Memory apparatus and data processor using the same
First Claim
1. In a data processing system including a memory unit having a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, a spare row of memory cells, a spare column of memory cells, a row decoder for accessing said plurality of memory cells by row, and a plurality of access control bits coupled to said row decoder, each for controlling access to a corresponding one of said plurality of rows, a method for automatically testing and repairing said memory unit comprising the steps of:
- (a) testing said memory unit to determine whether said memory unit includes at least one defective memory cell;
(b) repairing said memory unit when said memory unit includes said at least one defective memory cell, wherein said step of repairing produces a modified memory unit and includes the steps of;
(1) calculating a number of defective cells for each of said plurality of columns in said memory unit containing said at least one defective memory cell;
(2) comparing the number of defective cells in one column with the number of defective cells in the other columns;
(3) selecting the column in which the number of defective cells is more than that in another column as a column for replacement; and
(4) substituting said spare column for said selected column for replacement.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A memory apparatus and a data processor using the same comprises, a memory mechanism, having a signal input terminal into which a predetermined signal is inputted, a memory unit consisting of first, second and third memories, a fourth memory and a control unit which replaces the first or second memory with the third memory by switching electrical connections between the memories of the memory unit according to information written into the fourth memory, and furthermore, an operation unit which diagnoses failures in the memory mechanism in case the predetermined signal is inputted from the signal input terminal, in case the failure is diagnosed in the first memory allows the control unit to replace the first memory with the third memory by writing a first value into the fourth memory, and in case the failure is diagnosed in the second memory allows the control unit to replace the second memory with the third memory by writing a second value into the fourth memory. Since the failure in the memory array unit can be relieved, manufacturing yields of the memory apparatus and the data processor including the same are improved.
49 Citations
12 Claims
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1. In a data processing system including a memory unit having a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, a spare row of memory cells, a spare column of memory cells, a row decoder for accessing said plurality of memory cells by row, and a plurality of access control bits coupled to said row decoder, each for controlling access to a corresponding one of said plurality of rows, a method for automatically testing and repairing said memory unit comprising the steps of:
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(a) testing said memory unit to determine whether said memory unit includes at least one defective memory cell; (b) repairing said memory unit when said memory unit includes said at least one defective memory cell, wherein said step of repairing produces a modified memory unit and includes the steps of; (1) calculating a number of defective cells for each of said plurality of columns in said memory unit containing said at least one defective memory cell; (2) comparing the number of defective cells in one column with the number of defective cells in the other columns; (3) selecting the column in which the number of defective cells is more than that in another column as a column for replacement; and (4) substituting said spare column for said selected column for replacement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a data processing system including a memory unit having a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, a spare row of memory cells, a spare column of memory cells, a row decoder for accessing said plurality of memory cells by row, and a plurality of access control bits coupled to said row decoder, each for controlling access to a corresponding one of said plurality of rows, a method for automatically testing and repairing said memory unit comprising the steps of:
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(a) testing said memory unit to determine whether said memory unit includes at least one defective memory cell; (b) repairing said memory unit when said memory unit includes said at least one defective memory cell, wherein said step of repairing produces a modified memory unit and includes the steps of; (1) calculating a number of defective cells for each of said plurality of columns in said memory unit containing said at least one defective memory cell; (2) selecting a column for replacement in said memory unit according to said number of defective cells, wherein said column for replacement is a column in said memory unit having a greatest number of defective cells; and (3) substituting said spare column for said selected column for replacement. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification