`»
`5,784,331
`[11] Patent Number:
`United States Patent 15
`Lysinger
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Jul. 21, 1998
`
`
`[54] MULTIPLE ACCESS MEMORY DEVICE
`
`5,526,320
`
`6/1996 Zagar et al.
`
`..esscscsessssessesees 365/233.5
`
`[75]
`Inventor: Mark A. Lysinger. Carrollton, Tex.
`.
`.
`.
`[73] Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc..
`Carrollton, Tex.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 775,664
`[22]
`Filed:
`Dec. 31, 1996
`6
`
`eeceesseecersenenesssssssusnsesenersanesens GILIC 8/00
`Tint, Ceec
`PSD]
`[52] US. C1. eccecccsscenseceereeeeees 365/230.06; 365/189.05;
`.
`365/230.08
`[58] Field of Search .................0. 365/230.06, 230.08.
`365/189.05
`
`[56]
`
`.
`References Cited
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`,
`
`yaji et
`
`5,124,951
`6/1992 Slemmer et al.
`..............04 365/230.06
`382173 Ibjoo vileCp5copsoG
`
`sone
`
`s. 365/230.06
`5.315.548
`5/1994 Ooishi et al.
`...
`6/1994 CAD ceesrecrecrentecerseenstsereent 395/400
`5.319.759
`
`we 365/230.04
`5,453,957
`9/1995 Norrisetal.
`
`11/1995 Haraguchi ou...eee 365/230.06
`5,469,391
`
`al.
`
`...
`
`,
`
`Primary Examiner—Son T. Dinh
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—David V. Carlson; Theodore E.
`Galanthay: eoen K. Jorgenson
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A memory circuit has a plurality of data storage locations
`and an address associated with each data storage location. A
`first decoded address storage circuit stores a first decoded
`memory address and outputs the stored first decoded
`memory address. A second decoded address storagecircuit
`stores a second decoded memory address and outputs the
`stored second decoded memory address. An address access
`circuit is coupled to the outputof the first decoded address
`storage circuit and accesses the data storage location asso-
`ciated with the first decoded memory address in response to
`the first decoded memory address being output from the first
`decoded address storage circuit. A control circuit is coupled
`to the first decoded address storage circuit for controlling the
`transfer of decoded memory address information from the
`seconddecodedaddress storage circuit to the first decoded
`8
`°
`
`sani
`
`13 Claims, 22 Drawing Sheets
`
`27
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`69
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`
`Qualcomm Incorporated
`EX1009
`Page 1 of 38
`
`Qualcomm Incorporated
`EX1009
`Page 1 of 38
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`Jul. 21, 1998
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`Jul. 21, 1998
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`Sheet 8 of 22.
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`Fig. 9A
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`ROW ADDRESS ~~~
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`Page 9 of 38
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 21, 1998
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`Sheet 9 of 22
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`Sheet 21 of 22
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`5,784,331
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`SYSTEM
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`5,784,331
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`1
`MULTIPLE ACCESS MEMORYDEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The following pending U.S. patent applications by David
`C. McClure entitled: “Architecture Redundancy.” Ser. No.
`08/582,424 (Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-136), and “Redun-
`dancy Control,” Ser. No. 08/580.827 (Attorney’s Docket
`No. 95-C-143). which werefiled on Dec. 29, 1995, and have
`the same ownership as the present application, and to that
`extent are related to the present application, which are
`incorporated herein by reference; and entitled: “Test Mode
`Activation And Data Override,” Ser. No. 08/587,709
`(Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-137), “Pipelined Chip Enable
`Control Circuitry And Methodology.” Ser. No. 08/588.730
`(Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-138), “Output Driver Cir-
`cuitry Having A Single Slew Rate Resistor.” Ser. No.
`08/588,988 (Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-139), “Synchro-
`nous Stress Test Control,” Ser. No. 08/589.015 (Attorney’s
`Docket No. 95-C-142), “Write Pass Through Circuit.” Ser.
