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:
May. 04, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 11, 1998
Applicant:
Inventor:
William F Kraus, Colorado Springs, CO (US);
Assignee:
Ramtron International Corporation, Colorado Springs, CO (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
36518521 ; 365100 ; 365196 ; 327 52 ; 327 55 ;
Abstract
A cross-coupled sense amplifier includes a voltage-compensating balancing resistor serially connected between the drain of one of the P-channel transistors in the sense amplifier and the corresponding sensing/bit line node. The value of the balancing resistor is optimized so that the voltage imbalance between the P-channel transistor is minimized and sense amplifier sensitivity is maximized. A balancing resistor can also be placed in the N-channel transistors in the sense amplifier if desired. The balancing resistor in a typical application is about 100 to 200 ohms and fabricated from polysilicon.