Static information storage and retrieval – Read/write circuit – Differential sensing
Patent
1998-11-19
1999-12-21
Mai, Son
Static information storage and retrieval
Read/write circuit
Differential sensing
365190, 365207, 327 52, 327 53, G11C 706, G01R 1900
Patent
active
060058161
ABSTRACT:
A sense amplifier that amplifies data signals in either a normal mode or an altered mode. In the normal mode, the data signals must be complementary of each other while in the altered mode, the data signals may, but need not be, complementary of each other. The sense amplifier includes two sense amplifier stages, the first of which drives the second, and each sense amplifier stage includes two identical sense amplifier circuits. A first input of each sense amplifier in the first stage receives a respective data signal, and a first input of each sense amplifier in the second stage receives an output signal from a respective sense amplifier in the first stage. In the normal mode, a mode control circuit couples each of the other data signals to a respective second input of each sense amplifier in the first stage so that the sense amplifiers receive both of the complimentary data signals at their differential inputs. In the altered mode, the mode control circuit couples a reference voltage to the second inputs of the sense amplifiers in the first stage so that the sense amplifiers compare a respective data signal to the reference voltage. The mode control circuit also alters the operation of the second stage. In the normal mode, the mode control circuit couples an output signal from the other sense amplifier in the first stage to a respective second input of each sense amplifier in the second stage so that the sense amplifiers receive at their differential inputs both of the complimentary output signals from each sense amplifier in the first stage. In the altered mode, the mode control circuit couples a data signal to the respective second input of each sense amplifier in the second stage so that the sense amplifiers compare an output signal from a respective sense amplifier in the first stage to a respective data signal.
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Manning Troy A.
Martin Chris G.
Mai Son
Micro)n Technology, Inc.
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