Multi-port random access memory with shadow write test mode

• US 5,896,330 A
• Filed: 07/24/1997
• Issued: 04/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Gibson, Garnet Frederick Randall
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms, David C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Andrew Q.
• Application Number:
  US08/899,779
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 365/201, 365/230.05, 371/21.2
• US Class Current: 365/201
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/41 forming static cells with positive feedback, i.e. cells not needing refreshing or charge regeneration, e.g. bistable multivibrator or Schmitt trigger
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/02 Detection or location of defective auxiliary circuits, e.g. defective refresh counters
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/025 in signal lines
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/50 Marginal testing, e.g. race, voltage or current testing
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 8/16 Multiple access memory array, e.g. addressing one storage element via at least two independent addressing line groups

Abstract

Disclosed is an architecture of a RAM (random access memory) with BIST (built-in self test) or functional test function. The RAM has a memory cell for storing differential or single-ended binary data and bit line signals are fully differential or single-ended. Shadow write is applied to read only and read-write bit lines. With the test function, port-to-port bit line shorts and port-to-port word line shorts are sensitized.

Claims

1. A multi-port RAM (random access memory) comprising:

RAM cells of m rows by n columns, each RAM cell including storage means for storing single-ended binary data, the RAM cells being coupled to respective row and column lines of each port, m and n being integers;

data write means for storing single-ended binary data in the RAM cells selected by signals on the row and column lines of a port;

data read means for reading the single-ended binary data stored in the RAM cells selected by signals on the row and column lines of a port; and

voltage driving means for applying a predetermined level voltage onto selected ones of the column lines in a shadow write mode.

2. The multi-port RAM of claim 1, further comprising test means for determining whether or not the single-ended binary data read from the RAM cells is expected data.

3. The multi-port RAM of claim 1, wherein the voltage driving means comprises means for driving the predetermined level voltage onto all column lines of at least one selected port in the shadow write mode.

4. The multi-port RAM of claim 1, wherein the voltage driving means comprises selective drive means for driving the predetermined level voltage onto selected column lines of at least one selected port in the shadow write mode.

5. The multi-port RAM of claim 4, wherein the selective drive means comprises:

M sets of N voltage application means for each port, M and N being integers, the voltage application means being coupled with the respective column lines; and

activating means for activating at least one selected one of the voltage application means of the respective set in the shadow write mode, so that the activated voltage application means driving the predetermined level voltage onto the column line which is coupled therewith.

6. The multi-port RAM of claim 5, wherein M is 2 and the activating means alternatively activates one set of the N voltage application means.

7. The multi-port RAM of claim 6, wherein the voltage application means comprises switching means which causes the respective column line to be the predetermined voltage level, in response to a control signal provided by the activating means.

8. The multi-port RAM of claim 7, wherein:

each of the switching means comprises a FET (field effect transistor), the drain-source of which is coupled between the respective column line and a terminal for the predetermined level voltage; and

the control signal is selectively applied to the gates of the FETs.

9. The multi-port RAM of claim 8, further comprising means for providing the ground level voltage to the terminal for the predetermined level voltage.

10. The multi-port RAM of claim 1, wherein the storage means for storing single-ended binary data is a dynamic random access memory element.

11. The multi-port RAM of claim 1, wherein the storage means for storing single-ended binary data is a static random access memory element.