High input impedance, strobed CMOS differential sense amplifier with double fire evaluate
US6107839A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C7/062
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The sense amplifier of the present invention senses the logic level of a digital data element that is conveyed using a low voltage swing signal. That sensing operation occurs relatively soon after the logic level of the data element begins to be established at the input of the sense amplifier. Such a sense amplifier is referred to as having increased sensitivity due to an improved common mode rejection ratio. The common mode rejection ratio is improved by turning-on a pair of evaluate transistors in a successive manner. The sense amplifier includes a pair of discharge paths for allowing a charge, stored on associated internal signals, to be discharged at a given rate that is proportional to voltage levels of the associated data signals. Those data signals are isolated from the discharge paths such that the associated logic levels are not affected by the above mentioned discharge operation. An evaluate unit is connected to the discharge paths and conveys a first portion of the above mentioned charge to electrical ground at an initial rate. At a later time, the evaluate unit conveys a second portion of charge to electrical ground at a subsequent rate, such that the sensitivity of the…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.