Differential capacitance sense amplifier
US6803794B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C11/22
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A differential capacitance sense amplifier capable of measuring a small difference-signal capacitance in the presence of circuit mismatches and large unequal interconnect capacitances. The sense amplifier includes three sections: a common-mode section applies a ‘read’ voltage to two capacitors in a manner that rejects unequal interconnect capacitance, a difference-mode section generates a signal proportional to the capacitance difference between the two capacitors, and an offset-canceling section compensates for circuit mismatches in the difference-mode section. The amplifier can be adapted for use as a sense amplifier for a ferroelectric differential capacitance memory unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.