Semiconductor memory device with data sensing scheme regardless of bit

Abstract

A semiconductor memory device includes a precharge circuit for precharging bit lines responsive to a first control signal during a bit line precharge period and a plurality of transistors each having a current path connected between the corresponding bit line and the precharge circuit. The memory device also includes a control terminal for receiving a second control signal, a data sensing circuit for sensing data states on the bit lines during a data sensing period, and a control circuit for generating the first and second control signals. The second control signal has a first and a second voltage levels during the bit line precharge period and the data sensing period, respectively. The first voltage level is different from the second voltage level. As a result, the corresponding sensing node between the transistors and the data sensing means is maintained to a preset voltage without transitorily dropping during a data sensing period. The second control signal changes to the second voltage level during the bit line precharge period. By doing so, the bit line voltage does not momentarily drop owing to inter-bit line capacitive coupling and the corresponding sensing node maintains its preset voltage level during the data sensing period.