Sense amplifier for active standby operation

Abstract

A sense amplifier for a memory device includes a primary latch and a holding latch that are independently controllable. The primary latch comprises a first set of transistors and the holding latch includes a second set of transistors having higher threshold voltages than the first set of transistors. In conjunction with a memory access operation, the primary latch and the holding latch sense and amplify a differential voltage of a pair of bitlines. A connectivity control circuit controls connectivity of the primary latch in different operational modes including pre-charge, offset pre-compensation, and amplification. In an active idle mode in between memory access operations while the wordline may remain active, the connectivity control circuit may turn off the primary latch while the holding latch holds the differential voltage on the bitlines to avoid leakage current through the primary latch.