signal form of the error information in response to the control signal. 
         [0014]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a multichip package having a plurality of semiconductor chips coupled to through-silicon-vias (TSVs), each semiconductor chip includes an error detection unit suitable for receiving data and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code, and outputting a detection signal by detecting a transmission error of the data, a chip identification (ID) generation unit suitable for generating a chip ID corresponding to each semiconductor chip, a chip ID comparison unit suitable for generating a control signal by comparing a predetermined chip ID with the chip ID generated by the chip ID generation unit, and a pulse generation unit suitable for generating error information based on the detection signal while changing a signal form of the error information in response to the control signal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a conventional semiconductor device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a semiconductor device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram illustrating a pulse generation unit shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a timing diagram illustrating an operation of the pulse generation unit shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a semiconductor system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a multichip package in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The, present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Throughout the disclosure, reference numerals correspond directly to the like parts in the various figures and embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0022]    The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances, proportions may have been exaggerated in order to clearly illustrate features of the embodiments. In this specification, specific terms have been used. The terms are used to describe the present invention, and are not used to qualify the sense or limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0023]    It is also noted that in this specification, ‘and/or’ represents that one or more of components arranged before and after ‘and/or’ is included. Furthermore, “connected/coupled” refers to one component not only directly coupling another component but also indirectly coupling another component through an intermediate component. In addition, a singular form may include a plural form as long as it is not specifically mentioned in a sentence. Furthermore, ‘include/comprise’ or ‘including/comprising’ used in the specification represents that one or more components, steps, operations, and elements exists or are added. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a semiconductor device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the semiconductor device includes a transmission error detection unit  210  and a signal change unit  220 . 
         [0026]    The transmission error detection unit  210  receives data and a CRC code from an external device (not shown), and generates a detection signal DET. Herein, the detection signal DET is a signal for detecting an error, which occurs in a data transmission. 
         [0027]    The signal change unit  220  changes a signal form of error information INF_ERR in response to a detection signal DET. The signal change unit  220  includes a pulse generation unit  221  and a pulse control unit  222 . Herein, a signal transmission environment may include a process, a voltage and a temperature, and may further include a loading value of a transmission line for transmitting data. 
         [0028]    The pulse generation unit  221  generates the error information INF_ERR in response to the detection signal DET. Herein, the error information INF_ERR may be a pulse signal having a predetermined pulse width, which is generated in response to the detection signal DET. 
         [0029]    The pulse control unit  222  generates a control signal CTR based on the signal transmission environment. The control signal CTR is used in changing a signal form of the error information INF_ERR. That is, the control signal CTR is used in changing the pulse width of the error information INF_ERR. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram illustrating the pulse generation unit included in the signal change unit shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the pulse generation unit  221  included in the signal change unit  220  includes an S-R latch  310 , a plurality of flip-flops  320 , and a multiplexer  330 . 
         [0032]    The S-R latch  310  generates the error information INF_ERR, which is set in response to the detection signal DET and reset in response to an output signal MUX_OUT of the multiplexer  330 . 
         [0033]    The flip-flops  320  shifts the error information INF_ERR in response to an internal clock signal ICLK, and includes first to fourth flip-flops  320 - 1 ,  320 - 2 ,  320 - 3 , and  320 - 4 . 
         [0034]    The first flip-flop  320 - 1  receives the error information INF_ERR and the internal clock signal ICLK, and generates a first output signal SR 1  by shifting the error information INF_ERR in synchronization with the internal clock signal ICLK. 
         [0035]    The second flip-flop  320 - 2  receives the first output signal SR 1  and the internal clock signal ICLK, and generates a second output signal SR 2  by shifting the first output signal SR 1  in synchronization with the internal clock signal ICLK. 
         [0036]    The third flip-flop  320 - 3  receives the second output signal SR 2  and the internal clock signal ICLK, and generates a third output signal SR 3  by shifting the second output: signal SR 2  in synchronization with the internal clock signal ICLK. 
