Patent · US Expired

Sense circuit for storage devices such a non-volatile memories, with enhanced sensing discrimination

US5270590A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
4References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 12, 1991
Grant dateDec 14, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 12, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C7/14
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The sense circuit, for recognizing the virgin or programmed status of cells in storage devices, comprises a differential amplifier having a first input connected to a number of selectable matrix cells, through a first uncoupling circuit, a second input connected to a number of selectable reference virgin cells through a second uncoupling circuit, respective matrix and reference load transistors connected between each input of the amplifier and a supply voltage, and a current generator connected in parallel to the matrix cells and controlled by the first input of the amplifier to draw a current equal to a predetermined fraction of the current flowing through said first input.

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