Semiconductor device having ranks performing a termination operation

[0001] The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/380,899, filed on Jul. 20, 2021, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/900,477, filed on Jun. 12, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/288,368, filed on Feb. 28, 2019, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/617,097, filed on Jun. 8, 2017, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Korean Application No. 10-2016-0080213, filed on Jun. 27, 2016, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which applications are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure may generally relate to semiconductor devices and, more particularly, to semiconductor devices configured to perform various operations.

[0003] Internal set values of a semiconductor device have to be initialized to have initial values before the semiconductor device operates. Thus, an initialization operation of the semiconductor device may be very important for normal operations of the semiconductor device.

[0004] A chip such as the semiconductor device having various functions may consist of a plurality of circuits, initial conditions of which are necessarily set to perform correct active operations. The initialization operation for setting the initial conditions has to be performed before the active operations of the chip are performed.

[0005] In addition, the semiconductor device may store data therein or may output the stored data according to an operation mode. For example, if a controller requires to access data stored in the semiconductor device, the semiconductor may perform a read operation to output the data stored in memory cells corresponding to an address received from the controller. In contrast, if the controller needs to store data in the semiconductor device, the semiconductor may perform a write operation to store the data into the memory cells corresponding to an address received from the controller.

[0006] Semiconductor devices, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices may be designed to operate at a high speed with low power consumption and have large cell capacitance. Thus, most semiconductor devices may be designed to have a power-down mode for minimizing a driving current when data is not accessed. If the semiconductor devices are in the power-down mode, the semiconductor devices may terminate generation of internal voltages for driving internal circuits of the semiconductor devices. The semiconductor devices may enter the power-down mode in response to a clock enablement signal (CKE) outputted from an external chip set device. The clock enablement signal (CKE) is a signal that transmits a clock signal for performing an input/output (I/O) operation of data to a memory area of the semiconductor device.

[0007] DRAM devices among the semiconductor devices may lose data stored in their memory cells as time elapses even while their power supplies are applied thereto. This is in contrast to static random access memory (SRAM) devices or flash memory devices. In order to prevent the data stored in the DRAM cells from being lost, the DRAM devices may be basically accompanied with an operation for rewriting the data from external systems in a certain period, which is called “a refresh operation”.

[0008] Synchronous semiconductor devices may receive commands and addresses in synchronization with a clock signal. Double data rate (DDR) synchronous semiconductor devices may receive the commands and the addresses in synchronization with every rising edge and every falling edge of the clock signal, and single data rate (SDR) synchronous semiconductor devices may receive the commands and the addresses in synchronization with every rising edge of the clock signal.

[0009] According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first rank and a second rank. The first rank operates in synchronization with a clock signal in response to a first rank selection signal, and the second rank operates in synchronization with the clock signal in response to a second rank selection signal. The first rank performs a termination operation without performing an internal control operation if the first rank selection signal maintains an enabled state in synchronization with a first edge and a second edge of the clock signal.

[0010] According to another embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first command generation circuit and a second command generation circuit. The first command generation circuit generates a first command for execution of an internal control operation and a first termination command for execution of a termination operation from a first pre-command, in response to a first input control signal and a first termination enable signal. The second command generation circuit configured to generate a second command for execution of the internal control operation and a second termination command for execution of the termination operation from a second pre-command, in response to a second input control signal and a second termination enable signal.

[0021] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0022] The drawings might not be necessarily to scale and in some instances, proportions of at least some of structures in the drawings may have been exaggerated in order to clearly illustrate certain features of the described examples or implementations. In presenting a specific example in a drawing or description having two or more layers in a multi-layer structure, the relative positioning relationship of such layers or the sequence of arranging the layers as shown reflects a particular implementation for the described or illustrated example and a different relative positioning relationship or sequence of arranging the layers may be possible. In addition, a described or illustrated example of a multi-layer structure might not reflect all layers present in that particular multilayer structure (e.g., one or more additional layers may be present between two illustrated layers). As a specific example, when a first layer in a described or illustrated multi-layer structure is referred to as being “on” or “over” a second layer or “on” or “over” a substrate, the first layer may be directly formed on the second layer or the substrate but may also represent a structure where one or more other intermediate layers may exist between the first layer and the second layer or the substrate.

[0023] In the following description of the embodiments, when a parameter is referred to as being “predetermined”, it may be intended to mean that a value of the parameter is determined in advance when the parameter is used in a process or an algorithm. The value of the parameter may be set when the process or the algorithm starts or may be set during a period that the process or the algorithm is executed.

[0024] It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, “third” etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element in some embodiments could be termed a second element in other embodiments without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0025] Further, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0026] Various embodiments may be directed to semiconductor devices performing an initialization operation and semiconductor systems including the same.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a semiconductor device 1_2 according to an embodiment may include an input circuit 2_2, a first rank 3_2 and a second rank 4_2.

[0028] The input circuit 2_2 may include a first pin 21_2, a second pin 22_2, a third pin 23_2 and a fourth pin 24_2. The first pin 21_2 may receive a command/address signal CA<1:N> from an external device (not shown). The command/address signal CA<1:N> may include at least one of a command and an address which are outputted from the external device. The second pin 22_2 may receive a clock signal CLK and an inverted clock signal CLKB from the external device. Although the second pin 22_2 is illustrated as a single pin in FIG. 1, the second pin 22_2 may include a plurality of pins. The third pin 23_2 may receive a first rank selection signal CS_R1 from the external device. The first rank selection signal CS_R1 may be a signal which is enabled for operation of the first rank 3_2. The fourth pin 24_2 may receive a second rank selection signal CS_R2 from the external device. The second rank selection signal CS_R2 may be a signal which is enabled for operation of the second rank 4_2.

