Artisan Components, Inc.

Daniel F LaBouve

Scott T Becker

Dhrumil Gandhi

Disclosed is a sense amplifier for amplifying data signals read from memory devices. The sense amplifier includes a sense amplifying core having an amplifier circuit and an output data latching circuit. The amplifier circuit is configured to voltage amplify the data signal, and the output data latching circuit is configured to latch the amplified data signal. The sense amplifier further includes a dummy sense amplifying core for generating a read enable signal to be communicated to the output data latching circuit of the sense amplifying core. The read enable signal preferably operates to switch-on the output data latching circuit. And, the amplifier circuit is configured to switch itself off via an internal feedback signal.

Sense amplifying methods and sense amplification integrated devices

Low power consuming circuitry for amplifying sensed signals in memory devices is disclosed. The low power circuitry includes a amplifier circuit having a data bus line for receiving a data signal from a selected column of a memory array. The data bus line being coupled to a first pre-charger transistor for limiting a data bus voltage swing, and a virtual ground control line for controlling a virtual ground application to a selected column of the memory array. The virtual ground application configured to provide a path to ground for the selected column, and the virtual ground control line being coupled to a second pre-charger transistor for limiting a virtual ground voltage swing. Further included is a gain transistor configured to receive the data signal from the data bus line and provide an amplified data signal to a pull down node located at an input of an inverter. And, a digital data output node located at an output of the inverter. The digital data output node being coupled to a gate of a positive feedback transistor, and a drain of the positive feedback transistor being coupled to the pull down node.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Daniel F LaBouve