Rambus Inc.
DRAM DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE VOLTAGE DOMAINS

Abstract:

A dynamic memory array of a DRAM device is operated using a bitline voltage that is greater than the operating (i.e., switching) voltage of a majority of the digital logic circuitry of the DRAM device. The digital logic circuitry is operated using a supply voltage that is lower than the voltage used to store/retrieve data on the bitlines of the DRAM array. This allows lower voltage swing (and thus lower power) digital logic to be used for a majority of the non-storage array logic on the DRAM device--thus reducing the power consumption of the non-storage array logic which, in turn, reduces the power consumption of the DRAM device as a whole.