[0029] The first rank 3_2 may share the input circuit 2_2 with the second rank 4_2, where the first rank 3_2 and the second rank 4_2 receive the command/address signal CA<1:N>, the clock signal CLK and the inverted clock signal CLKB from the input circuit 2_2. The first rank 3_2 may perform an internal control operation on the semiconductor device 1_2 if the first rank selection signal CS_R1 is enabled in synchronization with an edge of the clock signal CLK. The internal control operation of the semiconductor device 1_2 may be any one of a mode register read operation, a read operation and a write operation. The first rank 3_2 may perform a termination operation without performing an internal control operation if the first rank selection signal CS_R1 maintains an enabled state in synchronization with at least one of a first edge and a second edge of the clock signal CLK, which are sequentially and continuously created. The second rank 4_2 may perform the internal control operation of the semiconductor device 1_2 if the second rank selection signal CS_R2 is enabled in synchronization with an edge of the clock signal CLK. The second rank 4_2 may perform the termination operation if the second rank selection signal CS_R2 maintains an enabled state in synchronization with edges of the clock signal CLK, which are sequentially and continuously created.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, the first rank 3_2 may include an internal clock generation circuit 31_2, a pre-command generation circuit 32_2, an internal chip selection signal generation circuit 33_2, a first command generation circuit 34_2, a second command generation circuit 35_2 and a signal synthesis circuit 36_2.

[0031] The internal clock generation circuit 31_2 may receive the clock signal CLK and the inverted clock signal CLKB to generate a first internal clock signal ICLK1, a second internal clock signal ICLK2, a first delayed clock signal CLKD1, a second delayed clock signal CLKD2, a third delayed clock signal CLKD3 and a fourth delayed clock signal CLKD4. The internal clock generation circuit 31_2 may divide the clock signal CLK and the inverted clock signal CLKB to generate the first internal clock signal ICLK1 and the second internal clock signal ICLK2. The first internal clock signal ICLK1 and the second internal clock signal ICLK2 may be generated to correspond to two-division signals that are set to have a cycle time which is twice the cycle time of the clock signal CLK and the inverted clock signal CLKB. The first internal clock signal ICLK1 may be set to have rising edges occurring in synchronization with an odd-number of rising edges (or even-number of rising edges according to some embodiments) of the clock signal CLK using a predetermined point of time as a reference point of time. The second internal clock signal ICLK2 may be set to have rising edges occurring in synchronization with an even-number of rising edges (or odd-number of rising edges according to some embodiments) of the clock signal CLK using the predetermined point of time as the reference point of time. The internal clock generation circuit 31_2 may delay the first internal clock signal ICLK1 to generate the first delayed clock signal CLKD1 and the second delayed clock signal CLKD2. A delay time for generating the first delayed clock signal CLKD1 from the first internal clock signal ICLK1 may be different from a delay time for generating the second delayed clock signal CLKD2 from the first internal clock signal ICLK1. In addition, the internal clock generation circuit 31_2 may delay the second internal clock signal ICLK2 to generate the third delayed clock signal CLKD3 and the fourth delayed clock signal CLKD4. A delay time for generating the third delayed clock signal CLKD3 from the second internal clock signal ICLK2 may be different from a delay time for generating the fourth delayed clock signal CLKD4 from the second internal clock signal ICLK2.

[0032] The pre-command generation circuit 32_2 may generate a first pre-command, such as a first pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB1, a first pre-write command WT_PREB1, a first pre-read command RD_PREB1, or a second pre-command, such as a second pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB2, a second pre-write command WT_PREB2 and a second pre-read command RD_PREB2 from the command/address signal CA<1:N>, in response to the first and second internal clock signals ICLK1 and ICLK2. The pre-command generation circuit 32_2 may latch and decode a buffered signal of the command/address signal CA<1:N> to generate the first pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB1, the first pre-write command WT_PREB1 and the first pre-read command RD_PREB1, in response to the first internal clock signal ICLK1. The first pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB1 may be set to be enabled for the mode register read operation which is performed in synchronization with a rising edge of the first internal clock signal ICLK1. The first pre-write command WT_PREB1 may be set to be enabled for the write operation which is performed in synchronization with a rising edge of the first internal clock signal ICLK1. The first pre-read command RD_PREB1 may be set to be enabled for the read operation which is performed in synchronization with a rising edge of the first internal clock signal ICLK1. The pre-command generation circuit 32_2 may latch and decode a buffered signal of the command/address signal CA<1:N> to generate the second pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB2, the second pre-write command WT_PREB2 and the second pre-read command RD_PREB2, in response to the second internal clock signal ICLK2. The second pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB2 may be set to be enabled for the mode register read operation which is performed in synchronization with a rising edge of the second internal clock signal ICLK2. The second pre-write command WT_PREB2 may be set to be enabled for the write operation which is performed in synchronization with a rising edge of the second internal clock signal ICLK2. The second pre-read command RD_PREB2 may be set to be enabled for the read operation which is performed in synchronization with a rising edge of the second internal clock signal ICLK2.

[0033] The internal chip selection signal generation circuit 33_2 may generate a first delayed chip selection signal CSD1 and a second delayed chip selection signal CSD2 from the first rank selection signal CS_R1 in response to the first internal clock signal ICLK1 and the second internal clock signal ICLK2. The internal chip selection signal generation circuit 33_2 may latch and delay a buffered signal of the first rank selection signal CS_R1 to generate the first delayed chip selection signal CSD1 in synchronization with the first internal clock signal ICLK1. In addition, the internal chip selection signal generation circuit 33_2 may latch and delay a buffered signal of the first rank selection signal CS_R1 to generate the second delayed chip selection signal CSD2 in synchronization with the second internal clock signal ICLK2.

[0034] The first command generation circuit 34_2 may generate a first mode register read command MRRCMD1, a first shift mode register read command MRRCMDS1, a first write command WTCMD1, a first shift write command WTCMDS1, a first read command RDCMD1, a first shift read command RDCMDS1, a first termination command ODTCMD1 and a second termination enable command ODTENCMD2 from the first pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB1, the first pre-write command WT_PREB1 and the first pre-read command RD_PREB1. The first command generation circuit 34_2 may generate the first command in response to the first delayed clock signal CLKD1, the second delayed clock signal CLKD2, the fourth delayed clock signal CLKD4 and the first delayed chip selection signal CSD1. The first command generation circuit 34_2 may generate the first mode register read command MRRCMD1, the first shift mode register read command MRRCMDS1, the first write command WTCMD1, the first shift write command WTCMDS1, the first read command RDCMD1 and the first shift read command RDCMDS1, one of which is selectively enabled to perform the internal control operation in synchronization with the first delayed clock signal CLKD1, if an enabled first delayed chip selection signal CSD1 is inputted. The first mode register read command MRRCMD1 and the first shift mode register read command MRRCMDS1 may be enabled to perform the mode register read operation of the internal control operation. The first write command WTCMD1 and the first shift write command WTCMDS1 may be enabled to perform the write operation of the internal control operation. The first read command RDCMD1 and the first shift read command RDCMDS1 may be enabled to perform the read operation of the internal control operation. The first command generation circuit 34_2 may also generate the first termination command ODTCMD1 which is enabled if the internal control operation is performed. In such a case, the second termination enable command ODTENCMD2 may maintain a disabled state. The first command generation circuit 34_2 may generate the second termination enable command ODTENCMD2 which is enabled in synchronization with the first delayed clock signal CLKD1, if the first delayed chip selection signal CSD1 has an enabled state after a second termination command ODTCMD2 having an enabled state is generated by the second command generation circuit 35_2. Further, the first command generation circuit 34_2 may terminate generation of the first command and the first termination command ODTCMD1 if the second termination command ODTCMD2 is enabled. A first command may include the first mode register read command MRRCMD1, the first write command WTCMD1, and the first read command RDCMD1. A configuration and an operation of the first command generation circuit 34_2 will be described more fully with reference to FIG. 6 later.

[0035] The second command generation circuit 35_2 may generate a second mode register read command MRRCMD2, a second shift mode register read command MRRCMDS2, a second write command WTCMD2, a second shift write command WTCMDS2, a second read command RDCMD2, a second shift read command RDCMDS2, the second termination command ODTCMD2 and a first termination enable command ODTENCMD1 from the second pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB2, the second pre-write command WT_PREB2 and the second pre-read command RD_PREB2, in response to the second delayed clock signal CLKD2, the third delayed clock signal CLKD3, the fourth delayed clock signal CLKD4 and the second delayed chip selection signal CSD2. The second command generation circuit 35_2 may generate the second mode register read command MRRCMD2, the second shift mode register read command MRRCMDS2, the second write command WTCMD2, the second shift write command WTCMDS2, the second read command RDCMD2 and the second shift read command RDCMDS2, one of which is selectively enabled to perform the internal control operation in synchronization with the third delayed clock signal CLKD3, if an enabled second delayed chip selection signal CSD2 is inputted. The second mode register read command MRRCMD2 and the second shift mode register read command MRRCMDS2 may be enabled to perform the mode register read operation of the internal control operation. The second write command WTCMD2 and the second shift write command WTCMDS2 may be enabled to perform the write operation of the internal control operation. The second read command RDCMD2 and the second shift read command RDCMDS2 may be enabled to perform the read operation of the internal control operation. The second command generation circuit 35_2 may also generate the second termination command ODTCMD2 which is enabled if the internal control operation is performed. In such a case, the first termination enable command ODTENCMD1 may maintain a disabled state. The second command generation circuit 35_2 may generate the first termination enable command ODTENCMD1 which is enabled in synchronization with the third delayed clock signal CLKD3, if the second delayed chip selection signal CSD2 is enabled after an enabled first termination command ODTCMD1 is generated in the first command generation circuit 34_2. Further, the second command generation circuit 35_2 may terminate generation of the second command and the second termination command ODTCMD2 if the first termination command ODTCMD1 is enabled. A second command may include the second mode register read command MRRCMD2, the second write command WTCMD2, and the second read command RDCMD2. A configuration and an operation of the second command generation circuit 35_2 will be described more fully with reference to FIG. 7 later.

[0036] The signal synthesis circuit 36_2 may generate a termination latency signal ODT_AL from the first termination enable command ODTENCMD1 and the second termination enable command ODTENCMD2 in response to the first internal clock signal ICLK1 and the second internal clock signal ICLK2. The signal synthesis circuit 36_2 may shift the first termination enable command ODTENCMD1 to generate the termination latency signal ODT_AL in synchronization with the first internal clock signal ICLK1. The signal synthesis circuit 36_2 may shift the second termination enable command ODTENCMD2 to generate the termination latency signal ODT_AL in synchronization with the second internal clock signal ICLK2. The signal synthesis circuit 36_2 may shift the first termination enable command ODTENCMD1 to generate the termination latency signal ODT_AL if the first internal clock signal ICLK1 is enabled, and the signal synthesis circuit 36_2 may shift the second termination enable command ODTENCMD2 to generate the termination latency signal ODT_AL if the second internal clock signal ICLK2 is enabled.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, the internal clock generation circuit 31_2 may include a clock input buffer 311_2, a division circuit 312_2, a first delay circuit 313_2, a second delay circuit 314_2, a third delay circuit 315_2 and a fourth delay circuit 316_2.

