On-chip error detection circuit

• US 5,157,335 A
• Filed: 07/25/1991
• Issued: 10/20/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Theodore W. Houston
• Original Assignee: Theodore W. Houston
• Inventors: Houston, Theodore W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, Jack B.
• Application Number:
  US07/737,584
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 324/133, 324/537, 324/500, 324/509, 324/555, 324/158 R, 324/158 T, 340/630, 365/154, 365/190
• US Class Current: 324/537
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/004 Error avoidance G06F11/07 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/4125 Cells incorporating circuit means for protecting against loss of information
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/04 Detection or location of defective memory elements , e.g. cell constructio details, timing of test signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/005 Circuit means for protection against loss of information of semiconductor storage devices
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/20 Memory cell initialisation circuits, e.g. when powering up or down, memory clear, latent image memory

Abstract

A memory cell system with properties of asymmetrical operation such that the occurrence of memory error due to certain environmental disturbances is detectable. The asymmetry of operation can be adjusted to set the level at which the disturbance is detected. Detection of memory error in the system can be used to shut off access to an associated memory array in order to prevent error in the array.

Claims

1. A detection circuit comprising:

a detection bi-stable circuit, including a pair of cross-coupled inverters wherein each inverter comprises a n-channel transistor connected to a p-channel transistor, which is operable to store a first state and circuitry operable for causing a transition to a second state in said detection bi-stable circuit in response to a predetermined circuit operating condition selected from the group of circuit operating conditions consisting of a predetermined amount of leakage current through said transition causing circuitry, power supply surges in said detection circuit, or predetermined threshold voltage changes within said transition causing circuitry.

2. The detection cell of claim 1, wherein said transition causing circuitry comprises:

a pair of inverters for storing said second state;

a first pair of pass transistors connected to said pair of inverters operable to transfer said second state onto a bit line and an inverted bit line in response to one of said predetermined circuit operating conditions;

a second pair of pass transistors connected to said pair of cross-coupled inverters in the detection bi-stable circuit operable to transfer said second state from said bit line and inverted bit line to said pair of cross-coupled inverters.

3. The detection cell of claim 1 further comprising circuitry for placing said detection bi-stable circuit in said first state.

4. The detection cell of claim 1 wherein said transition causing circuitry comprises a p-channel transistor having its gate connected to its source, its source connected to a high voltage, and its drain connected to the inverted output of said pair of cross-coupled inverters.

5. The detection cell of claim 1 wherein said transition causing circuitry comprises a n-channel transistor having its gate connected to its source, its source connected to a ground, and its drain connected to the inverted output of said pair of cross-coupled inverters.

6. The detection cell of claim 1 wherein said transition causing circuitry comprises a series of p-channel transistors each having its gate connected to its source, and its source connected to a high voltage, and its drain connected either directly or through one or more fuses to the inverted output of said pair of cross-coupled inverters.

7. The detection cell of claim 1 wherein said transition causing circuitry comprises a series n-channel transistors each having its gate connected to its source, its source connected to a ground, and its drain connected either directly or through one or more fuses to the inverted output of said pair of cross-coupled inverters.

8. The detection cell of claim 1 wherein said transition causing circuitry comprises:

a first capacitor connected between the output of said pair of cross-coupled inverters and a high voltage; and

a second capacitor connected between the inverted output of said pair of cross-coupled inverters and a ground.