Integrated circuit devices with mode-selective external signal routing capabilities and methods of operation therefor

摘要

An integrated circuit device includes a package and an externally accessible signal lead attached to the package. An integrated circuit chip is mounted in the package and connected to the signal lead. The integrated circuit chip includes a mode-selective signal generating circuit configured to receive a mode control signal and an internal signal and coupled to the externally accessible signal lead. The mode-selective signal generating circuit is operative to produce an output signal responsive to one of the internal signal or an external signal applied to the externally accessible signal lead based on the mode control signal. According to an embodiment, the integrated circuit chip further includes a memory circuit including a sense amplifier that senses a bit line voltage in response to a sense enable signal. The internal signal includes a sense enable control signal having a timing adapted for sensing a bit line voltage in a memory cycle of the memory circuit. The mode-selective signal generating circuit is operative to generate the sense enable signal responsive to one of the sense enable control signal or the external signal based on the mode control signal. In another embodiment, the internal signal includes an internally-generated reference signal produced at a reference signal bus, and the mode-selective signal generating circuit includes a transfer gate coupling the externally accessible signal lead to the reference voltage node and operative to apply a voltage applied to the externally accessible signal lead to the reference signal bus responsive to the mode control signal. Related operating methods are also provided.