The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 13, 1991
Filed:
Jun. 07, 1990
Applicant:
Inventor:
Thomas M Luich, Campbell, CA (US);
Assignee:
National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H03K / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
307530 ; 307473 ; 307443 ; 307456 ;
Abstract
In accordance with teachings of this invention a novel sense amplifier is provided. The sense amplifier includes an enable circuit which receives an enable input signal. This enable circuit includes a constant current source which consumes a small amount of power. The enable circuit provides an output signal which serves to disable the output pull up and pull down transistors of the sense amplifier, thereby providing a high impedance output signal. At the same time, the disabling output signal from the enable circuitry powders down the read circuitry, thereby minimizing power consumption.