Current mirror sense amplifier with reduced current consumption and enhanced output signal
US5055720A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1990 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K3/356113
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A current mirror sense amplifier includes current control devices connected in series with each pair of transistors forming a reference branch and an amplifying branch of the amplifier. The control devices are connected and biased in a cross latched manner, and when the reference and amplifying branches respond to a differential input signal, the conductivity of the control devices regeneratively changes until the current through both branches is ultimately terminated and the output signal attains a level substantially at the level of one of the supply voltages, Vcc and Vss. The sense amplifier also includes resetting devices for reestablishing the initial conductivity states of the branches and the control devices, in order to allow the sense amplifier to respond to a new differential input signal. Biasing transistors establish initial bias levels for the control devices which prevent them from regenerating into the opposite conductive until a differential input signal is applied.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.