Memory circuit

摘要

A memory circuit (10) for storing data words in a format having a predetermined number of data bits comprises an external input port (14) and an external output port (16) as well as control inputs (18) for receiving control signals for reading and writing of said data words, and a memory core (20) including a core data input (20) and a core data output (24), each having a number of terminals corresponding to the predetermined number of data bits. Between the memory input port (14) and the core data input (22) an input reformatting unit (26) is inserted which can be controlled so that it reformats data words applied to the external input port (14) in at least one format having a number of data bits different from the predetermined number to data words having the format with the predetermined number of data bits and applies these reformatted data words to the core data input (22). Between the core data output (24) and the external output port (16) an output reformatting unit (28) is inserted which performs a reformatting operation opposite to that of the input reformatting unit (26). A control unit (30) sets the reformatting mode of the reformatting units (26, 28) in dependence upon the format of the data words to be applied to the external input port (14) and under the control of a combination and or sequence of control signals assigned to this format and applied to the control inputs (18). Use: Storage of luminance and chrominance components of video signals appearing as 8bit-wide, 9bit-wide or 12bit-wide data words. <IMAGE>