Patent · US Expired

Dynamic sense amplifier with embedded latch

US5963495A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
7References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 17, 1998
Grant dateOct 5, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 17, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C7/065
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A dynamic sense amplifier (10) cooperates with an embedded latch arrangement for converting signals read from a memory cell array to digital signals. The dynamic sense amplifier (10) is connected to a complementary pair of data output lines, each associated with a data output node, and to a complementary pair of data lines from a column decoder associated with the memory cell array. The dynamic sense amplifier (10) is also connected to a sense enable line for receiving a sense enable signal, while the latch incorporated in the dynamic sense amplifier (10) is connected to a latch enable line. The dynamic sense amplifier (10) operates to quickly develop an intermediate charge state at the data output nodes in response to a read charge state on the data lines and a sense enable signal applied at the sense enable line. After developing the intermediate charge state, the latch enable signal is applied to the latch enable line to take the intermediate charge state to a final charge state at the data output nodes. This final charge state at the data output nodes produces data signals on the data output lines. The latch also operates in response to the latch enable signal to hold the charg…

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