Semiconductor memory circuit including bias voltage generator
First Claim
1. A semiconductor memory circuit having an active mode and a standby mode, said semiconductor memory circuit comprising:
- a plurality of memory cells, each including a field effect transistor (FET) having a control gate, as a memory transistor;
a first power supply line for supplying a first power supply voltage;
a second power supply line for supplying a second power supply voltage; and
a bias voltage generator, connected to said memory cells, for supplying at least a predetermined bias voltage to each said control gate in the active mode, said bias voltage generator including,a bias voltage generating source having a current inlet, a current outlet, and an output terminal for outputting the predetermined bias voltage when a driving current flows from the current inlet to the current outlet,a first FET, connected between said first power supply line and the current inlet of the bias voltage generating source, having a gate receiving a common input signal which selectively defines one of the active and standby modes, the first FET being turned on regardless of the status of the input signal, anda second FET, connected between said second power supply line and the current outlet of the bias voltage generating source, the second FET being turned on during the active mode and turned off during the standby mode, whereby an output voltage near to the predetermined bias voltage is supplied from the output terminal of said bias voltage generator and the driving current is cut by the second FET.
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Abstract
A semiconductor memory circuit includes therein a bias voltage generator which produces a bias voltage to be supplied to a control gate of a field effect transistor (FET) which forms a part of each memory cell in the semiconductor memory circuit. The bias voltage generator is comprised of a bias voltage generating source which is sandwiched by first and second FET'"'"'s. The second FET operates to stop a driving current flowing through the bias voltage generating source, in a standby mode, and the first FET operates to produce an output voltage near to the bias voltage. The bias voltage is generated by the bias voltage generating source when both the first and second FET'"'"'s are turned ON, in an active mode, and the driving current flows therethrough.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A semiconductor memory circuit having an active mode and a standby mode, said semiconductor memory circuit comprising:
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a plurality of memory cells, each including a field effect transistor (FET) having a control gate, as a memory transistor; a first power supply line for supplying a first power supply voltage; a second power supply line for supplying a second power supply voltage; and a bias voltage generator, connected to said memory cells, for supplying at least a predetermined bias voltage to each said control gate in the active mode, said bias voltage generator including, a bias voltage generating source having a current inlet, a current outlet, and an output terminal for outputting the predetermined bias voltage when a driving current flows from the current inlet to the current outlet, a first FET, connected between said first power supply line and the current inlet of the bias voltage generating source, having a gate receiving a common input signal which selectively defines one of the active and standby modes, the first FET being turned on regardless of the status of the input signal, and a second FET, connected between said second power supply line and the current outlet of the bias voltage generating source, the second FET being turned on during the active mode and turned off during the standby mode, whereby an output voltage near to the predetermined bias voltage is supplied from the output terminal of said bias voltage generator and the driving current is cut by the second FET. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification