Asynchronously equillibrated and pre-charged static ram

Abstract

A static RAM (random access memory) is described wherein fully asynchronous active equilibration and precharging of the RAM's bit lines provides improved memory access time and lower active power dissipation. In the preferred embodiment, each change in the memory's row address is sensed for developing a clock pulse of a controlled duration. The clock pulse is received by a group of equilibrating transistors and a group of precharging transistors which are coupled to the memory's bit lines. When the clock pulse occurs, all the abovementioned transistors conduct to effect simultaneous equilibration and pre-charging of the bit lines.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to MOS (metal oxide semiconductor) memories, and is particularly directed to an improved, high speed, low power static MOS RAM (random access memory).

MOS memories generally include an orthogonal array of memory cells for storing data in the form of binary ones and zeros. Data can be written into or read from each memory cell by accessing a particular cell via row and column addresses applied to the memory.

Typically, a particular memory cell is accessed by means of a pair of bit lines and a word line which are selected by a column address and a row address, respectively. A memory cell which is located at the intersection of the selected bit lines and word line is thus accessed, and the binary data stored in the memory cell may be read out via the bit lines. Data is written into a memory cell in the same general manner.

The speed with which data can be written into or read from a memory cell depends in part on how rapidly the logic levels on the bit lines can change. For example, if a bit line has a low logic level after reading the data in a first memory cell, the bit line may have to change to a high logic level on reading the data from a next memory cell. A significant time is required for the bit line to accommodate such a change in logic levels, thereby limiting the RAM's operating speed.

Another problem associated with conventional static RAMS is the undesirably large amount of power used in constantly "pre-charging" their bit lines. Typically, the bit lines in both static and dynamic RAMS are pre-charged by coupling them to a source of potential equivalent to a high logic level. Such pre-charging is necessary because, if the bit lines have logic levels which are opposite to the logic levels of the next memory cell to be accessed, coupling the bit lines to that memory cell may flip the state of the cell. Pre-charging both bit lines high before row selection prevents a high logic output of a cell from being forced low by the potential on a bit line and prevents a cell's low logic output from being flipped high.

In dynamic RAMS, such pre-charging is a function necessary for the operation of the device and is accomplished synchronously for a short interval prior to row selection. However, because static RAMS operate asynchronously, they cannot be pre-charged at a periodic rate. For this reason, the bit lines of static RAMS are usually maintained in a state of constant pre-charge, except perhaps for a brief interval during read or write operations. Consequently, conventional static RAMS have dissipated much more power in their precharging operation than is desirable.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved static RAM.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a static RAM which is faster and which consumes less power than conventional static RAMS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The objects stated above and other objects of the invention are set forth more particularly in the following detailed description and in the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a general block diagram of a static RAM embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of the RAM shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows details of the data input/output scheme of the RAM;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a row address buffer and an address transition detector for use in the RAM;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a clock generator which is responsive to the address transition detector of FIG. 4 for activating pre-charge and equilibration of the RAM's bit lines;

FIG. 6 illustrates one of the memory cells in the RAM and the circuitry by which its bit lines are pre-charged and equilibrated; and

FIG. 7 shows waveforms A, B, and C to explain the effects of bit line equilibration and pre-charging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the embodiment described herein, the access time of a static RAM is improved by asynchronously equilibrating the RAM's bit lines. Herein, the term "equilibrating" refers to an operation wherein pairs of bit lines are electrically shorted together. Active power dissipation of the RAM is also reduced by asynchronously pre-charging the bit lines at the same time that the bit lines are equilibrated.

Equilibration is preferably effected by an address transition detector which senses a change in the address of a memory cell which is to be accessed, a clock generator which develops a self-timed clock pulse when the address transition detector senses a change in a memory address, and a plurality of transistors which are coupled to the RAM's bit lines so as to short together and pre-charge the bit lines in response to the clock pulse.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A 16 K MOS static RAM is described with embodies various aspects of the invention. The RAM is an integrated circuit which may be fabricated by conventional processes on a P-type silicon substrate, and employs N channel field effect transistors having polysilicon gates. The memory is TTL compatible, and is organized as a pair of 64.times.128 memory cell arrays. The novel aspects of the RAM which are described herein provide an access time of approximately forty nano seconds and an active power dissipation of approximately 325 milliwatts.

A general block diagram of the chip is shown in FIG. 1 and a more detailed block diagram is shown in FIG. 2 to illustrate the architecture of the chip. Referring first to FIG. 1, the RAM is shown as including a memory array 10 which includes 128 rows by 128 columns of memory cells. Associated with the array 10 is a group of memory bits 12 which may constitute 2 columns of redundant memory cells for replacing two defective columns of cells in the main array 10. The redundancy scheme which employs the bits 12 is not part of the present invention and is described in detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 164,282, filed June 30, 1980.

To access a particular column of cells in the array 10, seven column address buffers 14 receive seven bits of TTL column address data at inputs A4-A10. In response to the input data, each of the buffers 14 generates a true output on its output lead 16 and a complimentary output on its lead 18. Those outputs are received by a column decoder 20, which may include column select switches and data lines, for accessing a selected column of memory cells via a group of bit lines 24.

To access a particular row of memory cells, seven row address buffers 26 are included for receiving seven bits of row address data at inputs A0-A3 and A11-A13. The buffers 26 generate true outputs at their output leads 28 and complimentary outputs at their output leads 30. Those outputs are received by a row decoder 32 for accessing a selected row of memory cells via row select or word lines 34. Thus, a memory cell located at the intersection of a selected word line 34 and a selected bit line 24 is accessed by the row and column address data.

Control of the reading and writing modes of the RAM is shown functionally by gates 35 and 36 and buffers 38 and 40. The gate 35 has a pair of inputs, one receiving a chip select signal CS and another receiving a write enable signal WE. When CS and WE are low, the gate 34 is enabled for generating a high output to enable a data input buffer 38. Data input (DIN) then received by the buffer 38 is coupled to the column decoder 20 for writing the input data into the memory 10.

When CS is low and WE is high, the gate 35 is disabled and the gate 36 is enabled. The high output generated by the gate 36 enables the output buffer 40 for reading data out of the memory 10. Thus, the RAM is in its active mode when CS is low, and switching WE from low to high switches the RAM from a write state to a read state. When CS goes high, essentially the entire RAM goes into a standby or powered-down mode.

Although not specifically shown in FIG. 1, the chip select signal, CS, is preferably applied to all address buffers, decoders and other circuitry in the RAM to reduce power dissipation during standby.

As thus far described, the RAM shown in FIG. 1 operates conventionally. The memory 10, the decoders 20 and 32, and the buffers 14 and 26 may all be conventional for purposes of this invention. However, the RAM may employ the bits 12 in the redundancy scheme described in the above-mentioned patent application, and the row and column decoders may be as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 172,766, filed July 28, 1980.

To lower the power dissipation of the RAM and to decrease its access time, there is included means which respond to a change in the received address of a memory cell for equilibrating the bit lines of the memory 10 prior to selection of the next successive row line 34. In addition, the same change in a memory cell address is utilized to pre-charge the bit lines to a high logic level before selection of a new word line. Both these functions are accomplished by an address transition detector 42, a clock generator 44, and dynamic bit line pre-charge and equilibration circuits 46.

In general, the detector 42 senses the row address data output by the row buffers 26. If that row address data changes, the detector 42 signals that occurrence to the clock generator 44 via a lead 48. In response to the signal on the lead 48, the clock generator 44 develops at its output 50 a one-shot pulse EQ of a controlled duration to activate the dynamic bit line pre-charge and equilibration circuits 46. The output of the circuits 46 is coupled to bit lines in the memory array 10 in a manner described hereinafter to short together each pair of bit lines which accesses a column of memory cells and to pre-charge those bit lines to a high logic level. Such equilibration and pre-charging is effected immediately prior to selection of a new word line by the row decoder 32. The details of how the equilibration and bit line pre-charging is effected is discussed following a description of the chip architecture shown in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the memory array is shown as including a left array of cells 52 and a right array of cells 54. Each of the arrays includes 64 columns by 128 rows of memory cells.

Column address data is received at pins 56-68 for application to seven column address buffers 70-82 which correspond to buffers 14 of FIG. 1. The buffers 70-82 each generate a true output designated as A and a complimentary output designated as A. All such outputs are applied to a left column decoder array 84 and a right column decoder array 86. The A and A outputs of the buffers 74 and 76 are all also applied to four second column selects 88, 90, 92 and 94. Generally, the A and A outputs of the buffers 70-82 will cause the left column decoder array 84 and the right column decoder array 86 to access two columns of memory cells in the left memory array 52 via two pairs of bits lines 96 and to access two columns of memory cells in the right memory array 54 via two additional pairs of bit lines 98. The data on a pair of the bit lines from the left memory array is coupled to the second column select 88 via a data line pair 89 and the data on the other pair of bit lines is coupled to the second column select 90 via a data line pair 91.

Similarly, the data on a pair of the bit lines from the right memory array is coupled to the second column select 92 via a data line pair 93 and the data on the other pair of bit lines is coupled to the second column select 94 via a data line pair 95. The second column selects 88, 90, 92 and 94 respond to the A and A outputs of buffers 74 and 76 for coupling one of the four pairs data lines to a data buss 100. Thus, the second column selects couple to the data buss 100 only data from one of the four memory columns selected by the two left and right column decoders. The information on the data buss 100 may be coupled to a sense amplifier 102 for amplifying the information and improving the rise and fall times. The output of the sense amplifier is coupled to an output buffer 104 for coupling the output data to a pin 106.

More detail of the data input/output scheme associated with the column decoders 84 and 86 and the second column selects 88-94 is depicted in FIG. 3. Shown are two columns A and B of memory cells 108 associated with the left memory array 52. Actually, the left memory array includes 64 such columns with 128 memory cells in each column.

Columns C and D are two of the 64 columns of memory cells associated with the right memory array 54. Columns E and F of memory cells correspond, respectively, to a left spare column 110 of memory cells and a right spare column 112 of memory cells shown in FIG. 2 for implementing the redundancy scheme described in application Ser. No. 164,282, filed June 30, 1980.

Referring first to columns A and B, they each include a pair of bit lines 114 and 116. The bit lines 114 are coupled to each memory cell 108 in column A and to a pair of transistors 118 and 120. Similarly, the bit lines 116 are coupled to each memory cell in column B and to another pair of transistors 122 and 124. The symbols shown for the transistors 118-124 are meant to indicate enhancement mode field effect transistors. Wherever similar symbols are used, the same type of transistors are indicated.