[0038] The clock input buffer 311_2 may compare the clock signal CLK with the inverted clock signal CLKB to generate a buffered clock signal BCLK. The buffered clock signal BCLK may correspond to a signal which is generated by buffering the clock signal CLK.

[0039] The division circuit 312_2 may divide the buffered clock signal BCLK to generate the first internal clock signal ICLK1 and the second internal clock signal ICLK2. The first internal clock signal ICLK1 and the second internal clock signal ICLK2 may be generated to be two-division signals that are set to have a cycle time which is twice a cycle time of the clock signal CLK and the inverted clock signal CLKB. The first internal clock signal ICLK1 may be set to have rising edges occurring in synchronization with odd-numbered rising edges (or even-numbered rising edges according to some embodiments) of the clock signal CLK using a predetermined point of time as a reference point of time. The second internal clock signal ICLK2 may be set to have rising edges occurring in synchronization with even-numbered rising edges (or odd-numbered rising edges according to some embodiments) of the clock signal CLK using the predetermined point of time as the reference point of time.

[0040] The first delay circuit 313_2 may delay the first internal clock signal ICLK1 to generate the first delayed clock signal CLKD1. The second delay circuit 314_2 may delay the first internal clock signal ICLK1 to generate the second delayed clock signal CLKD2. The third delay circuit 315_2 may delay the second internal clock signal ICLK2 to generate the third delayed clock signal CLKD3. The fourth delay circuit 316_2 may delay the second internal clock signal ICLK2 to generate the fourth delayed clock signal CLKD4. Delay times of the first to fourth delay circuits 313_2, 314_2, 315_2 and 316_2 may be set to be different according to the embodiment.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 4, the pre-command generation circuit 32_2 may include a command input buffer 321_2, a setup/hold delay circuit 322_2, a first command latch circuit 323_2, a second command latch circuit 324_2, a first decoder 325_2 and a second decoder 326_2.

[0042] The command input buffer 321_2 may receive the command/address signal CA<1:N> to generate a buffered command/address signal CAB<1:N> in response to a first reference voltage VREF1. The command input buffer 321_2 may buffer the command/address signal CA<1:N> using the first reference voltage VREF1 as a reference voltage to generate the buffered command/address signal CAB<1:N>.

[0043] The setup/hold delay circuit 322_2 may delay the buffered command/address signal CAB<1:N> to generate delayed command/address signal CABD<1:N>. The setup/hold delay circuit 322_2 may delay the buffered command/address signal CAB<1:N> for a predetermined delay time so that the delayed command/address signal CABD<1:N> is generated together with a setup/hold time.

[0044] The first command latch circuit 323_2 may latch the delayed command/address signal CABD<1:N> to generate a first latched command/address signal LCA1<1:N> in response to the first internal clock signal ICLK1. The first command latch circuit 323_2 may latch the delayed command/address signal CABD<1:N> in synchronization with a rising edge (or a falling edge according to some embodiments) of the first internal clock signal ICLK1.

[0045] The second command latch circuit 324_2 may latch the delayed command/address signal CABD<1:N> to generate a second latched command/address signal LCA2<1:N> in response to the second internal clock signal ICLK2. The second command latch circuit 324_2 may latch the delayed command/address signal CABD<1:N> in synchronization with a rising edge (or a falling edge according to some embodiments) of the second internal clock signal ICLK2.

[0046] The first decoder 325_2 may decode the first latched command/address signal LCA1<1:N> to generate the first pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB1, the first pre-write command WT_PREB1 and the first pre-read command RD_PREB1. One of the first pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB1, the first pre-write command WT_PREB1 and the first pre-read command RD_PREB1 may be selectively enabled according to a logic level combination of bits included in the first latched command/address signal LCA1<1:N>.

[0047] The second decoder 326_2 may decode the second latched command/address signal LCA2<1:N> to generate the second pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB2, the second pre-write command WT_PREB2 and the second pre-read command RD_PREB2. One of the second pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB2, the second pre-write command WT_PREB2 and the second pre-read command RD_PREB2 may be selectively enabled according to a logic level combination of bits included in the second latched command/address signal LCA2<1:N>.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 5, the internal chip selection signal generation circuit 33_2 may include a selection signal input buffer 331_2, a selection signal setup/hold delay circuit 332_2, a first selection signal latch circuit 333_2, a second selection signal latch circuit 334_2, a first selection signal delay circuit 335_2 and a second selection signal delay circuit 336_2.

[0049] The selection signal input buffer 331_2 may receive the first rank selection signal CS_R1 to generate a buffered selection signal CSB in response to a second reference voltage VREF2. The selection signal input buffer 331_2 may buffer the first rank selection signal CS_R1 using the second reference voltage VREF2 as a reference voltage to generate the buffered selection signal CSB.

[0050] The selection signal setup/hold delay circuit 332_2 may delay the buffered selection signal CSB to generate a delayed selection signal CSBD. The selection signal setup/hold delay circuit 332_2 may delay the buffered selection signal CSB for a predetermined delay time so that the delayed selection signal CSBD is generated together with the setup/hold time.

[0051] The first selection signal latch circuit 333_2 may latch the delayed selection signal CSBD to generate a first latched selection signal LCS1 in response to the first internal clock signal ICLK1. The first selection signal latch circuit 333_2 may latch the delayed selection signal CSBD in synchronization with a rising edge (or a falling edge according to some embodiments) of the first internal clock signal ICLK1.

[0052] The second selection signal latch circuit 334_2 may latch the delayed selection signal CSBD to generate a second latched selection signal LCS2 in response to the second internal clock signal ICLK2. The second selection signal latch circuit 334_2 may latch the delayed selection signal CSBD in synchronization with a rising edge (or a falling edge according to some embodiments) of the second internal clock signal ICLK2.

[0053] The first selection signal delay circuit 335_2 may delay the first latched selection signal LCS1 for a predetermined delay time to generate the first delayed chip selection signal CSD1. The predetermined delay time of the first selection signal delay circuit 335_2 may be set to be different according to the embodiment.

[0054] The second selection signal delay circuit 336_2 may delay the second latched selection signal LCS2 for a predetermined delay time to generate the second delayed chip selection signal CSD2. The predetermined delay time of the second selection signal delay circuit 336_2 may be set to be different according to the embodiment.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 6, the first command generation circuit 34_2 may include a first internal command generation circuit 341_2, a first command output circuit 342_2 and a first input control signal generation circuit 343_2.

[0056] The first internal command generation circuit 341_2 may include buffers 344<1:4> and NOR gates NOR34<1:4>. The first internal command generation circuit 341_2 may generate at least one first internal command, such as, a first internal mode register read command IMRR1, a first internal write command IWT1, a first internal read command IRD1 and a first internal termination command IODT1 from the first pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB1, the first pre-write command WT_PREB1 and the first pre-read command RD_PREB1 while a first input control signal IN_CNT1B is enabled to have a logic “low” level. The first internal command generation circuit 341_2 may generate the first internal mode register read command IMRR1 and the first internal termination command IODT1 which are enabled to have a logic “high” level if the first pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB1 enabled to have a logic “low” level is inputted while the first input control signal IN_CNT1B is enabled to have a logic “low” level. The first internal command generation circuit 341_2 may generate the first internal write command IWT1 and the first internal termination command IODT1 which are enabled to have a logic “high” level if the first pre-write command WT_PREB1 enabled to have a logic “low” level is inputted while the first input control signal IN_CNT1B is enabled to have a logic “low” level. The first internal command generation circuit 341_2 may generate the first internal read command IRD1 and the first internal termination command IODT1 which are enabled to have a logic “high” level if the first pre-read command RD_PREB1, enabled to have a logic “low” level, is inputted while the first input control signal IN_CNT1B is enabled to have a logic “low” level.

[0057] The first command output circuit 342_2 may include a first control clock generator 345<1>, pulse generators 345<2:5>, an inverter IV34<1>, a delay unit 345<6>, logic units 346<1:3>, a buffer 346<4> and latches 347<1:3>. The first control clock generator 345<1> may generate a first control clock signal CLK_CNT1 having a logic “high” level while the second delayed clock signal CLKD2 has a logic “high” level and a second internal termination command IODT2 and the second termination command ODTCMD2 are disabled to have a logic “low” level. The pulse generators 345<2:4> may output pulses which are created when the first internal mode register read command IMRR1, the first internal write command IWT1 and the first internal read command IRD1, which are enabled, are inputted while the first control clock signal CLK_CNT1 having a logic “high” level is inputted. The pulse generator 345<5> may generate the first termination command ODTCMD1 for execution of a termination operation from a first pre-command, where the first termination command ODTCMD1 may be enabled if an enabled first internal termination command IODT1 is inputted while the first control clock signal CLK_CNT1 having a logic “high” level is inputted. The logic units 346<1:3> may generate the first mode register read command MRRCMD1, the first write command WTCMD1 and the first read command RDCMD1 in response to output signals of the inverter IV34<1> and the delay unit 345<6>. The logic units 346<1:3> may transmit the pulses generated in the pulse generators 345<2:4> to the latches 347<1:3> while a first termination enable signal ODTEN1 is disabled to have a logic “low” level. The logic units 346<1:3> may prevent the pulses generated in the pulse generators 345<2:4> from being transmitted to the latches 347<1:3>, while the first termination enable signal ODTEN1 is enabled to have a logic “high” level. Accordingly, the first command generation circuit 34_2 may terminate generation of the first command if the first termination enable signal ODTEN1 is enabled. The latches 347<1:3> may receive the pulses generated in the pulse generators 345<2:4> through the logic units 346<1:3> to generate the first shift mode register read command MRRCMDS1, the first shift write command WTCMDS1 and the first shift read command RDCMDS1, in synchronization with the fourth delayed clock signal CLKD4. The first command generation circuit 34_2 may be configured to generate the first command and the first termination command ODTCMD1 in response to the first input control signal IN_CNT1B and the first termination enable signal ODTEN1.

[0058] The first input control signal generation circuit 343_2 may include a NAND gate ND34, an inverter IV34<2>, a logic unit 348<1>, a buffer 348<2> and a pulse generator 348<3>. The NAND gate ND34 may generate the first input control signal IN_CNT1B which is enabled to have a logic “low” level in synchronization with a rising edge of the first delayed clock signal CLKD1 if the first delayed chip selection signal CSD1 enabled to have a logic “high” level is inputted. In one example, the first input control signal INTC1B may be enabled if the first rank selection signal CS_R1 (see FIG. 2) is enabled in synchronization with the first edge of the clock signal CLK (see FIG. 2). The inverter IV34<2> may inversely buffer the first input control signal IN_CNT1B to generate a first inverted input control signal IN_CNT1. The logic unit 348<1> may buffer the first inverted input control signal IN_CNT1 to generate a second termination enable signal ODTEN2 while the second termination command ODTCMD2 is enabled to have a logic “high” level. The second termination enable signal ODTEN2 may be enabled if the first input control signal IN_CNT1B is enabled while the second termination command ODTCMD2 is enabled. The pulse generator 348<3> may generate the second termination enable command ODTENCMD2, which is enabled in synchronization with a rising edge of the second delayed clock signal CLKD2 inputted through the buffer 348<2>, if the second termination enable signal ODTEN2 enabled is inputted. Enablement of the second termination enable command ODTENCMD2 means that a pulse is created according to the second termination enable signal ODTEN2.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 7, the second command generation circuit 35_2 may include a second internal command generation circuit 351_2, a second command output circuit 352_2 and a second input control signal generation circuit 353_2.

[0060] The second internal command generation circuit 351_2 may include buffers 354<1:4> and NOR gates NOR35<1:4>. The second internal command generation circuit 351_2 may generate a second internal mode register read command IMRR2, a second internal write command IWT2, a second internal read command IRD2 and the second internal termination command IODT2 from the second pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB2, the second pre-write command WT_PREB2 and the second pre-read command RD_PREB2 while a second input control signal IN_CNT2B is enabled to have a logic “low” level. The second internal command generation circuit 351_2 may generate the second internal mode register read command IMRR2 and the second internal termination command IODT2 which are enabled to have a logic “high” level if the second pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB2 enabled to have a logic “low” level is inputted while the second input control signal IN_CNT2B is enabled to have a logic “low” level. The second internal command generation circuit 351_2 may generate the second internal write command IWT2 and the second internal termination command IODT2 which are enabled to have a logic “high” level if the second pre-write command WT_PREB2 enabled to have a logic “low” level is inputted while the second input control signal IN_CNT2B is enabled to have a logic “low” level. The second internal command generation circuit 351_2 may generate the second internal read command IRD2 and the second internal termination command IODT2 which are enabled to have a logic “high” level if the second pre-read command RD_PREB2 enabled to have a logic “low” level is inputted while the second input control signal IN_CNT2B is enabled to have a logic “low” level.

[0061] The second command output circuit 352_2 may include a second control clock generator 355<1>, pulse generators 355<2:5>, an inverter IV35<1>, a delay unit 355<6>, logic units 356<1:3>, a buffer 356<4> and latches 357<1:3>. The second control clock generator 355<1> may generate a second control clock signal CLK_CNT2 having a logic “high” level while the fourth delayed clock signal CLKD4 has a logic “high” level and the first internal termination command IODT1 and the first termination command ODTCMD1 are disabled to have a logic “low” level. The pulse generators 355<2:4> may output pulses which are created when the second internal mode register read command IMRR2, the second internal write command IWT2 and the second internal read command IRD2, which are enabled, are inputted while the second control clock signal CLK_CNT2 having a logic “high” level is inputted. The pulse generator 355<5> may generate the second termination command ODTCMD2 for execution of the termination operation from a second pre-command, where the second termination command ODTCMD2 may be enabled if an enabled second internal termination command IODT2 is inputted while the second control clock signal CLK_CNT2 having a logic “high” level is inputted. The logic units 356<1:3> may generate the second mode register read command MRRCMD2, the second write command WTCMD2 and the second read command RDCMD2 in response to output signals of the inverter IV35<1> and the delay unit 355<6>. The logic units 356<1:3> may transmit the pulses generated in the pulse generators 355<2:4> to the latches 357<1:3> while the second termination enable signal ODTEN2 is disabled to have a logic “low” level. The logic units 356<1:3> may prevent the pulses generated in the pulse generators 355<2:4> from being transmitted to the latches 357<1:3>, while the second termination enable signal ODTEN2 is enabled to have a logic “high” level. In one example, the second command generation circuit 35_2 may terminate generation of the second command if the second termination enable signal ODTEN2 is enabled. The latches 357<1:3> may receive the pulses generated in the pulse generators 355<2:4> through the logic units 356<1:3> to generate the second shift mode register read command MRRCMDS2, the second shift write command WTCMDS2 and the second shift read command RDCMDS2, in synchronization with the second delayed clock signal CLKD2. The second command generation circuit 35_2 may generate the second command and the second termination command ODTCMD2 in response to a second input control signal IN_CNT2B and a second termination enable signal ODTEN2.

[0062] The second input control signal generation circuit 353_2 may include a NAND gate ND35, an inverter IV35<2>, a logic unit 358<1>, a buffer 358<2> and a pulse generator 358<3>. The NAND gate ND35 may generate the second input control signal IN_CNT2B which is enabled to have a logic “low” level in synchronization with a rising edge of the third delayed clock signal CLKD3 if the second delayed chip selection signal CSD2 enabled to have a logic “high” level is inputted. In one example, the second control signal IN_CNT2B may be enabled if the first rank selection signal CS_R1 is enabled in synchronization with the second edge of the clock signal. The inverter IV35<2> may inversely buffer the second input control signal IN_CNT2B to generate a second inverted input control signal IN_CNT2. The logic unit 358<1> may buffer the second inverted input control signal IN_CNT2 to generate the first termination enable signal ODTEN1 while the first termination command ODTCMD1 is enabled to have a logic “high” level. The pulse generator 358<3> may generate the first termination enable command ODTENCMD1 which is enabled in synchronization with a rising edge of the fourth delayed clock signal CLKD4 inputted through the buffer 358<2>, if an enabled first termination enable signal ODTEN1 is inputted. The first termination enable signal ODTEN1 may be enabled if the second input control signal IN_CNT2B is enabled while the first termination command ODTCMD1 is enabled. Enablement of the first termination enable command ODTENCMD1 means that a pulse is created according to the first termination enable signal ODTEN1.

[0063] Operations of the first rank 3_2 illustrated in FIGS. 22 to 27 will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29.