         [0037]    The fourth flip-flop  320 - 4  receives the third output signal SR 3  and the internal clock signal ICLK, and generates a fourth output signal SR 4  by shifting the third output signal SR 3  in synchronization with the internal clock signal ICLK. 
         [0038]    The multiplexer  330  selects one of the second and fourth output signals SR 2  and SR 4  from the second and fourth flip-flops  320 - 2  and  320 - 4  and outputs the output signal MUX_OUT to the S-R latch  310  in response to the control signal CTR. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a timing diagram illustrating an operation of the pulse generation unit shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  shows the internal clock signal ICLK, the detection signal DET, the first to fourth output signals SR 1 , SR 2 , SR 3  and SR 4  of the first to fourth flip-flops  320 - 1  to  320 - 4 , and the error information INF_ERR in response to the control signal CTR. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , when the detection signal DET is activated, the S-R latch  310  sets the error information INF_ERR, and the flip-flops  320  shift the error information INF_ERR in response to the internal clock signal ICLK. 
         [0041]    In detail, the first flip-flop  320 - 1  shifts the error information INF_ERR in synchronization with the internal clock signal ICLK and generates the first output signal SR 1 . The second flip-flop  320 - 2  shifts the first output signal SR 1  in synchronization with the internal clock signal ICLK, and generates the second output signal SR 2 . The third flip-flop  320 - 3  shifts the second output signal SR 2  in synchronization with the internal clock signal ICLK, and generates the third output signal SR 3 . The fourth flip-flop  320 - 4  shifts the third output signal SR 3  in synchronization with the internal clock signal ICLK, and generates the fourth output signal SR 4 . 
         [0042]    Subsequently, a pulse width of the error information INF_ERR is determined in response to the control signal CTR. Herein, the control signal CTR of a logic low value (@CTR″L″) represents that the error information INF_ERR may be sufficiently transmitted. Especially, if the control signal CTR has a logic low value (@CTR″L″), the multiplexer  330  selects the second output signal SR 2 . Accordingly, the S-R latch  310  sets the error information INF_ERR in response to the detection signal DET, and resets the error information INF_ERR in response to the second output signal SR 2 . 
         [0043]    Further, the control signal CTR of a logic high value (@CTR″H″), represents that the error information INF_ERR may not be sufficiently transmitted. Especially, if the control signal CTR has a logic high value (@CTR″H″), the multiplexer  330  selects the fourth output signal SR 4 . Accordingly, the S-R latch  310  sets the error information INF_ERR in response to the detection signal DET, and resets the error information INF_ERR in response to the fourth output signal SR 4 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a pulse width W 1  of the error information INF_ERR in case of the control signal CTR having the logic high value (@CTR″H″) is wider than a pulse width W 2  of the error information INF_ERR in case of the control signal CTR having the logic low value (@CTR″L″). That is, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pulse width of the error information INF_ERR may be controlled in response to the control signal CTR based on a transmission environment. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , two output signals of four flip-flops are used in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. However, in another embodiment of the present invention, a pulse width of the error information INF_ERR may be variously adjusted. That is, the pulse width of the error information INF_ERR may be variously changed based on a signal transmission environment. 
         [0046]    In order to perform an above-mentioned variable operation, the control signal CTR for reflecting a state of the signal transmission environment is requested. The control signal CTR may be used to select output signals of a plurality of flip-flops. This may control a reset timing of the error information INF_ERR. That is the pulse width of the error information INF_ERR may be controlled based on the state of the signal transmission environment. 
         [0047]    As described above, the semiconductor device in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may detect an error, which occur in a data transmission, and change a signal form of the error information INF_ERR based on a signal transmission environment. For example, if the error information INF_ERR has a signal having a pulse width, in the embodiment of the present invention, the semiconductor device may control the error information INF_ERR to be transmitted to a target circuit by increasing the pulse width of the error information INF_ERR. 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a semiconductor system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the semiconductor system in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a controller  510 , a plurality of semiconductor devices  520 , and a loading value detection unit  530 . 
         [0050]    The controller  510  transmits data DTA and a CRC code to the semiconductor devices  520 . 
         [0051]    The semiconductor devices  520  receive the data DTA and the CRC code from the controller  510 , detect an error, which occur in a data transmission, and output error information INF_ERR. Herein, the error information INF_ERR is transmitted to the controller  510  through a common transmission line coupled to the semiconductor devices  520 . The controller  510  determines a re-transmission based on the error information INF_ERR. 
         [0052]    Herein, each of the semiconductor devices  520  may include the transmission error detection unit  210  and the pulse generation unit  221  included in the signal change unit  220  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and the error information INF_ERR may be a pulse signal. 
         [0053]    Especially, the pulse width of the error information INF_ERR may be adjusted using a control signal CTR generated by the loading value detection unit  530 . Moreover since the semiconductor devices  520  are coupled to a common transmission line, the error information INF_ERR corresponding to each of the semiconductor devices  520  may be sequentially transmitted to the controller  510  without any conflict. 
         [0054]    The loading value detection unit  530  generates the control signal CTR by detecting a loading value of the common transmission line. The control signal CTR is inputted to the semiconductor devices  520 . The semiconductor devices  520  change a signal form of the error information INF_ERR in response to the control signal CTR. 
         [0055]    If the loading value of the common transmission line is greater than a predetermined loading value, the control signal CTR having this information is transmitted to the semiconductor devices  520 . 
         [0056]    Each of the semiconductor devices  520  may adjust the pulse width of the error information INF_ERR in response to the control signal CTR. Herein, a large loading value represents that the signal transmission environment is poor. The pulse width of the error information INF_ERR may be controlled to be widened in response to the control signal CTR. 
         [0057]    The semiconductor system in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention detects the loading value of the common transmission line and adjusts the pulse width of the error information INF_ERR based on a detected result. A correct information transmission may be performed by adjusting the pulse width of the error information INF_ERR. 
         [0058]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a multichip package in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 6 , first to third semiconductor chips  610 ,  620  and  630  coupled to each other through a through-silicon-via (TSV) are exemplarily described. 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the multichip package in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the first to third semiconductor chips  610 ,  620  and  630 . 
         [0060]    The first to third semiconductor chips  610 ,  620  and  630  coupled to each other through a first TSV TSV 01  for transferring error information INF_ERR and a second TSV TSV 02  for transferring a control signal CTR. 
         [0061]    Hereinafter, for the convenience of the descriptions, the first semiconductor chip  610  will be exemplarily described. 
         [0062]    The first semiconductor chip  610  is coupled to the second semiconductor chips  620  through the first TSV TSV 01  for transferring the error information INF_ERR and the second TSV TSV 02  for transferring the control signal CTR, and includes a first chip identification (ID) generation unit  611 , a chip ID comparison unit  612 , and a signal change unit  613 . 
         [0063]    The first chip ID generation unit  611  allocates a chip ID to the first semiconductor chip  610 . 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , in case that the first semiconductor chip  610  is arranged at a bottom and the third semiconductor chip  630  is arranged at a top, the first chip ID generation unit  611  of the first semiconductor chip  610  allocates a first chip ID corresponding to ‘1’ to the first semiconductor chip  610 . A second chip ID generation unit  621  of the second semiconductor chip  620  receives the first chip ID from the first chip ID generation unit  611  through a third TSV TSV 03 , and allocates a second chip ID corresponding to ‘2’ to the second semiconductor chip  620 . A third chip ID generation unit  631  of the third semiconductor chip  630  receives the second chip ID from the second chip ID generation unit  621  through the third TSV TSV 03 , and allocates a third chip ID corresponding to ‘3’ to the third semiconductor chip  630 . 
