Digital Equipment Corporation

Shane Lewis Bell

Bruce Alan Gieseke

The present invention provides a sense amplifier that incorporates a logic function. Specifically, that logic function is incorporated into the sense amplifier such that the propagation time of the logic function is avoided and the effective data set-up time of the sense amplifier is reduced. The sense amplifier includes a pair of discharge paths having a true or a complementary version of the logic function associated therewith. When the true or complementary version of the logic function is asserted, one of the discharge paths is turned-on. The output signal that is associated with that discharge path is discharged to a logic low level and the other output signal is pulled to a logic high level. Accordingly, the resulting logic level of the logic function is generated and latched using only the sense amplifier circuit. Therefore, unlike prior art implementations, the data presented to the sense amplifier needs to remain stable for an amount of time that is equivalent to the data set-up timing requirement of the sense amplifier circuit.

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Shrewsbury, MA, United States of America

Shane Lewis Bell