`No. 08/588.662 (Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C- 144). “Data-
`Input Device For Generating Test Signals On Bit And
`Bit-Complement Lines,” Ser. No. 08/588.762 (Attorney’s
`Docket No. 95-C-145). “Synchronous Output Circuit.” Ser.
`No. 08/588.901 (Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-146), “Write
`Driver Having A Test Function.” Ser. No. 08/589,141
`(Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-147), “Circuit And Method
`For Tracking The Start Of A Write To A Memory Cell.” Ser.
`No. 08/589,139 (Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-148), “Circuit
`And Method For Terminating A Write To A Memory Cell.”
`Ser. No. 08/588.737 (Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-149),
`“Clocked Sense Amplifier With Word Line Tracking.” Ser.
`No. 08/587.782 (Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-150),
`“Memory-Row Selector Having A Test Function,” Ser. No.
`08/589,140 (Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-151), “Synchro-
`nous Test Mode Initialization.” Ser. No. 08/588,729
`(Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-153), “Device And Method
`ForIsolating Bit Lines From A Data Line,” Ser, No. 08/588,
`740 (Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-154), “Circuit And
`Method For Setting The Time Duration Of A Write To A
`Memory Cell,” Ser. No. 08/587,711 (Attorney’s Docket No.
`95-C-156), “Low-Power Read Circuit And Method For
`Controlling A Sense Amplifier.” Ser. No. 08/589,024
`(Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-168), “Device And Method
`For Driving A Conductive Path With A Signal,” Ser. No.
`08/587,708 (Attorney’s Docket No. 95-C-169), and the
`following pending U.S. patent application by Mark A.
`Lysinger entitled: “Burst Counter Circuit And Method of
`Operation Thereof,” Ser. No. 08/589,023 (Attorney’s
`Docket No. 95-C-141A), all of which have the sameeffec-
`tive filing date and ownershipas the present application, and
`to that extent are related to the present application, which are
`incorporated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention is related generally to a burst counter
`circuit and more specifically to a pipelined address scheme
`for storing a second decoded memory address while the
`burst counter circuit is accessing memory locations associ-
`ated with a first decoded memory address.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`As synchronous burst SRAMs become more popular,
`market pressure to improve performance is increased. Part of
`the increased performance has been obtained by pipelining
`data. While pipelining data increases the speed at which the
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`data is provided to a user, it does not increase the speed of
`the cycle time nor shorten the overall time required to get
`data into or out of specific addresses within a memory array.
`One known technique for increasing the speed at which
`data is read out of a memory is to use a burst counter which
`increments the input and memory address underthe control
`of a clock without requiring new address to be input. Prior
`art burst SRAMsused a burst counter which manipulated the
`address signal before it was input to the address decoder
`circuit. In these SRAMs, the output of the burst counter was
`then passed to an address decoder. This type of burst counter
`could also easily be attached to the front of existing syn-
`chronous designs with no significant changes required to the
`memory core or to the synchronous decoder. Using this
`technique, the memory could use well knownand reliable
`decoder circuits to select the rows and columns. One down-
`side of this approachis that all address transitions muststill
`propagate through the address decoder. The speed at which
`address signals can propagate through the address decoder
`may becomea limiting factor at faster cycle times.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`invention, a
`According to principles of the present
`memory circuit has a plurality of data storage locations and
`an address associated with each data storage location.A first
`decoded address storage circuit stores a first decoded
`memory address and holds it for accessing a particular
`memory address. A second decoded address storage circuit
`stores a second decoded memory address and holdsit for
`accessing a second decoded memory address. A control
`circuit is coupledto the first decoded address storage circuit
`and operatesto transfer decoded memory address informa-
`tion from the second decoded address storage circuit to the
`first decoded address storage circuit.