         [0065]    A chip ID comparison unit  612  compares a predetermined chip ID with the first chip ID generated by the first chip ID generation unit  611 , and generates the control signal CTR. Herein, the control signal CTR is transmitted to the second semiconductor device  620  and the third semiconductor device  630  through the second TSV TSV 02 . The predetermined chip ID is a reference for adjusting the pulse width of the error information INF_ERR. For example, if the predetermined chip ID is set to ‘3’, the chip ID comparison unit  612  compares the predetermined chip ID corresponding to ‘3’ with the first chip ID corresponding to ‘1’ generated by the first chip ID generation unit  611 , and generates the control signal CTR based on a comparison result. 
         [0066]    The signal change unit  613  has substantially the same configuration as the pulse generation unit  221  of the signal change unit  220  shown in  FIG. 2 . Thus, the signal change unit  613  may adjust a pulse width of the error information INF_ERR in response to the control signal CTR generated by the chip ID comparison unit  612 . That is, the signal change unit  613  generates the error information INF_ERR having a predetermined pulse width based on a detection signal DET, and controls the pulse width of the error information INF_ERR in response to the control signal CTR. Herein, the control signal CTR is transferred to the first to third semiconductor chips  610  to  630  through the second TSV TSV 02 , and the detection signal DET may be generated based on data and a CRC code from an external device (not shown). 
         [0067]    Hereinafter, the predetermined chip ID will be described in details as below. 
         [0068]    A multichip package includes a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips, which are coupled to each other through a TSV. Thus, as the number of stacked semiconductor chips increases, a loading of the TSV increases. 
         [0069]    The exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5  illustrates a case that the loading value of the common transmission line is directly detected. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6  illustrates a case that the loading value of the TSV is indirectly detected using the chip ID. 
         [0070]    For example, if the loading value of the TSV in at least three stacked semiconductor chips is larger than a predetermined loading value, the predetermined chip ID is set to ‘3’. That is, the predetermined chip ID is set to ‘3’ in the chip ID comparison unit of each of the first to third semiconductor chips  610 ,  620  and  630 . 
         [0071]    Subsequently, after the first to third semiconductor chips  610 ,  620  and  630  are stacked, the first to third chip IDs corresponding to the first to third semiconductor chips  610 ,  620  and  630  are allocated by the first to third chip ID generation unit  611 ,  621  and  631 , respectively. As described above, the first chip ID corresponding to ‘1’ is allocated to the first semiconductor chip  610 . The second chip ID corresponding to ‘2’ is allocated to the second semiconductor chip  620 . The third chip ID corresponding to ‘3’ is allocated to the third semiconductor chip  630 . 
         [0072]    Meanwhile, the chip ID comparison unit of the third semiconductor chip  630  compares the predetermined chip ID having ‘3’ with the third chip ID having ‘3’ allocated to the third semiconductor chip  630 , and outputs the control signal CTR based on a comparison result. The control signal CTR is transmitted to the signal change unit of each of the first to third semiconductor chips  610 ,  620  and  630 . The pulse width of the error information INF_ERR is controlled to be widened more than a predetermined width in response to the control signal CTR. 
         [0073]    A multichip package in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention detects a loading value of a TSV for transferring error information INF_ERR using a chip ID, and adjusts a pulse width of the error information INF_ERR based on a detected result. 
         [0074]    As described above, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since the signal form of the error information INF_ERR may be changed based on a signal transmission environment, it is possible to prevent the error information INF_ERR from being lost. Thus, a correction operation may be performed based on error information INF_ERR. 
         [0075]    In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, to change the signal form of the error information INF_ERR by adjusting the pulse width of the error information INF_ERR is exemplarily described However, the present invention may include a method for changing a signal&#39; form of the error information by adjusting the drivability of a driving circuit, which outputs the error information INF_ERR. 
         [0076]    In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the semiconductor device, the semiconductor system and the multichip package detect an error to be occurred in a signal transmission, and transmit a detected result to a target circuit or device, and may increase reliability of a complementary operation in the error detection. 
         [0077]    While the present invention has been described with respect to the specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Technology Category: g