Matchline sense circuit and method
US7251148B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C15/043
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A matchline sense circuit for detecting a rising voltage on a matchline of a CAM array is disclosed. The circuit initially precharges a matchline to ground before turning on a current source to supply current to the matchline and raise the voltage of the matchline. A reference matchline sense circuit generates a self-timed control signal to keep the current supply turned on for a predetermined duration of time. Sensed data on the matchlines are latched after the current source is turned off and the matchlines are precharged to ground. Because the matchline sense circuit of the present invention precharges the matchlines to ground instead of the supply voltage, VDD, less power is consumed. By sensing the rise of the matchline voltage to an n-channel transistor threshold potential, the matchline sensing operation speed is increased.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.