`In one embodiment, a counter circuit is coupled to the
`outputofthe first decoded addressstorage circuit for access-
`ing the data storage location associated with the first
`decoded memory address in response to the first decoded
`memory address being output from the first decoded
`memory circuit. The counter circuit includes a burst counter
`circuit which accesses the data storage location associated
`with the first decoded memory address and also accesses
`three additional data storage locations. the decoded memory
`addresses associated with these three additional data storage
`locations being generated by the burst countercircuit using
`the first decoded memory address.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a memory device in accor-
`dance with the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a
`read/write circuit of the memory device of FIG.1.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a row
`addressing circuit of the memory device of FIG. 1.
`FIG.4 is a schematic of the address input buffer of FIG.
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`3.
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`FIG. 5 is a schematic of the even/odd row selector of FIG.
`
`3.
`
`FIG.6 is a detailed schematic of the word line and block
`select circuit of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 7 is a detailed schematic of the word line select
`circuit of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 8 is a detailed schematic of the local word line drive
`circuit of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 9A is a block diagram of an SRAM in accordance
`with one embodiment of the present invention.
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`bonding pads 64 are provided in the peripheral region of the
`memory device 50 for connecting to data input/output pins,
`voltage supply lines, address lines and other electrical con-
`nections as needed.
`FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an embodiment of a read/write
`circuit 69 and a row addresscircuit 105. respectively, of the
`memory device 50. Each memory array block 54 is provided
`with circuitry for providing data to and from for that
`individual block. In one embodiment. the circuitry of FIGS.
`2 and 3 will be provided for each memory array block 54 so
`that there are 32 such circuits on a single memory device 50.
`Alternatively, for that circuitry which can be shared between
`two memory array blocks 54, only 16 such circuits will be
`needed, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art. In one
`embodiment, the memory device 50 is capable of receiving
`32 bits of data simultaneously and outputting 32 bits of data
`simultaneously. Therefore, all circuitry required to input and
`output 32 bits of data simultaneously is provided. such as 32
`input/output buffers, and the like. The 32 bits can be
`provided by simultaneously accessing one memory cell in
`each of the 32 memory array blocks 54 or. alternatively. by
`accessing 8 memory cells in one memory array block within
`one quadrant and accessing four blocks one within each
`quadrant simultaneously. The circuits shown in FIGS. 2 and
`3 are thus provided for each individual block of the memory
`array 52 and can have a 1 bit bus, an 8 bit bus, a 4 bit bus
`or the like.
`FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of another embodi-
`ment of the burst counter circuit of FIG. 10 comprising a
`As shownin FIG.2, a data signal line 27 receives data and
`provides the data to a conventional data input buffer 68. The
`plurality of latches.
`30
`data input buffer 68 outputs the data complement DC, on a
`FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of still another
`embodiment of the burst counter circuit of FIG. 10 com-
`signal line 70 and the data true DT, onasignal line 72. A
`write driver 75 receives the data from the data input buffer
`prising a plurality of latches.
`68 and outputs the data on a pair of signal lines write bit
`FIG. 21 is a schematic of the burst controller of FIG. 10.
`complement, WBC 74 and write bit true. WBT 76. The data
`FIG.22 is a schematic of the column select circuit of FIG.
`input buffer 68 also outputs the data to an output buffer 98
`10.
`online 97. The signal lines WBC 74 and WBT76 are input
`to a column select circuit 78. The column select circuit 78
`outputs the data on bit line complement BLC 80 andbit line
`true BLT 82 for writing to the memory array blocks 54. A
`burst counter 4@ outputs column select signals 130 directly
`to the column select circuit 78 for addressing specific bit
`lines within the memory array block 54. The BLC line 80
`and BLTline 82 are connected to the memory array block 54
`as shownin FIG. 3. The WBC and WBTsignal lines 74 and
`76 are also connected to a reset control circuit 84 which
`outputs signal lines RESET 86 and reset bar (RESET B) 88.
`The column select circuit 78 also receives additional input
`signals to control reading and writing data to and from the
`memory array block 54 as explained in more detail with
`respect to FIG. 19. A read bit complement RBC 90 and a
`read bit true RBT 92 signal are output by the column select
`circuit 78 and carry the read bit data when the circuitry of the
`memory device 50 is in the read mode. The signals RBC 90
`and RBT 92 are input to a sense amp circuit 94 which
`operates to sense read data in a manner well known in the
`art.
