Dynamic memory word line driver scheme

Abstract

A circuit which accurately controls the word line (pass transistor gate) driving voltage to a voltage which is both controlled and is not significantly greater than is needed to drive the word line. The circuit eliminates the need for a double-boot-strapping circuit, and ensures that no voltages exceed that necessary to fully turn on a memory cell access transistor. Voltages in excess of that which would reduce reliability are avoided, and accurate driving voltages are obtained. A DRAM includes word lines, memory cells having enable inputs connected to the word lines, a gate receiving word line selecting signals at first logic levels Vss and Vdd, and for providing a select signal at levels Vss and Vdd, a high voltage supply source Vpp which is higher in voltage than Vdd, a circuit for translating the select signals at levels Vss and Vdd to levels Vss and Vpp and for applying it directly to the word lines whereby an above Vdd voltage level word line is achieved without the use of double boot-strap circuits.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to CMOS dynamic random access memories (DRAMs), and particularly to word line drivers.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Dynamic random access memories are generally formed of a matrix of bit lines and word lines with memory cells located adjacent the intersections of the bit lines and word lines. The memory cells are enabled to provide their stored bits to the bit lines or to permit a write operation by signals carried on the word lines.

Each memory cell is typically formed of a bit storage capacitor connected to a reference voltage and through the source-drain circuit of an “access” field effect transistor to an associated bit line. The gate of the field effect transistor is connected to the word line. A logic signal carried by the word line enables the transistor, thus allowing charge to flow through the source-drain circuit of the transistor to the capacitor, or allowing charge stored on the capacitor to pass through the source-drain circuit of the access transistor to the bit line.

In order for the logic level V_dd potential from the bit line to be stored on the capacitor, the word line must be driven to a voltage above V_dd+V_tn, where V_tn is the threshold voltage of the access transistor including the effects of back bias.

During the early days of DRAM design, NMOS type FETs, that is, N-channel devices were used exclusively. In order to pass a V_dd+V_tn level signal to the selected word line, the gate of the pass transistor had to be driven to at least V_dd+2V_tn. Furthermore, to allow sufficient drive to achieve a voltage greater than V_dd+V_tn on the word line within a reasonable length of time in order to facilitate a relatively fast memory, the gate of the pass transistor is driven to a significantly higher voltage. In such devices, the word line driving signal utilized capacitors in a well-known double-boot strap circuit.

In the above circuit, the boot strapping voltage circuit is designed to exceed the voltage V_dd+2V_tn, in order to ensure that temperature, power supply, and process variations would never allow the pass transistor driving voltage to fall below V_dd+2V_tn.

However, it has been found that in small geometry VLSI memories, the high voltages provided by the boot-strap circuits can exceed the tolerable voltages in the memory, thus adversely affecting reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a circuit which accurately controls the word line (pass transistor gate) driving voltage to a voltage which is both controlled and is not significantly greater than is needed to drive the word line. The elements of the present invention eliminate the need for a double-boot-strapping circuit, and ensure that no voltages exceed that necessary to fully turn on a memory cell access transistor. Accordingly, voltages in excess of that which would reduce reliability are avoided, and accurate driving voltages are obtained.

According to an embodiment of the invention a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is comprised of word lines, memory cells having enable inputs connected to the word lines, apparatus for receiving word line selecting signals at first logic levels V_ss and V_dd, and for providing a select signal at levels V_ss and V_dd, a high voltage supply source V_pp which is higher in voltage than V_dd, a circuit for translating the select signals at levels V_ss and V_dd to levels V_ss and V_pp and for applying it directly to the word lines for application to the enable inputs whereby an above V_dd voltage level word line is achieved without the use of double boot-strap circuits.

According to another embodiment, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is comprised of bit lines and word lines, memory cells connected to the bit lines and word lines, each memory cell being comprised of an access field effect transistor (FET) having its source-drain circuit connected between a bit line and a bit charge storage capacitor, the access field effect transistor having a gate connected to a corresponding word line; a high supply voltage source V_pp; a circuit for selecting the word line and a circuit having an input driven by the selecting apparatus for applying the V_pp supply voltage to the word line.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention will be obtained by reference to the detailed description below, in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to FIG. 1, a CMOS DRAM is comprised of word lines, represented by word line 1 and bit lines, represented by bit lines 2A, 2B, etc. Access transistors 3A, 3B have their gates connected to the word line; their sources are connected to bit charge storing capacitors 4A, 4B, etc. which are also connected to ground. The drains of access transistors 3A, 3B, etc. are connected to the bit lines 2A, 2B, etc.

