Static and Dynamic Behavior of Memory Cell Array Spot Defects in Embedded DRAMs

Spot defects in memory devices are caused by imperfections in the fabrication process of these devices. In order to analyze the faulty effect of spot defects on the memory behavior, simulations have been performed on an electrical model of the memory in which the defects are injected, causing opens, shorts, or bridges. In this paper, simulation is used to analyze the faulty behavior of embedded DRAM (eDRAM) devices produced by Infineon Technologies. The paper applies the new approach of fault primitives to perform this analysis. The analysis shows the existence of most traditional memory fault models and establishes new ones. The paper also investigates the concept of dynamic faulty behavior and establishes its importance for eDRAMs. Conditions to test the newly established fault models, together with a test, are also given.