Dual-voltage wordline drive circuit with two stage discharge
US7345946B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 2005 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C11/4085
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A wordline driver circuit can include single stage level shifters to translate a low voltage level (VGND to Vcc) to a high voltage level (Vnwl to Vpp). A wordline driver can further include a two-stage discharge circuit to pull down a wordline from a boosted high voltage Vpp to a boosted low voltage Vnwl. A two-stage discharge circuit can include (i) a first discharge path that can pull the wordline toward a first low voltage VGND; and (ii) a second discharge path that can pull the wordline toward a lower boosted low voltage Vnwl. Initially discharging a wordline to a first low voltage can reduce the amount of charge injected into a boosted low voltage Vnwl supply. A two-stage discharge circuit can be self timed or externally timed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.