With the application of a logic signal of V_dd+V_tn to the gate of transistor 3A, 3B, etc., V_dd level on the-bit line 2A, 2B, etc. is fully transferred to the associated capacitor 4A, 4B, etc. during the writing cycle. In the prior art it was necessary to apply a voltage greater than V_dd+2V_tn to the gate of an N-channel pass transistor in order to ensure that a voltage in excess of V_dd+V_tn would be available at the gates of transistors 3A, 3B, etc.

The combination of a bit storing charge capacitor, e.g. 4A, with an associated access transistor, e.g. 3A, forms a memory cell in prior art DRAMs.

The word line is selected by means of addresses A_ij applied to the inputs of a NAND gate 5. In the prior art a double boot-strap circuit was connected between the output of NAND gate 5 and the word line.

In accordance with the present invention a voltage V_pp which is higher than the logic level V_dd+V_tn is utilized. A level shifter 6 is formed of a pair of cross coupled P-channel transistors 7A and 7B. The sources of transistors 7A and 7B are connected to the voltage source V_pp. The level shifter defines a first and a second control node, respectively 8A and 8B.

The output of NAND gate 5 is connected through an inverter 9 to the gate of an N-channel FET 10. FET 10 has its source connected to ground and its drain connected to control node 8A.

The output of NAND gate 5 is connected to the gate of an N-channel FET 11, which has its source connected to ground and its drain connected to control node 8B. A third N-channel FET 12 has its source connected to ground, its drain connected to the drain of-transistor 11, and its gate to control node 8A.

Control node 8A (or a buffered version of control node 8A) is applied to the gate of pass transistor 14A and pull down transistor 13A. The source of pass transistor 14A is connected to V_pp or to a secondary decoder output which provides a V_ss or V_pp level output; its drain to word line 1. The source of pull down transistor 13A is connected to ground; the drain is connected to word line 1.

In operation, assume that the word line 1 has not been selected. At least one address input of NAND gate 5 is low, causing the output of NAND gate 5 to be high, and the output of inverter 9 to be low. Transistor 11 is enabled, pulling node 8B to ground. Transistor 10 is disabled, allowing transistor 7A to charge node 8A to V_pp. Transistor 12 is thus enabled ensuring that node 8A is pulled high. The V_pp level node 8A disables the pass device 14A and enables pull down transistor 13A so that word line 1 is held at ground. Thus transistors 3A and 3B are not enabled and are not conducting. The charge stored on capacitors 4A and 4B are thus maintained, and are not read to the bit lines.

Assume now that word line 1 is selected. Logic high level address signals at the voltage level V_dd are applied to the inputs of NAND gate 5. The output of the NAND gate thus goes to low level. The output of inverter 9 changes to high level, transistor 10 is enabled, and pulls node 8A toward ground. This causes transistor 7B to be enabled, and pull node 8B toward V_pp. This causes transistor 7A to be disabled so that node 8A is pulled to ground, disabling transistor 12 and allowing transistor 7B to charge node 8B to V_pp. The ground level voltage on node 8A disables pull down transistor 13A, and enables the pass transistor 14A so that the word line 1 is driven to a V_pp level. The voltage on the word line is thus controlled, and depending on whether the word line is selected or not, it switches between ground and V_pp. With the voltage V_pp being controlled to V_dd+V_tn, the voltage at the gates of the cell access transistors 3A and 3B is certain to be V_dd+V_tn. However the voltage V_pp is selected to be less than a voltage that would be in excess of that which would deteriorate reliability of the DRAM.

A person understanding this invention may now conceive of alternative structures and embodiments or variations of the above. All of those which fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto are considered to be part of the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for selecting a word line and writing to memory cells in a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), the apparatus comprising: a level shifter circuit including at least first and second transistors having their respective sources directly connected to a controlled high supply voltage level Vpp supplied from a high voltage supply, the level shifter circuit being configured to: respond to a decoded address input signal selectively having logic voltage levels that are less than the controlled voltage level Vpp, the drain of the first transistor being configured to apply current to a first node, the drain of the second transistor being configured to apply current to a second node, the first and second transistors being gated from the second and first nodes, respectively, andproduce a control signal selectively having the controlled high supply voltage level Vpp or a Vss voltage level; anda driving circuit to drive a selected word line to the controlled high supply voltage level Vpp in response to the control signal to write a logic voltage level in a DRAM cell storage capacitor associated with the selected word line.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the driver comprises: a third transistor for coupling the controlled high supply voltage level Vpp and the word line in response to the control signal to drive the selected word line.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the driver comprises: a third transistor for coupling a secondary decoder output, having an output voltage level at the controlled high supply voltage level Vpp, and the word line in response to the control signal to drive the selected word line.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the level shifter circuit further includes: a fourth transistor and a fifth transistor configured to respond to the decoded address input signal to gate the first and second transistors.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: the first and second transistors are P-channel FETs; andthe fourth and fifth transistors are N-channel FETs, the drains of the first and second transistors being pulled down by the fourth and fifth transistors, respectively, in response to the decoded address input signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the gate of the first transistor is directly connected to the drain of the second transistor; andthe gate of the second transistor is directly connected to the drain of the first transistor.

