Discharge circuit for a semiconductor memory including address transition detectors

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor memory device which is capable of reliable and high speed reading and writing operation by effecting stable discharging operation of the word line.
Briefly stated, the present invention comprises transition detection means which detects the transition in the signals required for designating the memory cell and outputs a transition detection signal, discharge control means which receives the voltage of a first word line for outputting a discharge control signal in response to the transition detection signal, and switching means which continues to discharge a second word line in response to the discharge control signal.
According to the present invention, the transition detection means detects the transition in the signal required for designating the memory cell and applies the transition detection signal to the discharge control means.
The discharge control means applies a discharge control signal to the switching means in response to the transition detection signal.
The switching means discharges a second word line in response to the discharge control signal.
Namely, the discharge of the second word line is carried out in response to the transition in the signal required for designating the memory cell, so that the stable discharge of the word line can be effected.
According to the present invention, a semiconductor memory device can be provided which is capable of reliable and high speed reading and writing operation.
In a preferred embodiment, the discharge control means comprises counter means for counting the transition detection signal.
The counter means determines the period for outputting the discharge control signal by counting the transition detection signal, so that reliable and stable discharge of the switching means is provided.
These objects and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings