International Business Machines Corporation

Rolf Remshardt

Klaus Heuber

Knut K Najmann

Siegfried K Wiedmann

Wilfried Klein

Klaus Tertel

This teaches a sense circuit for an integrated memory storage system in which the storage cell output is detected by a differential amplifier, controlling a flip-flop, serving as a latch, having load elements which also function as the load elements of the latch to ensure an optimum power and speed product. The latch can be coupled to an output driver circuit through a current switch which shares common elements with the latch to assure that the latch remains symmetrical even when used with an output driver having asymmetrical control.

Sense circuit for memory storage system

This describes an integrated semiconductor structure having an epitaxial semiconductor layer, divided into regions by isolation zones and containing active and passive semiconductor devices, of a first conductivity type on a substrate of the opposite second conductivity type. A reference potential and first and second supply voltages are applied to the structure. An additional isolated transistor, in accordance with this invention prevents an unlimited current flow, via the chip isolation junction, from one voltage supply to the other when the power-on sequence for both voltages is undefined. The base of this additional transistor is connected to one of the voltages via an integrated resistor while the other voltage is connected to the emitter and the collector is connected to the substrate via the isolation zone. Thus, the isolation junction can never become forward biased. In addition, this arrangement ensures that the substrate potential is independent of the rate of the above-mentioned substrate current, and perfect isolation is guaranteed under all conditions.

Integrated semiconductor structure with means to prevent unlimited

A method and circuit arrangement for operating an information store, in particular a monolithic information store, whose storage cells and address circuits comprise bipolar transistors which are not continuously subjected to full power. The monolithic information store is readily fabricated by known planar process technology, has increased density, has reduced read/write times, reduced cycle time, and reduced power dissipation.

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Boeblingen, Germany

Rolf Remshardt