International Business Machines Corporation

Joseph M Poplawski, Jr

Manoj N Kumar

George McNeil Lattimore

Dieter F Wendel

Michael Kevin Ciraula

Friedrich C Wernicke

A method and apparatus for providing single clock cycle pipelined access of a memory system, which combines synchronization and self resetting techniques, includes an array of memory cells that are arranged into columns and rows and intercoupled by bit lines and word lines. The memory system also includes an address decoder and a sense enable circuit. The address decoder, upon receiving an address, interprets the address to enable a particular word line, or word lines, and to disable precharging of a bit line, or bit lines. With the word line active, the sense enable circuit generates a sense enable signal when the clock signal has encountered a transitional edge, or is in an active state. When the sense enable signal is active, the sense amplifier reads the data from the addressed memory cell via the bit lines to produce output data.

Method and apparatus for synchronized pipeline data access of a memory

A word line driver circuit operable for receiving address signals from a decoder circuit and for gating these address signals to be outputted as a word line signal to one or more memory cells within a RAM. The driver circuit prevents oscillations of the outputted word line signal by not allowing any internal nodes between circuit elements to have a floating potential. This function is provided by a plurality of circuit elements arranged in a unique manner so that the internal nodes are not allowed to float.

Word line driver circuit

A self resetting CMOS (SRCMOS) circuit operates with a variable clock cycle. Circuit oscillation is avoided in either long or short clock cycles. At the same time, the circuit eliminates overlapping currents by incorporating a ground interrupt device. The reset generation path is optimized to provide a fast and narrow reset pulse. In addition, the circuit saves power.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Joseph M Poplawski, Jr