7. A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) for storing a voltage level in a memory cell coupled to a word line and a bit line, the DRAM comprising: a level shifter circuit including at least first and second transistors having their respective sources directly connected to a controlled high supply voltage level Vpp supplied from a high voltage supply, the level shifter circuit being configured to: respond to a decoded address input signal selectively having logic voltage levels that are less than the controlled voltage level Vpp, the drain of the first transistor being configured to apply current to a first node, the drain of the second transistor being configured to apply current to a second node, the first and second transistors being gated from the second and first nodes, respectively, andproduce a control signal selectively having the controlled high supply voltage level Vpp or a low voltage level; anda driving circuit to drive a selected word line to the controlled high supply voltage level Vpp in response to the control signal to write a logic voltage level in a DRAM cell storage capacitor associated with the selected word line.

8. The DRAM of claim 7 wherein the driver comprises: a third transistor for coupling the controlled high supply voltage level Vpp and the word line in response to the control signal to drive the selected word line.

9. The DRAM of claim 7 wherein the driver comprises: a third transistor for coupling a secondary decoder output, having an output voltage level at the controlled high supply voltage level Vpp, and the word line in response to the control signal to drive the selected word line.

10. The DRAM of claim 7 wherein the level shifter circuit further includes: a fourth transistor and a fifth transistor configured to respond to the decoded address input signal to gate the first and second transistors.

11. The DRAM of claim 10 wherein: the first and second transistors are P-channel FETs; andthe fourth and fifth transistors are N-channel FETs, the drains of the first and second transistors being pulled down by the fourth and fifth transistors, respectively, in response to the decoded address input signal.

12. The DRAM of claim 7 wherein: the gate of the first transistor is directly connected to the drain of the second transistor; andthe gate of the second transistor is directly connected to the drain of the first transistor.

13. A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) comprising a word line driver configured to: receive a word line select address signal having a selected one of a low logic level voltage Vss and a high logic level voltage Vdd, andselectively apply a controlled high supply voltage Vpp to the word line through the source-drain circuit of a P-channel pass FET, the controlled high supply voltage Vpp being substantially equal to or greater than the high logic level voltage Vdd plus one FET threshold voltage (Vdd+Vtn),the controlled high supply voltage Vpp being directly connected to the sources of first and second pull-up FETs,the gate of the second pull-up FET and the drain of the first pull-up FET being coupled to a first node,the gate of the first pull-up FET and the drain of the second pull-up FET being coupled to a second node,the drain of a first pull-down FET being coupled to the first node, the drain of a second pull-down FET being coupled to the second node,the first and second pull-up FETs being gated from the second and first nodes, respectively, in response to the word line select address signal to provide a control signal selectively having the high supply voltage Vpp or a Vss voltage level to the gate of the P- channel pass FET.

14. The DRAM of claim 13 wherein the word line driver includes: a third pull-down FET for selectively pulling down the second node in response to the control signal.

15. The DRAM of claim 14 wherein the word line driver further includes: a logic gate for responding solely to the logic states of the word line select address signals to produce a node driving signal.

16. The DRAM of claim 15 wherein the node driving signal comprises: first and second driving signals that are provided to the gates of the first and second pull-down FETs, respectively.

17. The DRAM of claim 16 wherein the word line driver further includes: an inverter for inverting the second driving signal to produce the first driving signal.

18. The DRAM of claim 13 wherein the word line driver includes: a third pull-down FET for selectively pulling down the word line in response to the control signal being provided to the gate thereof.

19. The DRAM of claim 13, wherein a decoded secondary decoder output provides the controlled high supply voltage Vpp to the source-drain circuit of the P-channel pass FET.

20. The DRAM of claim 13, wherein the controlled high supply voltage Vpp is directly connected to the source-drain circuit of the P-channel pass FET.

21. The DRAM of claim 13 wherein: the gate of the first transistor is directly connected to the drain of the second transistor; andthe gate of the second transistor is directly connected to the drain of the first transistor.