The gates of transistors 118-124 are coupled to a common terminal 126 to receive a high level select signal from the left column decoder array 84 (FIG. 2). When such a signal occurs, the transistors 118-124 are turned on for coupling data on the bit lines 114 and 116 to data line pairs 89 and 91. In like manner, bit lines 128 and 130 are coupled to data line pairs 93 and 95 when a select signal is received at terminal 132 from the right column decoder 86.

To reduce the data received from four columns to one column of data, each of the data line pairs 89, 91, 93 and 95 includes its own selecting transistors which are enabled by high level signals from the second column selects 88, 90, 92 and 94 (FIG. 2). Specifically, data lines 89 are coupled as shown with transistors 134 and 136, the gates of which are coupled to a terminal 138. Data line pairs 91, 93 and 95 are coupled to terminals 139, 140 and 142, respectively, via the transistors 144-154.

Depending on the column address received by the RAM, one of the second column selects 88, 90, 92 or 94 (FIG. 2) will apply a high level signal to one of the terminals 138, 139, 140 or 142, thereby causing one of the data lines to be coupled to the data buss 100 for reading data from the selected memory cell or for writing data into it.

Although no word (row select) lines are shown in FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that, in practice, such will be included in order to select the proper memory cell for coupling to the data buss 100.

Shown coupled to the data buss 100 are five additional transistors 156, 158, 160, 162 and 164. The sources of transistors 156 and 158 are coupled to either side of the buss 100, and their gates receive signals at terminals 166 and 168 which cause transistors 156 and 158 to be turned on during the RAM's read mode to limit the negative voltage excursion on the buss line to two threshold voltages below the power supply voltage (V.sub.cc). The transistors 156 and 158 are turned off during the write mode.

Transistors 160 and 162 have their sources coupled to the data buss and their gates coupled to their drains. These transistors act as loads to limit the negative swing of the buss line when the cell tries to pull it below one threshold lower than the power supply voltage.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, the data line pairs 89, 91, 93 and 95 may also be coupled to transistors such as the transistors 156, 158, 160 and 162 for limiting the voltage swings of the data line pairs.

The transistor 164 is coupled via its drain to one side of the data buss and via its source to the other side of the data buss. The gate of the transistor 164 receives the signal EQ developed by the clock generator 44 (FIG. 1) for shorting together and equilibrating opposite sides of the data buss.

The data line pairs 89-95 also include transistors 170, 172, 174 and 176, as shown, for receiving the signal EQ to equilibrate the data lines to which they are coupled.

The upper ends of each memory column A-F are coupled to three transistors for equilibrating and pre-charging the bit lines associated with each column. For example, the bit lines 116 of column B are coupled to a transistor 178 for shorting together the bit lines 116 in response to the signal EQ, and are coupled to transistors 180 and 182 for being pre-charged in response to the same signal. The other columns are similarly connected to their own transistors for effecting the equilibration and pre-charging functions as described in detail hereinafter.

Also shown coupled to the upper ends of memory column B is a pair of transistors 181 and 183 which act as "keepers" to provide a trickle of charge to the bit lines 116 to compensate for charge leakage therefrom. Columns A and C-f include similar "keepers".

Referring again to FIG. 2, each of the column address buffers 70-82 may generate signals identified as CL and CR for use in selecting a spare left column 110 and/or a spare right column 112 as a part of a redundancy scheme. As mentioned above, the redundancy scheme is not necessary for purposes of this invention and is described in detail in Ser. No. 164,282, filed June 30, 1980. Suffice it to say that each of the column address buffers may contain circuitry, independent of the buffering function, for receiving an input and developing the CL and CR signals to indicate that one or both of the spare columns 110, 112 is to be selected in place of one or two columns in either the left memory array 52 or the right memory array 54. The CL signals are applied to a left spare select 184 for selecting the left spare column 110 when a received column address is indicative of a column previously found to be defective. The CR signals are applied to a right spare select 186 for selecting the right spare column 112 under similar circumstances. When a spare column is selected, the spare selects 184 and 186 disable the second column selects 88, 90, 92 and 94 to prevent accessing a defective column. Further details of the redundancy scheme in shown in FIG. 3 wherein columns E and F may receive a select signal at terminals 188 and 190 for accessing their memory cells in response to signals generated by the spare selects 184 and 186.

Returning to FIG. 2, input pins 192-204 are included for receiving row address data for application to the box 206 entitled "row address buffers and A.T.D.". Included in the box 206 are the seven row address buffers 26 shown in FIG. 1 and an address transition detector (A.T.D.) associated with each buffer. Each row address buffer in the box 206 is shown as having an output 208 which includes the true and complimentary signals applied to the row decoder 32. Additional outputs 210 from the address transition detectors are coupled to an address transition buss (ATB) which drives the clock generator 44. As stated above, the generator 44 develops a one-shot pulse indicated as EQ on the lead 50 in response to detection of an address transition, and the EQ pulse activates pre-charge and bit line equilibration circuits 46a and 46b.

