Stmicroelectronics S.r.l.

Francesco Tomaiulo

Luca Giuseppe De Ambroggi

Salvatore Nicosia

Salvatore Giove

Francesco Pipitone

Kumar Promod

Giuseppe Piazza

A circuit for controlling a reference node in a sense amplifier switchable between an operating mode and a stand-by mode is provided. The reference node provides a reference voltage in the operating mode. The circuit may include circuitry for bringing the reference node to a starting voltage upon entry into the stand-by mode, circuitry for keeping the reference node at a pre-charging voltage in the stand-by mode, and circuitry for providing a comparison voltage closer to the pre-charging voltage than the starting voltage. Pulling circuitry may also be included for pulling the reference node toward a power supply voltage. Further, a controller may activate the pulling circuitry upon entering the stand-by mode, and disable the pulling circuitry when the voltage at the reference node reaches the comparison voltage.

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Monte Sant'Angelo, Italy

Francesco Tomaiulo