Bi-directional differential low power sense amp and memory system
US6249470A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C7/065
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
According to the preferred embodiment, a device and method is provided for reducing power consumption in memory devices. The preferred embodiment reduces power consumption by providing a sense amplifier that reduces power consumption while providing high performance. In the preferred embodiment, the sense amplifier comprises a bi-directional sense amp that is configurable for use on low power static random access memory (SRAM) devices. The bi-directional sense amp allows the same sense amp to be used for both read and write operations on the memory cells. The preferred embodiment sense amp facilitates the use of differential data buses, further reducing power consumption while providing high performance. Thus, the preferred embodiment bi-directional differential sense amp reduces the device size and complexity, reducing power consumption while providing high performance memory access.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.