[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 8, if the first pre-write command WT_PREB1 enabled to have a logic “low” level is inputted in synchronization with a first rising edge of the clock signal CLK at a point of time “T31” while the first rank selection signal CS_R1 is enabled to have a logic “high” level, the first write command WTCMD1 and the first termination command ODTCMD1, which are enabled to have a logic “high” level, may be generated. The first write command WTCMD1 and the first termination command ODTCMD1 may be generated by the first internal command generation circuit 341_2 and the first command output circuit 342_2 included in the first command generation circuit 34_2 illustrated in FIG. 6. The first termination command ODTCMD1 enabled to have a logic “high” level may terminate a pulse generation operation of the pulse generators 355<2:5> included in the second command generation circuit 35_2 illustrated in FIG. 7, thereby preventing the second mode register read command MRRCMD2, the second shift mode register read command MRRCMDS2, the second write command WTCMD2, the second shift write command WTCMDS2, the second read command RDCMD2, the second shift read command RDCMDS2 and the second termination command ODTCMD2 from being enabled. If the first rank selection signal CS_R1 maintains a logic “high” level in synchronization with a second rising edge of the clock signal CLK at a point of time “T32”, the second inverted input control signal IN_CNT2, the first termination enable signal ODTEN1 and the first termination enable command ODTENCMD1 may be sequentially enabled to have a logic “high” level. The second inverted input control signal IN_CNT2, the first termination enable signal ODTEN1 and the first termination enable command ODTENCMD1 may be generated by the second input control signal generation circuit 353_2 included in the second command generation circuit 35_2 illustrated in FIG. 7. The first termination enable signal ODTEN1 enabled to have a logic “high” level may be applied to the first command output circuit 342_2 included in the first command generation circuit 34_2 illustrated in FIG. 6 to disable the first write command WTCMD1 and the first shift write command WTCMDS1 to a logic “low” level.

[0065] As described above, the first rank 3_2 may perform only the termination operation without performing the write operation even though the first pre-write command WT_PREB1 enabled to have a logic “low” level is inputted in synchronization with the first rising edge of the clock signal CLK, if the first rank selection signal CS_R1 continuously maintains an enabled state corresponding to a logic “high” level at the first and second rising edges of the clock signal CLK. Although FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which the first pre-write command WT_PREB1 enabled to have a logic “low” level is inputted in synchronization with the first rising edge of the clock signal CLK, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in some embodiments, the first pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB1 or the first pre-read command RD_PREB1 enabled to have a logic “low” level may be inputted in synchronization with the first rising edge of the clock signal CLK. In such a case, the first rank 3_2 may perform only the termination operation without performing the mode register read operation or the read operation even though the first pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB1 or the first pre-read command RD_PREB1 enabled to have a logic “low” level is inputted in synchronization with the first rising edge of the clock signal CLK, if the first rank selection signal CS_R1 continuously maintains an enabled state corresponding to a logic “high” level at the first and second rising edges of the clock signal CLK.

[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 9, if the first pre-write command WT_PREB1 enabled to have a logic “low” level is inputted in synchronization with a first rising edge of the clock signal CLK at a point of time “T41” while the first rank selection signal CS_R1 is enabled to have a logic “high” level, the first write command WTCMD1 and the first termination command ODTCMD1, which are enabled to have a logic “high” level, may be generated. The first write command WTCMD1 and the first termination command ODTCMD1 may be generated by the first internal command generation circuit 341_2 and the first command output circuit 342_2 included in the first command generation circuit 34_2 illustrated in FIG. 6. The first termination command ODTCMD1 enabled to have a logic “high” level may terminate a pulse generation operation of the pulse generators 355<2:5> included in the second command generation circuit 35_2 illustrated in FIG. 7, thereby preventing the second mode register read command MRRCMD2, the second shift mode register read command MRRCMDS2, the second write command WTCMD2, the second shift write command WTCMDS2, the second read command RDCMD2, the second shift read command RDCMDS2 and the second termination command ODTCMD2 from being enabled. If a logic level of the first rank selection signal CS_R1 is changed into a logic “low” level in synchronization with a second rising edge of the clock signal CLK at a point of time “T42”, the second inverted input control signal IN_CNT2, the first termination enable signal ODTEN1 and the first termination enable command ODTENCMD1 may maintain a disabled state corresponding to a logic “low” level. Thus, the first termination command ODTCMD1 enabled to have a logic “high” level in synchronization with the point of time “T41” may be shifted to generate the first shift write command WTCMDS1 which is enabled to have a logic “high” level in synchronization with the point of time “T42” for execution of the write operation.

[0067] As described above, the first rank 3_2 may perform the write operation in response to the first pre-write command WT_PREB1 enabled to have a logic “low” level in synchronization with the first rising edge of the clock signal CLK, if the first rank selection signal CS_R1 has a logic “high” level at the first rising edge of the clock signal CLK and the logic level of the first rank selection signal CS_R1 is changed into a logic “low” level in synchronization with the second rising edge of the clock signal CLK. Although FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which the first pre-write command WT_PREB1 enabled to have a logic “low” level is inputted in synchronization with the first rising edge of the clock signal CLK, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in some embodiments, the first pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB1 or the first pre-read command RD_PREB1 enabled to have a logic “low” level may be inputted in synchronization with the first rising edge of the clock signal CLK. In such a case, the first rank 3_2 may perform the mode register read operation or the read operation in response to the first pre-mode register read command MRR_PREB1 or the first pre-read command RD_PREB1 enabled to have a logic “low” level in synchronization with the first rising edge of the clock signal CLK, if the first rank selection signal CS_R1 has a logic “high” level at the first rising edge of the clock signal CLK and the logic level of the first rank selection signal CS_R1 is changed into a logic “low” level in synchronization with the second rising edge of the clock signal CLK.

[0068] An operation of the semiconductor device according to an embodiment will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 10.

