Semiconductor device

• US 20070025143A1
• Filed: 07/27/2006
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Fujita, Masashi, Kurokawa, Yoshiyuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,443,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 365/154
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0891 using clearing, invalidating or resetting means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0895 of parts of caches, e.g. directory or tag array
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/412 using field-effect transistors only
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/84 the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. being an insulating body
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/1203 the substrate comprising an insulating body on a semiconductor body, e.g. SOI three-dimensional layout H01L27/0688
• CPC Class Codes: H10B 10/00 Static random access memory [SRAM] devices
• CPC Class Codes: H10B 10/125 the MOSFET being a thin film transistor [TFT]

Abstract

A cache memory having valid bits, where a circuit configuration in a memory cell of a valid bit is improved so as to perform invalidation at high speed. The invention provides a cache memory including a memory cell that has a function to perform invalidation at high speed. One mode of the invention is a semiconductor device including a memory cell of a valid bit, where two inverters are connected in series to form a loop, a drain of an N-channel transistor is connected to an output signal line of one of the inverters, a gate thereof is connected to a reset signal line of a CPU, and a source thereof is connected to a ground line. The initial value of the memory cell is determined by inputting a reset signal of the CPU to the gate.

Claims

1. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter; and

at least one of a transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor connected to an output portion of the first inverter or an output portion of the second inverter, and the ground line.

2. A semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

3. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter; and

at least one of a third transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor connected to an output portion of the first inverter or an output portion of the second inverter, and the ground line.

4. A semiconductor device according to claim 3, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

5. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter; and

a transistor connected to an output portion of the first inverter or an output portion of the second inverter, and the power supply line.

6. A semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

7. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter; and

a third transistor connected to an output portion of the first inverter or an output portion of the second inverter, and the power supply line.

8. A semiconductor device according to claim 7, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

9. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter; and

at least one of a third transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor connected to an output portion of the first inverter or an output portion of the second inverter, and the ground line.

10. A semiconductor device according to claim 9, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

11. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter; and

a third transistor connected to an output portion of the first inverter or an output portion of the second inverter, and the power supply line.

12. A semiconductor device according to claim 11, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

13. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a first data line connected to the first transistor;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a second data line connected to the second transistor;

a word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter; and

at least one of a third transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor connected to an output portion of the first inverter or an output portion of the second inverter, and the ground line.

14. A semiconductor device according to claim 13, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

15. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a first data line connected to the first transistor;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a second data line connected to the second transistor;

a word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter; and

a third transistor connected to an output portion of the first inverter or an output portion of the second inverter, and the power supply line.

16. A semiconductor device according to claim 15, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

17. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

at least one of a third transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor connected to an output portion of the first inverter and the ground line;

a fourth transistor connected to the ground line, wherein a gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to an output portion of the second inverter;

a fifth transistor connected to the fourth transistor; and

a data line connected to the fifth transistor.

18. A semiconductor device according to claim 17, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

19. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

at least one of a third transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor connected to an output portion of the second inverter and the ground line;

a fourth transistor connected to the ground line, wherein a gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to an output portion of the first inverter;

a fifth transistor connected to the fourth transistor; and

a data line connected to the fifth transistor.

20. A semiconductor device according to claim 19, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

21. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

at least one of a third transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor connected to an output portion of the first inverter and the ground line;

a fourth transistor connected to the ground line, wherein a gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to an output portion of the second inverter;

a fifth transistor connected to the fourth transistor; and

a data line connected to the fifth transistor.

22. A semiconductor device according to claim 21, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

23. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

at least one of a third transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor connected to an output portion of the second inverter and the ground line;

a fourth transistor connected to the ground line, wherein a gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to an output portion of the first inverter;

a fifth transistor connected to the fourth transistor; and

a data line connected to the fifth transistor.

24. A semiconductor device according to claim 23, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

25. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a first word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

at least one of a third transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor connected to an output portion of the first inverter and the ground line;

a fourth transistor connected to the ground line, wherein a gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to an output portion of the second inverter;

a fifth transistor connected to the fourth transistor;

a second word line connected to a gate electrode of the fifth transistor; and

a data line connected to the fifth transistor.

26. A semiconductor device according to claim 25, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

27. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a first word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

at least one of a third transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor connected to an output portion of the second inverter and the ground line;

a fourth transistor connected to the ground line, wherein a gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to an output portion of the first inverter;

a fifth transistor connected to the fourth transistor;

a second word line connected to a gate electrode of the fifth transistor; and

a data line connected to the fifth transistor.

28. A semiconductor device according to claim 27, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

29. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a first data line connected to the first transistor;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a second data line connected to the second transistor;

a first word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

a third transistor connected to an output portion of the first inverter or an output portion of the second inverter, and the power supply line;

a fourth transistor connected to the ground line, wherein a gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to the third transistor;

a fifth transistor connected to the fourth transistor;

a second word line connected to a gate electrode of the fifth transistor; and

a third data line connected to the fifth transistor.

30. A semiconductor device according to claim 29, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

31. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a first data line connected to the first transistor;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a second data line connected to the second transistor;

a first word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

at least one of a third transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor connected to an output portion of the first inverter and the ground line;

a fourth transistor connected to the ground line, wherein a gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to an output portion of the second inverter;

a fifth transistor connected to the fourth transistor;

a second word line connected to a gate electrode of the fifth transistor; and

a third data line connected to the fifth transistor.

32. A semiconductor device according to claim 31, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.

33. A semiconductor device comprising:

an inverter circuit including a first inverter and a second inverter for holding a data;

a first transistor connected to an input terminal of the first inverter;

a first data line connected to the first transistor;

a second transistor connected to an input terminal of the second inverter;

a second data line connected to the second transistor;

a first word line connected to gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;

a power supply line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

a ground line connected to the first inverter and the second inverter;

at least one of a third transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor connected to an output portion of the second inverter and the ground line;

a fourth transistor connected to the ground line, wherein a gate electrode of the fourth transistor is connected to an output portion of the first inverter;

a fifth transistor connected to the fourth transistor;

a second word line connected to a gate electrode of the fifth transistor; and

a third data line connected to the fifth transistor.

34. A semiconductor device according to claim 33, wherein the semiconductor device is at least one selected from the group consisting of a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, an electronic card, an electronic book, and a computer.