Shown near the bottom of FIG. 2 is a V.sub.bb generator 212, a write enable buffer 214, a chip select buffer 216, and a data input buffer. The V.sub.bb generator 212 generates a substrate bias voltage V.sub.bb at pin 218 and a square wave signal .phi.W, typically of 5 megahertz, at lead 220. The signal .phi.W may be used in a number of the circuits shown in FIG. 2, an example of which is described hereinafter. The construction of the V.sub.bb generator may be conventional or as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 164,284, filed June 30, 1980.

The chip select buffer 216 inverts and amplifies the chip select signal CS for use in power gating various portions of the RAM. This buffer may also be conventional or be constructed as disclosed in an application Ser. No. 172,766 filed July 28, 1980.

Also of conventional construction is the write enable buffer 214. This buffer receives an externally generated write enable signal and generates output signals indicated as WE, CS, OD and OD. The WE output of the buffer 214 may be coupled to the data input buffer 38 to enable it in the RAM's write mode. The signals OD and OD may be coupled to the output buffer 104 to disable and enable it. Thus, when WE and OD are low and OD is high, the RAM is put in its write mode; of course, when chip select CS is high, the RAM is powered down to its standby mode.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a row address buffer 222 and an address transition detector 224. Generally, the buffer 222 receives one bit A of a row address at an input pin 226 for developing a true output A at a lead 228 and a complimentary output A at another lead 230. As shown, the signals A and A are output to the row decoder for selection of the proper word line.

The row address buffer also develops at leads 232 and 234 true and complimentary outputs which are referred to as A new and A new. The latter signals as well as the signal A and A are received and processed by the address transition detector 224 to develop a positive going one shot output signal B at a lead 236 for pulling the address transition buss (ATB) low for a brief interval whenever the address transition detector senses a change in the row address bit received at pin 226. The low level signal at the ATB buss is used to initiate precharging and equilibration of the bit lines.

To achieve consistent and reliable timing of the pre-charging and equilibration functions, the address transition detector is designed such that the output signal B has a consistent amplitude and duration irrespective of the direction of row address transitions. The amplitude and duration of the signal B tracks with temperature, manufacturing process parameters, and power supply variations.

Referring more specifically to the row address buffer 222, it includes a series input resistor 238 and a pair of transistors 240 and 242 coupled to the pin 226 as shown. These three components serve to protect the remainder of the buffer from static charges which may be applied to the input pin 226. The remainder of the buffer 222 may be of the design shown or any conventional design and need not be described further.

The address transition detector 224 includes a pair of delay networks 244 and 246, inverting Schmitt stages 248 and 250, and a gating stage 252 which functions essentially as an exclusive OR gate. The delay network 244 includes three serially coupled transistors which receive the signal A from the buffer 222 and function essentially as resistors for operating with the gate capacitance of the inverter 248 to delay the signal A.

The stage 248 includes transistors 254, 256, 258 and 260 coupled in a regenerative loop, the latter transistor being a depletion mode transistor forming a load for the inverting Schmitt stage. All other depletion mode transistors are shown by similar symbols. With the illustrated arrangement, the transistors 260 and 258 are on when no delayed high level A signal is received at the gate of transistor 254, and the transistors 254 and 256 are off. In addition, the on condition of transistor 258 causes a voltage to be developed at the source of transistor 256 for source biasing the latter transistor.

When a delayed high going A signal causes the gate-to-source voltage of the transistor 254 to rise above its threshold voltage (approximately 0.6 volt), the transistor 254 conducts and thereby lowers the voltage on the source of the transistor 256. When the transistor 254 is sufficiently conductive, the gate-to-source potential of the transistor 256 rises above its threshold voltage and the transistor 256 conducts. Consequently, the gate of transistor 258 is driven low rapidly, the transistor 258 turns off, and the transistor conducts even harder. This regenerative action result is a negative going signal with a rapid fall time on a lead 262 which is coupled to the gate of a transistor 264.

The result of the operation described above is that the signal A on lead 230 is converted to an inverted and delayed signal on lead 262, the latter signal being referred to as A old. Also, the signal A old has a sharper leading edge than the signal A as a result of the operation of the inverting Schmitt stage 248 which not only inverts but also operates as a level detector due to the delayed on condition of the transistor 256.

The delay network 246 and the stage 250 operate in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the delay network 244 and the stage 248. Suffice it to say that the delay network 246 and the stage 250 convert the signal A on lead 228 to a delayed and inverted signal A old on lead 266 which is coupled to the gate of a transistor 268. Thus, when the signal A is high and the signal A is low, the delayed signal A old is low and the signal A old is high.

When the address bit input at pin 226 changes logic levels, the signals A and A new from the address buffer go low. Conversely, the signals A and A new each go high. As shown, the signals A new and A new are coupled to the source of transistors 268 and 264. Hence, the address transition causes the transistor 264 to have low level signals A old and A new at its gate and source, respectively, and causes the transistor 268 to have high level signals A old and A new at its gate and source, respectively. Hence, the transistor 264 is off and the transistor 268 is on. As a result, the lead 236 is driven high to develop the signal B.

It should be understood that the transistor 268 remains on as long as the signal A old remains high, that is, for the duration of the delay introduced by the delay network 246 and the stage 250. Hence, the address transition buss goes low and is capable of being returned to a high level when the signals A and A have propagated through their delay networks and inverters. Further, that buss is pulled low irrespective of the direction of the transition at pin 226.

It will be understood that RAM includes one row address buffer and one address transition detector for each bit of the row address, with the outputs of all the address transition detectors coupled to the address transition buss via transistors such as 236.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a clock generator which responds to the ATB buss going low to generate a clock pulse EQ for activating bit line precharging and equilibration. As shown, the ATB buss is coupled to the drains of seven transistors 270 which represent the output transistors of seven address transition detectors of the type shown in FIG. 4. When any one or more the transistors 270 is turned on by a pulse such as B (FIG. 4) the ATB buss is pulled low. A latch and release network 272 holds the ATB buss low via a lead 274 while the remainder of the clock generator develops a positive going EQ pulse on an output lead 276. When the EQ pulse goes high, a signal is fed back to the network 272 via a lead 278 to release the ATB buss and permit it to charge to its normally high level at a controlled rate. As the potential of the ATB buss rises, the clock generator pulls the output lead low to terminate the EQ pulse. Hence, the ATB buss is held low for a self-timed interval and the output signal EQ is held high for a related interval.

Referring more specifically to the network 272, it includes transistors 280, 282, 284, 286, 288 and 289, and a polysilicon resistor 290. Transistors 280 and 289 are adapted to receive a chip select signal CS to power down the circuit when the RAM is in a standby mode. When the ATB buss is pulled low with the RAM in its active mode, a flip-flop comprising transistors 280, 282, 284 and 286 and resistor 290 flips to latch the lead 274 to a low level. The details of the way in which the latch is released is described hereinafter.

An important part of the clock generator is a high speed, low power pseudo-dynamic bootstrap driver circuit comprising transistors 292, 294, 296, 298 and 300 and a capacitor 302. This latter circuit and its use as a part of a clock generator is described in application Ser. No. 172,766, filed July 28, 1980. Suffice it to say that when the ATB buss goes low, transistors 296 and 300 are turned off; consequently, the voltage at the drain of transistor 296 (node 304) rises to turn on the transistor 298 and raise the voltage at a node 306. That voltage rise is coupled back to node 304 via a capacitor 302 and a conducting transistor 294. The increase in voltage at node 304 turns transistor 298 on harder, and the regenerative cycle continues, rapidly raising the node 306 to the supply voltage V.sub.cc and raising the drain of transistor 294 (node 308) to approximately seven volts in the case where V.sub.cc is equal to five volts. The voltage on the node 308 will be coupled via a transistor 310 to another node 312 for application to the output terminal 276 via a transistor 314.

Associated with the bootstrap driver is another transistor 315 and a charge pump comprising transistors 316 and 318 and a capacitor 320. The transistor 315 is coupled to the ATB buss via its source and to the gate of the transistor 292 via its drain. With this arrangement, a low level transition on the ATB buss is delayed by the transistor 315 so that the gate of the transistor 292 does not go low until the transistor 296 is completely off. This prevents the voltage at node 308 from dipping below its high level potential which was maintained by the transistor 292.

As mentioned above, the bootstrap driver circuit raises the voltage level at node 308 above the supply voltage V.sub.cc. In order to hold the potential at the node 308 at that high level irrespective of any leakage of current which may occur, the charge pump comprising transistors 316 and 318 and the capacitor 320 is included in the illustrated arrangement. The capacitor 320 receives the previously mentioned .phi.W signal for turning on the transistor 318 at a 5 megahertz rate to establish a path for current flow to the mode 308 via transistors 316 and 318. Hence, the high level potential on the node 308 is maintained.

As described briefly above, the transistor 310 couples the high voltage at node 308 to the transistor 314 and the latter transistor drives the output 276 high. The transistor 310 also serves to prevent an unwanted positive excursion or glitch on the ATB buss from pulling the output lead 276 low. This effect is achieved by coupling the gate of the transistor 310 to an inverter comprising transistors 322 and 324. The gate of the transistor 324 is coupled to the ATB was so that, when a glitch drives the ATB buss high, the transistor 324 turns on and lowers the voltage on the gate of the transistor 310. Hence, the transistor 310 is turned off and thereby isolates node 308 from the node 312. Any drop in the potential at node 308 due to a glitch is thus isolated from the output lead 276.

The remainder of the circuitry shown in FIG. 5 serves primarily to ensure that signal EQ goes high quickly and stays high for a self-timed interval. Driving the EQ signal high rapidly is necessary to ensure that equilibrating and pre-charging of the bit lines begin prior to selection of a word line. The interval over which the EQ signal is held high is selected to be long enough to cause the bit lines to become fully equilibrated and pre-charged, but not so long as to reduce the operating speed of the RAM.

The self-timing aspect of the clock generator is best explained by assuming that the ATB buss has just been driven low in response to a row address change. Because the ATB buss is coupled directly to the gate of a transistor 326 whose drain is coupled to node 312, the transistor 326 is rapidly turned off. Consequently, the transistor 326 which had previously been on immediately releases the node 312 so that its potential can be boot-strapped high rapidly. Another transistor 328 whose drain is coupled to the output lead 276, is turned on shortly thereafter to release the output lead 276 in order to permit EQ to rise.

