Sense amplifier circuit for switching plural inputs at low power

Abstract

A sense amplifier circuit is described for switching plural inputs at high speed. At least two transistors for providing at least two true input signals are connected in parallel and have their source terminals connected to a common node from which an output signal may be read. Similarly, at least two other transistors for providing the inverse of the true input signals are connected in parallel and their source terminals are connected to another common node from which an inverse of the output signal may be read. The common nodes are then precharged to the same voltage. True and inverse input signals are applied to their respective transistors through transfer gates where all the true input signals are greater than their respective inverse signals. Therefore, the on-resistance of each of the transistors to which a true input is applied have a higher on-resistance than the associated transistors to which an inverse input is applied. Current flow then rapidly decreases through the transistors transmitting the inverse input signal as current is switchably applied to the transistors transmitting the true input signals.