Patent · US Expired

Midpoint sense amplification scheme for a CMOS DRAM

US4694205A · kind A · utility

50Cited by
8References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 3, 1985
Grant dateSep 15, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 3, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C11/4091
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A CMOS, midpoint sense amplification system for controlling the dynamics of the sense amplification phase of the sense cycle of a CMOS DRAM. The system includes a tracking circuit for initiating the first stage of the sense amplification phase when the differential voltage signal attains a first predetermined value. Circuitry for controlling the sense amplification rate and equalizing current supplied to the source nodes during the first stage is disclosed. In one embodiment, circuitry for detecting when the amplitude of the signal has increased to a second predetermined value and for increasing the sense amplification rate during the second and third stages of the sense amplification phase is disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.