Sense amplifier and semiconductor memory device having the same
US7800970B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 3, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C2207/063
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A sense amplifier circuit includes a current sense amplifier, a voltage sense amplifier, and an output stabilizing circuit. The current sense amplifier amplifies differential input currents to generate differential output voltages and provides the differential output voltages to a sense amplifier output line pair. The voltage sense amplifier is coupled to the sense amplifier output line pair to amplify the differential output voltages on the sense amplifier output line pair. The voltage sense amplifier is activated at the time later than a time of activation of the current sense amplifier. The output stabilizing circuit is coupled to the sense amplifier output line pair to stabilize the differential output voltages on the sense amplifier output line pair. The output stabilizing circuit has a positive input resistance. Accordingly, the sense amplifier circuit reduces power consumption and an occupied area on a semiconductor chip.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.