Block write power reduction memory with reduced power consumption during block write mode

摘要

A video memory device has a normal write mode and a block write mode, and includes a global write driver driving global input/output (I/O) lines, and a number of local write drivers, each driving local I/O lines coupled to a number of memory cells. Control circuitry is coupled to the global write driver and to the local write drivers, and is adapted to generate block write control signals and normal write control signals. The block write control signals cause the write data path to freeze during a block write cycle, thereby conserving power during block writes.