Coupled to the output lead 276 is a depletion mode transistor 329 whose function is to trickle charge onto the output lead 276 to compensate for current leakage therefrom. Also coupled to the lead 276 is a transistor 330 whose source is coupled to the drain of another transistor 332. Transistors 330 and 332 initiate the ATB's buss return to a high level. As the EQ signal rises, the transistor 330 conducts for turning on the transistor 288 via the lead 278. Consequently, the network 272 flips to its opposite state in which the transistor 284 is turned off, thereby releasing the ATB buss. The ATB buss then charges toward V.sub.cc through the polysilicon resistor 290 and the transistor 280. Because the resistor 290 is constructed of polysilicon, it tracks with the word lines which are also made of polysilicon. Hence, changes in a word line which alter its propagation delay are matched by similar changes in the resistor 290. The result obtained is that the rate of potential rise in the ATB buss is controlled to assist in controlling the duration of the EQ pulse.

As the potential on the ATB buss rises, the transistors 296 and 300 begin conducting, whereupon the node 308 goes to a lower level. In addition, the transistor 324 turns on, thereby turning off the transistor 310 to isolate the low level voltage on node 308 from node 312. Without such isolation, a decrease in potential at the node 308 would be capacitively coupled from the node 312 to the output 276 via the transistor 314, thus causing a drop in the potential at the output 276 prior to it being pulled low by the transistor 328.

The transistor 326 is also turned on as the ATB buss potential rises, but the node 312 is not yet pulled down because of the delayed conduction of another transistor 331 which is coupled in series between ground and the transistor 326.

The delay in turning the transistor 331 on is effected by the delay associated with the inverter comprising transistors 322 and 324 and an inverting buffer comprising transistors 332, 334, 336 and 338. As mentioned above, when the ATB buss goes high, the transistor 324 turns on. This couples a low level signal to the gates of transistors 332 and 336 for turning them off. Consequently, the node 340 to which the drain of transistor 336 is coupled is driven high when the voltage at node 306 is low. Because the node 340 is coupled to the gates of transistors 328 and 331, these transistors are turned on simultaneously to pull down the node 312 and the output lead 276. Consequently, the EQ signal on the lead 276 drops rapidly to a low level.

It can be seen, therefore, that the duration of the EQ pulse is determined by the rate at which the resistor 290 permits the ATB buss to charge, the delay associated with node 306 reaching a low level, and the delay associated with transistors 322-324 and the inverting buffers (transistors 332-336). In practice, it has been found that a duration of typically 10 nanoseconds provides a satisfactory pulse width for the EQ signal.

It will be appreciated that the clock generator must operate asynchronously, and must, therefore, be impervious to glitches on the ATB buss. Another transistor 342 assists in providing additional protection from glitches.

Assuming that the ATB buss is low, the node 340 will be low to keep the transistor 328 off. The only way in which the output lead 276 can be pulled low is by the node 340 going high to turn on the transistor 328. Now if a glitch appears on the ATB buss, the transistor 324 can be momentarily turned on and the transistor 336 can be momentarily turned off. Without the inclusion of the transistor 342, the off condition of transistor 336 could allow node 340 to go high and allow the output lead 276 to be driven low in response to the glitch.

Glitch protection is provided by coupling the gate of the transistor 342 to node 306 and by coupling its drain to the drain of transistor 332. Ordinarily, the node 306 is near V.sub.cc when the ATB buss is low, and the transistor 342 is held on. When a positive-going glitch appears on the ATB buss, transistors 296 and 300 turn on briefly and the potential at node 306 drops somewhat, but not far enough to turn the transistor 342 off. Hence, the drain of transistor 342 remains at a low enough level to hold the transistor 338 off. With the latter transistor off, the path between the node 340 and V.sub.cc is broken so that the voltage on the node 340 cannot rise to turn on the transistor 328. Hence, the output lead 276 is not driven low by a glitch on the ATB buss.

It is only when the potential at node 306 goes to within a threshold voltage of ground that the transistor 342 turns off, thereby turning the transistors 338, 328 and 331 on to pull the voltage at the node 312 and at the output lead 276 low.

This assures that, when the output lead 276 goes low, the potential at node 306 is near ground to maintain a voltage differential across the capacitor 302 so that bootstrapping will occur on the next occasion when the ATB buss is driven low.

When the ATB buss has gone high after an address transistion has pulled it low, the transistor 300 turns on to pull node 306 to ground. When that occurs, the transistor 342 turns off and permits the voltage at node 340 to be controlled in the ordinary manner described above.

With the arrangement described above, an EQ pulse is developed which has a fast rise time and which stays high for a self-timed interval which is determined by the polysilicon resistor 290 and the delay associated by the inverters. That delay is chosen to be just long enought to cause the bit lines to be fully equilibrated and pre-charged, but not so long as to reduce the operating speed of the RAM.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the details of a memory cell are shown to facilitate the explanation of the pre-charge and equilibration functions controlled by the signal EQ. The memory cell includes a pair of transistors 344 and 346 and a pair of polysilicon resistors 348 and 350, all interconnected as shown to form a flip-flop.

To access the memory cell, a pair of bit lines 352 and 354 are coupled to the cell by transistors 356 and 358. Another pair of transistors 360 and 362 select the bit lines 352 and 354 when they are enabled by a signal at terminal 364 from the appropriate column decoder.

The gates of transistors 356 and 358 are coupled to a row select or word line 366 which is selected by the row decoder. When the word line 366 and the bit lines 352 and 354 are all selected in response to row and column address inputs, the state of the memory cell is output at leads 368 and 370 for further coupling of that information to the data buss 100 (FIG. 2).

To equilibrate the bit lines 352 and 354, the drain of a transistor 372 is coupled to bit line 352 and its source is coupled to bit line 354. The gate of transistor 372 is adapted to receive the EQ signal from the clock generator shown in FIG. 5. Thus, when the signal EQ is high, the transistor 372 shorts together (equilibrates) the bit lines 352 and 354.

As stated earlier, all bit lines are also pre-charged when an address transistion occurs. Toward this end, a transistor 374 has its source coupled to the bit line 352, its drain coupled to V.sub.cc, and its gate coupled to the signal EQ. Similarly, the bit line 354 is coupled to the signal EQ. Similarly, the bit line 354 is coupled to the source of a transistor 376, the drain and gate thereof being coupled to V.sub.cc and EQ, respectively. Thus, whenever an address transistion occurs, the transistors 374 and 376 conduct to pre-charge the bit lines 352 and 354 to V.sub.cc minus a threshold voltage. Because the transistors 372, 374 and 376 are turned on at the same time, pre-charging and equilibration occur simultaneously.

Another pair of transistors 378 and 380 are also coupled to bit lines 352 and 354 as shown. As described earlier, these transistors are merely "keepers" which trickle charge to the bit lines to compensate for charge leakage therefrom.

To illustrate the effects of the pre-charge and equilibration functions, reference is made to waveforms A, B, and C of FIG. 7. Waveform A shows the rapid method of achieving pre-charge and equilibration which is employed in some dynamic RAMS. Specifically, a pair of bit lines T and T are shorted together at time T.sub.0 and reach their common, intermediate potential at time T.sub.1. Pre-charging also starts at time T.sub.1, whereupon both bit lines rise in potential and reach their pre-charged condition at time T.sub.2.

At B, a pair of bit lines U and U are not equilibrated but are pre-charged beginning at time T.sub.1. Note that the line U does not reach its final precharged condition until substantially after time T.sub.2.

The simultaneous pre-charge and equilibration employed herein is shown at C. Here, bit lines V and V are simultaneously pre-charged and equilibrated in response to the signal EQ at time T.sub.0 and reach their final pre-charged condition very shortly after time T.sub.2. Hence, the pre-charge and equilibration technique employed herein is almost as fast as that employed in dynamic RAMS, without necessitating an extra clock pulse.

As stated earlier, the bit lines of conventional static RAMS are constantly coupled to V.sub.cc to effect "passive" pre-charging. The "active", asynchronous pre-charging technique described above saves a substantial amount of power in comparison to the conventional "passive" pre-charging technique.

The pre-charging as described herein also differs substantially from the pre-charging accomplished in dynamic RAMS. The latter are, of course, pre-charged at periodic intervals controlled by externally generated clock signals, irrespective of whether or not the dynamic RAM is about to receive new memory addresses. In the static RAM described herein, pre-charging of the bit lines occurs only on an "as-needed" basis, i.e., whenever a row address changes. As a result, a significant saving of active chip power results.

Further, conventional RAMS have needed an externally derived signal to initiate equilibration of their bit lines. Here, of course, the control signal EQ initiates equilibration (and pre-charge) in response to an on-chip detection of a change in memory address.

The fact that asynchronous equilibration and pre-charging of the bit lines is possible is due in large part to the operation of the address transition detector and the clock generator which ensure that all bit lines have been fully equilibrated and pre-charged prior to the next row selection without reducing the operating speed of the ram.

Although the invention has been described in terms of a preferred structure, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications and alterations may be made to the disclosed embodiment without departing from the invention. Accordingly, all such modifications and alterations are intended to be considered as within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a static RAM having an array of memory cells which are each accessed by selection of a pair of bit lines and a word line in response to memory cell address information received by the RAM, the improvement comprising:

means for asynchronously equilibrating the bit lines including:

a row address buffer for receiving row address information developed externally of the RAM and for developing therefrom true and complimentary row address data; an address transition detector for receiving and delaying the true and complimentary row address data for a predetermined duration and for comparing the delayed row address data with the next successive row address data developed by the row address buffer so as to generate a control signal when such comparison is indicative of a change in row address due to a change in the row address information received by the row address buffer;

a clock generator coupled to the address transistion detector for generating a clock pulse in response to the control signal, and transistor means coupled to each pair of bit lines and to said clock generator for equilibrating and precharging each pair of bit lines in response to the clock signal.

2. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for delaying the row address data includes a plurality of serially connected enhancement mode transistors receiving row address data from the row address buffer.

3. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said comparison means includes means receiving the delayed row address data for inverting the latter data and an exclusive OR gate receiving the inverted and delayed row address data and the next successive undelayed row address data developed by the row address buffer.

4. The improvement as set forth in claim 3 wherein said inverting means includes a plurality of transistors interconnected in a regenerative loop for inverting the delayed row address data when the amplitude of the latter data reaches a predetermined level so as to output to said exclusive OR gate a signal having a fast rise time.