`
`FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a computer system includ-
`ing a memory device according to the present invention.
`FIGS. 24 and 25 are block diagrams of alternative
`embodiments of computer systems using a memory device
`of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`FIG. 1 shows amemory device 50 having a memory array
`§2 thereon.
`
`The memory array 52 is subdivided into a plurality of
`memory array blocks 54. The memory array 52 is subdi-
`vided into as many memory array blocks 54 as desired,
`according to the design. For example, eight blocks. nine
`blocks, or 16 blocks are rather common numbers of array
`blocks 54, In one embodiment, 32 memory array blocks 54
`are formed as shown in FIG. 1. The 32 blocks are grouped
`into four quadrants, each quadrant having eight blocks.
`There are four quadrants on the memory device 50.
`Associated with each memoryarray block 54 is a respec-
`tive block input/output (1/O) circuit 56 and word line drive
`circuit 58. In one embodiment, the word line drive circuit 58
`for two adjacent memory array blocks 54 is positioned in a
`single region between the two adjacent memory array
`blocks. Alternatively, the word line drive circuit 58 can be
`located in the central or peripheral regions of the memory
`device 50. Other circuitry for accessing a memory cell in the
`memory array 52, such as row and address decoders. input/
`output buffers and sense amplifiers are located in the block
`VO circuitry 56. central regions 60 and 62 and other posi-
`tions on the memory device 50 as needed. A plurality of
`
`5,784,331
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`3
`FIG. 9B is a detailed block diagram of one of the blocks
`of the SRAM of FIG. 9A.
`
`FIG. 10 is a biock diagramof the pipelined column
`address burst counter circuit in accordance with one embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 11 is a more detailed block diagram of one embodi-
`mentof the pipelined column address burst counter circuit of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 12 is a schematic of the column address input buffer
`and master latch circuit of FIG. 11.
`FIG. 13 is a schematic of the column address driver circuit
`of FIG. 11.
`
`FIG. 14 is a schematic of the column address predecoder
`circuit of FIG. 11.
`FIG. 15 is a schematic of one embodiment of the column
`address decoder circuit and slave latch circuit of FIG. 11.
`FIG. 16 is a schematic of another embodiment of the
`column address decoder circuit and slave latch circuit of
`FIG. 11.
`FIG. 17 is a schematic ofstill another embodimentof the
`column address decoder circuit and slave latch circuit of
`FIG. 11.
`FIG.18is a functional block diagram of one embodiment
`of the burst counter circuit of FIG. 10.
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`Referring to FIG. 3, the row address circuit 105 includes
`an address decoder 107 which receives address information
`and outputs decoded address information to a word line and
`block select circuit 104. Additional address decode circuitry
`including an input buffer 106. an even/odd row selector 108
`and a word line select circuit 110 are part of the address
`decode circuitry. The word line select circuit 110 provides
`signals to a local word line driver circuit 112 which outputs
`signals LWL1 and LWL6to drive individual word lines of
`the memory array block 54. As will be appreciated, the
`appropriate address decoder circuitry for the column address
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`is also provided so that individual memory cells are acces-
`sible. Test mode logic 114 is also provided to permit testing
`of the memory device 50.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one embodimentof the
`address input buffer 106 of FIG. 3. The address input buffer
`106 receives the odd/even address bit on an input terminal
`600 and provides the buffered odd/even address bit on an
`output terminal 602.
`FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of one embodimentof the
`even/odd row selector 108 of FIG. 3. A first stage 606
`includes an even number (here 4) inverters that are serially
`coupled between the address input terminal 604 and a row
`address even terminal RA,,.. A mode selection stage 608
`
`has a number of mode select input terminals coupled to the
`mode terminals FONB, AOPED. AONEO.and FOFFEO,an
`input terminal coupled to the input terminal 604. and an
`output terminal 610. The modeselection stage 608 includes
`switches 612, 614, and 616, which are coupled as shown. A
`second stage 618 includes an odd number (here 3) of
`inverters that are serially coupled between the output ter-
`minal 610 and the row address odd terminal RA,,,.
