Sense amplifier with isolation to bit lines during sensing
US5491667A · kind A · utility
15Cited by
6References
2Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 5, 1993 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C8/16
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A sense amplifier for sensing data from a pair of complementary bit lines. A bistable circuit is coupled to the bit lines through a pair of transistors. During the beginning of a sensing cycle, the transistors conduct allowing the bistable circuit to begin sensing the data on the lines. However, before the sense amplifier reaches one of its two stable states, the pair transistors cease conducting and isolate the bistable circuit from the bit lines. In this manner, the load associated with the bit lines is removed from the bistable circuit allowing it to more quickly sense data.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.