5. The improvement as set forth in claim 3 wherein said exclusive OR gate includes a pair of transistors, one of said transistors receiving at its gate delayed and inverted true row address data and receiving at its source undelayed and non-inverted true row address data from said row address buffer, the other of said transistors receiving at its gate delayed and inverted complimentary row address data and receiving at its source undelayed and non-inverted complimentary row address data, the drains of each of said transistors being connected together to develop the control signal at their common drain connection when a change in row address data occurs.

6. In a static RAM having an array of memory cells which are each accessed by selection of a pair of bit lines and a word line in response to memory cell address information received by the RAM, a circuit for initiating asynchronous equilibration of the bit lines in response to each change in the memory cell address information, comprising:

a plurality of row address buffers each receiving one bit of row address information for developing true and complimentary row address data, and a corresponding plurality of address transition detectors each receiving the true and complimentary row address data from one associated row address buffer, each such address transition detector including a first data path receiving the true row address data for delaying and inverting the latter data and a second data path receiving the complimentary row address data for delaying and inverting the latter data, each such detector also including gating means receiving the delayed and inverted data from said first and second data paths and receiving the next successive undelayed row address data from its associated row address buffer for developing a control signal to initiate bit line equilibration when the delayed and undelayed row address data is indicative of a change in the address of a row.

7. In a static RAM having an array of memory cells which are each accessed by selection of a pair of bit lines and a word line in response to memory cell address information in the form of a plurality of address bits received by the RAM, a circuit for asynchronously equilibrating the bit lines, comprising:

a plurality of address transition detectors each associated with one of the address bits for sensing a change in one or more of the address bits and for generating a control signal when such a change occurs;

means for coupling the control signals developed by each address transition detector to a common buss so as to drive said buss to a predetermined logic level when one or more such control signals are developed;

a clock generator coupled to said buss for developing a clock pulse of a predetermined duration in response to said buss being driven to the predetermined logic level; and

transistor means coupled to each pair of bit lines and to the clock generator for shorting together each pair of bit lines in response to the clock pulse.

8. The improvement as set forth in claim 7 wherein said clock generator includes:

a bootstrap circuit responsive to the predetermined logic level on said common buss for rapidly generating a high level signal;

an output stage;

a coupling transistor for coupling said high level signal to said output stage to develop the clock pulse at the output stage; and

transistor means responsive to a voltage glitch on said common buss for gating off the coupling transistor so as to isolate the output stage and the clock pulse from voltage glitches which may occur on the common buss.

9. The improvement as set forth in claim 7 wherein said clock generator includes:

a bootstrap circuit coupled to said common buss for rapidly generating a high level signal in response to the common buss being driven to said predetermined logic level;

an output stage coupled to said bootstrap circuit for generating a high level clock pulse in response to the high level signal generated by the bootstrap circuit;

a bi-stable transistor network coupled to said common buss and responsive to said predetermined logic level on the buss for assuming a first stable state in which it latches the buss to its predetermined logic level; said network being switchable to a second stable state for releasing the buss from its predetermined logic level and for causing the buss to charge toward an opposite logic level at a selected rate;

transistor means coupled to said output stage and to said bi-stable transistor network for switching the state of said network in response to the clock pulse such that the common buss is released from its predetermined logic level and charges toward said opposite logic level, whereupon said bootstrap circuit rapidly generates a low level signal; and

a delay network coupled between said common buss and the output stage for holding the output stage at its high level for a selected duration after the common buss begins rising to its opposite logic level and for thereafter releasing the output stage to terminate the clock pulse whereby a clock pulse having a self-timed interval is generated for causing the bit lines to be fully equilibrated.

10. The improvement as set forth in claim 9 wherein the RAM includes word lines constructed of polysilicon, and wherein said bi-stable network includes a polysilicon resistor through which said common buss charges so that the duration of the clock pulse tracks with the propagation delay associated with the word lines.

11. The improvement as set forth in claim 9 including means for inhibiting said delay network from releasing said output stage in response to a voltage glitch on said common buss.

12. In a static RAM having an array of memory cells which are each accessed by selection of a pair of bit lines and a word line in response to bits of row and column cell address information received by the RAM, a system for asynchronously equilibrating and precharging the bit lines, comprising:

a plurality of row address buffers each receiving one bit of row address information for developing true and complimentary row address data;

a corresponding plurality of address transition detectors each receiving the true and complimentary row address data from one associated row address buffer, each such detector including a first data path receiving the true row address data for delaying and inverting the latter data and a second data path receiving the complimentary row address data for delaying and inverting the latter data;

each such detector also including gating means receiving the delayed and inverted data from said first and second data paths and receiving the next successive undelayed row address data from the associated row address buffer for developing a control signal when the delayed and undelayed row address data are indicative of a change in the address of a row;

means coupling the control signals developed by each address transition detector to a common buss so as to drive said buss to a low logic level when one or more such control signals are developed;

a clock generator coupled to said buss for developing a clock pulse of a predetermined duration in response to said buss being driven to said low logic level;

a plurality of enhancement mode transistors, each of which includes a drain coupled to one bit line, a source coupled to another bit line and a gate for receiving the clock signal so as to short together the bit lines in response to the clock signal; and

another plurality of enhancement mode transistors, each of which has a drain and source coupled between a bit line and a voltage source and a gate for receiving the clock signal so as to pre-charge the bit lines toward the potential of the voltage source in response to the clock signal.