`In operation during a read or write cycle. the switch 612
`is conducting. thus coupling the address bit at the terminal
`604 to the stage 618. The switches 614 and 616 are non-
`conducting. If the address bit at the input terminal 604
`indicates that an even row is to be accessed, i.e., the address
`bit is a logic 0. then the stage 606 generates an active logic
`0 for RA,,.,.. and the stage 618 generates an inactive logic
`1 for RA,,,,- Thus, the addressed even row is selected. and
`all the remaining even rowsandall the odd rows of memory
`cells in the memory blocks 54 are unselected. Conversely.if
`the address bit at the input terminal 604 is a logic 1 to
`indicate that an odd row is to be accessed, then the stage 606
`drives RA,,,, to an inactive logic 1. and the stage 618 drives
`RA,42 to an active logic 0. Thus, the addressed odd row is
`selected and the remaining odd rows andall the even rows
`of memory cells in the blocks 54 are unselected.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the word line and block
`select circuit 104 of FIG. 3. Only the portion that generates
`the EO.,,.,, signal is shown. it being understood that the
`portion generating the EO,,,,, signal is similar in construction
`and in operation. In operation,
`the circuit 104 receives
`RA,,.,, and generates EO.,,,. The circuit 104 also receives
`three block address signals BAO. BAL, and BA2 and gen-
`erates therefrom a block select signal BS. In one embodi-
`mentof the invention, there is one circuit 104 for every two
`memory blocks 54, The signals EO,,., and EO,4, are
`commonto all the memory blocks 54, and are generated by
`multiple circuits 104 in order to prevent problems such as
`excessive fan-out. Furthermore, in the embodiment of the
`memory device 50 where four (out of 32) memory blocks 54
`are accessed at a time. only eight BS signals need be
`generated. Thus, each of these eight BS signals are coupled
`to a corresponding memory block 54 in each of the quad-
`rants of the memory device 50.
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one embodimentof the
`word line select circuit 110 of FIG. 3. In operation, the word
`line select circuit 110 generates RDL.,.,, from EO...
`RDL,,,, from EO,,,,. and BS from BS.Thesignals BS from
`twocircuits 110 are coupled to the block read/write control
`circuit 125 (FIG.2) as block select left BSL and block select
`right BSR, respectively.
`FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the
`
`local word line driver circuit 112 of FIG. 3. The circuit 112
`generates an active logic 1 for LCWL,,,, when RDL,,.,, is a
`logic 0 and MWL and ENABLEare logic 1 and 0, respec-
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`6
`tively.Likewise. thecircuit 112 generates an active logic 1
`for LWL,,, when RDL,,, is a logic 0 and MWL and
`ENABLE arelogic 1 and0, respectively. In one embodiment
`of the invention. each memory block 54 has 260 rows of
`memory cells and in such an embodimentthere are 130 of
`the local word line driver circuits 112 per memory block 54.
`The detailed circuits for each of the blocks shown in
`FIGS. 4 to 8 can be implemented using conventional cir-
`cuitry now available for performing such functions. As will
`be appreciated. specific embodiments for such circuitry are
`shown and described in the related applications mentioned
`on page 1 ofthe present application. However, such detailed
`circuits do not form a part of this present invention and, for
`purposes of this invention, any currently available circuitry
`for carrying out the functions described in the blocks is
`acceptable.
