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:
Feb. 29, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 01, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:
Ray Chang, Austin, TX (US);
William R Weier, Austin, TX (US);
Assignee:
Motorola Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US);
Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
365205 ; 365207 ; 365208 ; 365190 ; 365196 ; 365203 ; 36518521 ; 327 54 ; 327 55 ; 327 57 ;
Abstract
A memory has a sense amplifier that provides data onto a global data line that is received by a secondary amplifier. The sense amplifier is precharged to a high voltage and responds to data provided by a selected memory cell on a pair of bit lines. The amplifier is a dynamic amplifier that latches the data but also limits the output voltage swing provided to the secondary amplifier. By limiting the voltage swing on the high-capacitance global data lines, there is significant power savings. The voltage swing that is provided is sufficient for reliable detection by the secondary amplifier.