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:
Apr. 18, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 16, 1999
J Patrick Kawamura, Richardson, TX (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
A memory circuit (10) provides reduced array sense amplifier circuitry (20, 22) for a memory cell array (24, 26, 28, 30), which has a plurality of memory cells (340) for electrically storing data. A plurality of bitlines (260) are associated with a memory cell array (26) for carrying data to and from the memory cells therein. At least one sense amplifier circuit (16) includes circuitry (332, 334) for addressing selected memory cells via column select lines, and for communicating with an external source of address signals. A local sense amplifier circuit (20, 22) includes circuitry (262, 266) for communicating with the sense amplifier circuit through the selected bitlines. The local sense amplifier circuit also includes circuitry (234, 238) for communicating with other bitlines (232, 236) for addressing other memory cells (28), and further for transmitting data to and from the other memory cells along the selected bitlines, in cooperation with the sense amplifier (16).