CONTROLLER-BASED MEMORY SCRUB FOR DRAMS WITH INTERNAL ERROR-CORRECTING CODE (ECC) BITS CONTEMPORANEOUSLY DURING AUTO REFRESH OR BY USING MASKED WRITE COMMANDS

摘要

A method for updating a DRAM memory array is disclosed. The method comprises: a) transitioning the DRAM memory array from an idle state to a refresh state in accordance with a command from a memory controller; b) initiating a refresh on the DRAM memory array using DRAM internal control circuitry by activating a row of data into an associated sense amplifier buffer; and c) during the refresh, performing an ERR Correction Code (ECC) scrub operation of selected bits in the activated row of the DRAM memory array.