Current sense amplifier for RAMs
US5856949A · kind A · utility
8Cited by
3References
13Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 5, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C2207/063
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved sense amplifier for RAM arrays is provided which reduces read operation access times, reduces static power consumption and reduces used silicon area. The improved sense amplifier includes an equalizing operation that brings the voltages on the output lines to a midpoint voltage prior to performing a read operation. By providing a midpoint voltage on the output lines, neither output line needs to transition a full rail from Vss to Vcc or vice versa during the amplifying operation, decreasing the amount of time required to read the memory cells.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.