Circuits and methods for providing refresh addresses and alternate refresh addresses to be refreshed

摘要

Circuits and refresh address circuits for providing a refresh address, and methods for refreshing memory cells. One such method includes refreshing a first plurality of memory cells and interrupting the refreshing of the first plurality of memory cells. A second plurality of memory cells is refreshed, at least one of the second plurality of memory cells the same as one of the first plurality of memory cells. Refreshing of the first plurality of memory cells is resumed following the refreshing of the second plurality of memory cells. One such refresh address circuit includes a refresh address counter configured to provide addresses to be refreshed and a refresh address interrupt circuit configured to interrupt the provision of addresses. An alternate refresh address circuit is configured to provide an alternate address and the refresh address counter resumes providing the addresses responsive to completing the refreshing of the alternate address.