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a
`pipelined column address burst counter circuit according to
`principles of the present invention. A column address input
`buffer and masterlatch circuit 104 receives a column address
`101 directly from input pins of the memory device 50. The
`circuit 104 outputs the column address data on line 12
`labeled OUTC which is input to a column address driver
`106. The column address driver 106 generates true and
`complement address signals corresponding to each address
`provided on the line 12. These include the tue column
`address x on line 18, labeled CAxT, and the complement
`column address x on line 16, labeled CAxC. In the present
`embodiment, x is a number from 0 to 13 because there are
`4 addresses that are decoded to selected 16 columns in a
`group. The column address signals, CAxT and CAxC,are
`input to a column predecoder 110. The true column address
`CATis also input on a line 28 to a burst controller 30. In
`a preferred embodiment, x=0 on the particular signal line 18
`which is provided to the burst controller 30 so that the burst
`controller receives the least significant address bit from the
`current column address from the column address driver 106.
`The burst controller 30 outputs numerous control signals on
`multiple lines, labeled 38 as a group, to control a column
`address burst countercircuit 49. The details of this imple-
`mentation of the burst controller 30 will be described in
`more detail later with respect to FIG. 21.
`The column predecoder 110 receives the signals onlines
`18 and 16 and outputs partially decoded address
`information, labeled Yx on line 22. The partially decoded
`column address information Yx is input to a column address
`decoder circuit 100. The decoded column address data is
`output by the column address decoder circuit 100 on line 26
`and input to the burst counter 40. The burst counter 40
`outputs a column select signal COL. SEL. on line 130 which
`is input to the column select circuit 78. The column select
`circuit 78 shownin FIG. 10is the sameasthat shown in FIG.
`2. FIG. 10 depicts the path which the column address
`follows for either writing data to or reading data from the
`memory array 52 via lines 80 and 82 also shownin FIG.2.
`When data is read from the memory array 52.it is output on
`a read bit true (RBT) line 92 and a read bit complement
`(RBC)line 90 for sensing by a sense amp 94. As shownin
`FIG. 10. the burst controller 30 is coupled to directly receive
`the column address information CAxT from the column
`address driver 106 simultaneously with the column address
`predecoder 110 receiving such information. The burst con-
`troller 30 remains coupled to the burst counter 40 to generate
`control signals on line 38 to control the burst counter 40.
`Rather than receiving the decoded column address informa-
`tion on line 26. the burst controller 30 receives the column
`address information directly on line 28. According to a
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`further alternative embodiment, the burst controller 30 is
`coupled to receive the output on line 26 from the column
`decoder 100 and reencode this output to determine the
`interleaved direction in the event it is operating in the
`interleaved mode.
`FIG. 11 is a more detailed block diagram of another
`embodiment of the present invention. This embodimentis
`similar to that previously described with reference to FIG.
`10. In this embodiment, however. the burst controller 36 is
`coupled to the column address predecoder 110 and receives
`the first stage predecoded address information on line 22.
`The burst controlier 30 in this embodiment contains an
`encoder circuit for reestablishing the original column
`address signal from the predecoded column address infor-
`mation Yx received on line 22. The burst controller 30
`outputs signals on line 38 to control the burst counter 40 as
`explained in more detail herein.
`The column address signal 101 is input to the column
`address input buffer and master latch circuit 104 on indi-
`vidual column address lines 98. This circuit 104 is made of
`a number of individual buffer and master latch circuits 103
`and is equivalent to the column address input buffer 104 of
`FIG. 10. The outputs of each of the circuits 103 is input to
`the column address driver circuit 106. which is made of
`individual driver circuits 105 and corresponds to the column
`address driver 106 of FIG. 10. The outputs of each of the
`column address driver circuits 105 is input to the column
`address predecoder circuit 110, which is made of individual
`predecoders 107 and is shown in block form as the column
`address predecoder 110 in FIG. 10. The outputs of each of
`the individual column address predecoders 107 is inputto a
`column address decoder circuit 100. The circuit 100 includes
`a plurality of individual column address decoder circuits
`109. The outputs from the individual decoders 109 are
`coupled to a slave latch circuit 111 which includesa plurality
`of individual slave latches 102. The slave latch circuit 111 is
`within the burst counter 40 in FIG. 10. Each of the individual
`s