Sense amplifier circuit and method

Static information storage and retrieval – Read/write circuit – Differential sensing

Reexamination Certificate

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C365S196000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10870289

ABSTRACT:
A semiconductor device memory device (300) can include a sense amplifier (302) enabled according to a first sense signal (setn) and a second sense signal (setp). In a sense operation, a first sense signal (setn) can be driven to a first, below ground potential. Subsequently, in the same sense operation, the first sense signal (setn) can be raised and maintained at a ground potential. Such an approach can substantially eliminate a sense amplifier stall condition that can occur under low temperature and/or low voltage operation. According to another aspect of the embodiments, a more negative logical “0” value can be written back into the memory cell during an access and/or refresh operation. This more negative value is available due to the below ground level provided during a sense operation.

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