[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 10, if both of the first and second rank selection signals CS_R1 and CS_R2 have a logic “high” level at a first rising edge (i.e., a point of time “T51”) of the clock signal CLK and the first and second rank selection signals CS_R1 and CS_R2 respectively have a logic “high” level and a logic “low” level at a second rising edge (i.e., a point of time “T52”) of the clock signal CLK, the first rank 3_2 may perform only the termination operation without performing the internal control operation and the second rank 4_2 may perform only one of the mode register read operation, the read operation and the write operation. The first rank 3_2 may possibly not perform the internal control operation (i.e., the mode register read operation, the read operation or the write operation) in response to a first level combination CA1 of the command/address signal CA<1:N> inputted at the first rising edge (i.e., the point of time “T51”) of the clock signal CLK and may perform only the termination operation in response to a second level combination CA2 of the command/address signal CA<1:N> inputted at the second rising edge (i.e., the point of time “T52”) of the clock signal CLK. The second rank 4_2 may perform one of the mode register read operation, the read operation and the write operation in response to the first level combination CA1 of the command/address signal CA<1:N> inputted at the first rising edge (i.e., the point of time “T51”) of the clock signal CLK.

[0070] Each of the ranks included in the semiconductor device according to an embodiment may perform only the termination operation without performing or blocking the internal control operation (i.e., the mode register read operation, the read operation or the write operation) in response to the command/address signal CA<1:N>, if a rank selection signal having a logic “high” level is continuously inputted at the rising edges of the clock signal CLK which are sequentially created. Because the semiconductor device according to the embodiment performs the termination operation in response to the command/address signal CA<1:N>, an additional pin may possibly not be required to receive a control signal for the termination operation. Moreover, the semiconductor device according to an embodiment may block generation of an unnecessary internal command during the termination operation to prevent malfunction of the semiconductor device. Accordingly, power consumption of the semiconductor device may be reduced.

[0071] The semiconductor device described with reference to FIGS. 1-10 may be applied to an electronic system that includes a memory system, a graphic system, a computing system, a mobile system, or the like. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, an electronic system 1000 according an embodiment may include a data storage circuit 1001, a memory controller 1002, a buffer memory 1003, and an input/output (I/O) interface 1004.

[0072] In relation to FIG. 11, the data storage circuit 1001 may store data which are outputted from the memory controller 1002 or may read and output the stored data to the memory controller 1002, according to a control signal generated from the memory controller 1002. The data storage circuit 1001 may include the semiconductor device 1_2 illustrated in FIG. 1. Meanwhile, the data storage circuit 1001 may include a nonvolatile memory that can retain stored data of the data storage circuit 1001 even when its power supply is interrupted. The nonvolatile memory may be a flash memory such as a NOR-type flash memory or a NAND-type flash memory, a phase change random access memory (PRAM), a resistive random access memory (RRAM), a spin transfer torque random access memory (STTRAM), a magnetic random access memory (MRAM), or the like.

[0073] The memory controller 1002 may receive a command outputted from an external device (e.g., a host device) through the I/O interface 1004 and may decode the command outputted from the host device to control an operation for inputting data into the data storage circuit 1001 or the buffer memory 1003 or for outputting the data stored in the data storage circuit 1001 or the buffer memory 1003. Although FIG. 11 illustrates the memory controller 1002 with a single block, however, the memory controller 1002 may include one controller for controlling the data storage circuit 1001 comprised of a nonvolatile memory and another controller for controlling the buffer memory 1003 comprised of a volatile memory.

[0074] The buffer memory 1003 may temporarily store data which is processed by the memory controller 1002. That is, the buffer memory 1003 may temporarily store data which is outputted from or to be inputted to the data storage circuit 1001. The buffer memory 1003 may store data, which is outputted from the memory controller 1002, according to a control signal. The buffer memory 1003 may read and output the stored data to the memory controller 1002. The buffer memory 1003 may include a volatile memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a mobile DRAM, or a static random access memory (SRAM).

[0075] The I/O interface 1004 may physically and electrically connect the memory controller 1002 to the external device (i.e., the host). Thus, the memory controller 1002 may receive control signals and data supplied from the external device (i.e., the host) through the I/O interface 1004 and may output the data generated from the memory controller 1002 to the external device (i.e., the host) through the I/O interface 1004. That is, the electronic system 1000 may communicate with the host through the I/O interface 1004. The I/O interface 1004 may include any one of various interface protocols such as a universal serial bus (USB), a multi-media card (MMC), a peripheral component interconnect-express (PCI-E), a serial attached SCSI (SAS), a serial AT attachment (SATA), a parallel AT attachment (PATA), a small computer system interface (SCSI), an enhanced small device interface (ESDI) and an integrated drive electronics (IDE).

[0076] The electronic system 1000 may be used as an auxiliary storage device of the host or an external storage device. The electronic system 1000 may include a solid state disk (SSD), a USB memory, a secure digital (SD) card, a mini secure digital (mSD) card, a micro secure digital (micro SD) card, a secure digital high capacity (SDHC) card, a memory stick card, a smart media (SM) card, a multi-media card (MMC), an embedded multi-media card (eMMC), a compact flash (CF) card, or the like.

[0077] According to the above embodiments, a semiconductor device may perform a termination operation a using command/address signal even without an additional pin. Thus, the number of pins of the semiconductor device may be reduced.

[0078] Moreover, the semiconductor device according to the embodiments may suppress generation of internal commands for execution of a mode register read operation, a read operation and a write operation during a termination operation to prevent malfunction of the semiconductor device and to reduce power consumption of the semiconductor device.

[0079] A known technique for reducing the loading of a channel for transferring signals between a memory module and a memory controller, which is a technical feature of the present invention, is incorporated by reference in US Pub. No. 2017-0220294.