Static information storage and retrieval – Associative memories – Ferroelectric cell
Reexamination Certificate
2007-07-31
2007-07-31
Phan, Trong (Department: 2827)
Static information storage and retrieval
Associative memories
Ferroelectric cell
C365S189070, C365S203000
Reexamination Certificate
active
11269659
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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4445201 (1984-04-01), Pricer
patent: 5051948 (1991-09-01), Watabe et al.
patent: 5270591 (1993-12-01), Ross
patent: 5598115 (1997-01-01), Holst
patent: 5740097 (1998-04-01), Satoh
patent: 5754463 (1998-05-01), Henstrom et al.
patent: 6044005 (2000-03-01), Gibson et al.
patent: 6147891 (2000-11-01), Nataraj
patent: 6262929 (2001-07-01), Miyatake et al.
patent: 6373738 (2002-04-01), Towler et al.
patent: 6400594 (2002-06-01), Hata et al.
patent: 6430073 (2002-08-01), Batson et al.
patent: 6442054 (2002-08-01), Evans et al.
patent: 6442090 (2002-08-01), Ahmed et al.
Ahmed Abdullah
Gillingham Peter
Lines Valerie
Ma Peter P.
Ma Stanley Jeh-Chun
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Hung Shin
Mosaid Technologies Incorporated
Phan Trong
LandOfFree
Matchline sense circuit and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Matchline sense circuit and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Matchline sense circuit and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3735117